Gorman day run, 05/21

[nitrogt101]

Hmmm... Pismo is the same weekend. Oh well, I'm not much for sand anyways. I have a Hungry Valley map right here in front of me. Any ideas for which trails? How many Jeeps are we looking at being there so far?

Hope to see everyone there.arty:

 

[casm]

Had some time to kill yesterday, so spent the afternoon doing an exploratory run of Hungry Valley. I also managed to pick up a trail map, so hopefully I'll have it scanned and up within the next couple of days (my scanner's shot, and Kinko's wants $25 just to scan it).

Anyway, here's a list of what I ran in a stock 2000 Limited with the Up-Country package:

- Powerline east (the section west of Gold Hill Road is currently closed)
- Pronghorn south (decided not to attempt it past Mystic Canyon due to conditions)
- Yucca to pavement, circled back around around up to the main entrance
- Sterling Canyon
- Jackrabbit to Tataviam (ATVs/bikes only)
- Pipeline north of Smith Forks campground to Flying W (IIRC)
- Rattler north to Edison Canyon

Still trying to get all the GPS data into a usable map, but the total run was around 45 miles taking around four hours. Stuff I didn't get to but would like to have run:

- Quail Pass Trail
- The East Freeman / West Freeman / Homestead / Backbone / Vics Cat / Badlands loop

The gate south of Aliklik campground is closed, so getting to the southern ends of several of the trails requires using Pipeline / Rattler.

Anyway, if the weather holds this should be a good run - the scenery's great and anyone who has never experienced the joy of an off-camber shelf trail barely wider than an XJ with a 200' drop immediately outside the driver's side window will be able to boost Hanes' profits afterwards

 

[nitrogt101]

Anyway, if the weather holds this should be a good run - the scenery's great and anyone who has never experienced the joy of an off-camber shelf trail barely wider than an XJ with a 200' drop immediately outside the driver's side window will be able to boost Hanes' profits afterwards

O boy, that sounds like fun. What trail is that?

 

[Captain Ron]

O boy, that sounds like fun. What trail is that?

Probably Pronghorn.

- Pronghorn south (decided not to attempt it past Mystic Canyon due to conditions)

So you went over the top of the Elephants back?

There is a nice little hill/obstacle challenge on the back side of the big hill at the beginning of Powerline... sort of the HV equivalent to Bronco Hill at LCIR.

To do it right, go up the front of the big hill, center trail, in reverse, cross over to the challenge, in reverse, then go down the challenge, in reverse. Keep the rubber side down.

Optional, the big sluice, in reverse

Smokey Bear exit is closed, the road no longer exists.

--ron

 

[casm]

Probably Pronghorn.

Bullseye. Nifty trail, though. Nice scenery, even from way up there

So you went over the top of the Elephants back?

If that's the one with the steep concrete downhill and high ridgeback south of Yucca, I got to the top of it and decided that probably wasn't the best idea in the world with my rig. Looking at the map and remembering the tight left-hander at the bottom, I think we're talking about the same thing.

There is a nice little hill/obstacle challenge on the back side of the big hill at the beginning of Powerline... sort of the HV equivalent to Bronco Hill at LCIR.

Hm... Not sure I saw that one.

 

[casm]

Incidentally, thinking ahead to lunch on the trail... I have no idea how many people are turning up for this, but rather than doing something for lunch like eating soggy sandwiches out of a cooler or going back into Gorman for more McFood, how about a BBQ? Plenty of campsites around with pits, and if we do a BYOM it'd make a nice break during the day.

 

[nitrogt101]

That sounds nice. The campground near the south entrance that is closed is pretty nice, has a lot of nice shady areas,(sorry, forgot the name) and with that entrance closed I doubt a lot of people will be going to that end of the park.

 

[nitrogt101]

5 days...... :laugh3:

 

[nitrogt101]

Alright, this is coming up quick. Yipee! Who is all in? I'm wondering how many people will pick Gorman over the dunes. Are we going to do the BYOM bbq? If not, I would not miss it too much, there is some good stuff I can fit in an icebox.

Anyone have a list of necessary equipment I should bring? Here is what I have, let me know if there is anything else we might be able to use:
Emergency kit
Spare Tire
Tool kit(stardard tools, nothing big)
Hi-lift
full size shovel on the roof and a few foldup ones inside
come-a-long
bolt cutters(ya never know)
Tow strap(no hooks)
Pin for hitch
extra oil
some random small stuff(gloves, tarp, dirty jeans... :laugh3: )

I think that is everything I should need, but you mentioned the requirements? I'd like to get a head count so we dont leave Carls without someone who was a little slow going up the grade.

 

[Andy Steiner]

Anyone have a list of necessary equipment I should bring?

Don't forget water, both for the radiator and for the people in your rig. Extra food. Trans fuild, brake fluid, etc.
Here's a reasonable list of stuff:

http://www.off-road.com/4x4web/faqs/equip_list.html

 

[casm]

Alright, this is coming up quick. Yipee! Who is all in? I'm wondering how many people will pick Gorman over the dunes.

No kidding... Between a big shift in my work schedule and time just generally flying, I can't believe it's set for *this* Saturday. I figure anyone who's likely to make it is in pretty much a similar boat to myself - gotta be in L.A. on both Friday and Sunday, but has a whole lot of nothing else to do on Saturday.

Are we going to do the BYOM bbq? If not, I would not miss it too much, there is some good stuff I can fit in an icebox.

I'm still up for it, but if other folks aren't as enthused we can skip it. Not a big deal.

Anyone have a list of necessary equipment I should bring? Here is what I have, let me know if there is anything else we might be able to use:
Emergency kit
Spare Tire
Tool kit(stardard tools, nothing big)
Hi-lift
full size shovel on the roof and a few foldup ones inside
come-a-long
bolt cutters(ya never know)
Tow strap(no hooks)
Pin for hitch
extra oil
some random small stuff(gloves, tarp, dirty jeans... :laugh3: )

This plus Andy's suggestion of water for both vehicle and driver / occupants is pretty much spot-on... We're not going out into the back of beyond, but being able to be self-reliant is still key.

I think that is everything I should need, but you mentioned the requirements?

Oh, you can find those here. Most of it's been covered in this thread, but there are still a couple of areas where there's no overlap.

The head count's a good idea, though. If people could sound off here if they're planning on making it, it would be much appreciated.

 

[Andy Steiner]

I'm still up for it, but if other folks aren't as enthused we can skip it. Not a big deal.

Suggestion... don't worry about a head count. Pick a definite time and place to meet up. People tend to show up if somebody else steps up and takes charge.

 

[casm]

People tend to show up if somebody else steps up and takes charge.

I thought I'd already done that

 

[nitrogt101]

Yes, you have already done that. I will be there, that is 2. LOL. :laugh3: Now since 2 have steped up to the plate, who else will?

 

[Andy Steiner]

I thought I'd already done that

Really? Which message?
I'm not trying to be difficult, but which message contains *ALL* the information about date, time and place?
How many times have you reposted the message that contains *ALL* the information, just to remind people?

 

[casm]

Really? Which message?

Welp, seeing as how I put the call out for the run that pretty much put me in the organiser's seat from the get-go...

I'm not trying to be difficult, but which message contains *ALL* the information about date, time and place?

No worries; understood. The post with all the info is here, with the relevant bits reposted in this thread in the Unofficial Runs forum for folks who don't follow the chapter forums.

How many times have you reposted the message that contains *ALL* the information, just to remind people?

Zero, since it was in the first page of the thread and I didn't want to give the impression that I was spamming this out by constantly bumping it back to the top.

 

[casm]

And now for the spam bump... Tomorrow morning, Carl's Jr. in Gorman, 9am-ish, rolling out at 10am. To get there from the freeway:

- Exit I-5 northbound Gorman and make a right at the end of the off-ramp.
- Make a right at the first stop sign.
- Make a right into the Carl's parking lot.

And the address is 49669 Gorman Post Rd Gorman, CA 93243 for anyone wanting to map it out.

For anyone coming up later in the day, to get to the north entrance of the OHV area directly:

- Exit I-5 northbound at Gorman and make a left at the end of the off-ramp.
- Make a right at the stop sign onto Peace Valley Road.
- The OHV area entrance will be approximately 1.5 miles ahead on your left.

Sorry I don't have an exact address to map it out to, but Gorman ain't exactly the Sprawling Metropolis Of. Any of the gas stations will be able to direct you should you need help in finding it.

CB channel 4, alternate 14. Note that this is an unofficial run attended at your own risk per the terms and conditions of the OHV area, but it is strongly recommended that the usual equipment list be adhered to.

 

[nitrogt101]

Ummm... is it just gonna be 2 rigs? LOL. I will have a passanger with me, bringing pre-made lunch and cold drinks for us. I should be there early, I'm leaving Camarillo around 7, that should leave plenty of time. I'll be there in a dark red 98 w/ 31" BFG's on black rockcrawlers, look for me.

 

[nitrogt101]

Thanks for the run Casm, despite the herds of bikes and fat kids on quads it was still a fun day! I'll get the picture's up hopefully tomorrow. Already looking forward to next time.

 

[nitrogt101]

Pics are here

I posted this last night too, I swear I did, lol. I dont know what happened to it.