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

That's strange.

 

I actually talked to the 4wd In Motion member who coordinates with NFS.

For a 4wd to manage a trail, they must go through the adopt a trail program. Which means he has to be Federally Background checked every year and attend a meeting with NFS, every year. That qualifies the club for the trail "adoption."

The "trail opening" is not open to the public, because NFS opens the gate for those who are participating, and then closes the gate until the trail is clear. The fact the trail is not open to the public makes the insurance liability (in event of injury) go to NFS. So, they request that only members of the club that is on record, or potential members of that club, be involved. And there are waivers that have to be signed.

Basically, National Forest Service can't be responsible for a bunch of random people showing up and working under their liability umbrella.

 

Do you know which gate?
I may be up that direction this weekend

 

The main gate at 108 is not open. There won't be access in to 5N01 until Sunday, earliest.

 

If your holiday plans include Fordyce, you might want to check in before you head out. From their FB page:

 

Hey y’all, what’s a good beginner trail for someone that’s just getting into off-roading around the North Bay? (Vallejo & up)

Also one that’s somewhat 2WD friendly

 

Video doesn't do him much justice, but we caught sight of a badass bear this weekend.

One of the nicest looking bear I've ever seen. Gorgeous winter coat, gold nugget blonde with awesome dark under coat. Was boot scooting down the road ahead of us.

https://youtube.com/shorts/EsPlcMmc6tA?feature=share


You never see a bear that looks that nice hunting in CA cause bear season is always after summer, and they lose their nice coat. I just edited (zoomed) with an app on my phone. Hopefully I can get better resolution when I put it through Davinci for edit. (It's actually GoPro footage so I think it has more digital zoom than what I got off the app)

 

I got started on opening the cabin while my dogs played in the meadow. I hiked the last 500 yds because the snow was too off camber to drive it. The mosquitos are insane so if you're headed up to clear trails in the high sierras be ready for bugs.

 

Did you end up going up to Gold Lake? Curious what the conditions are like
@CemenTRDgen

 

I was in the area on June 11 at Packer lake and above 6000 ft the snow was deep still. Forest Service website still shows it as closed.

 

Usal Beach 6/11 weather was great.

 

^that looks amazing. Can I ask where that is?

 

Cleared the Niagara Rim Trail with USFS OHV Trail Maintenance, the 4WD In Motion club, and @El Taco Diablo on Saturday, headed out to Bodie ghost town on Sunday, and spent Sunday evening through Monday afternoon exploring Mono County.

 

Just saw a new Forest order for 5N01 still closed until 7/14

https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1117498.pdf

@El Taco Diablo did the USFS say when they would open the gate and if they would open both gates at the same time? How much snow is still up there?

 

The creek is roaring and so much snow still on the mountain! I have a trip planned for 7/22 to run Niagara Rim so thanks for all the hard work!

 

I posted this in the BS thread... intended to post it here too.


5N01 Eagle Meadows Rd and Niagara Rim Trail are open.

NRT and all roads leading to it were cleared by 4wd in Motion, with the help of @essjay and his better half ("prospective members" of the club)

Jen and I, Chris and Vanessa, stayed at Niagara Creek Campground last night. Chris and Vanessa continued on their trip. Jen and I cleared the rest of the roads off 5N01 today.

5N01 is open to the second gate (Eagle Meadows horse camp). There is still snow on the ground past the second gate, so there is no access to Long Valley, Bennett Juniper, Relief Reservoir... yet.

Yesterday



Honest to god... THE 2 best Forest Service guys in the Country. And they just happen to both work in the Summit District of Stanislaus National Forest. Robin (dude with the epic beard) and Rob.

 

Thanks for the update. I have a trip planned for two weeks from now July 20-23 and was hoping to camp past the second gate. Fingers crossed the snow melts out enough for them to open it up past there.

 

Fucking slobs.