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

I’m flying to Ohio Tuesday, so just through Monday. Looks like Downieville.

 

If you're planning to head out this weekend and visit the National Forest, might wanna check its status before hand.

 

Pioneer Trail

 

Had a good time out this weekend on Fordyce. Unfortunately lost a fender but still was a blast.

 

Memorial Day Trip Report
I started out on the right note; I printed out the label for the keg I got last weekend, then poured myself a growler of it for the trip.

Then I got all ready to head out. I met up with @ssd_dan and we headed out to Downieville.

We found a pretty good place to camp, a little stealthy, behind a giant pile of brush (near Diablo Campground, off the Gold Lakes Loop) and through a puddle so deep and long it was more like a water crossing. Boondocking was limited since the dirt roads in the area were covered in slushy snow with no traction (more on that later). This was a nice camp though, right off Packer Creek and secluded.

The next day we gathered our mountain bikes and headed back to Downieville. With no plows, the shuttle to Packer Saddle at 7000 feet wasn't running, but we got the skinny at Downieville Outfitters. Most cyclists were riding up the trail from town, but we found where we could park and start the ride at Third Divide Trail (part of the Downieville Downhill). Daniel rode and I did hike-a-bike for 90 minutes to the top of the divide. From there, we could take the difficult route with lots of exposure and technical terrain, or bomb back down the nice flowy route we just came up. Dan could read my face that I wanted to do the more technical side, but he could also see I was too tired and he decided we should go back the way we came. It was a great choice as the flowing trail was almost too much for my tired legs, but it was soo much fun. It only took us 15 minutes or so to get back down! Once we were back to the road, I sent Daniel down the road to take the Second Divide then First Divide trails on his way back to town. I went back up to my truck (not saying how much I rode vs. walked) to drive back down to Downieville. He had his truck in town, and I could have joined him, but after those 6.5 miles I was done. Seeing my truck felt like salvation.


I also took a picture of a cool rock at the confluence of Downie River and Paulie Creek.


After we met back up, we decided to explore Sardine Lakes. There is a short 4wd road to the upper lake. If you aren't watching where you are going (maybe there are some young female hikers to make sure you don't run over) there are a couple obstacles. One of us got pretty hung up where his front passenger tire was 3' in the air and his truck was resting on the skid plate about at the A-arms. Neither of us remembered to get a picture before I pulled him backward into the rock, but instead of centered, his truck was hung up only on the passenger side. We decided not to break anything (more?) and Dan winched forward to the driver side, and got off the rock at the apex of the hill crest. Then we were at the lake! Upper Sardine Lake with the Sierra Buttes is a beautiful view. I had to add my truck to the picture.


When we got back to camp, I locked my keys in the 4Runner. I found some 1x2 in the brush pile to work as a wedge, Dan had some bailing wire, and after a lot of work, we finally figured out the way to unlock my truck. Afterward, we bonded some more over the camp fire.


The morning of Memorial Day, @ssd_dan and I recounted all the things we had done.
Camp exploration
Water crossing
Boondocking
Self Shuttle
Mountain biking (Daniel)
Hike-a-biking (Todd)
Downhilling
Wheeling
Recovery
Lock out

We decided we should get in more recovery and we hadn't done any snow wheeling. We decided to head back up to the snow at Diablo Campground and try our hand. Before airing down, I just charged at the bank and made it about 30 feet. I was able to back up 3 feet before I started to dig in. I couldn't go forward, I couldn't go backward, all I could go was down. First we tried a static strap, but didn't want to burn out Dan's clutch, so we switched to the winch. Even with rocks chocking Dan's tires, my 4Runner was lots heavier and Dan's truck just winched forward. He had the parking brake set, but the front wheels kept rolling over the rocks. After a lot of digging at snow with sticks, we cleared out under my rear axle, then realized that Dan should sit in his Tacoma and stand on the brakes. Call us newbies, but we hadn't thought of that. I was thinking he should put the truck in gear and shut off the engine, but Dan didn't want to cause wear that way. I was fixated, but didn't want to push Dan out of his comfort zone, so neither of us thought about using his foot to hold the brake. Needless to say, once we thought of that, my truck pulled right out and we headed back to camp to pack up and head home.

I've got to thank TacomaWorld, I keep finding people I like, and that I want to hang out with. Thank you Daniel, for a great weekend, can't wait to do it again.

 

I forgot to say, I woke up at 4:00 Tuesday morning and flew out to Dallas on my way to Ohio. Above is a parting picture of Utah. Can you tell me where?

 

Anyone know if Mormon emigrant is open all the way through (gate open at 88)? I am seeing mixed reports.
Worked on this last night for a buddy also

 

I am going to head up to check on my cabin this week near Silver Lake. I'll update this with photos of the 88 side of MET.

Judging by the fire cam up at Leek Springs there could still be a fair amount of snow on the ground up there.

 

Exactly, we have a place in Markleeville and it would be nice to not go 50 all the way. I have not been brave enough to test it with the family in the car and have to backtrack and hear about it the whole time

 

I spent the afternoon on some local trails in Truckee, had to flex for the gram.

 

Why didn’t you invite me. Lol I am in truckkee

 

Or me! I was in Truckee all weekend for my two sons swim meet… Wheeling would have been fun.

 

Made it to the Truckee brewery and 50/50 brewery so all was not lost. Dark horse coffee was another highlight.

Besides my kids swimming well… good job kids.

 

I'll post the Sunday runs from now on! I usually do Truckee or head out to Moonrocks.

 

Eastern Sierras FTW

I would say somewhere around 50% fuckery, and 25% camping and wheeling in case anyone is keeping track.

@SwagThor @essjay @silvertep












Oops

 

Nevada and the Eastern Sierras were epic, it was like going back in time. Great spots while waiting for Tahoe to melt.

Awesome trip @530Taco @SwagThor @essjay

 

I wanna wheel ……..

 

All of that looks incredible. That rear bumper and set up...beautiful. Are you driving on 35s?

 

Yep. The skinny Kendas.