Camping a Loon Lake

[pm1]

I will be camping in Loon Lake in August with family and friends. I will be bringing the XJ up for some scenic driving with them. I have never camped there or wheeled. You guys have susggestion for some trails that I can go on without the need for spotters or help from fellow friends? If I can tag along with a group that is passing throug, that would be cool, but not counting on it.
Just looking to exite the unexperienced in my group as a solo vehicle. Some cool fishing spots would be cool.

Vehicle is a
94 XJ
4.5 R.E lift with 33.
Full skids and rockers.
Limited slip rear out a 01 XJ

Thanks for any info.

 

[ccflexj]

ummm....rubicon trail?

 

[Ben H]

There should be a few of us there for a week starting Aug 12. There are a couple of decent trails around there. Google California+National+Forest+OHV that should give you a nice list of the 4x trails around there, and there corresponding difficulty.

 

[pm1]

I know the Rubicon start there, but I don't want to get myself in trouble, beng solo and all. I will keep my eyes peeled for some other XJ's while there.

 

[ccflexj]

I know the Rubicon start there, but I don't want to get myself in trouble, beng solo and all. I will keep my eyes peeled for some other XJ's while there.

I know i was just kidding....when i was up there last summer with some friends, none of them wanted to try the whole trail...so we pretty much just hungout and played around at the enterance of the trail (past the spill way) theres some fun litle things to do... we also took some other trail that were a little before loon lake, we just looked for a trail that didnt have pavement and followed it until we found somehting to play on... hope this helps

 

[Simple Man]

Be very careful where you camp. A lot of areas have been closed. You should aim for a Forest Service campsite. You might be able to make a reservation.

With the new Forest Order and Route Designation ruling, you can't pull too far off the trail or paved road and camp wherever you want. You can only pull over enough to allow room for another vehicle to be able to pass you on the trial.

The Forest Service has a new map out with the routes that are open to OHV use. They might mail you one when you make a reservation. We lost 700+ miles of trail with the last lawsuit and Route Designation ruling. We're still fighting to get them back.

With the Gatekeeper now easier, you should be able to get in to the bowl area without much of a problem but again, stay on the trail. The bowl is not an open play ground.

 

[pm1]

Thanks for the info. I reserved two campsite through Reserve America at Loon Lake. Hope they are nice. Never camped there. Always went to Wrights Lake.

So the forest service will send maps upon request?

 

[Simple Man]

It's worth asking.

If not, someone on this board who lives in the area could stop by, pick one up and mail it to you. Anyone in the area want to do a fellow wheeler a favor?




.

 

[pm1]

I will call the El Dorado National Forest office and see if they will send me a hard copy of the new MVR map. Sounds a little tight, but not to bad. Sounds like the hunters will have a hard time if they stick to the rules.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/eldorado/documents/rogs/rog_motorized_use.pdf

 

[CRASH]

I will call the El Dorado National Forest office and see if they will send me a hard copy of the new MVR map. Sounds a little tight, but not to bad. Sounds like the hunters will have a hard time if they stick to the rules.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/eldorado/documents/rogs/rog_motorized_use.pdf

Yes, it's going to be quite difficult. Luckily, I do most of my bird shooting in Tahoe National Forest, but i have no illusions that restrictions are forthcoming there as well.