Save the date peeps, because this one I am for sure going on. Feel free to stay all or a few of the days (there will be a base camp).

I believe Dean will be helping with the planning on this one, but for now here's some info on the area.

BTW, there are trails of all levels here ranging from 2wd fire roads to hardcore 4wd trails. There may be some days where the group will split up so that people can do trails they are comfortable with.

Older link with some info

We will definitely be doing Bald Mountain as a group: http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.asp?trailid=XFT003-062

Stay tuned for more info!

Sign-up!
---------------
1. Huey
2.
3.
4.
5.

Sign-up!
---------------
1. Huey
2. Dean
3.
4.
5.

... Sneaks quietly into the room...

Sign-up!
---------------
1. Huey
2. Dean
3. Matt
4.
5.

MV

Sign-up!
---------------
1. Huey
2. Dean
3. Matt
4. Josh & Porthos
5.

Ruger, nice to hear from you.

Casper

For this trip, here are the rendezvous points and departure times:

July 4
9:30am- Pea Soup Anderson's at the junction of I-5 and Hwy33 in Santa Nella

11:30am- Forest Service Ranger station on Hwy 168 in Prather

Planned return home is on Monday, July 7 (or earlier, per your schedule).

Sign-up!
---------------
1. Huey
2. Dean
3. Matt
4. Josh & Porthos
5. Geoff
6.

Current rumors point to me being able to head out earlier than Friday if anyone else is interested.

I might be interested in earlier than Friday, I need to email Dean and see just what he's planning. Of course, this area is also considered local for me, so heading out early isn't as big a deal. Let me know what you have in mind.

MV

Matt- check your PMs

Just bumping this back to the top. It seems like there are a few people heading in early (Josh, Matt and Geoff?)...Dean can you give them coordinates for base camp?

Also, is anyone interested in potluck dinners? It usually helps to keep the packing down esp on these longer trips. Breakfasts and lunches you are on your own, though I've been known to bring/make too much breakfast . Maybe we can start a sign-up for that?

BTW, if you are thinking of coming please sign-up so we can have a count on #s for dinners.

Friday
Meat: Huey (Tri-tip)
Starch: Huey (Rice of some sort)
Veg:

Saturday
Meat:
Starch:
Veg:

Sunday
Meat:
Starch:
Veg:

I will be heading in on Wednesday afternoon, or Thursday Morning. I would love to know where we are basecamping so I can set up. Ruger, when are you heading in?
Meals, you know me. I'll cook what ever. I may tri something new on this trip.

Friday
Meat: Huey (Tri-tip)
Starch: Huey (Rice of some sort)
Veg: Josh (sauted bell peppers)

Saturday
Meat: Josh (Salmon)
Starch:
Veg:

Sunday
Meat:
Starch:
Veg:

Casper

Josh, do you remember where we aired-up last year? It's +37° 5' 43.75", -119° 10' 3.0" (copy and paste into google maps ), a fairly big turnout on the east side of the road large enough to accommodate several RV's. From that flat turn out, there's a short trail towards the right side of the turnout that leads down to some secluded campsites and a nice water hole.

I spoke with Matt (Ruger) on the phone and asked him to check out that site as well as the sites where he has camped before. He will coordinate with you (and Geoff?) for your early departure rendezvous location.

One thing we forgot to discuss, though, was the FRS radio channel to use for communication. I propose we use channel 8.

Oh yeah, he also mentioned that gas in Shaver Lake was $4.99 last weekend.

Dean,
Sounds good. I think I can find it. I have to look on my GPS and see if I saved it from last year.

Matt, what day are you heading in?

Can you call me.

Casper

Hey, I've got a quick question about food. Are we to supply food/dinner for everyone? That's an important thing to consider.

The # of people is:
Dean+Connie+nephew+niece (4)
Josh (1)
Huey (1)
Geoff (1)
Matt (1)
Matt's friend (1)

That's 9 mouths to feed, but just 3 dinners, if indeed we're doing the community food thing. I think we'll need multiple meals being prepared each night to distribute the effort.

I'm looking to be heading up on Thursday. Haven't picked a particular time yet, I suppose if others are interested in joining, we can come up with something. It's about two hours to Shaver for us, so midmorning or later would be good.

As for food, if we're doing a group thing, there are two of us, plus my friend Phil, who will likely be rolling solo. We were kinda waiting to see what fire restrictions were going to be like, since normally we only cook over the fire. If fires aren't allowed, we'll have to alter our plans.

Casper, I'm not opposed to calling you, but I don't think I have your number. As far as communication once up there, FRS radios are great. We have taken to using a sub-channel to cut down on interference, but not everyone's radios have the ability, so we may have to forgo that option. Cellphone reception in the area should not be counted on.

I did speak with Dean last night to tell him of our scouting trip from last weekend. It was mostly good news for our upcoming trip, no matter how bad of a trip it was for us... Remind me around the (hopefully permitted) campfire and I'll share all of my newfound knowledge regarding closed trails, Shaver Lake battery purchases, and Fresno county/Forest Service search and rescue. Otherwise, the trail was great, hopefully the new changes weren't just for last weekend's Poker Run, and will still be there for us. The main thing I can say about the trail and the surrounding area is "dry". Streams and rivers are low and slow, and the trail is very dry, making traction difficult. Loose dirt/sand on rock makes the going tough at times.

And yeah, gas in Shaver was $4.99 for 87 octane. I paid $5.19 for 91 just because I wanted to. It was my first gas over $5. Now maybe the next won't hurt as bad.

Ok, I'll try to keep you all posted as the date nears. And if anyone has any questions, feel free to ask away.

MV

Have a great and safe trip...Sound like fun

Hey Dean,
Are we planning on using the campsite as a base camp and just doing trips form there, or moving camp every day? I am pretty sure I can find the turn out, so I can save it for everyone. I will be heading up early Thursday.
As for the dinners, I have no problem bringing for 9. What does everyone else want to do?

Casper

Casper, let's get in touch and plan to meet on Thursday. I'm not sure what early is for you, or how long the drive is for you, but I'm pretty certain we can work it out.

MV

Friday
Meat: Huey (Tri-tip)
Starch: Geoff (corn bread) -> Huey I moved your rice since salmon didn't sound right
Veg: Josh (sauted bell peppers)

Saturday
Meat: Josh (Salmon)
Starch:
Veg:
Dessert: Geoff (pineapple upside-down cake)

Sunday
Meat: Geoff (Zippy Sticky Chicken)
Starch: Huey (Rice of some sort)
Veg:

Josh/Matt
I am planning on leaving from that Bay Area on Thursday morning. That will place me at the coordinates that Dean provided at about 1pm.

I'll PM you both my cell #.
Geoff

Hey guys, Brian here were going to be up in Fresno this week so I'm thinking about joining in on the run if that's not sure how many days/night yet.

Is the 7/4 meet still at:
11:30am- Forest Service Ranger station on Hwy 168 in Prather?

Base camp: +37° 5' 43.75", -119° 10' 3.0 at what time the same day?

What FRS or CB Channel?

MV, hows the fishing? Last year on the Dusy we caught some tasty fresh trout. Don't worry about us for dinner(s), I'll bring some stuff.

I've run Swamp Lake, Dusy, Bald Mt. Would be nice to see some of the others such as: Brewer, Strawberry, Mirror Lakes but I'm open to whatever.

Been a while since I've run with NCCX so that would be . Andy still around?

Brian

Hi guys-

For the main course dishes, We'll be bringing meat and veggies for Connie, myself, and my nephew and niece. So, please don't feel compelled to bring meat for my family.

We plan to bring salmon, tri-tip, and chicken legs for the 3 nights, but only enough to feed 4 mouths. We won't have enough space in our fridge to provide our own breakfast and lunch needs and a dinner for everyone.

However, we'd be willing to contribute $$ to the expense of side dishes, especially pasta/rice and salads, as appropriate.

Since it looks like there will be at least three vehicles headed up Thursday, I thought we might like to discuss a meet time/place. Off the top of my head I'd say either the gas station in Shaver (first one you come to, on the righthand side) it has a big sign out front that looks like this:


NOTE: These prices are two weeks old now...

Or perhaps the turnout on the Dinkey Creek road that has all the trail condition signs.

I also thought I'd include a recent pic (weekend before last) of my Xterra on Bald Mountain trail, so folks would know what to look for. It wouldn't hurt my feelings if others wanted to do the same, so I'd know who I'm looking for.



And although it's not a great shot, I look like this:



Other than that, I think we're planning on handling all of our own food, we normally run on FRS/GMRS channel 18, sub channel 18 (but can change if needed), and always top off the tank at the aforementioned gas station. I have no cell phone, but there's usually no service for anyone up there anyway. If anyone has any questions, ideas, or thoughts I'd love to hear them. I can adjust my departure time on Thursday to arrive in area at the same time as others, so if you two want to pick a time that works for you, just let me know.

MV

Matt/Josh

I am ok with meeting at the gas station or perhaps earlier in Madera as I am not familiar with the area at all. We need to pick a target time on Thrusday.

I think in an earlier note Dean suggested FRS8 which I think is the norm for the Norcal group.

If I am interpreting things right for food it looks like 3 are potlucking for dinners and then +4 for sides only?

Geoff

Piett, did you get both of my PM's? I sent one after the other to adress info I fotgot, but in any case, most of it has been discussed here.

I'm afraid the Madera portion is for you two to decide, as I'll be coming from the south. I'm ok with FRS 8, as long as you guys confirm that it is indeed our choice. I'm leaning towards the gas station as a meeting area, as it's easy to find, has gas, has other shops around it so no one has to be bored while waiting, and of course, stocks dang near anything you need to replace the item you realized you forgot about 20 minutes ago...

MV

Ruger1022,
Yes, I got your PMs.

For meeting in Madera I was thinking more of Josh since that is more the direction he is headed from.

Josh,
Can you chime in with what time and location you want to meet.
[img]http://flickr.com/photos/piett79/1370827162/[/img]

Ok,
Just doing some figuring. Looks like it's going to take me a tad over 4 hours to get to Madera, and then just over an hour from there to Shaver Lake. Geoff, how about we meet at 11:30 am in Madera? Then Matt how about we meet you in Shaver about 1:00 to 1:15. I tend to drive a tad slower then most, so I think this gives plenty of time to get to the meeting spots. Pictures, um...I can never seem to figure out how to link those. Can you pm me your e-mail and I can send them that way? Sorry. If not, I am pretty easy to spot. Silver X with matching Adventure Trailer and rather large puppy sticking his head out the back window.

As for dinners, no problem. I do have a change though. My friends came over last night and ate all my salmon so it will either be pork tenderloin or steak fajitas from me. I will know better when I stop by the store and find out what looks good.

Does that al make sense? Any questions or changes?

Yaaaaaaaa, I haven't been wheeling in a month. I can't wait.

Casper


P.S. Geoff if I remember right you drive a rather tall toy pickup, white. Or am I confused again.

Good to hear from you Josh.
You are not not confused I do have a taller old white Toyota pickup. No grill, tinted and noisy.

Actually, can we push back the meeting times by an hour. I need to run an errand that morning that will delay my departure.
12:30pm Madera
2-2:15pm Shaver Lake gas station

Works for me. I believe I have your cell # so I can give you a call when I get there. I will also pm you my cell.

Casper

Casper, got your email, so I know what I'm looking for.

So the planned meet is now for 2.00-2.15? Still workable by me, and we're still planning on the gas station, right? We'll probably get up there a little earlier and eat lunch right there. There's a little pizza place I've always wanted to try. I'll keep a radio on channel 8 nearby, so just give a holler when you approach, but from 2.00 to 2.15 I'll try to be standing next to my X.

I was having an idea today, and I ran it by my girlfriend. Oddly enough she didn't tell me to stop having ideas, but rather encouraged it. I'll try it out here:

For a while now we've been wanting to do a late afternoon run up Bald Mtn. Once at the top, we'd wait and watch the sunset, then make our way on back down. Our scouting trip two weeks ago would have been great for this, as it was a full moon and a beautiful sunset that night, but due to the day's other unplanned events (more details around the fire, suffice to say we owe many thanks to the Fresno county sheriff's office search and rescue folks, as well as the Forest Service people...), we were not in the mood to hang around.

This time though, I think I'm going to go though with this plan. Up and watch the sunset, and then stay and watch Shaver's fireworks over the lake (planned to begin after the boat parade). The moon will be next to nothing, but I've got a couple little lights, a lot of experience with the trail, so I'm doing it. Anyone who'd like to join, feel free.

Other than that, guys, let me know about the plan for tomorrow, and I'm off to gather supplies! See you all soon!

MV

Ok folks, just a quick note from us, since we are the first to arrive home. It was a good trip, great weather, and good people. Many thanks to those who chose to join me for the night trip, I hope everyone's pictures turn out great. Here are a few of ours:


Camp, with Josh and Geoff


On the trail


Fording a strem on the Strawberry Lake trail




Fireworks over Shaver Lake, seen from Bald Mountain

I'm sure everyone else will have a few pics to share, but for now, I'm off to bed in my own bed.

MV

Great trip guys. As usual, nice to see the old friends, and make some new ones. I love wheeling with NCCX guys. I always learn something new on every trip, and this one was no exception.

What I learned this weekend.
1. Waiting all winter to get together with good friends is to long a time.
2. Sharing a good meal around a camp fire is priceless.
3. The "piro" jean runs in the family (including husbands and wives)
4. Aftermarket shock mounts should be made STRONGER.
5. Running with no rear shocks adds "excitement" to everything.
6. Duck tape DOES NOT seal the "wag bag" from a PETT toilet.
7. It is amazing how much "stuff" can spread over the roof of an Xterra and trailer on the way home.
8. I remember why I don't like taking a sponge bath in a gas station bathroom.
9. No rear shocks, towing a trailer, doing 58 mph on what Cal-trans called a "fixed" freeway in one lane of traffic because Cal-trans has blocked the other lane will result in the following: One blown drivers side trailer tire, one slightly ripped off drivers side trailer fender, 27ish traffic cone killed (one stuffed between the calmini front skid and the engine), one smashed oil filter(killed by above mentioned cone), one broken taillight on a VERY understanding CHP officers patrol car, one "Reckless Driving" ticket from above mentioned officer, 2 hours of time in the middle of the freeway and a heart beat that matches the pace of humming bird wings.

I just got home, and as usual I have one heck of a camp fire story for next time.
See you all at camp WAMP, if I can fix things enough to go.

Casper

Dude, Josh, I'm sorry to hear about your highway tragedy! Yikes, I'm glad you're OK!

Sorry about the, uh, leakage. Perhaps we need to rethink how the waste baggie should be used (possibly only for solids?)
, and quite possibly how it should be protected after discarding.

Ummm...

Josh, I know we just met and all, and Maggie and I might not rank at the top of your friends list, but we've got to know more about that trip home. Waiting until the next time we can manage to sit around a campfire might be a little too long.

I'm glad to hear you're ok (and I assume Porthos too?). I know I was a little worried about you on the way home with the missing shocks and all, but I was hoping for better than this. Did they at least let you keep the cone as a "trophy"?

Please fill us in.

MV

No worries, just got my heart pounding a little. Trailer can be fixed and it looks like I just popped the bead on the tire. As for the waste bag, I have already decided how to fix this. I will be bringing a gasket sealed container from now on. Kinda like the box I have on the roof for Porthos waste. And yes Porthos is fine. Oh, and the "gel" affect does not quite work. The "solids" were the problem. Oh well, I feel I now know each of you a tab more then I did before.

Casper

Josh - I just read about your Smokey & The Bandit adventure. The only thing missing was Jerry Reed kicking over the motorcycles outside of the bar..... Seriously though, glad to hear that your allright!

I'll just have to remember that if I'm following you in the future that the fluids hitting my windscreen may not be from your windshield fluid.

Woah Josh, glad you and Porthos are OK. Sucks about the ticket though...

BTW, great trip all! It was the perfect balance of wheeling, relaxing, and good humor at the expense of Uncle Dean.

Here's a few pics:

[img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3268/2649223682_002ea65fb4.jpg?v=0[/img]

[img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3251/2649223394_1babf0a934.jpg?v=0[/img]

[img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3039/2648387703_45cea2d959.jpg?v=0[/img]

The rest are here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hogre/

Oh and I have HUGE size versions, just let me know what you want.

WOW! That got a bunch more exciting after we parted ways. Glad to hear they you and pup are safe despite the mixed problems.

Dean,
I think that that set of PETT bags might be a bad batch Weren't there two different bags that had issues? Before this I don't recall any issues.

You might be right about that. This is the first time they've been a problem. Also, I think perhaps that we likely overused each bag, which contributed to their failure. It looks like they're rated for only 32 ounces each, which would be a max of 3-4 uses.

32 ounces = 3-4 uses? What are you a mouse? I usually..........wait thats probebly TOO much information. Never mind.

On another note the new fender will be here tomorrow. God I love Fed-Ex and sponsors. :p

Casper

Holy shit, Josh! You weren't kidding. Glad to hear you're safe and sound, I'll see if I can't get another X-member fabbed up for you and shipped out.

Cheers,

Ty.

After having looked through the photos, it's plain to see that Porthos loves him some shocks. It's like a dog and his bone, except it's Porthos and his shocks.

I'll see about getting some more pics of ours up...

MV

Sweeet, thanks Ty. I e-mailed you a few questions.

Ruger,
What self respecting, off-roading dog would have a bone to play with when there is a perfect pair of rancho shocks he can chew on and play with. :p Thats my Porthos.

Casper

E-mail on the way!