Southern California Club Xterra

Southern California Club Xterra => SCCX Xcursions => Topic started by: Celt on June 10, 2017, 07:04:42 AM

Title: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: Celt on June 10, 2017, 07:04:42 AM
 So as not to thread jack Jayrat's thread any longer... I wanted to go run Holcomb Creek Trail. Toro says he wants to go, anyone else? I've never been on it but he has and says it's definitely a black trail. I'll let him chime in with more specifics as I don't know anymore than that and it should be a heck of a lotta fun.

 I was thinking about Saturday June 24th then maybe yellow posting it somewhere out there after the run? Pizza in town ?
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: Toro on June 10, 2017, 07:56:47 AM
Well look at the dates but we will most likely not camp.

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Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: SoCalXTerry on June 10, 2017, 08:09:35 AM
If I get my X back in time I could be interested.

If you guys allow senior citizens out there.

P.S.  My daughter has been pounding me to do that trail.  Last time she tried her boyfriend nuked his jeep and she only did about 1 mile of the trail.   So if it is a Saturday she probably will be in also.
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: Celt on June 10, 2017, 09:10:57 AM
If I get my X back in time I could be interested.

If you guys allow senior citizens out there.

P.S.  My daughter has been pounding me to do that trail.  Last time she tried her boyfriend nuked his jeep and she only did about 1 mile of the trail.   So if it is a Saturday she probably will be in also.

 I'll be your Huckleberry................ Let's do it!
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: RikRong on June 10, 2017, 09:24:05 AM
I'm heading up to Arrowhead on the 25th, otherwise I would love to join.

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Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: Celt on June 10, 2017, 09:35:17 AM
I'm heading up to Arrowhead on the 25th, otherwise I would love to join.

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  Arrowhead isn't far away........... Run trails with us the day before.
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: Celt on June 10, 2017, 09:59:02 AM
Well look at the dates but we will most likely not camp.

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 Sounds good buddy, I'm going to camp as I'll drive up that morning. Driving up and running that kind of trail then heading back home is too much for me these days. I guess I'm starting to get feeble and need my rest.
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: RikRong on June 10, 2017, 10:55:57 AM
  Arrowhead isn't far away........... Run trails with us the day before.
I'd have to talk to Jenny first.

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Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: CAWoody on June 10, 2017, 01:04:35 PM

I might be  in for the yellow post camp.  I need to check with the wife when she gets back.

Scratch that, I forgot she having surgery that Thursday, so that a bad weekend for me, Sorry. :'(
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: RikRong on June 11, 2017, 05:36:20 PM
I really, really want to do this, instead of the other trip, but watching videos makes me wonder. Is my truck on 33's capable of this? It's a gorgeous trail but I don't want to break something or hold people up.

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Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: Celt on June 11, 2017, 06:27:45 PM
I really, really want to do this, instead of the other trip, but watching videos makes me wonder. Is my truck on 33's capable of this? It's a gorgeous trail but I don't want to break something or hold people up.

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  I have not been on this trail before so I can't really say exactly what to expect. That being said I can tell you that the first time I did the John Bull I was on 33's and made it through without any drama. I certainly don't think you would be holding anyone up.
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: Toro on June 12, 2017, 08:13:41 AM
I really, really want to do this, instead of the other trip, but watching videos makes me wonder. Is my truck on 33's capable of this? It's a gorgeous trail but I don't want to break something or hold people up.

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Come on Rik, time give that pretty Xterra the experience it deserves.

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Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: RikRong on June 12, 2017, 09:23:14 AM
  I have not been on this trail before so I can't really say exactly what to expect. That being said I can tell you that the first time I did the John Bull I was on 33's and made it through without any drama. I certainly don't think you would be holding anyone up.
Come on Rik, time give that pretty Xterra the experience it deserves.

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Peer pressure is a you-know-what.  It's had some experience, but I think this is whole different on.  I'll do a little more research and take a look at some pics and decide.  I'd much rather head out with you all, over the trip I was planning on Sunday.  More to come...
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: RikRong on June 12, 2017, 01:34:56 PM
I may regret this, but count me in.  :o The worse spots look like they have a couple different lines.  It can't be any worse than dragging my diff in places at Last Chance Canyon.  O0
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: ultrapc40 on June 12, 2017, 04:16:18 PM
I have done this with 32 and open diff. I had to winch twice. This was over 10 years ago.

If you are locked and 33s With a winch and full skid you should be ok as long as you can get past the gate keeper. The beginning and end gate keeper was made very hard so people that don't belong there don't get stuck In there. I know they made the gate keeper harder since I gone through it, but there are lines you can take. Walk it, if you are not comfortable, turn around and hit gold mountain or John Bull.

It's an awesome trail that was closed for a while due to fires in the past.

I would not take more than 6 vehicle in the group or you will make t a very very very long day.
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: RikRong on June 12, 2017, 04:20:31 PM
I have done this with 32 and open diff. I had to winch twice. This was over 10 years ago.

If you are locked and 33s With a winch and full skid you should be ok as long as you can get past the gate keeper. The beginning and end gate keeper was made very hard so people that don't belong there don't get stuck In there. I know they made the gate keeper harder since I gone through it, but there are lines you can take. Walk it, if you are not comfortable, turn around and hit gold mountain or John Bull.

It's an awesome trail that was closed for a while due to fires in the past.

I would not take more than 6 vehicle in the group or you will make t a very very very long day.
I don't have a winch, but I have ample tow points.  Walking is an option and there is actually a go around trail for the west gate-keeper.
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: Celt on June 12, 2017, 04:42:14 PM
I know someone who has a winch............... Just sayin.
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: Riz98 on June 14, 2017, 02:57:31 AM
I'm pretty bummed I wont be back in time to make this trip.  Yeah Rik Last Chance Canyon did a little number on both of our vehicles.  If this trail run is a success maybe I can make the next one.  Be safe out there.
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: SoCalXTerry on June 16, 2017, 05:53:58 PM
Ok this is my status.   I am waiting for my truck to get fixed and am planning to use it if done by next weekend.   Otherwise,  I will be riding with my daughter in her rig.   Just to let you know that my daughter and I will be there with one or two rigs next Saturday.   Does somebody want to set a time and meet location.
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: Celt on June 16, 2017, 07:21:35 PM
Ok this my status.   I am waiting for my truck to get fixed and am planning to use it if done by next weekend.   Otherwise,  I will be riding with my daughter in her rig.   Just to let you know that my daughter and I will be there with one or two rigs next Saturday.   Does somebody want to set a time and meet location.

 I was going to give you a call once I heard if you were going or not. I was thinking 1000 in Big Bear at the trail head or the visitor center in Fawnskin? Were coming up that morning so I'm figuring we will need to leave prior to 0700 to give plenty of time with traffic being as it is. Are you guys planning to camp at a YP with us?
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: RikRong on June 16, 2017, 09:21:46 PM
I'll be meeting you​ all in the morning, but I don't think I'll be camping. There's a pretty good chance my oldest daughter will join as passenger.

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Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: Celt on June 16, 2017, 09:39:23 PM
I'll be meeting you​ all in the morning, but I don't think I'll be camping. There's a pretty good chance my oldest daughter will join as passenger.

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  Not camping? You some kinda communist or sumpthin?
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: RikRong on June 17, 2017, 08:36:02 AM
  Not camping? You some kinda communist or sumpthin?
Not communist. Haha I just don't like leaving Jenny and the baby for that long.

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Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: Toro on June 18, 2017, 06:45:20 PM
I have 1 jeep and 1 Tacoma coming along...and maybe 1 more jeep.

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Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: Celt on June 18, 2017, 07:21:59 PM
I have 1 jeep and 1 Tacoma coming along...and maybe 1 more jeep.

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 So we will have a 5 or 6 vehicle conga line, sounds like a good line-up.
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: SoCalXTerry on June 19, 2017, 05:29:02 PM
This is happening as we speak.   We will have to watch it as it plays out.

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5256/ (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5256/)
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: Celt on June 19, 2017, 07:16:56 PM
Well shoot,,,,,, yes agreed we will have to watch out for that to be sure.
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: Jayrat on June 19, 2017, 07:37:29 PM
It looks like east side of lake, not in Hanna Flats area
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: CAWoody on June 20, 2017, 03:27:28 PM
I just looked again and It has now destroyed Jacoby Creek.  What a shame, that was such a beautiful trail. :'(
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: beedee on June 20, 2017, 03:52:04 PM
That is a bummer! I was planning on hitting up Jacoby this weekend. :(
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: ultrapc40 on June 20, 2017, 07:08:16 PM
:( (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170621/0ebd78ce2861f3cb1970894729e19e70.jpg)


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Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: Celt on June 20, 2017, 07:57:39 PM
Looks like there isn't any threat to where were going thus far and they seem to be relaxing some of the restrictions evacuation wise in the fire area. It looks like the temps are supposed to be 86f partly cloudy with winds 8 MPH west in Big Bear/Fawnskin. Let's shoot for 1000 AM at the Fawnskin visitors center and roll out shortly there after. 146.535 Simplex, CB-LOL. I will monitor Snow Summit repeater until I get into Big Bear as that seems to have the best coverage I can get in the area. I'm still planning on camping at a YP somewhere if anyone wishes to join me.
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: Toro on June 20, 2017, 08:32:23 PM
What do you think the air quality will be like?

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Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: Jayrat on June 20, 2017, 09:58:04 PM
What do you think the air quality will be like?

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https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/photos/CABDF/2017-06-19-1849-Holcomb/related_files/pict20170519-223956-0.pdf
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: Celt on June 21, 2017, 04:15:58 AM
I was trying to get a grasp on the air quality myself. From what Jayrat posted the smoke should be moving north and not over to where we will be to the west of that fire. I left a message on the AAT forum asking if anyone had any info on it and I'll call the rangers tomorrow for some updates.
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: SoCalXTerry on June 21, 2017, 09:13:29 AM
Well good news.   It appears I will have my truck at least repaired and rolling by Saturday.   So my daughter and I will meet you guys Saturday.

Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: Celt on June 21, 2017, 07:30:27 PM
I got several posts from people there in Big Bear confirming the air quality is good to very good and the fire is moving away from anywhere where we will be. I talked to Terry today on the phone and he brought up a good point about meeting up at the Fawnskin Fire station ( http://www.firedepartment.net/directory/california/san-bernardino-county/fawnskin/san-bernardino-county-fire-department-station-96 ). Since the visitors center parking lot may be mobbed and the fire station is closer to the trailhead let's shoot for that at 1000 hours and roll out once we all get there.

  See you guys there!
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: Ghost65 on June 21, 2017, 08:04:46 PM
:( (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170621/0ebd78ce2861f3cb1970894729e19e70.jpg)


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From what Cris Mateski posted on FB, looked like they saved the Lucky Baldwin Mine structure pictured Spencer...air drops likely saved the day.  A silver lining in the scorched cloud of smoke.
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: RikRong on June 23, 2017, 10:32:47 AM
Looks like the fire is about 65% contained and highway 18 is reopened as of 30 minutes ago.  I'll keep an eye on that, as it's may route in from the north.  The alternate is only about 20 minutes longer, so no real large impact to travel.
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: Toro on June 23, 2017, 10:57:52 AM
The X is heading to The Kings shop this afternoon to get the new locker installed.
   We might make it after all.

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Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: xxSVxx on June 23, 2017, 11:06:48 AM
The X is heading to The Kings shop this afternoon to get the new locker installed.
   We might make it after all.

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Hope it goes smoothly and you get her back soon!
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: Celt on June 23, 2017, 11:15:28 AM
The X is heading to The Kings shop this afternoon to get the new locker installed.
   We might make it after all.

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 Giddy up Batman!
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: Ghost65 on June 23, 2017, 03:22:10 PM
The X is heading to The Kings shop this afternoon to get the new locker installed.
   We might make it after all.

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Nice.
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: Toro on June 23, 2017, 07:03:05 PM
Boo-ya!
New diff is in!!!!!!
   Real in!!!(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170624/f754eef95d851d8fa76ea6e990129da7.jpg)
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: RikRong on June 24, 2017, 10:10:07 PM
First off, I'd like to thank everyone for peer pressuring me into this it was an awesome day, and it was awesome meeting new people.

Second, I'd like to thank everyone for being patient with my perpetual stucks. I win the golden winch award.

Finally, I'm happy everyone made it relatively unscathed. Until next time.



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Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: Celt on June 25, 2017, 08:10:00 AM
 
First off, I'd like to thank everyone for peer pressuring me into this it was an awesome day, and it was awesome meeting new people.

Second, I'd like to thank everyone for being patient with my perpetual stucks. I win the golden winch award.

Finally, I'm happy everyone made it relatively unscathed. Until next time.



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 I wouldn't worry so much about getting stuck as that seemed to happen to all of us. That's the nature of that trail it seems to me. I thought you did really well on it as it sure wasn't an easy run by any means. In the end it was a lot of fun. One of the things I thought was hysterical and wish I had a camera handy was when the Taco was backing down the hill and the bed of the truck was full of kids laughing like crazy they were having so much fun. That's the thing that really made this trip memorable to me.
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: Toro on June 25, 2017, 10:40:10 AM
Well..... F' Holcomb
I got my ass handed to me. I had to winch 3 times, almost flopped my rig and broke a half shaft.
   It broke at the inner joint and the inner "cup" remained intact and attached to the front diff. This allowed the half shaft to remain fixed at the wheel and bounceing around in the inner cup.
   I kept it in 4wd, got off the trail and drove it all the way home.
   There was tons of mud which made rocks and tires slippery.

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Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: Celt on June 25, 2017, 10:47:07 AM
Well..... F' Holcomb
I got my ass handed to me. I had to winch 3 times, almost flopped my rig and broke a half shaft.
   It broke at the inner joint and the inner "cup" remained intact and attached to the front diff. This allowed the half shaft to remain fixed at the wheel and bounceing around in the inner cup.
   I kept it in 4wd, got off the trail and drove it all the way home.
   There was tons of mud which made rocks and tires slippery.

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 So does this mean you don't want to run it with me West to East in a couple weeks? ?

  All joking aside, I'm very glad it snapped where it did vs. inside the differential and that you were able to get home with your family in good order. That was a really tough trail to say the least. It was really nice meeting your buddies, they were a lot of fun on the trail and seem like real stand up guys.
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: SoCalXTerry on June 26, 2017, 06:24:04 AM
Thanks guys, for letting an old man and his crazy daughter tag along.   It really was fun.    Hot and dusty.   Thanks creek!!!!!   :D   But FUN!!!!!   We need to do it again soon...
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: Celt on June 26, 2017, 04:37:26 PM
It was good to see you guys Terry, we had a great time!
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: RikRong on June 27, 2017, 12:31:24 PM
Crawled underneath the truck to make sure everything was still where it was supposed to be, it was, for the most part.  Fortunately, I didn't experience what happened to Toro, that I'm happy for and I'm happy he and the family were able to make it home okay.  However, all my drive shaft bolt heads have been "resized", both shock mounts and bolts are "clearanced", my stock gas tank skid is touching the tank (this is going to be my next mod, I've hit it at Last Chance too), more material is missing off my PRG diff cover (also need to get rid of this and get an ARB), my drive shaft looks like someone spun it on a lathe, and the soft metal dust seals on the driveshaft were bent and rubbing the DS as it spun, causing a sound in the rear that sounded like gravel in brakes.  I blame all of this on my inability to picture where everything is in relation to the obstacle.  This will get better with practice, though.  Learned another lesson, too, don't try to get on the same rocks that a skinnier first-gen just used.  Titan swap doesn't equal skinny.  All in all, for the amount of rocks I hit, I consider myself lucky.  When's the next run?  lol
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: Celt on June 27, 2017, 04:32:50 PM
Crawled underneath the truck to make sure everything was still where it was supposed to be, it was, for the most part.  Fortunately, I didn't experience what happened to Toro, that I'm happy for and I'm happy he and the family were able to make it home okay.  However, all my drive shaft bolt heads have been "resized", both shock mounts and bolts are "clearanced", my stock gas tank skid is touching the tank (this is going to be my next mod, I've hit it at Last Chance too), more material is missing off my PRG diff cover (also need to get rid of this and get an ARB), my drive shaft looks like someone spun it on a lathe, and the soft metal dust seals on the driveshaft were bent and rubbing the DS as it spun, causing a sound in the rear that sounded like gravel in brakes.  I blame all of this on my inability to picture where everything is in relation to the obstacle.  This will get better with practice, though.  Learned another lesson, too, don't try to get on the same rocks that a skinnier first-gen just used.  Titan swap doesn't equal skinny.  All in all, for the amount of rocks I hit, I consider myself lucky.  When's the next run?  lol

 Nothing like natures modifications. Look at the bright side those spots you mentioned are now nice and broken in so the next time you hit the rocks they should have plenty of clearance. At least that's what I always tell myself......... I don't think I have any trips in the works until after I come home from the Rubicon early August. If temperatures get a little lower up there I'd love to plan another trail to go play on the rocks.
Title: Re: Holcomb Creek Trail
Post by: SoCalXTerry on June 27, 2017, 05:04:15 PM
Dani had so much fun that we are talking of maybe just doing an "easy" one(just to get out in nature).  i.e.  Gold Mountain or Pontiac Sluice soon.   I'll keep you all
posted