2020 NorCal Camping, Wheeling, & Shenanigans

gotcha. Wheeled MET yesterday and there were signs all over the place that the road was closed, but maybe to passenger vehicles? So I continued all the way blazing. Was a pretty good day. On the way back it was all clogged and had to take offshoot bypasses.

 

The Sierra Nevada goes all the way up to around Lake Almanor by Canyon Dam here in Plumas County, even part of Lassen Peak is in Plumas County.
Duane

 

What did you do to get your wheels wider? Just wider tires? Looks like a wider stance.
Duane

 

i got a Dana 44 front from a E250. Full size tracking.

 

MET is one of those roads that is technically closed (not plowed) but is "open" for recreational purposes. Wouldn't mind hitting it this weekend.

 

I have experienced this a few times.

Last year I went up there in May. It was May, so I wasnt expecting any snow. I didn’t do any weather searches because it was May. I get there, and the whole place was covered in snow, and a snow storm has started.

I have been going to that part of California for 18 years nearly every year. I have never seen anything like that.

 

I've backpacked into the Caribou Wilderness north of Chester one time on the 4th of July, had to park couple hundred feet from the trailhead because of snow. The lakes I hiked into were still froze over.
Duane

 

How does one know which trails are "open" for recreational purposes?
Serious question. The El Dorado site states, specifically, that MET is closed. But there can be circumstances where it is alright for recreational purposes? It does appear that part of their statement is to discourage passenger cars trying to get though to Kirkwood, guided by Google maps.
Not trying to call anyone out. I just don't know anything.

 

this was us last year during a snow storm. We camped out that night but man how exciting.

 

I don't have an answer for you. Maybe it's a past practice thing where authorities know people go there to play in the snow, so they don't really enforce the closure. It's asphalt, so there's no real danger of damaging the underlying "native surface" when things get sloppy. If they really wanted it closed, they'd gate it.

 

That looks like fun.

 

We chatted with a couple of rangers for a bit (well, some of us did), and even had a Sheriff pass us while we were well beyond the snow-line. The rules aren't plain and simple, and even the forest service employees agree.

 

Looking at the MVUM, MET is not officially a seasonal closure. You might be right about it being directed at cars trying to get over to 88.

 

Thanks! That would make sense.
It doesn't really matter for me, right now, anyway. I am not likely to head up to the snow...but was just curious.

 

Maybe it just comes down to protecting the dirt roads from spinning tire-induced erosion when it's muddy and protecting people in ill-equipped vehicles from their poor decisions. I don't know. I just want to go camp in the snow.

 

My understanding is that a road that are not plowed are only open to those that are able to conquer the terrain. I been places where there were sheriff and park rangers and they were just there to observe and help the ones in need.

Shoot there was even a sheriff that asked us to help anyone that needed helping because he knew we knew what we were doing. Lol.

I don’t know if you guys remembered a man, I think his name was Rick. He drove around up in the snow every year helping people get unstuck. His rig was an Old Flat fender on 40’s. Had a real distinctive old inline 6 sound to it. Haven’t seen him in over 2 years. Anyone seen him this year?

 

Ohh yeah forgot, aside from gates. Lol

 

Friend of mine is building a Bronco and loves this place out of Lodi: https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/

 

That's pretty much the conclusion I'm coming to.

 

Yep! I know them well, and they know my credit card well.