[/QB][/QUOTE]Sheeze Bob,
You're startin to scare the passengers here.[/QB][/QUOTE]

What... Farley... he's cool !

Recent Deer Valley Trail Conditions

This sounds discouraging:
John from the South Valley Trial Riders Club (who adopts this trail and has for the last 22 years) showed up and ran the trail with us. He said that based off what he has seen in the past it will be another month before someone breaks though the entire trail.

I guess we're going to BRT then.
So, Dean... what are you and Huey up to this weekend?

Probably not gonna go scout Deer Valley. Gotta call him back though. Check this thread out.

The Niagara Rim Trail is on Hwy108, just beyond Strawberry . <--click for map.

If Huey's interested or my truck is operational by Sunday (it's still sort of in various stages of disassembly), I may head out there and check it out...

Dunno, though.

dean,
have you heard much about the niagra rim trail? i know exactly where it is...driven by many times but didnt think it was much of a trail? what is it rated? i think i'll join you guys on this run...

FWIW we did a trail that left 108 just east of Longbarn and ended up at the Dodge Ridge Ski resort. It was a very simple 4 wheel drive, if not doable in 2 wheel. The trail is scenic with great views. It travels along Dodge Ridge overlooking Clavey River. Not sure if this is the same as Niagra or not..There are a ton of trails back in there..some are labelled 4wheel but who knows what that really means
Here\'s a shot of the trail sign
and the end of the trail

I thought that the Niagra Rim trail Dean was talking about was the trail difficulty of more than DV but easier than Rubicon?

I don't remember exactly where it was (maybe it's near Shaver Lake?)...I don't have my book with me right now to look up more details... :rolleyes:

Thanks XSAL,
I'd sure like to know more about this trail. Anyone have more info?

Oops. Sorry. After my previous post, I talked to Huey on the phone. He and Dean were on their way to scout Niagra Rim area... From what Huey told me, I was apparently thinking about another trail. (I still don't have my book with me. )

At least the trail is near Strawberry, Hwy 108.

I'm sure Huey and Dean can post their "discoveries" when they get back...

Ok, we're back...and in true Dean and Huey fashion we left late, didn't air down, and got home later than expected, but it was truly worth it!

The trail is actually an OHV and has a number of great trails with everything from fire roads, to moderate wheeling to some very hard-core wheeling! The Niagara Rim trail itself whould rate one notch above Deer Valley. I would think a moderately moddded Xterra should be fine, but a locker would be a nice to have as there are some very rocky and loose sections. The good news is that there are plenty of bypasses and trail access roads in the event that things get too rough.

Here are my pics for now. Will post more info later...I'm sure dean will post his thoughts also.

Cool... :rolleyes:

Q1 Did you guys run the entire Niagra Rim trail?
Q2 What was the elevation range?
Q3 Did you see any campgrounds?
Q4 Is it possible for more than 5 trucks (or however many trucks that would participate)?

Q1 Did you guys run the entire Niagra Rim trail?

No, there wasn't enough time, since we didn't get to the trailhead until about 3pm. Also, some parts of the trail were more difficult than we were willing to take on, given the lateness of the day. We did scout out a major portion of it, though. The trail has many "entry points" or bypasses. Basically, a graded forest service road runs nearby along most of the trail. There are various intersections along the trail where you can easily get to the bypass route.

Q2 What was the elevation range?

6900-8100 feet. The paved route (at the developed campground) ends at 6900 feet. The highest we got was 8100.

Q3 Did you see any campgrounds?

Yes.
1- Niagara Rim OHV campground, run by the forest service, is developed, and is located at the end of a paved route, just 5 minutes from the highway. It has 12 sites, pit toilets, picnic tables, and firepits (no fire permit required). No water or trash services, though. There's a nice creek that runs alongside the campground. Cost per site is $6. Some sites can accomodate as many as 5 or 6 vehicles, while others can probably fit only 2. No per-vehicle fees.

2- Many undeveloped sites on the actual Niagara Rim 4x4 Route. Primitive camping, no services; pack it in, pack it out. Fire permit required. No fees. As long as you're not on the road or on a sensitve alpine meadow (which are clearly marked) you can pitch a tent.

Q4 Is it possible for more than 5 trucks (or however many trucks that would participate)?

Most definitely, yes. In fact, the area offers a variety of trails suitable for 2WD, stock 4WD, and all levels of modified 4WD.

Here are my pics

Track Log

Pros:
* Huge network of trails to explore in that region
* Trailhead and developed campground is ~3.0 hours from San Jose
* Developed campground is 2WD and RV-friendly
* Developed campground is less than 20 minutes from hard-core wheeling
* Low campsite fee ($6, no per-vehicle charge)
* Wide range of trails suitable for all experience and equipment levels
* Primitive, no-fee camping easily accessible
* Great scenery

Cons:
* Easy access means this trail system may be crowded
* Access to trail requires travel via Hwy 120; Yosemite traffic may affect travel.

Nice write up Dean, thanks!
This is the same area we went into, only we were more to the north along Dodge Ridge. The EZ way to go. This area looks much more interesting

That is one nice campground, next to the lake and all

It's funny that eventhough both of you were taking pictures, Huey was taking all the action shots while Dean was into lake shots, the "red" flower and the artsy pics

What is that flower anyway?

I have no idea. And even my wife, who is a flower fanatic, didn't know either!

So, regarding the upcoming weekend, we could do BRT (as originally planned), or we could check out the Niagara Rim region. There are enough trails to explore that would definitely keep us entertained for the weekend! Which shall it be?

well, i'd be down for the niagra rim trail if i can ride along with one of you guys...my starter is out on my pathy but i can meet up with you guys along the way...

I'm in for either. I was planning on going in to BRT early to get us a good camp sight, but could probebly do that with the other trail as well.
Let me know.

Casper

Niagra Rim update on pirate: http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=369196

Seems like it's pretty much open.

I think I'll pass on Niagra for the 4th. Seems like an awful lot of folks thinking the same thing. I would like to do in the future though. BRT doesn't draw quite the crowd. Although the river is still up so the rafters will still be coming down in hoards. I'm headed into BRT Friday eve for a twilight run.
Ya'll be careful and have fun!

Off hand I would guess it to be a Sarcodes Sanquinea, the Snow Plant.
Here\'s a link

That's what it's called. I've also wondered about that for a while now...

http://community.webshots.com/photo/148464826/148469385HLAAsW

I am interested in the Niagra Rim Trail if like you say, there are go-arounds for the harder stuff. I definitely cannot handle some of those rocky climbs without serious help. Did you see lots of other people on your scouting trip? I didn't see any other vehicles in your pictures. Maybe it won't be so busy. I'm up for either, but this Niagra Rim Trail system seems like it will keep us more entertained for the 3 days.

BTW,
Google now has Google Earth...
BRT example
Check out the realistic 3D view of BRT complete with Hot Spring, Markleeville, and Lake Tahoe.

It's the first pic in the album.
You have to download the image to read the text and really see how nice the image is. This is a computer generated 3D image based on USGS images.

The gate to accessing Niagara Rim was just opened last Thursday, and not many were aware it was open yet. Plus, we were there very late on Sunday, after most people had left the area.

We did encounter a small group of heavily-modified trailer-queen 'Zukis and Jeeps there, though.

For camping, there are basically two options:
1) Camp at the developed campground.
2) Camp remotely on the trail

Option 1 may require someone to arrive early to get a good campsite and pay the fee. The campground itself may be crowded, as there are only 12 sites.

Casper- how early were you thinking? I have Friday off work, so I could potentially leave Thursday night or Friday morning to get the best site, but Connie would have to come up later.

Option 2 means nobody needs to get there early to get a campsite, and there's no fee, either. we'd have to provide for all of our needs, including potty facilities. I can bring my portable PETT toilet, which affords no more privacy than squatting near a bush, but is much more sanitary.