Bad News for the California folk

[Matt S.]

With such heavy rains, access to Shaver Lake and most all trails have been compromised. A section of 168, more specifically the 4 lanes, has erroded itself away. One lane is "usable", but they are unsure if its even safe enough to walk on.:shocked:

My guess is this could take most all of the summer to repair. The two other ways around this are very long detours through Tollhouse and Auberry. Both of these will add around an hour, depending on the traffic. These roads will be VERY dangerous now with a ton of inexperienced drivers, being very old and windy roads.

I honestly dont know if towing a trailer is easy up these routes. I am sure its possible, and may not be an issue. This problem will effect all of our summer runs, as far as meeting places and meeting times.

Matt

P.S. Farmerboy, do you still want to try to trailer up one weekend to play before may? Or you wanting to wait for the summer?

 

[Matt S.]

forgot the picture.

According to the news... They are opening the 2 east lanes. Still months of repair, but better news than before.

 

[FarmerMatt]

Heard this on the news. It's really going to slow things down up there. Right now I'm thinking I'm out till summer...

Matt

 

[Slonopotam]

I honestly dont know if towing a trailer is easy up these routes. I am sure its possible, and may not be an issue. This problem will effect all of our summer runs, as far as meeting places and meeting times.

Strawberry then ?

 

[Matt S.]

Heard this on the news. It's really going to slow things down up there. Right now I'm thinking I'm out till summer...

Matt

Summer!?! Boy oh boy.. I need to talk to whoever is running that farm of yours! All work and no play makes for a grouchy farmer. But, I bet the weather isnt being a easy part of that.

Its ok... I understand, I will wheel the new place without ya.


Andrey. Strawberry? I have heard of it, but never drifted to wheeling it. You got an itch to go? I think I may just start venturing further south in the Sierras myself. head into Kings Canyon area.


Matt

 

[Joe]

Where about of the 168 is this problem? Is swamp route affected?

 

[Neil]

Where about of the 168 is this problem? Is swamp route affected?

That's the 4 lane, so Swamp is on the hit list. I just hope that we can still run it. I finally fixed my junk and now I can't even get there!!!!:bawl:

 

[Ben H]

There is a fun little trail from the San Jose basin that takes you all the way up to the first homestead after 4 lanes. It takes about 45 minutes and is better than pavement anyways. It takes about an hour to get up there via the alternate routes.

They said on the news this morning that they have a good idea on how to fix 168. Bummer for Sierra Summit, struggle all season for snow, then when it gets thick, they are cut off.

 

[Neil]

They said on the news this morning that they have a good idea on how to fix 168. Bummer for Sierra Summit, struggle all season for snow, then when it gets thick, they are cut off.

Come on, the last good idea Cal Trans had was the shovel!

 

[Ben H]

Shovel? Cal Trans doesnt even know what a shovel is.

 

[Neil]

Shovel? Cal Trans doesnt even know what a shovel is.

Sure they do!!! But they don't call them shovels. They call them "lenin sticks"

 

[Cornfed-87XJ]

Going through Tollhouse is only 15 minutes longer (at most), and you could go via Auberry through Jose Basin to Pine ridge (again about 15 minutes longer). I recommend the Auberry route for pulling trailers. We use this route when we pull our house boat up to Shaver. This route is much easier on you vehicle than the 4-lane, no long uphill sections and only a few tight turns. I recommend this route for heavy trailers especially during the summer, the house boat is 30' and the trailer boat combo weights 7500# +. There are also some secret squirrel ways to get there that are much, much longer, but make very nice day drives.

 

[XJfer4]

I agree with all that say not to go up there. I think it is much too troublesome to go the other routes. I agree that you should all go to other places this year.............

 

[Matt S.]

I agree with all that say not to go up there. I think it is much too troublesome to go the other routes. I agree that you should all go to other places this year.............

Most deffinatly, everyone stay far far far away from here.:sunshine:

I guess they are surprised with how "safe" the 4lanes is. Shouldnt congest to badly now, as long as people drive safe.

But STAY AWAY. :explosion

 

[Neil]

Scrappy, I feel like a moron more now than ever because I read your Quote.:dunce:

 

[Joe]

That's the 4 lane, so Swamp is on the hit list. I just hope that we can still run it. I finally fixed my junk and now I can't even get there!!!!:bawl:

Robert and I ran the Swamp Trail last year with a couple of friends from Bakersfield. We are thinking of running it again on July 1 - 4. If anyone is interested and the road permits will run it.

Thanks Neal.

 

[Joe]

Scrappy, I feel like a moron more now than ever because I read your Quote.:dunce:

Hey Neil how long have you lived in Oakhurst nice little town. Bass Lake is great camping also?

 

[Neil]

Hey Neil how long have you lived in Oakhurst nice little town. Bass Lake is great camping also?

Been here a little over a year. Love the area. I used to live in Fresno and drive 10 miles to work and it took 30 to 45 minutes. I now drive 48 miles to Fresno to work and it only takes 45 or 50 minutes. I Don't do much camping around here, mostly because I live here. We usually camp around the Shaver Lake area.

Neil

 

[Joe]

I agree the area is great but you can't beat the camping and 4x4 around the shaver area. Maybe you can join us on Swamp this year?

 

[Neil]

I agree the area is great but you can't beat the camping and 4x4 around the shaver area. Maybe you can join us on Swamp this year?

I went year before last. It was a blast! Beautiful scenery. I couldn't go last year because my junk was broken. I will be there this year even if I have to carry my rig over the trail. I'm trying to talk an old high school buddy to join me this year. He owns a Scout (Don't worry he's not one of those Scout guys). I just wanted to show him how "real" 4X4's work.