Here's what we're thinking about doing...
Dan just emailed me with some proposals for our next run in the area. Would you like to peek inside of this guys mind? Here goes:
>>As for other trails as I mentioned before we have about three more runs on Old Dale Before we have covered everything. Also need to complete the climb
where I got real hung up. Hope there is enough room though at the top or that is going to be a long and painful back down (About a mile long). Also there are a few more trails on the left that need to be explored and would like to spend a bit more time exploring Gold Crown Mine. There are a few others as well located near the far mountain range. About a total of 15
or so miles of trails on that side so we should be able to cover most of it in one day-- two at the most. As for the one going up the side of the mountain well would leave at least half a day for that. It is slow going and a true
rock crawl. Once I have the lift & Gearing believe that I will have about the same ability as you and even then it is questionable especially the end.
>>Before we begin I guess we could really try to scope it out with my Binoculars. Maybe they will provide us with an answer. Must have been some reason for them to dig that trail out of the side of the mountain. So we still have a bit of exploring ahead of us before
completeing the entire trail network. Also on one of our returns to Brooklyn mine would like to take that trail that I pointed out to you. According to the map it goes down about a mile or so and parallels the main trail and then just stops. But would like to take it anyway. Also, we need to get you out along the mountains where I haven't taken you yet. On that trip there is one difficult wash with steep sides that needs to be crossed. A few rough spots, but nothing that we can't handle. Mark may run in to problems though with the wash as I did in my exploder. So that may take up another day on
the trail. So maybe there is a total of about 4 possibly 5 more trail days before we have it all covered. We also may want to go back down Black Eagle Mine to see if there are any trails that can get us around the road block.
>>Really wonder what in the heck is going on over there these days. So, we have a bit more to cover before completing.
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So, that is the plan on what is left to explore. I'm serious about returning to this area. Unlike Big Bear, it isn't closed for any time, and the possiblities are there for some fun and some go-slow trails. This is definitely 4-low action. You'll want a minimum of 31's for the ground clearance, and you'll need low range. If you guys remember, I had trouble climbing that section out of O.K. Mine - if I had a rear locker, that bouncing around would not have happened. My wife really wants to attend, but not if she is going to slow the group down. Because of Day Light Savings approaching, we will have even *less* daylight to work with. So, we'll have to meet promptly at 9 a.m. and leave once all of the peeps show up. We'll discuss the meeting place later...
