Stick a fork in it, the 2023 NorCal Wheeling, Camping, and Fuckery Thread is done.

Wow my FIL opened 108 all the way the Kennedy meadows today. Looks like it will be open on Friday to the public

 

That's awesome! I did see 120's progress is about a quarter of the way and boy, the snow is at the top of the snow blower! They're near White Wolf and can see the roofs of the bathrooms. That's roughly 11 miles from Crane Flat.

 

Next time you wanna know about an area, maybe there's an alert camera you can check it out from?

 

Good for fire watching.

 

I finally got a chance to go to Hollister Hills today, although only for 2 hours because we were delayed in traffic, but we weren't able to find the Stairsteps thing that I see in YouTube clips of Hollister. Anyone know where they are/how to get to them? My friends and I were in the Upper Ranch area the entire time.

 

This is awesome!
Thanks

 

The stairsteps are right below the campground in the playground area to the right of the main road in (the large playground with the mud pit and the teeter-totter). Blanking on the name of the area. You drive through/past the campground, make a right into the area, and then make another right and it'll be right in front of you.

 

I think I know where you're talking about. I found an aerial view of the area and I'm kicking myself for realizing how close we were to it. I sent the image to my friend. The teeter totter doesn't seem to be on this aerial view map (maybe it's an old photo?) but I circled the stairs in red and pointed to where we were to emphasis how damn close we are to him and he just laughed. Lol, maybe we'll find it next time.

 

Just spent a few days in Moab. Did Hell’s Revenge yesterday. I thought all the videos I watched exaggerated the pucker factor

The rock garden at the end of the trail was challenging but I got through. I really wanted to try Hell’s Gate but I don’t feel experienced enough for that. Finally put my rock sliders and my skid plates to use. Lots of hitch strikes and I ripped off my front license plate. Definitely want high clearance bumpers now. Wish I got more pics especially of some of the ledges I climbed.

 

Not a Tacoma trip, but we did rent a hybrid Sienna at Sky Harbor and drive it back home last week. Stopped at Sedona, the Grand Canyon (south and west rims), Grapevine Mesa, the Hoover Dam, Las Vegas, and Red Rock Canyon (unfortunately during a thunderstorm, so we couldn't get any hiking in), and then took the long way to Baker through Tecopa because I really, really wanted a pre-gyro date shake.

 

It’s late notice, but I’m thinking of camping since I’ve got a long weekend. Can I join someone’s trip or does anyone want to join me? If there are no established trips I’ll probably head to the Mammoth area and camp near different hot springs. I was thinking Mohave Road, but I’m not sure I want to drive quite so much. Death Valley is another option, I haven’t come in from the NW (Eureka Valley Road/ Cucomungo Canyon) route before.

 

Do you mountain bike? I was having similar thoughts- but more in the direction of Downieville*, possibly camping at Gold Lakes. I'd be looking for a biking/wheeling type of camping. Was actually hoping I'd find someone else so we could self-shuttle <<thread jack>>.
@SwagThor, what say you?

*There are opening weekend events; bbq, band, beer, etc. sponsored by the usual suspects, Downieville Outfitters, Yuba Expeditions, Santa Cruz Bikes... But not by me, tho.
https://www.downievilleoutfitters.net/

 

pretty sure gold lake is still gonna be snowed in still

 

If it isn’t, lots of campers looking for a spot (even on the back side) on a three day weekend. We could probably find somewhere though.

That sounds like a lot of fun! My 6” full suspension rig (circa 2002) needs too much maintenance to revive, but I have a 29” hardtail that I can rip alright on. I’m waaaay out of shape, so keep that in mind if I’m still invited.

I usually camp with my off road teardrop so we can set up a base camp somewhere and do a few shuttles. I’ve got a hitch mount 4x bike rack that doesn’t do well with departure angles, and the rear hatch won’t open on the 4Runner, but we can stuff a couple bikes through the rear window or rear doors if we want to shuttle and 4Wheel at the same time.

 

Snow's coming off fast, and GL OHV campground is below 6500', but you're right, prob not that fast.
May have to camp lower down.
But Packer Saddle at the shuttle drop-off is presumably open/accessible.

 

LMK if you head towards Mammoth. I may be able to talk the lady into it. Going to need to make a torque-check stop on the way, though.

 

Hell yeah you're in! Fitness be damned!
And yeah, it will a little bit of a gamble on finding a good spot- it's bound to be crowded.
But these are dice I'm willing to throw, and I suspect we'll manage.

 

Talk her into Downieville with me and Swag

 

No MTB, sadly. But maybe we can find a nice spot to hike with the dog. I'll let you guys know!

 

@SwagThor through the long weekend or through the week?