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

[redwolf3]

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!

With respect to pitching a tent, some of the earlier camp grounds just had patches of snow with lots of open dirt in between (and Biffy's). I suspect that in two weeks, the first couple of campgrounds will be devoid of snow (if it doesn't snow again). Hopefully Jon can confirm if he makes it up this weekend.

With respect to high centering in the snow, I suspect that I will high center before you given that I'm on 32" tires with a Solid Front Axle, so I have a big pumpkin sticking out there to work as a snow plow, haha. With my tires aired down, I'll be plowing for sure.

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.

That's still my plan. After my trial run this weekend, we should have plenty of time. I left my house at 7 AM and hit Packer Lake Road at 10:00 AM (after a 15 minute stop for breakfast and a 15 minute stop for gas). Even if we unpack some gear and drive a bit slower, we should have plenty of time to make it back to Downieville when everyone rolls through.

 

[downpour11]

You guys will be good. Hopefully it will be only a little snow. I think we've got another on board BTW, another nice 1st gen taco flatbed on 35's.

Our plan is to leave Friday around 4pm. I have an unavoidable class til 3:30pm. So we will meet you guys at the campsite, and/or keep in touch with Jon. Lemme know what CB channel you'll be on as well.

 

[mien4x4]

sounds like its gona be fun but I cant make this trip wit yall this time I jus got my wrk schuld n im wrkin that weeknd but u guys be safe out there n hav fun thanks again for the invite

 

[Jon]

In regards to pitching tents in snow, an air mattres make all the difference only $30 with an attached pump at walyworld. But the snow always seems to be deeper on the trails themselves due to the density. Forest floors melt a lot faster. Guess we'll find out in a couple days. Anyone wanna ride with or tag along?
I got nothing planned for tomorrow or Sat. I gotta be at the house Fri morning till?.... got a repair guy coming.

 

[downpour11]

Anyone wanna ride with or tag along?

I wish!! :sadwave: :sobbing: soon enough...

 

[having fun]

Well this old fart and his akin bones will have the air mattress, just not on the snow. In my early years no problem.

If I did go with ya, I would want to stay, but, starting my easy work schedule of 6/10hrs
Haven't told the dispatcher I'm gone that week and staying another day or 2 longer than you guys. Nice at times being a sub- hauler, you can do things like that.

 

[redwolf3]

I got nothing planned for tomorrow or Sat. I gotta be at the house Fri morning till?.... got a repair guy coming.

I'd love to go Saturday, but I only have Saturday this weekend to pack and do any purchasing for the trip, sorry man.

Keep us posted on how things look up there though.

 

[having fun]

options

In regards to pitching tents in snow, an air mattres make all the difference only $30 with an attached pump at walyworld. But the snow always seems to be deeper on the trails themselves due to the density. Forest floors melt a lot faster. Guess we'll find out in a couple days. Anyone wanna ride with or tag along?
I got nothing planned for tomorrow or Sat. I gotta be at the house Fri morning till?.... got a repair guy coming.

Going on an estimate of Steves report on going in to PACKER LAKE to camp, the possibility of snow pack at camp area. When you go up there and there's snow everywhere at camp.

Have a suggestion on a place in Downieville to camp at and is within driving distance to trails at Gold lake and Poker flat if your interested in and wanted to check out when your up there. It's a easy trail to get to.
And this is just an suggestion.

N. 39 35 52 W. 120 47 52 Elevation 3285'

 

[Jon]

Snow should not be a problem next week. Everything is melting fast. The first camp ground where the nice rest rooms and boat slip has some very small patches of snow. I attempted the trail to Squaw Lake but didn't feel like airing down and all. So I was stopped at the second little patch of snow which was only 6" at the most. We didn't push too far, my buddy needed to be home for dinner, you can make fun of him when he shows up in his TrailBlazer SS (he could have made it to the trail head in that today). All his fault or I would have done a lot more exploring and probably stayed the night.

Here's the pics you've been waiting for

Bat Dog!

There's the snow you were worried about:laugh:

I made it up over that first patch. Bet this is all gone by next weekend.

Another thing everyone should bring that was not mentioned is gas cans. There is gas "locally" for $4.30 but it would save on unnecessary gas runs. If you got em bring em, if not oh well. The drive up there is pretty slow once you get on HWY 49. Took me 2hrs from Penn Valley (75mi) and almost half a tank. So worth it though! The area is amazing.

 

[having fun]

Thanks Jon, for the extra trip you made going to check things out, much APPRECIATED.

I know, just call me a wimp and p---y when you see me, I deserve it.

I guess me and Steve can be up there early and be waiting on everyone.

Ps. Looks beautiful up there, can't wait. Bat dog already enjoying it. Pss, just looked at the pictures again, is that a trout I see jumping in that lake?

 

[Jon]

Oddly enough, I didn't see any fish. It was 4pm so not too too active but I did see some ducks. They must be waiting for opening day of Trout season which is Tomorrow. I'm gonna be doing a lot of fishing. Till I catch a monster of course. Then I'm gonna be doing some eating!

 

[having fun]

Kool, just got a call from one of my partners that used to do Downieville, butterfly safaris runs with me back in my day. He said he is game, he might have to park at the lake and I'll have to bring him and his gear in, depending on how far we go to camp due to terrain.

So, just finalize the meeting points and times and cb channels with others.
Let Steve know what entrance and location for camp. Well be there.

Ps, the seeing the fish jumping thing was a joke, humor.

 

[Jon]

I'm right there with ya. Boswell has a stupid night class Fri so I'll have to scoop him up from the trail head Sat morning.

CH 4 is default for 4x4 CB users. Hope my new CB works, haven't tested it yet!

I'll be at Raley's in Grass Valley (Exit for McKnight Way off of 49) at 9:30 Friday morning. Plan to leave there by 10:00, putting us at Gold lake around noon. I'm down for another meet if needed in Downieville. Really nice little town. Saw a place to snag some gas/grub, there's a 76 Station next to the Two Rivers Cafe. Looks nice, plenty of parking. Unless everyone wants to just get there, setup, eat a sandwich and hit trail. I'm game for either.

If you have fire wood please bring what ya can. The stuff up there may still be wet. Thanks! I'll bring what I got and a chainsaw.

 

[having fun]

Haven't talked to Steve yet, But, I think he wants to leave from SAC around 7'ish. I think I'm a 20-30 min. from him. My other Sac partner will be in a pick up, and I might be able to throw some wood in also, chain saw of course.

We probably can work out a meet in GV it looks like.

 

[Jon]

Sounds good man.

 

[rolling blackout]

Jon, I may not be able to meet you that early in Grass Valley, I'll do my best. I do have some firewood to bring up, I'll load up as much as I have room for. Just installing a c.b. in my 4runner this weekend.

 

[redwolf3]

Snow should not be a problem next week. Everything is melting fast.

Glad to hear it Jon. Thanks for making that extra run up there, glad to know the snow is melting, looks like it might be a great weekend.

Did you see any other campers, etc. up that way?

With things still thawing out, I'm thinking we might just want to grab a camp spot on the back side of Gold Lake. I'm thinking we shouldn't have to deal with too much riff-raff since it is still so close to when there was still snow on the ground, what do you think?

Another thing everyone should bring that was not mentioned is gas cans. There is gas "locally" for $4.30 but it would save on unnecessary gas runs. If you got em bring em, if not oh well. The drive up there is pretty slow once you get on HWY 49. Took me 2hrs from Penn Valley (75mi) and almost half a tank. So worth it though! The area is amazing.

This is a great idea, I ended up filling up on the backside of Grass Valley for about $3.50 a gallon. I highly suggest people fill up there first since the prices are lower, and just top off when you get higher up the hill.

For me, I'm not sure I will need to worry too much. I'm still driving around on the tank I filled up on the way to Gold Lake last Saturday. One of the only advantages of the 4-Bangers - you don't have to feed them as much, *lol*.

 

[redwolf3]

CH 4 is default for 4x4 CB users. Hope my new CB works, haven't tested it yet!

You and me both, I still need to finish installing my CB, haha.

If you have fire wood please bring what ya can. The stuff up there may still be wet. Thanks! I'll bring what I got and a chainsaw.

I would suggest at least one box of wood per vehicle per day, just to make sure we have enough. Then we can pool it together and get a nice bonfire going.

 

[redwolf3]

Haven't talked to Steve yet, But, I think he wants to leave from SAC around 7'ish. I think I'm a 20-30 min. from him. My other Sac partner will be in a pick up, and I might be able to throw some wood in also, chain saw of course.

We probably can work out a meet in GV it looks like.

I was planning on leaving at 7:00 in the morning, it's about 1 to 1 1/4 hours from here to Grass Valley though, so if we want to meet up with the others, we wouldn't need to leave until closer to 8:00 AM.

Let me know what how you'd like to handle it either way. I'm good either way.

 

[Jon]

Whats better than pics?

This! Go to 1080