Southern California Club Xterra
Southern California Club Xterra => SCCX Xcursions => Topic started by: Sage Bromax on March 27, 2018, 05:40:39 AM
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Cerro Gordo And Salt Trams Trip
When: Memorial Day Weekend May 25-28, 2018
Where: Overnight in Lone Pine on May 25
Meet at trailhead 0900 May 26 – 36.5245, -117.905
Camping Saturday night at 9630’ elevation, 36.6324, -117.9167 (or nearby)
Camping Sunday night at 6700’ elevation, 36.5653, -117.7820 (or nearby)
What: Historic salt trams (36.608, -117.854) and mining town (36.538, -117.795)
Who: Fourteen vehicle limit due to space, time and cat herding limits
Lots of pictures from last year's trip here:
http://www.sccxterra.com/smf/index.php?topic=4070.0
Info sites:
http://justruns.com/test/places-we-visit/california/south-eastern-sierrainyowhite-mountains/saline-valley-salt-tram/
http://www.codectest.com/2016/offroading-the-inyo-range-swansea-to-salt-tram-to-cerro-gordo-owens-lake-lone-pine-buttermilk-trail-in-bishop
http://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/swansea-cerro-gordo-road?referrer=everytrail
http://www.owensvalleyhistory.com/saline_tramway3/page50c.html
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Be sure to read and follow the SCCX Xcursion Guidelines. In addition, here are a few of mine for this trip:
A) Rig requirements:
1) Good clearance, or thick skid plates (having both is preferred)
2) In generally good mechanical order
3) Good recovery points front and rear – in case we need to drag your mall-crawler chassis over some rock outcrops (see item #1)
4) Communications of some variety, in descending order of preference – ham VHF, FRS, CB, horn, whistle, smoke signal, sign language
B) Driver requirements:
1) Good attitude, especially when A3 is occurring
2) Generally self-sufficient
3) No whiners
C) Navigator/passenger requirements – driver’s responsibility:
1) Good attitude, and definitely when A3 is occurring
2) Generally self-sufficient
3) No whiners
The current plan is as follows: Saturday we will be travelling from Swansea up to our first camping site. This is the reverse, or tougher, way as gravity won’t be helping rigs get down ledges or obstacles (if there are any). It shouldn’t be too difficult, but it is a gain of 6,000 feet in less than ten miles (~15 road miles). We will NOT be hard-charging this trip. Saturday will be devoted to getting to the crest of the Inyo Mountains and finding the ideal camping site. If we depart Swansea by 1000 I expect we will be in camp by 1400, if not sooner. There will be plenty of time to stop for pictures, check out the geology, and be amazed at the ingenuity and determination of the folks that built the salt tram. We will be surrounded by “wilderness” and there are lots of hiking and exploring opportunities. Just watch out for light-headedness, over-exertion, dehydration, and other signs of altitude sickness. Sunday will be a drive along the crest south to the salt trams (~7 road miles) where we can spend a couple of hours exploring and having lunch. Then it is on down the road (~7 more road miles) to Cerro Gordo ghost town. Note that the crest trail is a shelf road in many places, and can cause severe (even debilitating) sphincter contractions. Those with weak dispositions should be medicated or blindfolded and muffled. We will camp east of the ghost town Sunday night. Monday, we will explore the town for a couple of hours, and then head back to pavement and home. The last section of dirt road from Cerro Gordo down to Hwy 136 is ~6 road miles long, but you drop almost a mile in elevation as well.
Location information: http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recarea/?recid=21880
Friday night accomodations – you are on your own. I am staying in Lone Pine at the Comfort Inn. If you are in the vicinity and want to meet up for dinner, that would be great. Rooms are going fast, as it is Memorial Weekend. Alternatively, you could get up early on Saturday and drive directly from home to the trail head meeting at 0900.
Please post your number of persons/vehicles and send me a confirmation PM. Also note what type of comms you have or intend to use on the trip. I have put together a comm plan. There will be no name tags.
Confirmed attendees:
1) Sage Bromax
2) SCUBA_Dale + 1
3) CAWoody
4) Celt + 2
5) Fathead + 2
6) Mr. Rubicon - Celt's jeep friend
7) pyrofox79
8) xxSVxx
9) Riz98
10)
11)
12)
Wait list:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
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RADIO COMMUNICATIONS PLAN
Ch # Function Channel Name Receive Frequency (MHz) Receive Tone (kHz) Transmit frequency (MHz) Transmit Tone (kHz) Remarks
1 Convoy Primary Trail 146.5350 none 146.5350 none Main group channel
2 Convoy Backup Trail A 146.4750 none 146.4750 none Fallback channel in case above channel is too busy
3 Convoy B/U Trail B - FRS CH 5 462.6625 none 462.6625 none Fallback channel in case above channels are too busy
4 Convoy B/U Trail C - FRS CH 6 462.6875 none 462.6875 none Fallback channel in case above channels are too busy
5 Convoy B/U Trail D - CB CH 14 27.1250 none 27.1250 none Fallback channel in case above channels are too busy
6 Travel/Hailing National VHF Simplex 146.5200 none 146.5200 none Wilderness Protocol and general hailing
7 Travel/Hailing National UHF Simplex 446.0000 none 446.0000 none Wilderness Protocol and general hailing
8 Distance Victorville repeater 146.9400 none 146.3400 91.5 Open repeater
9 Distance Randsburg repeater 145.3400 none 144.7400 100.0 Open repeater
10 Distance Ridgecrest VHF repeater 146.6400 none 146.0400 none Open repeater
11 Distance Ridgecrest UHF repeater 447.0200 none 442.0200 123.0 Open repeater - Linked to Trona VHF
12 Distance Trona repeater 146.9700 none 146.3700 123.0 Open repeater - Linked to Ridgecrest UHF
13 Distance Silver Peak (Bishop) repeater 146.9400 none 146.3400 103.5 Open repeater by Bishop
14 Long Distance Silver Peak (Bishop) WIN repeater 444.6000 none 449.6000 100 WIN system linked repeater, system covers several states
15 Long Distance Ridgecrest WIN system repeater 147.9750 none 147.3750 100.0 WIN system linked repeater, system covers several states
16 Long Distance Ridgecrest WIN system repeater 448.8000 none 443.8000 100.0 WIN system linked repeater, system covers several states
17 Long Distance Victorville WIN system repeater 448.9000 none 443.9000 162.2 WIN system linked repeater, system covers several states
18 Long Distance Palomar (San Diego) WIN system repeater 449.0800 none 444.0800 100.0 WIN system linked repeater, system covers several states
19 Long Distance Hemet WIN system repeater 446.8600 none 441.8600 100.0 WIN system linked repeater, system covers several states
Use the minimum power level necessary for clear communications.
Use repeaters for initial contact, or in case of emergency. When within range, switch to a simplex frequency.
The WIN system is mostly UHF. See complete listing and site location map here: http://batchgeo.com/map/dd38a77a78536badb47ce3eeaef65c0a
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Giddy up Batman!
Edit: 3/29/18, I just got off the line with Fathead and he said he is confirming on going.
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I'd like to go. I think my ankle should be well enough to drive a stick shift by then. BtW I broke my ankle and my truck is stick just to clear that up.
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:( Got family (in laws) camping at Sequoia that weekend...
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:( Got family (in laws) camping at Sequoia that weekend...
That's a hop, skip, and a jump away. ;)
Frank, it's probably just going to be me and only camping on Saturday. We've recently discovered that the baby gets pretty car sick in her new, larger seats, so we decided two days off-road probably wouldn't be the best for her.
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Room has been booked for Friday night for the Mrs. and I. Getting very pumped up about this trip.
Tony - have you reached out to Robert at Cerro Gordo to let him know we'll be coming through again like last year? Maybe they can do something different for us this year (although last year was pretty amazing). Of course we can bring $ donations and supplies.
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I'm very jealous :'(
wish I could join you gents ,but with the way my Asthma has been this year, I don't want to risk the altitude
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**stuck for quick reference**
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Our plans have changed slightly. It looks like we will no longer be able to make it up on Friday (school function on Friday evening that we have to attend). We will meet the group on Saturday morning instead at Swansea, or we can meet in town at Lone Pine (we'll need to top off gas anyway).
Before I cancel my reservation at the Lone Pine Comfort Inn, is there anyone who needs a room that wasn't able to book one? Let me know. I'll keep it reserved for now, I think I have to cancel no later than a week before in order to avoid fees.
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Tony, as much as I would like to be a complete slacker and follower on this trip let me know if there is anything I can do to help from Cat Herding to the guy who gets up early and starts coffee.
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I'm gonna throw my hat into the ring for the waiting list; this is a trip I've wanted to do for a while now.
Let me know if you need the PM for wait list-ers please.
Thx
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Less than a month away! Can't wait to do this trip again!
I know I sent a PM to a few folks, wanted to see if anyone might be interested in going up a day early and camping in Monache Meadows? I'm thinking going up in the A.M. on Thursday, camp Thursday and Friday night, pack up and meet the main group Saturday A.M.
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Less than a month away! Can't wait to do this trip again!
I know I sent a PM to a few folks, wanted to see if anyone might be interested in going up a day early and camping in Monache Meadows? I'm thinking going up in the A.M. on Thursday, camp Thursday and Friday night, pack up and meet the main group Saturday A.M.
I wish I could do that with you as I want to see that place. I won't be able to unfortunately due to work time restraints. You may want to give Fathead a call?
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Sage Bromax hasn't posted up on this thread since the original posts. Has anyone heard from him recently? I just wanted to button up some details as we get closer, and make sure everything is still "go" for this trip. Some quetions:
1) Has Robert at Cerro Gordo been contacted and notified that we are coming through on Monday? I'd hate to just show up with a group this size, and last year they had requirements for a small fee/donation per person (I'd assume it's the same this year, and we should have the proper expectation when we visit).
2) How much fire wood per rig should we bring? I'm planning to bring 2 bundles, unless I am told to bring more.
Also, I took the liberty of updating the wait list in the OP, in the order that people have posted an interest in going.
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If you have not contacted Robert yet, you may want to ask if he needs anything brought up. In the past we have brought up extra water for his system as well as a few other standard type supplies.
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Sage Bromax hasn't posted up on this thread since the original posts.
1) Has anyone heard from him recently?
2) How much fire wood per rig should we bring? I'm planning to bring 2 bundles, unless I am told to bring more.
1): My guess is Aliens have abducted him and have begun injecting a specified chemical into his brain that will force him to lead us all to a pre-plotted campsite which is currently being fortified with other Aliens. Upon arrival they will secretly invade our campsite through the shadows attempting to reprogram us to be the initial wave of the destruction of all mankind or at worst try to steal our beer.
2): I'm bringing three maybe four bundles as we as a group seem to prefer a large or as some in the political correct realm say "Full figured" in size fire.
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I will commit to 3 bundles. I doubt the 2nd night will have a giant random tree to burn again...
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1): My guess is Aliens have abducted him and have begun injecting a specified chemical into his brain . . .
Of all people, considering your line of work, I would have thought that you would know more about alien abductions. Unless Tony has a very different anatomy than the rest of us, I doubt they'll be starting at that end.
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Of all people, considering your line of work, I would have thought that you would know more about alien abductions. Unless Tony has a very different anatomy than the rest of us, I doubt they'll be starting at that end.
You know you have a point. I need to conduct some more in depth research into my hypothesis before coming to such a hasty conclusion. On the other hand I stand behind my fears of hordes of raiding Aliens relieving my cooler of the hoppiest of hopps based beverages.
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You know you have a point. I need to conduct some more in depth research into my hypothesis before coming to such a hasty conclusion. On the other hand I stand behind my fears of hordes of raiding Aliens relieving my cooler of the hoppiest of hopps based beverages.
Cover the cooler with aluminum foil. Everyone knows they can't see through that. While you're at it, don't forget to bring your AFDB (aluminum foil deflector beanie) - just in case.
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Cover the cooler with aluminum foil. Everyone knows they can't see through that. While you're at it, don't forget to bring your AFDB (aluminum foil deflector beanie) - just in case.
The AFDB... Isn't that what the shift pod is for?
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The AFDB... Isn't that what the shift pod is for?
That's just to protect me while I'm sleeping so I don't have to wear the AFDB. I did however just come upon an epiphany thanks to you as I can keep the cooler inside the Shift Pod thus saving my tinfoil supply.
I did find this to be a potentially useful item: http://www.stopabductions.com/ Maybe we can get a group buy?
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Not to try to get back on track or anything, I'm enjoying Celt's fear of being probed in the middle of the night by E.T., but has anyone reached out to Tony to see if he's still on for the trip?
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Has anyone reached out to Tony to see if he's still on for the trip?
Oh Ye of little faith...
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Oh Ye of little faith...
Oh I have faith... Just wondering if I need to cancel my name tag order
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Oh I have faith... Just wondering if I need to cancel my name tag order
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I'll printout a backup for you my friend!
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I texted him a few hours ago. No response yet.
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FYI on Monache Meadows.
From the Shell station on 395, it's like 4 hours minimum to camp. From Black Rock (Bear?) ranger station, it's easily an hour + off road.
At least when we went there in 2014.
Gorgeous place that deserves a trip all on it's own.
View from the privy.
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/539/wC7xjK.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/ezwC7xjKj)
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/537/xEDFx9.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/exxEDFx9j)
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/906/QXKD6M.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/p6QXKD6Mj)
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/904/WRhDRa.png) (https://imageshack.com/i/p4WRhDRap)
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/906/mBzzVK.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/p6mBzzVKj)
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/674/gkCn8P.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/iqgkCn8Pj)
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/674/meD3cY.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/iqmeD3cYj)
Sorry for the thread derail.
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I am alive and was not abducted by aliens. Although, having just turned 62 I think I am due for a little probing! ::) I will be bringing at least 3 bundles of wood. I would recommend that everyone bring at least two bundles (one for each night), and more if you have room. I will check with Robert this week to confirm what he might need for us to bring up. We are about two weeks out, so I will firm up the participant list by this weekend. Now I'm off to find my tinfoil hat and Kevlar underwear.
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FYI on Monache Meadows.
From the Shell station on 395, it's like 4 hours minimum to camp. From Black Rock (Bear?) ranger station, it's easily an hour + off road.
At least when we went there in 2014.
Gorgeous place that deserves a trip all on it's own.
View from the privy.
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/539/wC7xjK.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/ezwC7xjKj)
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/537/xEDFx9.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/exxEDFx9j)
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/906/QXKD6M.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/p6QXKD6Mj)
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/904/WRhDRa.png) (https://imageshack.com/i/p4WRhDRap)
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/906/mBzzVK.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/p6mBzzVKj)
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/674/gkCn8P.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/iqgkCn8Pj)
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/674/meD3cY.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/iqmeD3cYj)
Sorry for the thread derail.
Thanks Steve... Makes me want to rethink going up for just one night...
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Thanks Steve... Makes me want to rethink going up for just one night...
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Just make sure you de-pressurize your porta-potty this time.....
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In case anyone is interested:
For those of you spending the night in Lone Pine, Heather and were just there. We had an excellent Chinese food dinner at the Merry Go Round. It might look a bit hokey, but it was really very good. As good if not better than all of the Chinese places we know in San Diego. Portions were almost too big. They also have an American menu, in case not everyone in the group is up for Chinese.
For an expensive, but also good dinner, Seasons had a nice menu with a fair amount of variety. I was surprised to find a place like that in a town that small. It was a bit pricey though - but they did have a can of Guinness behind the bar (not on the menu) so at least I could have something other than water to drink. It was crowded though, and they we were lucky to get a table without a reservation on Tuesday night.
Next door to the Dow Villa Motel there is The Grill. It was okay, but nothing special. The chicken fried steak dinner was huge. Breakfast was just okay. Neither were bad though, and they have a lot of seating if needed. Service was good too.
The Alabama Hills Cafe (just off Main on Post Street) had very good breakfast, and a lot of food for the money, and really nice people. Sausage and eggs means four rather large and quite tasty sausage links along with the eggs and good hash browns. We had breakfast there twice, and it was good both times.
By the way, the Dow Villa Motel is very nice too. And, it's supposedly haunted, which adds to the adventure. We did try my ghost hunting app briefly but didn't see anything. It's in a great location too; walking distance from everything downtown.
Have fun everyone, sorry I can't make the trip.
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Just make sure you de-pressurize your porta-potty this time.....
Ordinarily a cryptic comment like this would cause to ask what was meant . . . but in this case I'm pretty sure I don't want to know.
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Here are the cliff notes...
-Prepared camp toilet at home in San Marcos
-Set up said toilet in our tent in Lone Pine, 3000+ feet elevation
-wife used toilet in middle of night, pressure built up and blew up in her face when flushing toilet
-laughter followed, including wife
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Here are the cliff notes...
-Prepared camp toilet at home in San Marcos
-Set up said toilet in our tent in Lone Pine, 3000+ feet elevation
-wife used toilet in middle of night, pressure built up and blew up in her face when flushing toilet
-laughter followed, including wife
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As much as I like to laugh that event truly had me feeling bad for Mrs. Scuba Dale, she's a sweet woman and I just cannot imagine the mess that ensued in the aftermath. There is a reason she handles the Winter Mojave without so much as a hiccup.
As a side note thanks for the tip on the Chinese place Frank. Last year we went to Lone Pine Pizza and I fear I must take the brunt of the hits on that one. Since I was last there it changed hands management and ownership and wasn't anything like I had experienced on some of my youthful forays up Mt. Whitney pre or post climbs. Mrs. Celt and I stopped by the BBQ place on our way back from the Rubicon last year and had a very disappointing experience as well (Lone Pine Smokehouse) worst customer service I have experienced anywhere. The girl behind the cash register stopped taking our order to start texting and was upset with my wife when she was asking about the menu. Afterwards my wife asked about where we could put our dishes to clear our table and she got mad while blurting out she would take care of it. I know there isn't a lot of job opportunities in places like that as I come from a very small town but I would love to point that young lady in the direction of digging a ditch or bucking hay in the fields during the summer as an alternative and see what her opinion might be?
The issue with many of these big tourist towns is they can get away with mediocre to bad food and service added with high prices because they know their clientele is a one stop shop and will probably never be back. That's how they stay in business and get away with the foolishness. As much as I absolutely despise the social media thing places like Yelp does help with this and can often times force business owners to either step up their game or go out of business. The way to get a great meal and fantastic service while avoiding the others is places like this on our local forums.
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The participant list has been revised.
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We're out too.
Sorry Tony.
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We're out too.
Sorry Tony.
No worries. List has been revised.
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Hey Woody are you bringing the trailer this year too?
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Hey Woody are you bringing the trailer this year too?
Yup. It survived Death Valley with only a broken spring and I just bought a new tent to go on top, so I have to try it out.
CANT WAIT!!! :D :D
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Yup. It survived Death Valley with only a broken spring and I just bought a new tent to go on top, so I have to try it out.
CANT WAIT!!! :D :D
Nice....
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anyone stayed at the Mt Whitney Inn before? probably going to book a room for thurs/fri night and it looks....ok-ish LOL
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anyone stayed at the Mt Whitney Inn before? probably going to book a room for thurs/fri night and it looks....ok-ish LOL
We stayed at the Dow Villa Motel recently, and it was very nice. We did walk past the Mt. Whitney, but did not look inside. Definitely not at the same level. You might want to also check where their parking is, if your truck is going to be loaded. The motel part of the Dow looks like it is either getting booked or pretty pricey for those days, but you might look at the "historic" rooms in the older Dow Hotel building that is part of the same complex. It's the original hotel from the 1920's. Not all of the rooms have private baths, but the rates are lower, the location is excellent, and the old building is said to be haunted, so it could be quite the adventure.
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Sorry everyone, looks like the Mrs. and I are out for this trip. :( My dad is having a procedure done, and I'm going to be heading to AZ to help my mom care for him for a few days over that same weekend.
xxSVxx - not sure if the Comfort Inn was already sold out when you looked, but I just cancelled my reservation (regular room with single king sized bed). It was a bit on the pricey side when I booked it - about $200 after all taxes and fees. ??? If you're still looking for a place, you might give them a call and see if a room just freed up. ;)
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I'll just throw this out there, too. If someone is wanting to travel Friday just to get closer to the meet up spot, but not necessarily do anything "touristy", I'm about 2 hours away from the meeting spot. I have a spare bed, a futon, and a couch. Plus, I have the comfort of being surrounded by miles of secure fencing and armed security. ;)
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Sorry everyone, looks like the Mrs. and I are out for this trip. :( My dad is having a procedure done, and I'm going to be heading to AZ to help my mom care for him for a few days over that same weekend.
Sorry to hear Joe...hope pops heals up quicky
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Are you guys buying firewood in Lone Pine, or bringing it up from home?
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Are you guys buying firewood in Lone Pine, or bringing it up from home?
Good practice is to buy it where you burn it. Granted if you have wood already from a previous trip I dont see the issue.
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Hope all goes well with your dad, Joe. I have updated the attendee list.
As far as wood goes, there is a lumber yard right next to the Comfort Inn. Last year they had bundles of wood for sale that were cheaper than at the gas stations. But they close by 5 (4:30 maybe?) so get there early.
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As far as wood goes, there is a lumber yard right next to the Comfort Inn. Last year they had bundles of wood for sale that were cheaper than at the gas stations. But they close by 5 (4:30 maybe?) so get there early.
perfect; just booked a spot at the Comfort Inn, so I'll load up on Friday....thx
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Probably planning on staying out in the Alabama hills on Friday night. I think Celt said dale is as well. If anyone would care to join me and my muttley hunting graboids.
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Probably planning on staying out in the Alabama hills on Friday night. I think Celt said dale is as well. If anyone would care to join me and my muttley hunting graboids.
I reserved a spot at the campground
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I reserved a spot at the campground
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That works too. I was scouting the area on Google maps and found some decent spots.
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That works too. I was scouting the area on Google maps and found some decent spots.
Not sure what time you plan on getting up there on Friday, but just know that it gets kind of "crowded" out there over Memorial Day weekend. Before last year's trip, the wife and I drove through the Alabama Hills on Friday afternoon/evening, about 2 hours before sunset. Pretty much every place that had halfway decent shelter from the wind or sun had a motorhome or camper trailer parked at it. Several more people were coming in to the area on the main road and scrambling to find a place before the sun went down. I put "crowded" in quotation marks because there was still TONS of room out there of course, but all of the good spots were taken pretty quickly. I suppose it doesn't really matter if you're just looking for a place to park yourself for one night.
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Unfortunately, I'm going to have to be that guy that drops out the week of. :-[ Some things came up and I can't make it out for this. Have a fun and safe trip.
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Unfortunately, I'm going to have to be that guy that drops out the week of. :-[ Some things came up and I can't make it out for this. Have a fun and safe trip.
Whiskey Tango Foxtrox?
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Whiskey Tango Foxtrox?
Yeah, I know. It's a matter of prioritizing things right now. There are some things that need to be given some attention right now and I need to focus on those.
Sent you a text.
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Unfortunately, I'm going to have to be that guy that drops out the week of. :-[ Some things came up and I can't make it out for this. Have a fun and safe trip.
Sorry to hear, Rick...
What kind of weather are we expecting? I'm monitoring the local areas, but I'm getting high 80's from what I can tell....I see we're camping at 9k feet, so I'm assuming it will be much cooler....anyone have a decent idea of what to expect?
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You can add me to the list for going. Work schedule opened up pretty last minute making this a go. I'll be meeting you guys at the trail head Saturday morning.
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Sorry to hear, Rick...
What kind of weather are we expecting? I'm monitoring the local areas, but I'm getting high 80's from what I can tell....I see we're camping at 9k feet, so I'm assuming it will be much cooler....anyone have a decent idea of what to expect?
If it's anything like last year. First night cold as S@#$, Second night much better at the lower altitude.
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If it's anything like last year. First night cold as S@#$, Second night much better at the lower altitude.
Cold, bah!. Maybe cool and comfortably blustery...
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If it's anything like last year. First night cold as S@#$, Second night much better at the lower altitude.
Yeah, it got pretty cold the first night. The 2nd night we had such a huge bonfire going that you had to be 30ft away from the flames to avoid your face melting off. It was much more comfortable temperature-wise.
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Cold, bah!. Maybe cool and comfortably blustery...
Well for us normal folk it's cold.
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Not sure what time you plan on getting up there on Friday, but just know that it gets kind of "crowded" out there over Memorial Day weekend. Before last year's trip, the wife and I drove through the Alabama Hills on Friday afternoon/evening, about 2 hours before sunset. Pretty much every place that had halfway decent shelter from the wind or sun had a motorhome or camper trailer parked at it. Several more people were coming in to the area on the main road and scrambling to find a place before the sun went down. I put "crowded" in quotation marks because there was still TONS of room out there of course, but all of the good spots were taken pretty quickly. I suppose it doesn't really matter if you're just looking for a place to park yourself for one night.
Yea I was kind of thinking the same thing. It's just me and the dog so of it comes down to it I'll just park off the road and sleep in my truck. I'll check it out and play it by ear once I get up there.
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Attendee list updated. I will get a current weather report this week from the caretaker at Cerro Gordo.
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Fire Ninja is out.
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Fire Ninja is out.
Sorry to hear that. List updated.
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So I will be heading up tomorrow, leaving Kearny Mesa around noon. I should be in to Lone Pine no later that 1800. It turns out that I was a little slow on the reservations this year so I am actually staying at the Timberline in the middle of town, instead of the Comfort Inn. That means I will be in Lone Pine all Friday. I may head over to the Graboid Museum and maybe poke around the Alabama Hills. Shall we plan on getting together for food on Friday evening? I know the pizza place was disappointing last year. Sounds like FrankB found some good spots to eat on his recent trip. Anyone have preferences or suggestions?
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I won't get into Lone Pine until 10pm or so, but I'm staying at the Comfort Inn both nights, so I'm down to do some local stuff Friday; I do have shopping to do though, as well, so I need to keep time for that too...
I'll let someone else chime in with dinner spots tho...
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We wont be in unril Saturday morning, so we'll see you at the meet spot.
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If you are getting groceries, there is a Stater Bros and a Walmart Supercenter on opposite sides of the road in Adalanto, Hwy 395 and Palmdale Road. Probably a better selection and prices than you will find in Lone Pine.
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perfect...will do, thanks!
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I'll be there hopefully around 1500. The Graboid museum and some Chinese food would by D-Y-N-O-M-I-T-E!
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I'll be there hopefully around 1500. The Graboid museum and some Chinese food would by D-Y-N-O-M-I-T-E!
Tomorrow or Friday?
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I just got off the phone with Robert, the caretaker at Cerro Gordo. He says the weather has been very nice. There is no snow or ice on the main road, and several groups have come through from the Swansea side (our route) in the last week. He says nights are down in the low to mid 40s. Saturday night we will be up higher, so it will be colder. But Sunday night should be good at our lower campsite. It will cost $10 per person for the tour on Monday, plus we have to sign their waiver like last year. He said they could also use some heavy-duty paper plates. If every vehicle brought a 25-pack, that would be great.
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Tomorrow or Friday?
Friday...
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All right, I am heading out the door. See you all up there tomorrow or Saturday.
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Have fun and be safe O0
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Got in to town just before 1700. At the south end of town, Chevron regular is $4.09/gal. At north end of town, Shell is $3.89/gal, Mobil is $3.79/gal.
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Got in to town just before 1700. At the south end of town, Chevron regular is $4.09/gal. At north end of town, Shell is $3.89/gal, Mobil is $3.79/gal.
Moonbeam is an asshole
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Moonbeam is an asshole
John Cox for Governor 2018!
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Amen Brother!
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Wheels up!
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Sitting at the pizza place waiting for my Calzone and having a beer ;D
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Have a great trip, guys!
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Can I suggest the Lone Pine Smokehouse for dinner tonight? 7pm?
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Our group has reservations for 530 at the merry go round Chinese place. But I checked earlier they have other stuff besides Chinese they have ribs they have a whole bunch other stuff so if you don't want Chinese there's other things to have there
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Got the rig all packed up and ready to roll @ 0415. See you guys soon.
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Have a great time everyone.
Hopefully the Chinese food was good. I told Heather I might feel bad if it turned out not so great after my recommendation.
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It was really good Frank er uh I mean "Forum unknown eater" I'll definitely make it a point to go back. The owners were really fun and they made you feel like they knew you.
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Welcome back everyone. Hope you all had a great trip, and I'm still sorry I missed it. Can't wait to see some photos!
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I can say that even though it is summer it still snows up there.
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I can say that even though it is summer it still snows up there.
From down here, it looked you all also got some storms on Sunday. Did it storm on you all up there?
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From down here, it looked you all also got some storms on Sunday. Did it storm on you all up there?
Saturday the weather was....fun. It sprinkled on us while we were on the trail letting 9001 razors pass us, but it didn't really do much until 6pm or so....when it hailed pea sized hail....
By sundown, you could see a big front coming right at us, and it rained/hailed/snowed from 8pm on.....some hung out by the fire, others went to sleep early.
All in all, that was the only real inclement weather; the precipitation wasn't too bad...the wind was the real B.
Sunday and Monday were much better weather wise; Sunday was gorgeous and Sunday night was tranquil compared to Saturday night.
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Saturday the weather was....fun. It sprinkled on us while we were on the trail letting 9001 razors pass us, but it didn't really do much until 6pm or so....when it hailed pea sized hail....
By sundown, you could see a big front coming right at us, and it rained/hailed/snowed from 8pm on.....some hung out by the fire, others went to sleep early.
All in all, that was the only real inclement weather; the precipitation wasn't too bad...the wind was the real B.
Sunday and Monday were much better weather wise; Sunday was gorgeous and Sunday night was tranquil compared to Saturday night.
Gotcha, that doesn't seem too bad, then. The storms must've been south of you on Sunday. It looked like some pretty good thunderstorms or radar.
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A small recap from our trip:
-Great time as always with the SCCX group. Thank you for being patient with Katie and I on our first off road trip with our son.
-It was REALLY cold at the Burgess Mine camp, those of us who hung out at the fire during the hours of hail are animals.
-The food at the Merry Go Round restaurant in Lone Pine was amazing. Will definitely be revisiting.
-The views were just as spectacular as last year, I'm glad to have woken up to snow on the ground this year.
-Off roading with a 6 month old was 10x more difficult than I was expecting. We will be waiting awhile before another family trip.
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PICS!!!!! Where are the pics!?!?
|Comic sans and 36pt font for emphasis.|
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I thought Comic Sans was for tools?
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What happens in Cerro Gordo....stays in Cerro Gordo.
Unless Joe goes...then there are pics! :P
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What happens in Cerro Gordo....stays in Cerro Gordo.
Unless Joe goes...then there are pics! :P
How true, How very true,
Thank DOG for Joe
P.S I borrow(pirate) his pics of my Rig, because he makes it look cool
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How true, How very true,
Thank DOG for Joe
P.S I borrow(pirate) his pics of my Rig, because he makes it look cool
Your rig IS cool ;)
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No pictures? No stories?
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I'm really beginning to think that this trip DID NOT HAPPEN. No pics, no stories, not even some whining. WTH.
Did you guys find a dead body... Or create a dead body... Who hasn't come home yet??
UFOs, Satanic pact. The silence is killing me. Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrg!!!
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What ever happened at Cerro Gordo run, stays in the run.... >:D >:D >:D
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I'm really beginning to think that this trip DID NOT HAPPEN. No pics, no stories, not even some whining. WTH.
Did you guys find a dead body... Or create a dead body... Who hasn't come home yet??
UFOs, Satanic pact. The silence is killing me. Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrg!!!
What?
Dead Body ?
Bury ?
Why wasn't I invited >:D
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What?
Dead Body ?
Bury ?
Why wasn't I invited >:D
You were.
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A quick reminder for those who participated to top off their power steering fluid....I just remembered last night
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Good Call!!! As some of you may be wondering about the power steering fluid, one of the vehicles with us, Toyota cough cough, had a power steering issue while climbing the technical rock section heading to the first camp site on day one. Half way through the climb he lost his power steering and luckily still made it to the top where we could check it out. After initial troubleshooting, it was found that his mechanical linkage was good to go, but his power steering fluid reservoir was empty. We checked under the vehicle and couldn't see any leaks, so we figured that since his reservoir was empty one of the sensors picked up on this and cut his power steering as a safety measure. Dale had a booger sucker, small turkey baster for kids, that we all used to suck some power steering fluid from our reservoirs into a Solo Red Cup to collectively fill the reservoir of the Toyota. Celt luckily had a half bottle of power steering fluid stop leak that ultimately filled the reservoir to the operating limit. After cycling the steering wheel a couple times to re-introduce fluid back into the rack and pinion gears and expel the air out, the pump quieted down and we were good to go. About 10 minutes after getting everything buttoned back up and ready to go, the passenger side of his rack and pinion pissed out all the fluid we just put back in. One of the seals must have gave out. He ran the rest of the trail with sore fore arms as his power steering was gone. Have not heard any updates but I hope he got it all fixed and taken care of.
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Fyi, nissans do not use power steering fluid. Nissan has always used ATF for the power steering. The FSM says to use "nissan power steering fluid" and in the notes that Dextron VI aka ATF is also suitable. Alot of PS leaks are caused by people using the wrong fluid. Power steering fluid is much thinner than ATF.
Your Toyota buddy will probably want to make sure to use power steering fluid with whatever it is supposed to use, probably normal power steering fluid. Thicker fluid could overwork the pump and kill it after he replaces the rack.
/nerd
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So to get technical, yes all the fluid removed from the power steering reservoirs was ATF, therefore making the ATF, the power steering fluid :P. The guy that broke down made an appointment with Toyota to get it fixed under warranty so I am sure they will put an approved fluid back in.