How far is too far for a SCCX trip?

[Paul]

So I'm kicking around some ideas for some trips and I want to balance participation with adventure. There are some longer distance trips that I've been looking at organizing like runs up north into the southern end of the Sierras (Lone Pine area), Death Valley, or some further out east like the entire Mojave trail starting at the Colorado River and coming back west. Some of these trips are +150 miles/3~4 hours drive from the LA area. Some of this depends on how much money and time you can spend and if you like camping for three days and two nights or even four days and three nights.

I really want to get back into the Lone Pine area where the "New York" skyline is. I toured the amazing southern end of Death Valley and want to make a run through the northern end too. I ran the Mojave end-to-end recently and had a good time out there, the central and eastern ends are just as wonderful as the western end.

I'm kicking around a balanced schedule where I would do long trips and short ones with nothing too terribly tough nor anything too tame.

[boomer818]

I would be down for lone pine love that place.

[GhostX]

A trip in the 150+ range is a good value, as it is about 2-4 hours of drive time, and far away enough to reach some great camping/wheeling venues.

As mentioned above, Lone Pine provides some excellent camping and trail opportunities.  Planning and preparation are the keys to success.

[Goldfish]

I would love to visit the sierras. The nice thing about the Xterra is you can drive in comfort to get to the trail. I would have no trouble with driving over a 100 miles to get somewhere nice.

[GUANO]

I'd vote... but there is no option for "no distance is too far"

Well any distance is too far for my at the moment until i get some new tires.

I love the Sierras.  My favorite area is further up north where I grew up.  Between Topaz Lake and Lake Tahoe.  I know many awesome trails up there.   It's a bit of a drive unless your planning on staying 4+ days.

What about Baja?  I could probably get us a place to stay in Cabo San Lucas or Loredo, a buddy of mine has places out there.

There are some pretty crazy trails out there, he actually has an OR X himself, traded in his brand new Jeep for it - traded up!  He is involved in the Baja 500 & 1000.  I think he's an organizer of some sort, works with the vendors that run shops and refueling stations--and drives one of the camera cars for fun.

[Paul]

Mexico presents problems - my insurance doesn't cover me and my command has put the place off-limits for the military and the state department has recommended against us civilians going down there. 

[Blackx]

For me the issue isn't the drive but the time off work needed to do that long of a drive.  So, I voted 150+ miles, but it's dependent on work sched.

Just came back from San Felipe, MX.  It was really hot, but fun none-the-less.

[FrankB]

Thanks for setting this up Paul. 

I would like to encourage everyone to not only vote but to provide some comments and feedback as well.  As we've discussed in the other threads, going forward the club is probably going to look a little different in terms of number and regularity of runs. This information will help a great deal in planning.

As for my own choice on this question, between 50 and 125 miles is about the most I would want to drive to a trailhead. At the longer end of that I might want to head out the night before and find a nearby hotel, especially with an early meet time. That is why I don't usually do the northern runs.

[boomer818]

I don't know know i live in glendale so kinda in the middle i don't mind the north runs. Me and the wife like going on drive and what not. lone pine to the north or down south is fine with me. I really would like to do a north run to lone pine or big bear or something like that. Don't need to spend the night anywere.

[superslidestyle]

Whatever we can do in a single day as long as we can get back the same day (because of the kids). I also need to convince the wife to stay the night, which is the hard part. 

[Paul]

Whatever we can do in a single day as long as we can get back the same day (because of the kids). I also need to convince the wife to stay the night, which is the hard part. 

What's her comfort requirement:

1. Four star resort - movie stars/Hollywood, $1200 a night
2. Hotel/motel - clean sheets and towel service
3. Cabin in the woods - hot water and a mattress
4. Full service campground - showers and flush toilets, a bug or two
5. Campground - pit toilets
6. Animal style - flat bit of ground and a tree

Some trips can accommodate #2 and #3 and few more #4. #5 is available lots of the time.

[AV Xterra]

Ask Frank and Bobby what level the "Valero Plain" fits in.

[rennz4wheel]

Hi guys,
I live in Bishop, a litle north of Lone Pine, and have been active in the local 4 wheel drive group for 6 years.  I can show you all a great bunch of trails; can be combined with fishing and camping, or hotels for the luxury minded.  Also the Browns Campground has lot's of amenities, including room for an R.V if desired.
Anyway, I am willing to show you all some of MY favorite runs, some in the pines coming out at Mono Lake, some to see wild horses and possibly Antelope north of Bishop.
Would that sort of trip interest the group?   I would love to have a whole heard of Xterra's/misc Nissans in town!!

[Paul]

Brown's Campground up in Bishop?

[XterracerX]

I would love to do a run in the Sierras. Love that place!