Iowa Hill Trip - 4/13/09

[createbmx]

1) let's nail down these dates
2) lets figure out who is coming
3) let's figure out the trails and locations we are going to check out.

I'd like to check out the foresthill OHV area; I understand some people are concerned that it might not be difficult enough, but again, it makes up for that in scenery. I'm sure there are plenty of tough trails there.

We should find a safe spot to camp out and then spend 2/3 of the next day with ruffyian, on the other trails, and leave 1/3 to travel back home.

We only have 2 weeks to get this going, so everyone chime in. Ruffian, we need you to let us know what is do-able and what isn't. A lot of people are coming from the penninsula, so we need 3+ hours of travel time back.

 

[Ruffian]

1) let's nail down these dates
2) lets figure out who is coming
3) let's figure out the trails and locations we are going to check out.

I'd like to check out the foresthill OHV area; I understand some people are concerned that it might not be difficult enough, but again, it makes up for that in scenery. I'm sure there are plenty of tough trails there.

We should find a safe spot to camp out and then spend 2/3 of the next day with ruffyian, on the other trails, and leave 1/3 to travel back home.

We only have 2 weeks to get this going, so everyone chime in. Ruffian, we need you to let us know what is do-able and what isn't. A lot of people are coming from the penninsula, so we need 3+ hours of travel time back.

I reccomend at least viewing this CA State Parks pdf document on the Auburn Confluence State Park area. Page 8 has the perfect map for you. Camping info, what campsites allow dogs, phone numbers, etc.
www.parks.ca.gov/pages/502/files/ASRANews111503.pdf

Again, if you guys don't want to rough it, there are pleanty of hotels down in Rocklin that are right off 80.

Do able? In a Toyota most everything is do able! lol You guys need to pick from the two adventures I posted pics on above. Read about them online. Alleghany/North Bloomfield in Nevada City, Nevada County area (which is closer to Auburn) or the Signal Peaks & Eagle Lakes trail in Sierra Co, just outside Lake Tahoe (which is obviously higher up). Cal Trans is doing Hwy 80 work at Colfax, and since you guys are leaning toward fire roads, dirt trails etc. I'm thinking ya'all would be most comfortable with the Nevada County one. But I'll lead you on either. Signal Peaks is easy, well up the one side of the mtn! The other side at the Eagle Lakes trailhead is Class 4/5. I don't reccomend taking a stock rig up that trail. We could do it, but it takes rock crawling experience. Here's a shot of Ruffian on the start of that very trail. And yeah, I backed down off that rock...oh and like all the other photos, she's bone stock here.

And a view back up the trail so you can get an idea of how Western it gets fast.

Short video of getting Ruffian up on that boulder.

<embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid2.photobucket.com/albums/y11/lovesnowshoes/4Runner/Eds2008Californiatrip224.flv">

Or the easy route. Short video back from the first snow fall in Nov. I'd imagine that there will still be snow in 2 weeks for us to have to deal with, so now that I'm thinking about it....hmmmm. You guys wanna snow wheel? Basically the whole trail looks like what you see in the video, but the challenge will be all that deep snow. Yikes....well...Signal Peak may be out depending on the amount of snow up there.


<embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid2.photobucket.com/albums/y11/lovesnowshoes/4Runner/Eds2008Californiatrip221.flv">

This amount of snow is nothing. We're talking deep. This is the Sierra's after all. In this photo, I had gotten scared since I was out with my friend (riding shotgun) and I didn't want to get stuck up there. So I called girls rules, got scared, and did a 28 point turn on the trail, turned tail and came back down the trail! Snow was to her running boards and traction was becoming a major issue.

 

[createbmx]

Ruffian, Why don't you decide on which trail to take us on; weather permitting.

If the group of guys that went off roading with me this past weekend come, they are definitely capable of 4/5, and some of us were stock. I personally don't want to mess with rocks (i can take a little bit) because I need to drive my truck home

Anything with great scenery and a challenging trail up would be great.


How about barney/riley?

 

[createbmx]

 

[Ruffian]

The Barney Riley trail is awesome! But that is a whole days worth of driving alone just local. From Folsom, you'd go up hwy 50 all the way to the Hwy 89 exit just out side of Lake Tahoe, and then drive another hours worth along 89 through Markleyville. And if you guys are camping along 80 somewhere, you'll need to come on over to Folsom & Hwy 50. Which is where I live and say another 30 min worth of driving depending on where you laid your head the night before.

I'm thinking Alleghany & North Bloomfield. It's safe, mostly dirt trail, in general we won't be on the same trail going out as we were going in. There will be oppurtunity for 4Lo, with moderate rock crawling in one spot. No more than Class 3 at best. Some very steep uphill climbs, and a long trip back down the mtn side where the edge of the mtn is right out your drivers side window! See the pics I posted for shots.

My 4WD club calls this run "Rob's Run" after a member who passed away a few years back. See the albums named thus so for pics from other members.

http://www.ccmg4wd.org/Photos2005/AllPrerun01/

http://www.ccmg4wd.org/cpg133/thumbnails.php?album=41

 

[createbmx]

Both of those links look great. How far are they from Sac?

BTW, telling us miles and time from a major city like sac would be helpful.

 

[Ruffian]

Both of those links look great. How far are they from Sac?

BTW, telling us miles and time from a major city like sac would be helpful.

Allegheny/North Bloomfield is in Nevada City in Nevada Co. Which is say via hwy 80 about 40-50 min from the Sacramento/Placer Co line. From Auburn or Iowa Hill, about 20-30 min depending on traffic on Hwy 49. This is where Google maps would be more helpful for you if you want miles. You'll find North Bloomfield & Malakoff Mine State Park off of Hwy 20 just outside of Nevada City. This is where the Yuba River flows through, and where hydraulic strip mining took place many years ago. It's a very CA historical area. Well they don't call it Gold Country for no reason!

 

[Ruffian]

And in Allegheny, we'll stop at Casey's Bar and have a cold one. Soda or adult beverage.

And then as we depart Allegheny and leave to find North Bloomfield, we'll get to enjoy yet more views of the amazing Yuba River. This was Sept. of last year, so I'm guessing the water will really be rushing as long as the snow is melting.

North Bloomfield is a very small town and the historical society has worked hard to try to maintain what buildings still stand. But it's a nice quiet spot to stop and have a little BBQ meal before we hit the road to go home. The whole trip would be like in a circle where only the main entrance onto the trip at North Bloomfield Road off Hwy 20 would be the only repeat scenery! And yes, I have maps I can provide everyone.

http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=494

 

[andrix]

i used to live on back bone road about 10 or so minutes from north bloomfield. i drove that road (the one from n. bloomfield to nevada city) a month or so ago from nevada city to the peak which is a really nice scenic view near north bloomfield in a foot and a half of snow stock.

its a cool road that goes over edwards crossing (a river spot that hippies like to frequent) but to be honest, thats all it really is: a road. I have no problem driving up there with you guys but just so you know we used to drive home on that road in a '69 4-door cutlass. so to say that this is a mild trail is an exaggeration.

but like i said if thats where you guys wanna go im down.

 

[createbmx]

I think we need other guys to chime in here!

My ideal trip is scenery, and trails off the beaten path; quiet and solitude.

 

[Ruffian]

its a cool road that goes over edwards crossing (a river spot that hippies like to frequent) but to be honest, thats all it really is: a road. I have no problem driving up there with you guys but just so you know we used to drive home on that road in a '69 4-door cutlass. so to say that this is a mild trail is an exaggeration.

I'm thinking that's all that's really wanted since the orig. idea was to drive around Iowa Hill. I don't care one way or the other. Ruffian and I are down for anything.

I'll research some trips out of my 4x4 trails books this weekend and see if I can find any other trips that sound more exciting. But I still think the North Bloomfield trip is still sounding ideal to what the Bay Area guys want to do.

 

[createbmx]

well, I can handle blue sqaures. I did a black diamond and I really don't want to try anymore until I have money to replace parts.

I think rock crawling is out of the pictures...I mean u've got the same truck as most guys, so whatever your down for that seems fun and challenging, but won't kill a truck is great.

I've been checking trails.com, and there are TONS of trails all around that area. It's hard to pick.

Jamie

 

[Ruffian]

well, I can handle blue sqaures. I did a black diamond and I really don't want to try anymore until I have money to replace parts.

I think rock crawling is out of the pictures...I mean u've got the same truck as most guys, so whatever your down for that seems fun and challenging, but won't kill a truck is great.

I've been checking trails.com, and there are TONS of trails all around that area. It's hard to pick.

Jamie

I agree with you. Ruffians weather stripping around the cowl under the whindshield wipers is coming up, so that's going to be an unexpected expense for me.

I'll check out that website you mentioned as well as looking at my Nor Cal trails books.

I didn't think the North Bloomfield drive was dull at all. Such a beautiful area. Long drive maybe, but just as you leave Alleghany, the next 2 hours or so has more challenging parts, but hell no it's not enough to do damage unless a driver drives off the mtn! So it's just driving slow and being careful. I really liked the run both times I've done it and am looking forward to taking the trip again in the future.

 

[createbmx]

Sounds good. Let's hone in on the trail/trails that we are definitely going to take, so we can start planning better. I dont think the run time of the trail matters; we all expect to be out all day.

Jamie

 

[andrix]

so is this still active or ??? Im still down to go, just let me know where and when.

 

[createbmx]

I think I have to postpone. My brakes are shot from the last trip, and I shouldn't do another trip without getting them fixed.

 

[andrix]

umm... ok... so??? trip is off then?

 

[Ruffian]

I'm still available and willing to go on a trip. I think though it's still early in the year that we should avoid anything high in the Sierra's.

Jamie, I'm sad now that you're not going to be able to make it up. I'm still hoping that you'll be able to pull the Easter rabbit out of your hat and make it up. Please let me know!!

For the others who want to go, pm me and I'll send you my email adrs. I'm thinking to do the same as what we do with the 4WD club. Meet at a restuarant right off 80 for breakfest, gather up, tune the CB's if need be, and hit the road by 9 or 10 am. That way, doing the speed limit, we'll be in Nevada County by noon. If we haven't gathered food for lunch, we can do that in Grass Valley, and then be on North Bloomfield road and hit the dirt!

Let me know who else is going.....I hope people aren't bailing all out now.

 

[magnumfan]

Who's in?

step up....

j

 

[Ruffian]

Ok Guys & Gals,
Since Jamie hasn't posted yet, and I'm not sure what's going on with the rest of the Bay Area folks, I'm willing to hijack this and state I'm willing to lead a run or join one for Tues the 14th. Any Sac. or other locals want to go play Tuesday?

Pritch....?

If people don't want to do the North Bloomfield/Alleghany run, I found at least 3 others that are still fairly local and won't be a snow run that we can try. I've never done them, so I don't know how well of a trail master I would be. But I have the trail book, so I can try to find the trail!!!