Rubicon Trip this Summer

[ocean_jet]

Well that bites.

Just checked availability on that groups site, and it looks to be booked almost all of July and August already.

http://www.recreation.gov/campgroundMap.do?selectedSiteRb=131754&contractCode=NRSO&parkId=73627


http://www.recreation.gov/camping/B...ractCode=NRSO&parkId=73627&topTabIndex=Search

 

[ocean_jet]

Silver Creek Group campground is also in the area and is available Sunday and Monday nights, but not Saturday night.


http://www.recreation.gov/camping/S...ractCode=NRSO&parkId=74160&topTabIndex=Search

I haven't been there, so I don't know what it looks like. Pictures look decent and there is a creek running through.


We could push the trip back a day and camp there Sunday and Monday... or we could drive up Sat and motel it Placerville Saturday night, and head up to that group site on Sunday morning and still hit the Con on Monday....????

 

[rockclimber]

is there wilderness camping anywhere around there? I don't need a campground.

 

[ocean_jet]

is there wilderness camping anywhere around there? I don't need a campground.

All over.

You can pretty much camp anywhere... on the forest service land.

 

[ocean_jet]

There's a Ranger Station on Highway 50 between Placerville and Ice House road. They usually have updated maps of all the routes that are open to vehicle travel.

As long as you follow that, and don't camp too close to other camp grounds or buildings, and stay off private land, it's pretty open.

 

[RedDevilGTO]

I'm going to ask for the week of the 12th off from work. Plan to drive up Saturday the 11th, camp/hike the 12th, hit the trail on the 13th and drive back the 18th. I'll wait till we have a group confirmation that these are the dates.

I'm good with wilderness camping or grabbing spots in a campground for the 11th/12th.

I've never been to the Rubicon before. What should I expect weather wise and what is the trail like (difficulty/breakage probability). I'm driving my jeep up, so it'll also have to get me back.

Time to start saving for gas money!

 

[Vanimal]

i just ordered some new tires, so we'll see how she drives. i may just drive it up.

 

[ocean_jet]

FYI...

Sierra Fest is August 9-12 at Hermit Valley Campground (Near Deer Valley Trail).

Here's a map that shows Deer Valley and the Rubicon.

Hermit Valley Campground is at the south entrance to Dear Valley Trail.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=212769370061827413019.00046170268275712bcb2&msa=0


I may try to do both if my schedule allows.

 

[rockclimber]

if I have the money and time I will do both as well. but I would rather run the rubicon, so that takes precedence.

 

[1990JEEPXJ]

i will say that i am tentative in attending. assuming work will allow for it and all that jazz. have a few little things id want to do to the jeep first as id be driving it up as well. id love to do both as well if i could swing that much time off. i mean while youre up there, might as well

 

[sdspearo]

I've never been to the Rubicon before. What should I expect weather wise and what is the trail like (difficulty/breakage probability).

T-shirt and shorts weather. Bring sun block.

From what I remember about your rig, you should be fine. Bring the typical spares for an extended trip.

Pirate has a Forum dedicated to the Rubicon in the "Land Use and Trails" section. Check it out, lot's of good info there.

Also, for inspiration, this guy puts together some great videos..here's one on the Rubicon (yea, yea, bunch of JK's, but still a great video)...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1vXakhJ1uQ
(it's a 3 part video)

 

[sdspearo]

I may try to do both if my schedule allows.

Yea, that is tempting. I think for now I'm just going to stick with running the 'Con again unless my schedule totally opens up.

 

[Vanimal]

Art, the video looked like most of it was fairly tame, but i know they can be decieving. how much more techy would you say it is than what we did at calico? i should be ok in my rig with 35's, right? and did that girl seriously flop on a fire road? Who does that?

 

[WebDog]

The trail is not horribly hard it has some spots that are hard but it is mainly a endurance test for the driver as it is never ending obstacles.

35's are fine, I will be on 33's and I did it on 31's the last time.

 

[souske]

A real endurance test if you factor in the drive up and back.
Dan: you should beef up you sliders for this trip, you will be using them.
Another thing to consider is the mud lakes. I was fine with a stock airbox last time, but would have felt better with it a little higher. Thinking about making a temp snorkel that will run through the holes for the lebaron vents.

 

[Vanimal]

what will John Voight think about you messing with his lebaron vents?

 

[souske]

No, ill just take one out, and run a stack out of the hole. Itas all of 4 screws to take em out.

 

[sdspearo]

Art, the video looked like most of it was fairly tame, but i know they can be decieving. how much more techy would you say it is than what we did at calico? i should be ok in my rig with 35's, right? and did that girl seriously flop on a fire road? Who does that?

Dude, the runs we did at Calico do not compare to the Rubicon. The Rubicon is so tuff that the simple fire roads have been known to flop JK's! That video proves it!

But yea, most of the difficult runs have bypasses. There's some technical (tight, off camber) sections coming down Big Sluice and Cadillac Hill definitely gets the pucker factor going. I ran up Cadillac Hill solo last time since I had to leave before the rest of the group and if I didn't have F/R lockers I wouldn't have made it.

 

[rockclimber]

Also, for inspiration, this guy puts together some great videos..here's one on the Rubicon (yea, yea, bunch of JK's, but still a great video)...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1vXakhJ1uQ
(it's a 3 part video)

XXXXing rich people.... those rigs are way to huge for the amount of trouble they had....

 

[boostamante]

if you plan on running 31's plan on getting stuck a lot! Oh and bring an extra Muffler

Ask MAx