2025 San G Family Reunion 09/05/25 - 09/07/25

Looking forward to seeing you this year. I'll be at site #12

 

Yeah, it's been quite some time brother!!!

 

Screw it, live wild.
I am in.

I have not explored the side of big Bear much, are there any 2wd friendly trails?

 

You know you can go anywhere we go, its just a matter of whether or not you're attached to my truck

Most of Big Bear is 2wd friendly. There aren't that many trails on that side of the mountain so we usually end up heading over to the hot spots

 

"Tip Top Trail" is 2wd friendly. Just very "rocky" in spots and definitely need to choose your lines well or commit to hitting your frame or whatever else gets hit if you don't choose your lines well. I mean, it's not as bad as I'm describing it, but nonetheless, you still have to be somewhat mindful.

Anyways, give that trail a try. One of my favorites for sure. Did it twice with a group.

I would like to try "White Mountain" as that one, as far as I know, is not that hard of a trail with the only exception of "Suicide Hill". But you do NOT have to go up it. That's for the guys who would like that challenge and even the well built rigs would have a hard time. I've never been to White Mountain but I know people who have. As far as "Suicide Hill" I've only seen YT vids on it.

https://youtu.be/Arq6Yp8-Mzo?si=LQMTdgMR9MY1Lmn-

But yeah, try Tip Top. It's a fun trail.

 

I'm assuming you're talking about Tip Top Mountain on the east side of the mountain. Idk if I'd recommend that one as 2wd as its got some big rocks these days as well as some off camber bits that personally I wouldn't want to attempt without low range.

White Mountain is fun Randy. Its a good beginner crawling trail. There's some big rocks in places and some flexy bits but with good line choice definitely doable. I've hosted a training day there before and it went well despite having people with less than 5 fire roads under their belt.

Suicide Hill is pretty gnarly. Very loose and steep. Its incredibly difficult to attempt with only a rear locker. There's also Frustration Hill later on in the trail which is even harder. I made an attempt at it just for fun and barely made it 100 feet. Then there was a rear locked 4runner on 35's that tried, he made it about 3 inches further than me and got stuck Luckily that is another optional offshoot. Great trail to try. Sunny and I took a 2wd buggy to White Mtn. and minus 2 or 3 spots where she needed a tug she made it through no problem

 

Randy that’s a helluva list to knock out in 4 months. Can you triage what needs to be done prior and put off the rest until after? Thread chasers may be all you need for the bed bolts , just clean up the female side of it and torque em down.

 

Excellent, good to hear man!!

Well yhea!!! Fooooood dad!!

 

@WileECoyote

 

Mmmm spaghetti to San G? That sounds gooood

Like Kyle said, we’ll mostly be on the other side of big bear but you got plenty of friends around to tug ya

 

Hmm ok
Hope people like (Meat) sauce

 

And meat balls

 

Man meats balls!

Mmmm
Old skool man's meat @Shauncho

 

Hey brother Jase?

Yeah, the triage for sure are my lower ball joints being first and foremost. Although, I SHOULD do the axles before then as well, which shouldn't be an issue. I've replaced CV axles before.

Yes, I already plan on everything else after can wait and I will be able to easily gauge what... after those two get done first.

Same thinking about the bed bolts. I already have a plan on how I'm going to approach it so as to have very little risk of a "loose bed".

 

Shit, Tip Top was pretty easy for me? A bit rocky in spots and off camber at times, but nothing even a 2wd couldn't handle... granted rear lockers recommended although still doable... at the time, locker or not? Damn, it changed that much??? Gonna have to try it again one of these days?

Yeah, I would like to do White Mountain some day? With the exception of Suicide Hill!!!

 

I saved the image!!!

 

@kyle11863 or @Nicklovin, what is the name of that trail that drops you into Johnson Valley or near that area? I remember someone calling it "Grape Vine"?

I just remember going down a very loose dirt trail with fairly sharp turns. I actually had brake fade at the very bottom when we went to an electrical pole that people "wagon trained around".

Anyways, going home was pretty damn scary because the brake fluid was compromised for sure. Cooled down before leaving of course, but still, you know that brake fluid might as well have been "water" at that point.

Anyways, I know that trail was 2wd friendly. Just recommend being careful with the turns because it would be very unforgiving going over the edge!!!