Southern California Club Xterra
Southern California Club Xterra => SCCX Xcursions => Topic started by: SCsilverX on January 15, 2010, 03:51:54 PM
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My birthday is February 1st, but I will be moving the last weekend in January. I was hoping to get a run in the following weekend (5-7) to enjoy my 22nd birthday. If anyone wants to go, let me know. I'm open to suggestions for where this run will be heading. My only preference is that it is at least somewhat challenging and not just a scenic trip.
Craig
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Somewhat challenging ... The Hammers! :o
OK maybe not - with this storm rolling through coming week will there be enough time for the flowers to start blooming out in the desert? I know there's going to be a ton of snow (re: chains required) for the Big Bear area.
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Somewhat challenging ... The Hammers! :o
Heh...sure. :P
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how about running "the squeeze" out in anza along with some other trails. i've never done it, ive only ran coyote crossing out there.
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I too will be celebrating my birthday that week, 5th, and a run would be great! I'm down to go anywhere! "the squeeze" would be cool, ive never been!
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how about running "the squeeze" out in anza along with some other trails. i've never done it, ive only ran coyote crossing out there.
I ran the squeeze with ice and snow on the trail. It made it very difficult and we needed a winch to get up one of the boulders at one point of the trail due to the ice. My friend with a locker made it up the rock. The next 4 trucks w/o lockers couldn't make it. He had to turn around and winch us up. I have a locker too, but was at the end and by the time it was my turn the dirt at the base of the rock was dug up and I couldn't make it.
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm281/jejallo1/12-21-08%20Pinyon%20Canyon/IMG_4196.jpg)
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm281/jejallo1/12-21-08%20Pinyon%20Canyon/IMG_4242.jpg)
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Jeff, that is a great picture. It looks like that rock was cut out for the Xterra.
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so where can we go?
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Jeff, that is a great picture. It looks like that rock was cut out for the Xterra.
Thanks. We had 4 Xterra's, a 4-Runner, and an FJ. The FJ is only about 1.5" wider than the Xterra. It was the only vehicle that gota pinstripe from the rocks. It's that close!
It's a fun run. There are about 4-5 challenging points on the trail. I'd do it again without snow.
I'd imagine this storm is going to make Big Bear pretty difficult. A few years ago in the deep snow I ran 3N16 from the far east end all the way to Arrowbear. Most of you probably know it's an easy graded dirt road, but with the snow there were points that were almost impassable. Made for a fun trip.
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My only preference is that it is at least somewhat challenging and not just a scenic trip.
Craig
Cleghorn might be a good option. It's not very scenic though in my opinion. It's an easy graded fire road that has a lot of more challenging off shoots. If something looks too difficult it's easy to bypass.
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Perhaps someone can organize and lead a run up Rattlesnake Canyon? That one is always fun this time of year. You get to start out in the warm sandy desert and end up in the butt-freezing snow. That weekend of Feb 6 might be a good one, since many people may be busy the following weekend.
I'm not available for much more than short San Diego area day trips for a while. I'll try to set up an Anza Borrego run here soon, but it won't be challenging, only scenic. Someone else will need to take the lead for the challenging stuff.
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I deffinately want to try rattlesnake canyon.
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let's do it
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so let's run rattlesnake canyon on february 6th. does anyone want to volunteer to lead the run? i would, if i knew where we were going :). i may have a tacoma buddy join us, and possibly an FJ.
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Is rattlesnake canyon 4x4 stock friendly?
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it would be a great place to find some gold nuggets in a wash after a big storm!
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Is rattlesnake canyon 4x4 stock friendly?
Depends on how you define "stock".
(http://frankbaiamonte.smugmug.com/So-Cal-Club-Xterra-SCCX/Rattlesnake-Canyon-Feb-2007/DSC00618/532586963_x8N2g-L.jpg)
(Taken somewhere in Rattlesnake Canyon, Feb 2007)
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Sorry Justin, I couldn't resist throwing in the livestock picture, especially since it was taken in Rattlesnake Canyon. As for your question - yes it can usually be done by a stock Xterra, but be advised that there are a few rocky patches. Also, weather can make a difference, especially if there is a a lot of water. It's a fun run, though, with lots of variety in the terrain and trail.
If you want to see some pictures, here is a link to a gallery of shots from my first Xcursion with the club, which was Rattlesnake Canyon in February of 2006.
http://frankbaiamonte.smugmug.com/So-Cal-Club-Xterra-SCCX/Rattlesnake-Canyon-Feb-2006/
Here is a link to the same run in February of 2007. That time we did not end up in Big Bear but turned down Burns Canyon instead. The pics themselves may not be all that great in these 2 galleries, I think I was still scanning film in those days.
http://frankbaiamonte.smugmug.com/So-Cal-Club-Xterra-SCCX/Rattlesnake-Canyon-Feb-2007/
You may also find something in the Pics/Videos Forum here, but I'm not sure they go back that far, we lost a bunch of stuff when the site crashed a while back.
Edit to add: There are at least 3 threads of pics from the Dec 2008 run on this page:
http://www.sccxterra.com/smf/index.php/board,4.80.html
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Wow great photos Frank,
I don't think we will be able to make this run, look at all those rocks... Maybe after a few mods we will be able to attend runs like these, until then have fun and happy birthday!
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wow! Those are GREAT pictures. Any decision on the run?
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I think Rattlesnake would be a lot of fun but with all this rain and snow it may be too much for stock vehicles. It could be attempted and if it turns out to be too difficult or unsafe, the group could turn around and head back down to Johnson Valley. Just a thought. I may or may not be down for this one.
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t91/mitch1351/Rattlesnake%20Cayon%2012-27-08/DSC04453.jpg)
The last trip was fun.
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I'll attempt it in my stock x. Guess I should pick up that hi-lift and a nice long tow strap. Also you can see bypasses in the pics of most of those more difficult spots. If the rocks get too crazy just dig them out of the way lol.
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Count me in if this comes together.
John
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I'll attempt it in my stock x. Guess I should pick up that hi-lift and a nice long tow strap. Also you can see bypasses in the pics of most of those more difficult spots. If the rocks get too crazy just dig them out of the way lol.
You're probably thinking of the waterfall on side spur trail that leads to the mine. We've stopped there for lunch in the past. It's not on the actual trail, it's a dead end spur, and yes there is a bypass around the waterfall. If there isn't too much water in the canyon the route should be doable stock. I did it in my stock 05 with the Long Trail tires, when the truck was brand new. Bring a compressor so you can air down some.
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Is 2WD out of the question for Rattlesnake Canyon?
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You're probably thinking of the waterfall on side spur trail that leads to the mine. We've stopped there for lunch in the past. It's not on the actual trail, it's a dead end spur, and yes there is a bypass around the waterfall. If there isn't too much water in the canyon the route should be doable stock. I did it in my stock 05 with the Long Trail tires, when the truck was brand new. Bring a compressor so you can air down some.
Great Frank, I am going to make this run, which will be the first. I have a compressor, rear recovery shackle, FRS radios (also a 2m/440 amateur radio), tow strap, and most of the other required items.
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i have everything else but i'll borrow ghosts compressor lol.
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i have everything else but i'll borrow ghosts compressor lol.
.50 a tire..no problem! :D