xterrer
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Registered: 01/25/04
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| | 02/08/05 at 05:36 PM | Reply with quote | #1 |
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To all,
I know I have been off of this board for a while and don't even drive an X anymore, but I am still active in the X community.
I have been elected to take over CalX. I was thinking of doing it in/near Yosimite in April or may. Any thoughts? I was thinking of doing some light wheeling around the park and then rafting, hiking, camping, biking. I would like to get as many people to show up as possible. I am going to work on getting some prizes or something for a raffle and other stuff. I would like to get some regional reps from your neck of the woods to help me out with picking trails since I know less about that part of the state than you guys. Any takers?
I thought YNP would be a good place to have it since it is somewhat centrally located and it is one of my favorite places on earth. Our BOD agreed. PLease e-mail me at xterrer@yahoo.com if you would like to help.
Jason Koepke
EDITED to add cell 909-615-6468
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RUGER1022
C.C.X.B. / Moderator
Registered: 01/22/04
Posts: 414
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| | 02/10/05 at 07:40 AM | Reply with quote | #2 |
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I sent a PM on the SCCX board, I'd be happy to help out with planning, local stuff, and possibly a scouting run?
Might I suggest considering the Kings Canyon N.P. area, just a bit further south, spectacular scenery, lower cost ( I even know dirt roads around the park entrance and back into the National Forest where camping is free...), more choices for off pavement driving, 2wd or 4wd. Rafting the Kings river is fun, if we get enough of a group willing, I know a private guide (less money, more rafting). I'll post more later, try to get some pics up as well...
MV
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xterrer
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| | 02/10/05 at 04:19 PM | Reply with quote | #3 |
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I am up for that, I guess. I have been there too and it is beautiful. It's just that a lot of SCCX has never been to YNP. I think it is a place everyone should go before they die.
I am up for whatever though. I think I will start a poll on SCCX and see what everyone else thinks. I really appreciate your help. I do not know the area up there that well. It will help to have you (or someone else familiar with the area) to guide us. Is that still close enough for you guys to come?
Jason
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CCX
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| | 02/10/05 at 09:40 PM | Reply with quote | #4 |
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After doing a little research on trails near Yosemite I've discovered many possibilities of very scenic and easy to moderate runs. There are many listed in "Backcounty Adventures, Northern California" that would fit the bill, even lots of 2wd friendly runs, so I think either of the parks would be a great location.
The later in the spring the better to have access to the most areas.
PS - Here are some links to the book above and lots of other good resources.
http://totalescape.com/gear/books/suv.html
http://www.trackandtrailpublications.com/current_pubs/hsvol2.html
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Chris
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xterrer
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| | 02/11/05 at 04:14 PM | Reply with quote | #5 |
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Cool!!!! Thanx Chris!!!! When do you think would be the best time to go?
Jason
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RUGER1022
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Registered: 01/22/04
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| | 02/11/05 at 05:10 PM | Reply with quote | #6 |
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What trails did you find near Yosemite? We may be able to check them out soon, once the snow melts. And for that matter, what constitutes close? Yosemite is just so crowded and expensive, we like alternatives. There are some areas off of CA 41 before Yosemite that we've been meaning to check out, but most everything doesn't open up until mid June or so. The area known as Miami Trails is not very crowded, nor expensive, but it offers little in the way of challenging 4x4ing, more 2wd stuff. What sort of 2wd/4wd mix do we have, and what does everyone like to do? I'll keep tossing ideas around and keep you posted.
MV
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Huey
NCCX Moderator
Registered: 05/16/04
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| | 02/12/05 at 03:58 PM | Reply with quote | #7 |
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Jason (xterrer), right now NCCX doesn't have anyone capable of assiting with the trip details/planning. I will however notify our club members that this trip is being planned and that they can come here to find out more info.
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xterrer
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| | 02/14/05 at 03:41 PM | Reply with quote | #8 |
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Thanx Huey. I was thinking of having this trip in April/May but it looks as though the trails won't be open until May/June. Is this a better time to do this? Please let me know and we can really plan a GREAT joint run.
Jason
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RUGER1022
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| | 02/14/05 at 05:30 PM | Reply with quote | #9 |
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To be perfectly honest, if you're wanting to do any 4x4 driving, as opposed to plain dirt roads, I wouldn't plan on anything before July. Some trails open sooner, but others do not, and with all the snow we've had this year, even early July may be optomistic. I'm hoping stuff will be open sooner, but for an event with so much planning going into it, I'd hate to find out in late May that early June won't be possible. Most of the areas I'm thinking of are at, or above 6,000ft, high temps aren't usually the problem.
Can you give a little better idea of what type of group you expect to see? When we first started planning trips, we were planning a mix of 2wd and 4wd adventures, but the more we do, the more we find that only 4wd folks are attending, so we've tailored things to fit that segment. I know that the Kings Canyon area has a healthy mix for both tastes, The Dinkey Creek area is more for 4wd with some nice camping and scenic drives for 2wd, and as far as I know, Yosemite is pretty much 2wd, the National Park service frowns on off road activities. What does everyone want to do? Are there many interested in biking, boating, rafting, hiking, fishing, shooting? How does everyone camp? Sleeping in the X, tents, trailers, rental cabins, motels? Possibly most important, how does everyone poop? Like a bear in the woods, pit toilets, flush toilets, or nothing less than a three-star, preferably somewhere with a bidet? Is there interest in historical places(bridges, ruins), great views (firelookouts), attractions(such as logging train rides)?
Let me know what you're looking for and I'll try to be helpful.
MV
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CCX
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| | 02/16/05 at 09:41 AM | Reply with quote | #10 |
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For anyone reading this that doesn't know what CalX is -
CalX is a annual "gathering of Xterra's" from the Northern, Southern California Clubs and anyone else who wants to join in.
There have been four trips, the first was in Big Sur and attracted quite a large group - 
I'm in that sea of yellow somewhere.
There were trips to Sequoia National Park, Pismo Beach and the last trip was to Lone Pine in 2003, the 2004 trip sort of fell apart for various reasons.
Here are some Lone Pine pics -
http://www.fototime.com/inv/4667E52E7A13279
The idea has historically been that these trips are not hard core off-road but more family and newcomer friendly get togethers.
CalX5 2005
As of for 2005 the plan seems to be either Yosemite NP and area or Kings Canyon NP and vicinity, to take place sometime between May and July (but May would be best if the snow has melted enough to avoid the big crowds of summer).
I think the Yosemite plan sounds great but we would have to camp and do any off-road runs outside of the park.
The south entrance seems to offer some interesting possibilities, one suggestion would be to camp in one of the many National Forest campgrounds near Hwy 41 and do a trail run like the Miami Trail (High Sierra #23) in the Backcoutry Adventure (page 211 in this book) -
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/1930193084/ref=sib_dp_pt/103-9351212-4322247#reader-link
and then we could could take day (scenic paved road) trip(s) to Yosemite Valley and Glacier Pt. etc.
Other options would be use the north entrance as a base and even go to the east over Tioga Pass and include a trip to Mono Lake area and Bodie (this would have to be in the summer after the snow melts).
Sequoia/Kings Canyon is also a excellent choice because we have someone who lives relatively close by and knows the area well (Ruger).
I'm open, but these trips just don't "happen" without some effort, so don't hesitate to give your opinion and if and when you are up to help, plan and do some scout runs etc.
If we settle on a plan I'm up for a scout run almost any weekend in March or later.
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RUGER1022
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Registered: 01/22/04
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| | 02/17/05 at 07:46 AM | Reply with quote | #11 |
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Ok, I'll get the ball rolling with a trip idea, feel free to modify or create your own...
Day One: We begin in the Dinkey Creek area. Not far from Shaver Lake, off of CA 168 from Fresno. We set up camp here, planning to remain overnight. The area has several scenic drives for 2wd vehicles, a couple of 4wd trails that are stock doable, yet still fun for modified vehicles. Dinkey Creek proper has a small store with pay showers, a breakfast counter, an informational ranger station, and a historic and scenic wooden bridge. More can be learned about the area by reading these;
http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/naxc/vpost?id=141589
http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/naxc/vpost?id=110428
Day Two: After packing up camp, we would proceed by 2wd friendly dirt roads down in elevation to Pine Flat lake via the Dinkey Trimmer road (review; http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/naxc/vpost?id=141577). Once there we would proceed around the lake to its head where the Kings river meets it. We could stop here for recreation, including white water rafting if there is enough interest. I know a private guide who is much more reasonable than the big companies, plus he averages about twice as many river runs each day. From here we could travel up the other side of the Kings River canyon via the Davis Flat trail (review; http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/naxc/vpost?id=64842). Once back up in elevation, and depending on time and mood we can either take the paved road into Kings Canyon N.P. and pay the $10 per vehicle fee, or take the dirt, 2wd friendly "Way Around" trail (review; http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/naxc/vpost?id=88388). As explained in the review, this route takes you around the pay booth and allows access to the National Forest. Once in the forest we could set up camp at either Big Meadows or Buck Rock campgrounds. Check out Buck Rock lookout here; http://www.buckrock.org/.
Day Three: We can explore the area, including the Fire Lookout, they let you up for some incredible views when its manned. Drive out to the overlook into Kings Canyon, or just relax in a high elevation meadow, then head home. If time permits, the scenic route home is also nice, http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/naxc/vpost?id=78591.
Ok, so there's at least one plan. Depending on how exactly we do it, it incorparates several fire lookouts, most 2wd accessible, that provide excellent views. The cost and traffic should be very low, as most campsites are free, and we needn't pay for road access unless we want to. Hume lake is also in the area, it offers a nice stopping point as well, though it is a little "churchy". Let me know what you think, CCX's idea of the Miami trails area is not without merit as well, but I need more time to come up with a plan there. I do have a review written, but more research needs done on my part, http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/naxc/vpost?id=80565. It does however offer access to Yosemite, as well as the Sugarpine Railroad, which has a draw all it's own.
MV
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RUGER1022
C.C.X.B. / Moderator
Registered: 01/22/04
Posts: 414
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| | 02/22/05 at 07:36 AM | Reply with quote | #12 |
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I've been talking to our local central cal folk, who for whatever reason are largely non-web oriented.
I gotta say, I'm hearing not a lot of support for Yosemite, perhaps it has to do with the fact that its right here and we've all seen it before, but mainly I'm hearing concerns about the price, traffic, lack of any off-roading, busloads of tourists, and the like...
If Calx ends up being in Yosemite, we'll probably drop in and meet up with everyone for a day, but otherwise it sounds like everyone would like to stay outside of the Park. As mentioned elsewhere, the Miami Trails area may be a good bet, as could be Kings Canyon.
Maybe what we should do is iron out when the trip will be, and then wait until at least part of the area is thawed and a few can scout some areas and decide from there. And by all means, keep the thoughts, ideas, and opinions coming.
MV
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ultrapc40
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Registered: 01/19/04
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| | 02/22/05 at 02:25 PM | Reply with quote | #13 |
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just do it at pismo again its a huge park all can camp at the beach get to know eachother you can night wheel it will be fun
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jsraider
Registered: 02/22/05
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| | 02/25/05 at 12:50 PM | Reply with quote | #15 |
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Lending my .02 cents. While in Solvang CA. this past fall Jeep USA had an event there called Camp Jeep. The town was filled with Jeeps from stock to heavily modified rigs. Talking to a couple of the people there, they were 4-wheeling up and around the area but I'm not sure of the exact trails and of course I was not invited. Seemed like a pretty nice event, a central place to camp or hotel it, shopping for the wife and kids while the husbands go wheeling, pretty good restaurants nearby. Perhaps someone you know, knows more about the Camp Jeep event they held in Solvang. |
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