2014 Norcal Wheeling Trip Thread

I thought that was Greenhorn! I lived just a few minutes away from there when I was kid. Had all kinds of fun down there, but haven't been since it was "closed."

By the way, I'm Brandon. Been lurking around here for awhile but had to register when I saw this thread.

I'm also a dumbass who bought a prerunner thinking I wouldn't find the time to go off road much and now that's all I want to do (go figure) but hey, admitting it is the first step to recovery right?

I'm somewhat familiar with the GV/colfax/auburn/foresthill areas. I took yankee jims rd from Colfax area to Foresthill then took the dog down to mammoth bar last Saturday and then went up to Donner on Sunday and roamed (on foot) the old Central Pacific train tunnels/snow sheds on the pass, which I highly recommend.

Obviously I'm the least capable of those who've already brought it up, but I wanted to introduce myself and I'll definitely keep an eye on this thread.

 

How do you get to the CP tunnels???

 

You used to be able to drive them, but I've been told both the sugar bowl and the stone creek paths have been gated and they're not likely passable, but I haven't checked it out my self. We drove a couple miles past sugarbowl and it's a ten minute or less hike from a small parking area off the main road. Real easy, but kind of hard to explain. Maybe I can get a decent shot from google maps/earth.

 

Wait, you're not a railfan are you?

 

LOL, hey I did that too

 

Hahaha nice. I'm thinking about trying to sell it or trade it in and make the switch before I rack up too many miles, but that's a painful and never ending conversation that's been had around here plenty.

 

SAS!

 

You could say I am. I'm a third generation railroad worker. I'm a track inspector and really like train and old railroad stuff. I have a steam locomotive tattooed on my left arm. So yeah, I like trains/railroad!

 

Word. As long as you're not a straight up foamer I'm a conductor/engineer and I have a practical appreciation for many things railroad. Particularly the history, which as I'm sure you know, Sacramento is rich in. I too am a tattoo collector, but my railroad tattoo is not as classy as a steam locomotive

I'm actually trying to head up to Donner again soon to get better pictures of the tunnels for a family member who paints.

There's not much in the way of fun driving, but if anyone else is interested in exploring that spot I'm down lead a small group up there...

 

That's awesome man! I applied to be a conductor for UP a while ago but it didn't happen. I'm in form the Donner trip!! I love railroad history too. Being born into it, I've been learning it since I was very young.

 

Thanks man, I am very fortunate to love what I do. What railroad do you work for now?


Not trying to hijack this thread, like I said it wouldn't be a wheeling trip, but would anyone else be down? I'll post some pictures from last weekend soon.

 

I work for a contractor. H&H. You might know us? You're not thread jacking. I'm sure other peeps would like to go even though it wouldn't be a Wheeling trip.

 

I actually haven't. I work for a shortline but interchange with the UP/BN and I've only ever seen their own gear on rail. Looks like your company is based out of West Virginia? Who do you guys serve out here?

I'd post a specific thread in the regional forum to feel out interest, but honestly I'm not trying to blow up this spot any more than it already is (no pun intended) and I think a smaller group of people willing walk a few miles in less than favorable conditions is the best way to experience that area.

 

Here are a few cell phone pictures.

 

I am down! When we gonna go?

 

We're actually based out POF Stockton. There's a few H&H railroad companies in the US. What shortline do you work for? You might've seen me while I was out inspecting track. The woman and I are up for the hike; unfavorable conditions be damned!

 

I see. I work for Sierra Northern but I'm also contracted to a military base in the bay area which I've been working at the past couple weeks.

Depending on how much of that area you guys want to see it'll take the bulk of a day. It looks like they're expecting several storms over the next few weeks. Personally, I'm not equipped to make that hike with too much fresh powder on the ground. You'd need snow shoes/clamp ons. When I was up there last weekend it was in the 50s with no new snow but the base of the tunnels were still nothing but ice 6" thick. I'm down to make a run for it this weekend otherwise I'd have to play it by ear for next weekend and see what next couple of systems do up there.

 

Forgive me, I'm not the most mechanically inclined person, but it looks like doing a sas on my truck (07 DC LB) could be damn expensive...

 

Just a little bit Id say about $12,500 to $15,000 let me know when you want to drop it off

 

Haha riiight. I'll be right there.