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Seven Days Five Trails Who is up for it?




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I will probably shoot some video and take pictures. It is hard to do when I don't have a passenger willing to get out and do some walking. My 72 year old dad might ride with me for part of the trip but he won't be jumping around on the rocks to take pictures and doesn't want to drive so I can.
 






We have been working on Mike's TJ, getting it ready for this run. Seems like every time we fix one thing, we find something else. He had the transmission and transfer cases rebuilt as they both had major issues. The work was done on a tight budget at his Father-In-Law's shop. I think the mechanic was pissed at him or something because he impacted the Rubicon Express skid plate bolts on so tight that my 235 pound impact would not loosen most of them. Ended up using a six foot breaker bar to break them loose. Had to pull the skid plate because, even though the mechanic pulled the transfer case, he must not have noticed the U-joints in the front drive shaft were loose, real loose, I'm talking move side-to-side with your hand loose. We were tracking down a rapid thumping noise that only seemed to be in 4WD. Think we found it. If its not the U-joints, then its something with the front locker. Don't think that is the issue because we pulled the diff cover and everything looks to be in great shape. No chunks, flakes or slivers of metal in the lube.

We pressed out the U-joints and the double cardan CV fell apart. More parts on order.... Also noticed the T-case is leaking fluid at the newly sealed seam between the SYE and the case. Now, Mike has to take it back up so the pissed off mechanic can reseal the case, after we repair the drive shaft.

Last week we replaced both front hubs, brake pads, and rotors. While doing that, noticed that a few of the steering tie rod nuts were loose, causing slop in the steering. The TRE's were still OK, so it must have been driven very little since they were loosened. I am guessing, same mechanic. Still need to flush / bleed the brakes and change out the rear diff fluid.

On the Explorer, I noticed I have gotten quite a bit of play in the steering. Have two bad rod ends in the drag link. Think they wore out prematurely due to the binding I was getting at full passenger-side droop. Ordered two from Ruff Stuff.

I still need to fix the steering, and change out both diff's fluid. Purchased Lube Locker gaskets for both diffs so its not such a pain next time, and the time after that, and the time after that... Not going to mess with the engine main seal leak until we get back. It hasn't dropped the oil level, it just leaks enough to make a mess. Also am waiting for the Sam's Club down here to get two of the Duracell AGM 34/78 series batteries in stock because both of my Optimas go flat in about ten days, while hooked up to trickle chargers. I don't have a SC membership, but found out one can get a 24 hour trial membership. The only draw is the stereo pre-sets on the rear battery, and the ECM on the front. Should not be enough to drain them down.
 












Ten days till we hit the trail. Four rigs confirmed and a few still trying to clear their work schedules so they can make it. Right now Dusy is still closed however I heard a group has been up there all week working on the trail trying to get it cleared. Fingers crossed they do and we can get on Dusy right from the start. Can't wait.
 


















I'm back out. Going to hit the Rubicon and some other trails instead I think. Dusy will not be open.

They are working on it all next week, so it might open up, but it might not. It would have been nice to run into you on the trail. Next time..
 






Harbor Freight is having a parking lot sale. I got three of the 12" tool bags for $4 each.
 






Less then a week out. Dusy won't be open for this trip but I have made a few changes to the schedule and it will still be an awesome trip. Also planning a second part in early October to run Dusy if it is open.
 






New schedule.
Sunday morning start swamp to swamp lake.
Monday. Stay st swamp lake. Fish hike or relax.
Tuesday. Finish swamp and go into brewer. (Resupply if needed)
Wednesday. Brewer to Coyote. (Resupply if needed. I will be as I am picking my dad up in Shaver to ride with me the rest of the trip.)
Thursday. Stay at Coyote. Hike fish or relax.
Friday. Coyote to Strawberry to Mirror. Camp at Mirrior.
Saturday. Mirror to highway and home.

Tentatively planning a Dusy trip Oct 3-5.
 
























Fun trip. Awesome weather, great people, good wheeling, few break downs, good fishing, fun hikes. More info later when I get more time.

Looking forward to pics and a trip report:chug: I hope everyone did well without too many issues on the trail.
 






Where's the return report and pics?
 












All my pictures can be found here.
https://flic.kr/s/aHsm4cYywH

Our trip started Sunday morning. We met up along Dinkey Creek Road and headed to Swamp Lake. As soon as we turned off the pavement we all aired down.

IMG_0890 by Matthew Dresselhaus, on Flickr

In the group was my self in my Ranger, Mike and Ken in the TJ, Brian in the Explorer, and Mike and Zack in the JK. We made our way up the very dusty forest service roads to the trail head of Swamp Lake trail. We made our way up the trail without much trouble. The biggest issue was Mike in the TJ started having problems with his front ARB not locking. But the trail was awesome.

IMG_0897 by Matthew Dresselhaus, on Flickr

IMG_0905 by Matthew Dresselhaus, on Flickr

IMG_0908 by Matthew Dresselhaus, on Flickr

IMG_0914 by Matthew Dresselhaus, on Flickr

Half way to Swamp we did a quick hike over to a private lake called Mud lake and checked it out.

20170827_131653 by Matthew Dresselhaus, on Flickr

Then we made a stop at Grouse lake. I tossed a fishing line in real quick and caught a small trout on the first cast.

20170827_160048 by Matthew Dresselhaus, on Flickr

After Grouse Lake you climb to the highest point on the trail of about 9600 ft. On the way down to Swamp lake is a mine on the side of the mountain.

IMG_0917 by Matthew Dresselhaus, on Flickr
 






WOW 9600 feet LOL Just kidding. Trail looks like you all had a lot of fun. I really need to get my Explorer rolling to get out. Tired of seeing everyone else having fun. Hope to have you all out this way and go up to 13,000 feet in the vehicle. :)
 



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We made our way down to Swamp lake at 9000' and setup camp. We had the entire lake to ourselves. I went down to the lake and caught a few trout.

IMG_0923 by Matthew Dresselhaus, on Flickr

IMG_0922 by Matthew Dresselhaus, on Flickr

IMG_0921 by Matthew Dresselhaus, on Flickr

The next day was a relaxing day of no wheeling. Some people hung out at the lake and relaxed. Myself, Zack and JK Mike decided to hike to the top of Three sisters peak. We are starting at 9000 feet. The peak is at 10612 feet and there is no trail. So we set off back up the trail and around the lake. This is looking out part way up at Swamp lake. We are camped just to the left of the rocks at the top side of the pictures.

20170828_092334 by Matthew Dresselhaus, on Flickr

Another view looking down on Swamp part way up. The small lake on the left is Little Doris Lake

20170828_101708 by Matthew Dresselhaus, on Flickr

Made it to the top.

20170828_120546 by Matthew Dresselhaus, on Flickr

Signed the book and a picture of the lake where we started from.

20170828_120426 by Matthew Dresselhaus, on Flickr

A 360 degree picture from the top. The two lakes on each end are the same and more on them later. Just left of center is Courtright reservoir where Dusy Ershim trail starts. Just to the right of center is Swamp lake.

20170828_115824 by Matthew Dresselhaus, on Flickr

We hiked back down and all said took us maybe 6 hours. A bit later a few of my friends wheeled in Monday and spent the night with us. Unfortunately I didn't get pictures of them.
 






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