TORXreport: SierraFest & Rubicon 2013

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Last year I made the trek down for SierraFest with some friends. Three of us shoehorned into a stock XJ (The BrendaMobile), drove through the night, and showed up not knowing what to expect. We bummed some rides for the trail runs, met some great people, and exchanged "stories" around the campfire. It was a great time, and shortly after the wheels began to turn about returning with my own Jeep.

After learning that this years event would also include running the Rubicon trail, I knew I had to commit. Like most people, the Rubicon was near the top of my bucket list of trails to run. So after spending a few weekends prior crossing off things on the to-do list for the Jeep, I felt like I was finally ready for the adventure.

Loaded up with a weeks worth of camping gear, food, beer, and enough spare parts to rebuild the Jeep twice.

0515 Sunday morning I hit the road and headed south.

I had a few miles ahead of me.

Shortly after getting out of Portland, the sun began to rise. Hot air balloon in the distance.

Southern Oregon had some wildfires going on. You can see the smoke settling in the valley.

Pit stop in Medford, Oregon for some gas and lunch.

California!

Coming up on Mt. Shast.a.

The drive was definitely monotonous, but occasionally I'd see something cool. Seeing Pismo stickers reminded me I wasn't in Washington anymore.

Second fuel stop in some BFE town where Main Street was still gravel, and gun shots could be heard in the distance.

Coming into Sacramento. At this point it was time to start heading East on Hwy 50 for Pollock Pines.

I reached Pollock Pines at 4:45 pm, eleven and a half hours later. Not bad when you factor in fuel stops, pit stops, and the fact I was driving a box. Pollock Pines would be my last stop for gas and ice for the cooler before setting off for the Rubicon.

After a long day on the road I stopped at Burger Barn in Pollock Pines. It was tasty.

After topping off my tank, I set off to find the trail head for the Rubicon. Shortly after leaving Pollock Pines, hang a left onto Icehouse Road. Icehouse gains some serious elevation pretty quickly. I saw a ton of trucks and trailers heading out, so I knew I had to be in the right area.

After about 30 miles of tight twisty road, you'll reach the Loon Lake turnoff. After second guessing myself on missing a turn, this was a happy sight.

 

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Crossing the Loon Lake dam.

There is a campground just before the staging area. However I avoided the campsite fees and just needed a place to crash for the night. I found some dispersed sights in the trees just before the dam, and right next to the lake.

Walked down to the lake just as the sun was setting. I think this was about the point where I had to do a reality check. To be on the shores of Loon Lake by myself in the Sierras was a pretty surreal experience.

Sat on the shores taking it all in till the sun set.

After sleeping like a rock all night, I woke up and got ready to meet up for the 0900 rendezvous.

As I was packing up I saw some familiar XJ's come cruising by on the main road. It was Rich and Mr. Ed. I followed them down to the staging area.

Trucks got some stories to tell.

Pack it in, pack it out, yo.

As 0900 rolled closer more and more of our Rubicon Crew arrived. After completing the morning wheeling rituals we were all anxious to hit the trail. With a group of 9 XJ's we hit the trail shortly before 10:00.

After crawling through the trees for a bit, we broke out onto the granite slabs. Mr. Ed dropping down off a ledge.

Group shot on the slabs. This was probably reality check #2 for me.

Everyone was a bit picture happy.

 

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Continuing on up the slabs.

The Rubicon uses some pretty trick trail markers. I guess this is one way to prevent signs from being stolen and shot up.

Try doing this in Washington.

Kevin chose to take a crack at an optional bonus line up a granite face.

Ed crawling along.

Eric and Ruben came out for the Rubicon portion to run the trail all the way through.

Starting the climb up Walker Hill.

John, Gordon, and Eric leading the way.

After making our way up Walker Hill, we found ourselves at Soup Bowl. Eric was anxious to give it a go with his recently finished overhaul of his rig.

Eric feeling it out.

Tim opted to give it a shot next.

After getting a feel for it Tim started in on the right line, but unfortunately his passenger side motor mount sheared from the engine block.


After getting the Jeep back on level ground we assessed the situation. John and Tim set in on a McGyver trail fix. Using a stock bottle jack to push the engine back into place, they were able to secure a few ratchet straps on either side to act as a cradle. Hillbilly yes, but we had faith it'd hold.

 

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Even after witnessing Tim's motor mount failure, Gordon was still up for giving it a go. (Come to find out this was a common theme for Gordon)

Gordon gave it a good effort, but lack of traction, and low clearance ended up holding him back.

From Soup Bowl we continued on. Rich crawling along down through the rocks.

After a little ways we found ourselves at the iconic Little Sluice.

Reality check #3 for me.

Eric and Rich heading in.

Eric's new setup seemed to be working well.

Rich crawling his way through the box.

John then followed suit.

At this point Ed and I both said, "what the hell," and walked back to get our rigs. I didn't drive 700 miles for nothing.

One of the many hidden treasures of the Rubicon, Spider Lake.

Gorgeous.

After running Little Sluice, we met up with the rest of the group.

It must be a white Jeep thing.

 

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After a ways we reached the top of the slabs we'd be making our way down.

Dropping down.

Suspensions got a work out.

Just below Buck Island, playing on a ledge climb.

With a motor held up with ratchet straps, Tim played it safe.

At this point a few of us set off to search for a camping spot. Buck Island dam.

Buck Island Lake. We ended up finding a nice sized spot big enough for our group just before the creek crossing. After a long day on the trail it felt nice to kick back and relax.

Unfortuantely, Fire Restrictions were in full effect, which meant we enjoyed the LED_Lantern_Campfire instead.

Tuesday was a layover day for us. A few of us got together in the morning and set off on a hike.

Life was pretty rough that day.

We caught up with a trail leading into the Desolation Wilderness. Ed giving us his .02.

"California has some big plants"

After a few miles we reached the creek bed we were looking for.

Cable for getting supplies across. I could only imagine this during spring run-off.

 

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Then we got to the creepy tunnel of death. This tunnel is actually one of many tunnels connecting the lakes in the area for water management.

Convinced Mike and Kevin to go have a look inside while the rest of us watched to see what would happen.

We decided to head over the ridge to try and find the other side. Pretty amazing country.

Found it!

After hiking back we hung out at camp for a bit, then walked up to the lake for a swim. After dinner, the group decided to hike up to True Old Sluice to take a look at it. Slabs at sunset.

True Old Sluice.

View from the top half.

With very little convincing needed Gordon was soon walking back down to get his rig.

Buck Island with the sun setting.

El Smasho had arrived!

Making his way up through the boulders.

 

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It took some effort and some creative use of some resources, but Gordon had made it up through the obstacle portion.

Gordon was committed to finishing the whole section of trail. Near the top with darkness upon us we resorted to using the Hi-lift to free him off a rock.

The hike out definitely turned out to be longer than expected, but none-the-less we had reached it.

From the top it was just a matter of hiking down the slabs, and spotting Gordon down them at night.

We got back to camp around 11:30, enjoyed a nice Propane_Lantern_Campfire, and then settled in for the night. Catching some sunshine the next morning.

Heading out.

We hit some pretty decent sections almost immediately after leaving camp.

Gordon in Pig_Pen bringing up the tail.

Eric/Ruben team working their way up a rock section.

John all loaded up for the trek out.

Kevin crawling along.

Pretty good off camber turn.

 

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Continuing on.

John making the turn heading down into Big Sluice.

Center line next to the tree seemed to be the most straightforward.

Eric heading down.

Kevin.

After the Big Sluice we crawled our way through some more tight sections. John heading down tippy corner.

Talk about lucky.

Group shot heading down toward Rubicon Springs.

Continuing to head down.

Got stickers?

John getting ready for lift off.

Rubicon Springs! This is private land, and is where the Jeeper Jamboree is held.

 

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Stopped for lunch and a quick dip at the creek at Rubicon Springs.

Another pretty cool place to either sit back and relax at, or hike around and explore.

John and Rich getting the party started.

After lunch we set off for the final leg of our trip, Cadillac Hill.

It definitely gains some elevation pretty quick.

After a slow crawl to the top, the group made it to Observation Point, no bubbles no troubles.

That's where we saw this guy. "See a bear," got to check that off my list.

Everyone got their pictures in.

The group ahead of us posing for their picture.

does the Rubicon!

Observation Point is kind of a false summit, there's still plenty of trail left.

After a long dusty ride back, we made our way down to the Tahoe side staging area, and began the post-wheeling chores of airing up.

This was it for the Rubicon portion. It was a great trip, and my first time on the 'Con. Thanks to the Rubicon Crew (Eric, John, Nick, Gordon, Stephanie, Ed, Rich, Eric, Ruben, Tim, Kevin, and Mike) for such a memorable trip. Good times!

 

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After parting ways after airing up, Eric, Ed, and I went to go retrieve Eric's truck and trailer. Of course after a long day of wheeling, we still had the construction obstacle to deal with.

Just finished the Rubicon, and now I'm driving the shoreline of Lake Tahoe. Reality check #4.

Topped off on gas.

As we rounded the lake, it occurred to me I was now in Nevada.

Coming into Southlake. Eric, Ed, the Smasho's and I decided on getting rooms for the night rather than making the trek to Hermit Valley.

Checked in, and moving in for the night.

After doing some laundry, and getting some pepperoni/mushroom pizza (Ed's request) we headed back to the rooms.

The next morning we weren't in too big of a hurry to get out of town. A quick stop at the auto parts store for some fresh air filters, and a quick stop at Safeway for a resupply of food and ice. Lastly, we stopped at Denny's for a late breakfast. Ed, a veteran Denny's customer, knew exactly what he wanted, and then proceeded to shred, tear, and turn his meal into mixture of breakfast delight.

We left town early afternoon, and set course for Hermit Valley.

Smasho's.

Ebbetts Pass - 8730 Ft. Needless to say with a dusty air filter, my Jeep was feeling pretty anemic at the summit.

 

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After an eventful drive over Ebbets we arrived at Hermit Valley. Mark, Corey, and Jes greeted us as we pulled in. A few others were already out running Deer Valley. As we got camp set up, I heard the familiar sound of a 4.0L powered red "POS".


Tim got bored and decided to run it in down in reverse.

Later we found out the group ran into an Xterra at the top. He had spent the night on the trail, and with the help of Matt's spotting made it down.

Shortly after the group returned, the one and only McLovin! rolled coal into camp. Travis brought his buddy Derek, and much to all of our surprise also brought a tent and food this time.

After unloading his Jeep, McLovin set off to buzz around in the Jeep. We heard some throttle coming from the Deer Valley gate keeper and went over to investigate. What we found was McLovin high centered and pointing East/West on a North/South trail.




Needless to say we had some good entertainment that night.

We had a few more people show up later that evening. The next morning we gathered at the Deer Valley trail head at 1000 for a quick drivers meeting.

Mike in the stupidly clean and capable CJ crawling through the gate keeper.

Patrick made the trek out for his first SierraFest and trail run.

Charlie along for the ride with Dave.

Veronica came out with her dad Dave, and did a great job for her first trip out in the rocks.

Eric.

 

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With a newly doubled crawl ratio, Lou finessed his way through with ease.

Jeff.

Smasho's and I bringing up the tail.

Rob made the trek out again, and this year had his daughter and her purse dog, Ferdinand, along for the ride.

With 18 rigs in the group it was a casual day on the trail. Brent and Zoe taco'd a tie rod going through one of the rock gardens. With a group effort a replacement was quickly installed. Dean's alternator bearing started talking back, so him and Matt, along with Mike and Bruce headed back to camp to head to town to source a new one.

The group continued on though.

Mad flex bros.

After a quick break above the V-notch, it was time to head out. One downside to parking on a house sized rock.

Be cautious when parking next to someone who describes their rig as a "Blue POS"

Mark and Jeff.

Eventually we reached the water crossing for lunch.

Can't get much better than this.

Little bit of carnage. McLovin chose to modify his bumper on the way up into a stubby bumper via a rock.

 

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The essentials.

As most of the group headed back a few of us stayed behind to soak up the sun and relax since we had absolutely nowhere to be but there.

CJ5 coming through from the other side. These guys had some work ahead of them with the obstacles to come.

Poser.

Heading back.

Down the V-Notch.

Gordon gave up the drivers seat for the spotting seat, and let Stephanie drive.

She did awesome!

After returning to camp, there was what appeared to be repair station set up around McLovin's camp.

McLovin's LCAs came apart and needed to be rebuilt. McGyver press was used with a floor jack and trailer. Derek was very impressed.

At least he brought the essentials.

Big props to Derek for jumping right in to help with repairs. Patrick taco'd his track bar on the way down. With some help from the mobile floor jack press it was able to be straightened out.

 

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The campfire Friday was entertaining as usual.

Soon it became time for the annual Deer Valley night run up to the V-Notch.

It went suprisingly smooth, and the stars at the top were pretty amazing. Saw a few meteors too.

Saturday morning rolled around, and the plan for the day was to run Slick Rock Trail.

Heading out to the trail head.

Group shot, I believe we had 21 rigs in the group.

Stopped at the creek camp site on the way in.

Bird bath.

This one is for you, Mark.

Continuing on.

Kinda felt like I was being hunted.

What are you doing behind that log, Jeff?

 

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Mrs. Smasho approves.

Stopped at the top of the granite slab.

Mike heading down.

Tim's turn, now with new motor mount hardware.

Group heading down the slab.

Jes didn't want to get his feet wet.

Patrick coming through the water crossing.

McLovin!

Here comes, ThumbKin!

Spectators gathered at the Stair Steps.

Mark offered to lead the way up the Stair Steps. With a front locker this year he cruised right up.

Tim getting it done on the ledges.

Mike is boring to watch drive, but the finesse he uses is amazing.

Jeff's turn.

 

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McLovin on a mission.

Jimmy Jimmy.

Chris, lacking a front drive-shaft chose to run it in Pre-Runner mode.


Eric lent him some rope to get him to the top.

Josh rather than following the usual line, chose to try the same line as Tim and Eric.

After some persistence, crawled right up. Props, man!

Lou on the Stair Steps.

McSpotter.

Suspected trail_dozer.

Bonus climb.

After completely over-thinking it, I talked myself into giving the ledges a try. The worst part was the entry wheel stand, after that it was just a matter of getting the tires to hook up. It was a cool line, and definitely a highlight of the trip. Thanks Ed for the pic.

Skipper had a clean run up, and as the crowd cheered he blew a side-wall.

Stephanie drove the SmashoMobile up the Stair Steps, and then it was Gordon's turn to bring it down and up the ledges.

 

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Up he went.

Group shot watching Tim spot his son up the Stair Steps.

After everyone made it up the obstacle, it was time for a group photo.

Some chose to run the road out, others chose to run the trail back. Running back up the slab.

Some boulders had gotten pushed into the middle of the trail creating quite the new obstacle.

Past the boulders, and continuing on.

After finishing the trail we swung by Lake Alpine to de-dust ourselves. Then it was back to camp for the evening festivities.

Some people decided to dismantle their tow rig.

Others chose to load up.

Ruffle buzz was in the air.

Jimmy!

 

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Big thanks to Chef Mark for cooking again this year. After a long day on the trail, it hit the spot!

After a tasty dinner it was time to start the raffle.

Anything in the 800's was Chris'

Happy winners.

Lots of laughs around the camp fire that night.

 

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The next morning I woke up early to get an early start on the trek back North.

Followed everyone's recommendation and took Hwy 4 West. Mosquito Lake was like glass.

Yup.

Drive back was pretty uneventful. Occasionally you'd see something cool like a YJ that looks like it should belong in a third world country.

I did however have a list of things to look up to keep me occupied.

I particularly enjoyed this one.

Coming through Portland just before sunset. Great way to end the trip.

 

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All in all, this was one of the most memorable and enjoyable trips I've taken. The wheeling was awesome, but the people really made it what it was. I actually got home and renewed my membership. Thanks for the great hospitality, and letting a NWC'er tag along with you guys all week.

I'm already planning on making the trek down again next year. If anyone finds themselves up in the Northwest let me know. I'd love to return the favor and show you guys some good NW wheeling.