NorCal places to offroad!

Laurel Lakes is fun. I went a while ago and it’s a pretty rocky ride up. Funny that you mentioned quiet b/c the last time I was there, a small group were raving out. It was so bizarre.

 

I hear ya. We ended up staying in Sonora and it was mildly quiet. We got snowed on which was fun, and a bit cold lol. I'm going to hit eagle rock if anyone is interested this weekend upcoming.

 

Still going?

 

Leave today around lunchtime. Not sure it’s much of a drive. Looks like it’s close by the freeway. I never been there. Just wanted to go somewhere closer.

 

That Blue Lake is pretty. The main road has a parking area and a gate with a short walk up to the dam. I carried our tandem kayak up that so it feels long to me.

There is also a spur road to the left out of a meadow (hard to describe) that goes to someone’s cabin above the east side of the lake. There is also a trailhead for a long hike from there.

 

Aww, so no camping by the lake..? Google maps looks like theres a road to the lake and plenty of space to camp. Theres a gate?

 

I know the feeling. I carried my paddle board down to Donnel lake in Sonora. Super steep and rocky. 2 people were needed lol

 

Looking at Onx, blue lake is privately owned, so highly likely no camping unless you can find a pull out on the forest service side.. not exactly lake front. You might look into Rucker lake campground and see if reservations are required.

 

Yeah definitely no camping at Blue Lake, except if you paddle across the lake. Plenty of opportunities for dispersed camping in that area though.

 

Rucker Lake campground is a pay-to-stay operated by PG&E (https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/tahoe/recarea/?recid=78570), and appears to be closed for the season. Plenty of dispersed camping up there, though.

 

I guess they turn the tables up? There are a bunch of those PG&E or FS campgrounds that close up but don't really need to. especially those w/o any kind of facilities.

 

Not sure. I last drove up to Rucker and Blue in June 2019, and vaguely remember a gate at Rucker.

 

Damn. thanks for the intel. Looks like well have to check out Trumbull Peak. Hopefully 120 is not closed up to the turn off.

 

Trumbull peak is another one I've wanted to do lol

 

Going to camp somewhere along the way there and head up the peak tomorrow.
Thanks guys for saving me a 4h mistake to Blue Lake!

 

Went up Eagle Rock today. Man, the trail reviews were not joking when "steep" and "locker recommended" was mentioned. I'm not hugely experienced with extreme angle wheeling, so the Avocado Taco and my limits were tested. The pitch angle display was peaking past 30° throughout the last section of the trail. I just maintained smooth inputs, made calculated adjustments, and carried mild momentum over some slippery sections. You can see in the photo with my buddy standing straight just how steep the trail is, and in that same photo you can see some of the ruts and loose dirt moved around from getting through this loose, icy, damp section.
It was quiet, the views were great, and a nap took place!

You're welcome!! How did your weekend go?

 

Its alright. The area is full of fire roads but not a lot of places to camp. Did found 2 dispersed camp right next to the road. Not one drove by all night so it was quiet.
Great view of the half dome on Trumbull peak. But the last mile to the peak was not maintained. So came back with some pin strips.
Probably not going back because its more stressful dodging branches than any of the technical trails I’ve been on.

 

I dodged 100s of branches and grazed a hundred others haha it's not so bad . Although, unmaintained is a tough sell especially if they're thick sticks, so I get it!

Hope you had fun, how was the temperature? I wanted to camp, but was too lazy to to get all the cooking gear packed. So made a day trip instead.

 

That trail is super steep towards the top. I went up there for the first time last summer and was a little gripped. Awesome views

 

It was cold. Thermometer was showing 26 degree when I woke up middle of the night.
I just have all my camping stuff in one place. I just need 30min and I’m ready to go.
Needed sometime to get away from wife and kids haha. Full time dad is tough sometimes.
Let’s sync up next time and go somewhere where.
I’m also taking my RV down to Joshua Tree and Prescott AZ 12/25-1/3 if anyone with no family obligations wants to go.