Rubicon Trail Spring Trip March 22nd 2014

[unlimitedFJ4]

Hey what's up everyone Planning a spring Rubicon trip on the morning of March the 22nd Plan on meeting at Safeway off Missouri Flat Road in Placerville California @ 10am Group is leaving at 11am. We Plan to enter at loon lake and go to Spider Lake or Buck Island and camp for the night then Turn around and head out sunday morning! Nothing Fancy Just a Basic Overnighter! I will be taking my Straight Axled 85 and one of my buddies is bringing his SAS first Gen and my Other Buddy is bringing his SAS 91 Pickup along with a Cheep or 2 I mean Jeep there is going to 5 of Us so we Welcome anyone that wants to Join it's going to be a great trip! If anyone wants to go PM me and Ill send you my number or just meet us at Safeway! Would Love to go wheeling with some folks from T4r so I thought I'd send the invite out!

 

[fourwd1]

I moved this to the proper section for ya.

 

[unlimitedFJ4]

Thank you! Getting prepped this week so excited I can't wait so far got 10 rig going!:bluejump:

 

[unlimitedFJ4]

Spring Rubicon Trail trip this last weekend March 22nd/23rd and it was insane! Snow/Mud/Wet Condition I only normally go in the Summer months. I have to I was amazed with my 1st Gen's performance. I was able to cross Climbing #SoupBowl off my Bucket List this trip on my first attempt every it was insane how being locked, front and rear and geared with 37s can conquer every extremely difficult part of the trail! Enough talk onto the picture. I also broke and so did my friend. I ripped a drain plug out coming back down old sluice and gear oil went everywhere. Luckily I brought three spare plugs and gear oil!!!:whoo::biggrin1: no body damage what so ever but my rock sliders worked amazing!



Climbing Toyota Rock in the Snow was epic


Victory Pose After our Sluice Box Session and Climbing Toyota Rock in the Snow!



Sluice Box




My Buddy Rob exiting the Box

At The Top of Sluice Box


Conquering Soup Bowl






Walker was a blast!




we camped 3.5 miles in!

 

[unlimitedFJ4]

On The Way To Buck Island


Flexin' really hard going through Old Sluice

My Doberman Hiked the entire trail and back she's a beast!

Finally made it to Buck Island!!!!

Last But Not Least The Breaks!
I ripped my front drain plug out going down old sluice slipped off my line into a rock!!

 

[NateMob]

Thanks for the trip report, how are you liking the tires after really putting them to work this weekend? What kind of tires are on that slime green jeep?

 

[having fun]

Looks so beautiful back in there, maybe one day I'll get in there.
Just wish everyone would not mention the damages they get, might be sooner than latter.

 

[unlimitedFJ4]

Thanks for the trip report, how are you liking the tires after really putting them to work this weekend? What kind of tires are on that slime green jeep?

So the TrXus did amazing the first 1.5 miles of the trail I did excellent running at 11-12 psi I really liked how they gripped and how the ride felt. We came to Soup Bowl about 2.5 miles in and I attempted at 11-12 psi was having some traction issues due to the wet/mud/snow and about 15 gallons of muddy water in the bowl itself. So I decided to air down to a really nice looking squat in my opinion and it was about 5psi if that. With the 5psi I literally walked up soup bowl. I continued the rest of the trail at 5psi or so and it was flawless the yota rode like a brand new cadi, But they did amazing I am so happy with my purchase my toyota as setup out performed pretty much every rig their. I was going head to head with this fox coil over xj on 38's all day and everything he did I could do. When the trail got tighter toward buck island in old sluice my narrower toyota axles out performed his full width axles I could walk there the narrow parts where he had to finesse his line.

That was a 98 TJ and it had 35 in Big O Big Foot M/T they did very well and have life time no questions asked warranty he killed in that TJ on 35's open front open rear and stock gears I was impressed

Looks so beautiful back in there, maybe one day I'll get in there.
Just wish everyone would not mention the damages they get, might be sooner than latter.

do you drive through el dorado hills a bit? I have seen your rig a few time going down green valley rd. I always notice your yellow tow hook and really dig it!. That being said you 4th gen is really similar to mine. Im not going to lie the trail has gotten so easy from people stacking rocks and all the jamborees and all the stuff they blew up in 2012 the trail is a cake walk even from last summer I was shocked how easy it was this spring with all the mud/snow/water I thought it would be much harder and soup bowl would be impossible but I literally walked up it no problem in wet conditions. We had a 1st gen with us that was open front open rear on 33s complete the trail with no body damage and not even a hiccup. You could take your 4th gen out there no problem. You just have to take it easy avoid the large rocks and keep your tires up on the rocks to get axle clearance. Just scout and select your line and bring a decent spotter its very easy if you pay attention to your line. People inquire body damage when they just drive while drinking a beer not paying any attention. There are so many bypasses and the trail is really easy from all the rock stacking that has been done on the trail. Ask anyone that goes to the trail a bit it is not what it used to be in 2010-2011 and years before that. They have a magazine article about ifs vs the rubicon and bone stock 5th gens going out there if your on 33s and have 3 inch lift and rock sliders it will be a cake walk. The only damage I see on the trail is people who take a bad line from drinking, to much drinking goes on up there. Along with guys trying to prove themselves and their rig and show off. If you go out there and play it safe and smart and take all the bypasses and go slow you will not have a problem at all. It was so nice this weekend I am thinking about planning another trip with 6-7 rigs within the next two weeks I can send you my phone number if you would like to join us I'd love to bring my 4th gen up there again it was a blast it would be really cool to go with another 4th gen as well! And we got a group of basically all toyota guys! hit me up I'd even be down to go out to prairie city course with you 916.225.3654 - Joey

 

[having fun]

[MENTION=103375]unlimitedFJ4[/MENTION]... Much appreciated on the kind words and wisdom of the trail.
Other members I've ran with have told me the same, as they see I have made it into other areas with them in comparison. BTW... Lower the pressure, the better the grip.

Still a little to soon for me to be able to make a run like this, other responsibilities. Maybe a Prairie City...
Even a meet up with you.

I'm on wannaby 32's for now, but, hold my own.

Leonard.