Akio, don't know which Patrick you are asking but I can't make it. I'm in a wheeling slump.

I meant both Patrick I know.. That is too bad...

Okay...so, those who are interested in going, are you planning to camp or get up early? As you can see from Freelander's site, they are meeting at the exit of I-80 towards Hwy 89 North in Truckee at 9 am. For me, that means leaving home at 5:30 am, so I'm camping at the site of the trail head.

GrgX & Xtopher - How's your Friday looking?

I guess I am camping as well..
More Top Ramin, and Hot Cocoa..

I hate to say this but the wifey is workin friday and saturday, and i'm workin friday graveyard so i have no chance in comin'.
Well you guys have fun and easy on the top ramen Xtopher, too much sodium.....

well, at least i get to take a few pics of the new bumper.. out of my driveway that is....

Well, Chris... I'll see you at Montgomery Wards parking lot off of I-680 at Monument Blvd. Exit in Pleasant Hill...about 3 pm tomorrow.

Sounds like a plan...

This trip was a blast, at least for me! I needed every millimiter of my clearance, and then some! Thanks to Chris, Andy, Akio, and Catherine for all the help spotting and rock-stacking.

I posted my pictures at http://www.pbase.com/bcm79/bear_valley_loop

Sorry for not getting more of the Xterra's, you guys just didn't have enough trouble with the tough spots for me to have enough time to get up to the front of the pack.

Very cool pix!!!! wish i could have been there but work wouldnt permit! tahoe is less than a week away and im really lookin forward to having some of those cool pix and memories of my own! Will any of you freelander guys be up there?

POLAR B

Freelander guys are very unlikely to be there...this coming weekend since 1) I don't think they are aware of the event, and 2) it is Xterra Championship event.

But, whatever the trail we'll hit after the event, I'm sure it'll be fun.

Looks like you guys had a lot of fun! That trail looks pretty challenging. Those Freelanders have pretty small tires for a trail like that! What are they, 235's? But it looks like you all did just fine! Did the Freelanders' ETC work overtime?

How long did it take to run the whole trail?

Their ETC didn't do squat in the rocks.. from what they said, it is great when it is slick, but jack when you lift a tire or two.. They were spinning and smoking a bunch for sure..
I think it took 6 or 7 hours, with lunch, and a break.. lots of stacking... lota & lots..
For low ground clearance, and no low range, I was really impressed with how well they did.. In the loose ricks they were fine, just when they were lifting tires.. then the stacking started..

That's a fun trail. I'm suprised that folks take those Freelanders out!

The tires are 225/75-16. The largest you can go before hitting the spring perch And these are 3" larger in diameter than the stock tires.

ETC just momentarily touches the brake, which is great in sand or mud or snow or shale, but when you're up against rocks it doesn't hold the spinning tire long enough for the torque to be transferred to the wheel with the grip. I think with low range they'd be able to climb and crawl a lot better.