Gold lake group run (May 3rd-5th)

[Jon]

I'm no expert, but we still have 2 weeks for snow melt. I'd expect it to be gone by then. I can take a run up there this weekend to check on the snow status. But I agree that the difficult trails wouldn't be any fun covered in snow. Bowman was fun but without snow on that trail, its just a really long dirt road. I really wan to go somewhere on those dates since everyone has made time. :moping: Hope the snow just magically melts away. I'm still willing to go snow or no snow.

Thanks for checking it out man. Lets see them picks!

 

[redwolf3]

Snow, Snow, and more Snow

Ok guys, so here are the photos I took today.


Snow on the Mountain from Highway 49

Packer Lake Exit from Gold Lake Highway (No Snow in Sight)

Packer Lake Road
NOTE: Roadside snow started about 1/2 a mile in, I stopped at the snow pile about 1 mile in. It's hard to tell from the picture, but this road is uphill about 10 degrees and slightly angled, probably about 2 feet deep in the middle.

Gold Lake Road (Snow Leading Up to and on trail)

NOTE: My truck is about 50 ft off of the highway and I hit this, I think it would be an effort just to get to the concreted camping spots.

 

[redwolf3]

I'm no expert, but we still have 2 weeks for snow melt. I'd expect it to be gone by then. I can take a run up there this weekend to check on the snow status. But I agree that the difficult trails wouldn't be any fun covered in snow. Bowman was fun but without snow on that trail, its just a really long dirt road. I really wan to go somewhere on those dates since everyone has made time. :moping: Hope the snow just magically melts away. I'm still willing to go snow or no snow.

At first I was thinking "maybe this will melt away" as well, when I was on Packer Lake Rd. After I saw Gold Lake (which is about 500 feet higher in elevation, and about 500 feet below our target location), I'm thinking it's got a good month at least before it is traversable. At the gold lake exit, you can't even get to the boat docks safely, which is an entirely paved road.

Most of the snow was slushy on top, but ice on the bottom, making it particular hard to navigate. That said, I didn't air down my tires because I didn't bring a pump, thinking I was just running dirt roads today. Also, I stopped earlier than I would have if I was with a group. Being by myself and with no winch or traction adders, if I got stuck, it was an 8 mile walk to the nearest anything, haha.

I agree that, if we can, we should try and do something that weekend since many of us have taken the time off. And I'm willing to try Gold Lake, but I suspect we aren't going to make it too far in, unless the snow really starts melting.

 

[redwolf3]

Hmmmmm... well I'm down for a postponement - I might be able to take my truck if we postpone. My schedule is crap for the next month. I'm unable to go May 12-28th. Then I'm free. But whatever works best for the rest of you guys. I can always go on another trip if I can't make this one.

Otherwise we could hit up Bowman Lake again? Andrew and I would have to park the Dodge at the beginning of the trail and take the crawler but we could try Bowman Lake or Jackson Meadows.. not sure how many people may be out there though. It might be harder with a big group. [MENTION=56529]Jon[/MENTION] [MENTION=90813]BigStoke[/MENTION] [MENTION=93873]MENDORUNNER[/MENTION]

I'd be up for trying Bowman. I'm not opposed to snow, but I'm running open / open with no winch, so I may need (several) tugs along the way. Likewise, there are a ton of trails off of Highway 49 at lower elevation, I'm just not very familiar with them. All the trails I have run thus far are at higher elevations, and have the same or more snow *grumble*.

 

[downpour11]

I'm no expert, but we still have 2 weeks for snow melt. I'd expect it to be gone by then. I can take a run up there this weekend to check on the snow status. But I agree that the difficult trails wouldn't be any fun covered in snow. Bowman was fun but without snow on that trail, its just a really long dirt road. I really wan to go somewhere on those dates since everyone has made time. :moping: Hope the snow just magically melts away. I'm still willing to go snow or no snow.

Thanks for checking it out man. Lets see them picks!

I'd be up for trying Bowman. I'm not opposed to snow, but I'm running open / open with no winch, so I may need (several) tugs along the way. Likewise, there are a ton of trails off of Highway 49 at lower elevation, I'm just not very familiar with them. All the trails I have run thus far are at higher elevations, and have the same or more snow *grumble*.

As long as Jon is with us, no one will be getting stuck LOL. His truck is a capable monster. Andrew's truck can plow the way as well. Jon's right though, Bowman could be a bit boring if there is no snow. If Jon wants to check out the Gold Lake spot this weekend that would be cool. He can plow through it and let us know how do-able it is for everyone. Any other trail ideas?

But also, looking at your pics, the campsite is not far at all (sign says 3 1/2mi) unless that's not that campsite you're talkin' about?

 

[redwolf3]

As long as Jon is with us, no one will be getting stuck LOL. His truck is a capable monster. Andrew's truck can plow the way as well. Jon's right though, Bowman could be a bit boring if there is no snow. If Jon wants to check out the Gold Lake spot this weekend that would be cool. He can plow through it and let us know how do-able it is for everyone. Any other trail ideas?

But also, looking at your pics, the campsite is not far at all (sign says 3 1/2mi) unless that's not that campsite you're talkin' about?

If Jon can make it up there next weekend, that certainly wouldn't hurt. I did talk with a buddy who runs Gold Lake all the time and he said that if there is snow all the way to the entrance of the Gold Lake Camp grounds, it will probably be 6 weeks before the trails are cleared. That said, it's supposed to get hot this week, so who knows.

There were several campgrounds before the snow, some with enclosed biffy's where we could camp, and then take runs into the snowy areas if we'd like. I'd be down with that if others are up for it.

Packer Lake is only about 1/3 of the way to the original target trails. And after looking at that sign more closely, it appears I made it deeper in then I thought. I made it a little ways past the entrance to packer lake before stopping, so I must have made it in about 4 1/2 to 5 miles (if that sign is correct). Also, Packer Lake had a sign indicating that it is a day-use only lake, but we couldn't certainly have a BBQ and do some fishing around it.

Jon - If you can make a run up next weekend and report on the condition of the trail, that would be greatly appreciated. If it has cleared up, or cleared up enough that it's safe for our us to traverse, I have no problem taking a stab at it. I also have no problem camping near or on snow if necessary.

 

[having fun]

Well all I know is I'm going some where with you all or without, Perferable WITH sense you all got all this started. I need to get out of this flat land shit before I kill some one J/K, but you know what I mean. Not sure how the signal peak would be do to the elevation of 7200'. It is on the sun side and then there's Fordyce lake from the south side to camp.

There is also HELL HOLE trail that takes you to the lake to camp also, should be able to get to there this time of year, I haven't been there personally, just making suggestions.
Like I stated before, I'M GOING SOMEWHERE! Just let me know what you guy think.

 

[downpour11]

Hell hole looks like a blast in the summer. I'll need to put my skid plate back on and make some sliders and buy two new tires. Hopefully I can do all that by July.
Hell Hole overnight camping and wheeling trip July 16th & July 17th 2011 - Tacoma World Forums

 

[having fun]

Ok, now I know why those 2 gen3 t4r's where looking at me funny and asking me if I made it in there on my way out. LOL.

I got half way in and backed out do to no aproch angle bumper,( stock ), at that time. I felt I would tear it up past that point and being by myself didn't help. Hell, I'm still on stock running boards, thank god, they alone have saved my rig. All smashed up.

And this is the time period I went up last year.

 

[redwolf3]

Sounds like the general consensus is that we want this run to happen, one way or another. I'll try and work on some alternate trail plans this week, and do a little more digging as well.

 

[downpour11]

There's another spot near Fordyce, or somewhere off one of those trails... I have no clue. Not sure about snowpack and whatnot but this trail looks doable for all of us. Norcal Camping trip picture thread - Tacoma World Forums

 

[redwolf3]

I've also been looking at Poker Flat. It's further down the hill, and the highest elevation of that trail is basically the lowest of Gold Lake.

Has anyone on here run Poker Flat before?

 

[downpour11]

Never heard of it 'til you mentioned it. Looks like it could be fun especially since the campsite is near the ghost town, or whatever's left.

Poker Flat : Sierra Outdoor Recreation©

 

[having fun]

My run ins with the 49 area has been 6000+ elev., has been known for snow pack due to not having the sun to melt, like you found out at GOLD LAKE. Downieville is a place I camped a lot in the past and is just a ridge or 2 east of poker flat, I haven't been there yet.


Norcal Camping trip picture thread - Tacoma World Forums --I think that's the SIGNAL PEAK run I was talking about, and it comes around to the exit side of FORDYCE TRAIL exit. If you make a left at the exit side you can get to Fordyce lake and someone else says they camp up there also, pretty high elev. I haven't been there either.

 

[Jon]

As long as Jon is with us, no one will be getting stuck LOL. His truck is a capable monster. Andrew's truck can plow the way as well. Jon's right though, Bowman could be a bit boring if there is no snow. If Jon wants to check out the Gold Lake spot this weekend that would be cool. He can plow through it and let us know how do-able it is for everyone. Any other trail ideas?

But also, looking at your pics, the campsite is not far at all (sign says 3 1/2mi) unless that's not that campsite you're talkin' about?

Still working on a full vid of the trip, but here's a teaser. Once this stuff is blazed over and packed down, a stock rig on street tires will make it. So if you're scared of snow, don't be!:rockon:
Change to 1080
<iframe width="853" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3G3weBqpJj4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[downpour11]

lol that's a pretty badass tractor you got there!

 

[redwolf3]

Still working on a full vid of the trip, but here's a teaser. Once this stuff is blazed over and packed down, a stock rig on street tires will make it. So if you're scared of snow, don't be!:rockon:
Change to 1080
<iframe width="853" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3G3weBqpJj4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

That's definitely bad ass. Makes me want bigger tires (and a bigger engine). I don't think my 4-Hamsters have enough torque for those tires, especially not at altitude.

 

[redwolf3]

Based on the feedback from several here, and the video of Jon's snow plow, I'm thinking maybe we just plan on making it a snow run, and if he snow has melted enough to do more, all the better.

Probably plan on camping off of Packer Lake Road at one of the campsites off the road there, set it up as base camp, and spend a couple of days snow wheeling and, weather permitting, hit a couple of mild, snowy trails.

Anyone opposed to that plan?

 

[having fun]

Based on the feedback from several here, and the video of Jon's snow plow, I'm thinking maybe we just plan on making it a snow run, and if he snow has melted enough to do more, all the better.

Probably plan on camping off of Packer Lake Road at one of the campsites off the road there, set it up as base camp, and spend a couple of days snow wheeling and, weather permitting, hit a couple of mild, snowy trails.

Anyone opposed to that plan?

As long as I'm not pitching a tent on snow and I can get to some streams for fishing and Jon doesn't go into real DEEP snow and pack it down so deep that I high center I'm game. And if he does, his job is to pull me out!

My four hamsters, ound:,.

Hey Steve, we can still take off early more than likely 99* sure, my co- pilot is a no go due to surgery, but, my side kicks in another vehicle ( non t4r ) will head up with us. They can monitor camp while we retrieve the rest of the group in Downieville.

 

[rolling blackout]

As long as I'm not pitching a tent on snow and I can get to some streams for fishing and Jon doesn't go into real DEEP snow and pack it down so deep that I high center I'm game. And if he does, his job is to pull me out!

I second this!
I don't mind playing in the snow, but I don't really want to sleep in it.