Rubicon, Summer 2005..

[tdavis]

Tom can you post the schedule again. I looked but there are so many dates posted. We are meeting where at what time on Fri the 15th?

10am Friday Morning, Loon Lake trailhead

Friday - Loon Lake to Buck Island Lake for base camp.
Saturday - Buck Island to Look out point, back to Buck Island Lake
Sunday - Buck Island to Loon Lake and home.

 

[ssdd]

gonna be a long sat for you all. lots of traffic comin through. will be at the springs on sat, come by for some refreshments.

 

[Positive Vibes]

gonna be a long sat for you all. lots of traffic comin through. will be at the springs on sat, come by for some refreshments.

What time is ****tail hour start????

And thanks Tom for posting the dates and times.

Oh and I talked with a few people that have run the Rubicon this year. They said its going to be really cold at night still, just an FYI.

 

[tdavis]

gonna be a long sat for you all. lots of traffic comin through. will be at the springs on sat, come by for some refreshments.

I don't think it will be that bad - a few narrow spots where it's hard for vehicles to get by, but nothing major.

I've been from the overlook to Buck Island in under 3 hours.

 

[Jefe]

I was on the phone ALL morning tracking down a shift fork for my locker. . no one stocks it and Trac-tech can't sell me parts directly. :fire: Finally found someone who was willing and able to twist Trac-Tech's arm into drop shipping one next-day air.

 

[thunderhorse]

Are they thinking of becomming part of the DMV.

Well guys I just got to witness our tax dollars at work --- went to the ""National Forest" service, to get a fire permit. Was told, "we don't issue them here, we just do the Cleveland Forest", (southern california). Then I ask if NOT you then whom? Their answer, " hummmm maybe San Barnardino". At that point I left, I don't think she really knows where Tahoe is.

sooooooo it would really be great, if someone could look into get a permit for the group.

I also think we'll need the Adventure Passes, but not sure about this.

 

[tdavis]

You should be able to get them in Placerville..

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/eldorado/contact/ has office information.

 

[tdavis]

Some more..

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/eldorado/documents/other/recreate.htm

So it appears you can stop on Icehouse road and get the permits at two possible locations - one is the Cleveland Corral, and the other is Crystal Basin Information Center.

 

[BKennedy]

Well, I am officially OUT of this run. I wish I could make it, but I am not going to have time this week to get things done before the trip. BUMMER!

Looks like we are taking a short trip to Big Bear instead for the weekend. Friday night - Sunday. Just hanging out in the mountians sounds like fun, just not as much as the CON.

 

[RockRanger]

To bad brian. Going to miss having you out there for the run.

Just checked the weather up there. In lake tahoe it looks like it will be in the 80's during the day and drop to the 40s at night. should be some great weather up there. I got a bunch of work stuff I am trying to get situated but still planning on making it. I cant wait only a few days away.

 

[tdavis]

Anyone else want to drop out?

Brian, your going to miss a very good trip!

 

[Positive Vibes]

I keep hearing about how many groups are running the Con this weekend and how congested it gets. Does this concern anybody? I have no clue what to expect so I was just wondering what the people think that have run it before.

Which big obstacles don't have by passes?

 

[Positive Vibes]

Do we have a channel picked out?

 

[RockRanger]

.

Which big obstacles don't have by passes?

The gate keeper. It will be the first obsticle in and our last obstical out unless we come out through wentworth springs. I dont know that way however. I think we will beat most of the traffic on friday cause we are going in the am. However coming out sunday afternoon could get interesting. I hope it ist to bad when we come out so we can get home at a reasonable time.

 

[BKennedy]

Anyone else want to drop out?

Brian, your going to miss a very good trip!

I don't want to drop out, its just not going to work out. I wish I could swing this trip cause I loved the Rubicon last time, even with all the problems along the way. Always wanted to go back there and have a good, fun run. Maybe next time you go Tom, I can tag along. You usually go several times per year, right?

 

[tdavis]

Maybe next time you go Tom, I can tag along. You usually go several times per year, right?

Shoot me a date Brian, and I'll see what I can do.

 

[tdavis]

I keep hearing about how many groups are running the Con this weekend and how congested it gets. Does this concern anybody? I have no clue what to expect so I was just wondering what the people think that have run it before.

Which big obstacles don't have by passes?

1) Gatekeeper.
2) Old Sluice.
3) Big Sluice squeeze point.

Having done this several times before, I found only TWICE that I have had any real problems on the trail from traffic:

1) Auburn Jeep Club came through. That was lots of vehicles - 50+ if I remember right. We pulled over and let them pass.

2) A rig lost it's wheel bearing, and stopped right smack in the middle of the trail - with no way around it. It took several hours of them debating what to do, before it was finally cleared out of the way.

Many slower groups will pull over and let you pass if your capable of moving faster than them.

We have a good, small decent group. It is really the right size for this run (5-10 vehicles).

Every time I have done the run from Buck Island back to Loon, it's taken about 3-4 hours. The trail is *easier* going from Buck to Loon, than from Loon to Buck (except for one obstacle you have to climb up - and that's $1000 Hill, which really isn't that bad). In fact, once you almost get to Soup Bowl, you have no need for a front locker after that point (on the way out)

CB Channel? Someone pick one.

 

[tdavis]

Before I forget..


BRING 100% DEET Mosquito repellent!

They will be BAD, since we had a very wet and late spring.

 

[tdavis]

Information..

I just thought about this..

1) Fuel up in Pollack Pines. Use the 2nd exit, go under hwy-50, there is a Safeway and a Gas station there. Everyone should top off there, no matter how full.

2) Meeting place - Loon Lake Dam. Friday, 10am, earlier is better. Take hwy 50 to Ice House Road, and follow the signs.

3) CB frequency - Let's start with Channel 1.

4) My cell phone - 510-289-3510. It should work until about 9am Friday.. Cell coverage comes and goes on Highway 50 and Icehouse road. Call me for any reason, and if I don't answer, leave voice mail.

5) I will be leaving the SFBay area for the trail head on Friday morning, about ~6am.

6) Bring bug spray, bring sunscreen, bring a hat, bring lots of water. There is lots of water around, but you can't drink it, it's got giardia.. I will have a pump filter, so we can get more water if needed. Yes, I have drank the water after filtering with no ill effects.

7) Think safety! We will have a safety and sanitary discussion before heading onto the trail. Last thing we want is to watch someone get airlifted off the trail.

 

[Jefe]

I received my elec-trac shift fork. I don't think I'm the first one to break one, considering its completely redesigned. The one on top is the busted one, which is cast. The new one is waterjet cut, milled and heat treated, and the prongs extent further so that you can actually see it slide into the ring while putting on the cover.

It'll be installed tonight, and we'll pack up and head out tommorrow