2019 NorCal Camping, Wheeling, Shenanigans and Don Conquered The Rubicon

The last time I “ran” Fordyce was back in 97 during college. My 67 FJ40 broke an axle and I sliced a tire. I limped through. The others in my group had similar damage. One fella had major problems. Too much engine in the CJ5 led to all hell breaking loose. Both engine mounts broke(chained themselves in place), cracked the transfer case crossmember, broke both rear shock mounts, broke the clutch bell crank and a few other bits. That was a memorable trip. That trip taught me that having a wild engine isn’t always a good thing...

 

The hammers are more formidable.

 

To be fair, doing the trail from start to finish is everything. And yes, I did it with Andy. It was the hardest thing I've ever put my rig through. It makes Rubi and Dusi look like a joke. Coyote Lake is a very distant second. And that's only if you count gatekeeper as part of the main trail. Fordyce is the real deal.

 

There's a couple trails down in Johnson Valley that are more difficult than Fordyce.

 

Fair point. I meant moreso as a trail. I feel like the hammers are more of a collection of obstacles. Its not necessarily a trail, right?

 

2 miles max compared to 12 miles? The Hammers trails may be technically harder but they aren't as hard as Fordyce.

 

I’m with you, fordyce is the hardest trail in CA if you haven’t been all the way through it, then you can’t compare it

 

I knew I saw your T4R in Andrew's photos. I can't even imagine the difficulty curve from Rubicon to Fordyce since I've only ever been up to Driveline Hill. Maybe if I feel brave, I'll lock the front of my rig, slap 37s on and give it a shot. Definitely big congrats on getting through

 

I’ve been all the way through, a few times, Fordyce and many of the early trails of Johnson Valley( wayyy before the spectacle of the “King of the Hammers”). The trails at Johnson Valley are more technical and formidable. The sheer duration of abuse that Fordyce doles is beyond reproach though. I burnt out a solenoid on an old Warn winch in one trip to Fordyce. I’ve cracked a 3spd transfer case on another. With plenty of body damage and rock rash to go around.

I’m done beating the shit out of my trucks. Now I just want to get out to my favorite spots and maybe find a few new spots to get the fuck away from all idiots on this planet.

 

I’ve never owned a rig that can do it, I have only rode shotgun. My rig gets me to where I want to go, which is away from the idiots and Further than the Subaru’s

 

This should be every mans goals...

 

Im am idiot. How do i get away from myself?

 

There’s no easy way to put this so I’ll keep it short. You’re doomed

 

Peyote or Psyilocybin. Lots of it. Just remember to write it down. lol

 

I keep telling them " right turn clyde", but nobody does.

 

Edibles. Lots of edibles.

 

Shrooms i heard will do it....never have.

I do stupid shit as it is. Dont need another influence. Lol

 

I know where Fordyce Lake is, where is the trail that is so tough? Just want to spectate.
Duane