Some friends in the Rubicon Owners Club are running to Big Bear July 22 & 23. I'm going to try to make this one, let me know if anybody wants to go...
Here is their schedule:
Hey Rubi Owners,are you looking for some adventure,wanna see how well
that rig climbs.
A few of us did a bit of exploring for you.Some familiar trails and
some recently reopened after the devastating fires of the past few yrs.
2 days worth of wheeling,from the I15 fwy in the Cajon Pass to the 18
east of Big bear.One end of the mountain to the other,less than 2 mi
on pavement.
WHEN: 22-23July2006
WHERE: 22 July 0830,Cleghorn rd Exit, I15 (north of devore,just
before the 138 jct)As you exit we will be waiting on the right side of
the rd.(trailhead)
23 July0900 Hwy 18 and 3N14 in front of Fire Station, Fawnskin.
Required equipment:Front and rear tow attachment points,(NO trailer
balls)
Tow Strap
Fire extinguiser
First aid kit
CB radio(handheld will suffice)
Spare tire and tools to change same.
(these are minimum,bring what you think you may need for a 3+ rated
trail)
NOTE FOR STOCK Rubicons.
These trails are passable by stock Rubicons with experienced
drivers,BUT,body and or mechanical damage is very possible.I always
welcome stock rigs,(I've done these trails in a STOCK open diff CJ)and
also scratched and dinged my slightly built Rubi on them.Our prerun
had 2 rigs on 33s,they had ZERO probs,seldom locked.Bottom line,If you
don't like to risk scratches from brush or minor dings,dont like STEEP
climbs,off camber bench roads.Please wait till Sun.Though John Bull is
a "rock"trail, You drive one of the best OUT of the BOX rock crawlers
around,we go very slowly and have lead MANY stock rigs thru without
incident.
Trails: Sat 22 July.
Cleghorn Ridge trail (2N47)rated most difficult,very few rocks,but
DEEPLY rutted and STEEP,11/2mi pavement to Pilot Rock Fuel break
(2N17X)rated most difficult,steep,narrow ridge trai,some deep rutts(V
notches)connect to Pilot Rock Trail(2N33)lots of fun Most difficult
bypasses,steep rutted,ends with a nice easy cool down as we enter the
forest.<1mi pavement to Willow Creek JP trail(2N34),EASY drive
connecting us to Dishpabn Springs AKA Deep Creek trail(2N34)This is a
Most Difficult trail,climbing up to Crab Flats,moderate rocks,some off
camber on a bench road.This trail had been closed since 03.Much work
was done to reopen it 2 months ago.It is THE LINK from Arrowhead to
Big Bear area for 4x4s.At Crab Flats CG we will travel out to Green
valley Lake rd (paved) VIA FS rd 3N16.A full day of fun wheeling with
spectacular views from high on the ridgelines.
Sunday 23 July: White Mtn(3N17)The Northern most ridge trail on the
mtn.Rated Most difficult,But bypasses are available on the worst
sections,Loose, small rocks,steep climbs,spectacular views of the high
desert changing to forest as we climb.from here we connect to 3N16
Easy dirt rd,to The John Bull Trail (3N10) rated most difficult,the
premier trail in the SBNF,featuring many little "rock gardens"
reaching elevations of over 8000ft.From here we will call it a fun day
and sadly head back to the Flatlands below.
NOTE: All ratings are USFS.I personally would rate most of these
trails a 3 on a 1-5 scale John Bull is a solid 3+
It is summer so don't forget sunscreen and lots of water.
See you on the trail.Bud
