Rubicon & Strawberry a week ago.

[Slonopotam]

I went to play at the west side of Rubicon and north side of Strawberry a week ago. There was not enough snow to ski comfortably, but enough to play with a jeep. On rubicon I let a big group to go ahead, just in case. I haven't got much father than the staging area, barely to the first rocks. Still, the Loon lake is beautiful at 8AM in the morning.
At Strawberry the road was completely covered by snow. I got to the 4wd trail part and then to a place where the trail turns sharply right and up. Somebody left deep ruts and I decided not to make it any worse and to go back the way I came.
I was really nice there, snow, fir-trees, sun, silence and nobody in sight.

Long story short, we should get out there.

Sorry, I left my camera at home, so no pictures.

 

[AREYOULIVING]

Let me know when you want to go back up there, I really wanna get in some snowwheelin.

 

[Slonopotam]

Let me know when you want to go back up there, I really wanna get in some snowwheelin.

Which jeep do you plan to go on, the old or the new one ?

I just saw the pictures of your new jeep.
Do you have any limited slips, lockers ? towing points ?

It was a bit hairy going back downhill on a narrow lopsided road. I would be much more confident with a winch, but I do not have one.

Does anybody know, what is going on on Mormon Immigrant/Irod Mountain rd now ? Is there any snow already ?

Thank you,
Andrey

 

[Letterman]

Does anybody know, what is going on on Mormon Immigrant/Irod Mountain rd now ? Is there any snow already ?

Thank you,
Andrey

Was there snow at Loon? Loon has an Elev. of 6381 feet, top of Mormon Immigrant is just under 7500 feet.

I have not been up this winter, but the Mormon Immigrant trail is just a road that they don't plow, only traffic and the sun will remove the snow. Great spot to go snow wheeling, because you are on a road, and you can't get too lost. Trails in the snow can get you lost fast if you don't know the right direction.

There are lots of side trails and roads to play on, but just remember you have to get back up/down to the road to get out.

I have been there a few times, fun spot.

It can get a little crazy with people when there is LOTS of snow, people on snowmobels, sleds and just playing in the snow. At the top I have been told there is a gate, the one time I went all the way to 88 I don't remember a gate anywhere, but there might have been too much snow covering it. Also it is a 2 lane road but with lots of snow it ends up as one most of the time, this can lead to traffic jams!

Tow straps are more usefull then a winch

Anyone up for a run?
Always remember the wether chages up there FAST, you can go in on a sunny morning and be fine, then it starts snowing and gets cold fast.

that cold makes the watter go to ice, and can make for a LONG SLOW drive out.

So who is intrested in a day run?

 

[radardog]

sorry for the newbish question, but where is this emmigrant trail located?

 

[Slonopotam]

Short answer - Pollock Pines

http://www.chainreactionbicycles.com/emigranttrail.htm
http://xjzone.designermeat.com/Trails/mormon_emigrant/index.html

Yes, there was snow at Loon. The top of Mormon seems to be closer to 88.

Anybody knows what are the conditions on the Mormon road now ?
Kirkwood shows snow, Pollock Pines rain.

Thank you,
Andrey

 

[Letterman]

Short answer - Pollock Pines

Yeah that is about it, take 50 to Pollock Pines, exit on Sly Park Road and head south. (Sly Park only goes one way out of Pollock Pines) It is not hard to find, and I remember signs pointing to Mormon Immigrant trail road as it is a alternitive to highway 50.

Andrey you thinking of going up soon?

 

[AREYOULIVING]

The new one. I sold the old one.
I'm open front and rear. Pic doesn't show it but I have tow points front and rear.

Which jeep do you plan to go on, the old or the new one ?

I just saw the pictures of your new jeep.
Do you have any limited slips, lockers ? towing points ?

It was a bit hairy going back downhill on a narrow lopsided road. I would be much more confident with a winch, but I do not have one.

Does anybody know, what is going on on Mormon Immigrant/Irod Mountain rd now ? Is there any snow already ?

Thank you,
Andrey

 

[Slonopotam]

Andrey you thinking of going up soon?

I am thinking of getting out this weekend for a day from this big parking lot called bay area.

My preferences are:
1. Go xc skiing in kirkwood. They are opening this week.
+ I do need some excersize.
- My buddy hurt a leg and does not want to go.
- It might melt away.
2. Go to Strawberry.
- Need somebody with a winch. Otherwise it might be a 1 hour run.
3. Mormon immigrant.
- Is there any snow ?

If you noticed, it all is located quite close one to another on hwy 88.
The problem is I do not remember how entrance to stawberry from 88 looks like. Are there any gates on Mormon from 88 side ?

Time to start a poll ?

 

[Slonopotam]

I'm open front and rear.

No strawberry for you !

I am kidding. But Mormon sounds like a preferrable destination now.

 

[AREYOULIVING]

Saturday or Sunday??

No strawberry for you !

I am kidding. But Mormon sounds like a preferrable destination now.

 

[Slonopotam]

Andrey you thinking of going up soon?

Dave,
yes I am thinking about going this weekend.
Preferrably Sunday early morning, to let some snow fall on Saturday.

Are you ?

Andrey

 

[Letterman]

Dave,
yes I am thinking about going this weekend.
Preferrably Sunday early morning, to let some snow fall on Saturday.

Are you ?

Andrey

Thanks for the invite but I have to fix my junk first. I snapped my axle in JV and need to fix that and my locker. But this sounds like a good storm comming in Friday, snow down to 5000 feet. Maybe get a run together before then end of the year, but I need to put in time under my junk. :repair:


Snow might get down to Pollock Pines: (4000foot Elve.)
http://www.city-data.com/forecast/w-Pollock-Pines-California.html

I have seen it snow all the way at the very start of the Mormon Immigrant road and Sly Park road, at Jenkinsons Lake (3500foot Elev.)
Photo at the dam:

Even if there is no snow till 5000 feet that is only a few miles up the road from Sly Park.

After looking at my old photos I really want to go now:

So much fun :thumbup:

 

[cal]

Seeing these pics makes me really wish I was living back up in the bay area, and this terrain was a day trip.. (even a long one).

 

[AREYOULIVING]

I'm going to go poke around up near Georgetown and maybe on up to Loon tomorrow if any wants to join in. Nothing to serious .... or early.

 

[Slonopotam]

I'm going to go poke around up near Georgetown and maybe on up to Loon tomorrow if any wants to join in. Nothing to serious .... or early.

What's around Georgetown ?
I am still talking to my wife.

 

[tvisXJ]

Damn those pics really make me wanna get out there....

Tomorrow....er today, I should be swapping in my front axle w/ 3.55's, to match the rear, so I can use 4wd again. Then I'd be ready to go.