Who's in? I'm in for a 3 day, but you could leave on Sun if you can't get Mon off.

Deer Valley

Required mods:
IFS rigs: sliders, at least a 32" tire, and some kind of lift.

Sat 9/08

9am
McDonalds
6800 SANTA RITA RD
PLEASANTON, CA 94588

11am
Raley's
781 S State Highway 49
Jackson, CA 95642
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=l&hl=en&geocode=&q=raley\'s&near=jackson,ca&z=14&om=1

We should be at the trailhead by 1pm with plenty of time to wheel to camp and set up.

CB8 FRS12

Sign-up:
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1. Huey (pleasanton)

I'm in. I have never run this trail, should be fun. Where are we camping? I might take some extra time off and meet you guys there.

Sign-up:
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1. Huey (pleasanton)
2. Josh + 1 dog and camp kitchen (Truckee)

Casper

I can meet up w/ you guys. My wife wants to see the Sierra in the summer, and that would be a great place to take her. Though I don't think I'll have my truck ready for this trip though.

bummer.

All-

Note that the Safeway in Jackson is no longer in business.

Instead, meet at the Raley's shopping center, located about 1/2-mile past 88/49 intersection on Hwy 49.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=l&hl=en&geocode=&q=raley\'s&near=jackson,ca&z=14&om=1

Love to go, but I will be in Hawaii!

Sign-up:
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1. Huey (pleasanton)
2. Josh + 1 dog and camp kitchen (Truckee)
3. Matt (p-town) (Sat and Sun)

Totally forgot about the Safeway thing, but fixed it. Thanks Dean.

Matt (zoojunkie) you are more then welcome to ride with me if your rig isn't ready. What do you need done to it before the trip?

Josh we will be camping at Deer Valley camp : http://www.californiajeeper.com/deerval/deervalley.PDF it will be at the 2nd river crossing if you are going from HWY88 to HWY4. I can get you a more specific way point tonight.

Well, since it is about half way thru, I will camp somewhere else. It looks like we are going in vea HWY 88..??
If thats the case then I will probebly stay at lower Blue Lake and meat you at the trail head.

Casper

Methinks sliders, 32" tires, and a lift. :p

and probably a new radiator...sigh.

My radiator decided to spill its guts today at work, I haven't had a chance to examine it yet, but after filling it up in our parking and driving home, it's still full of water! ?? I'll take a closer look at it this weekend.

-Matt

Ditto with Zoojunkie. I'm so down for this trip but my rig is no where near ready for it. I plan on gettin my sliders and bigger tires soon but not that fast. If anyone's rig has room and doesn't mind me riding along, Im still game.

Here's some motivation, this is a really fun trail.









- Matt

I think you forgot one Matt!

:p Probably not gonna have that problem this year, though. We'll be lucky if there's any water flowing at all!

That is motivation! Someone take me!!!! Por favor!!!

If my wife and dog don't end up joining me for this trip, you can ride shotgun.

My work is requiring me to fill out my availability form by the 20th of this month. That's why Im asking around. haha. If you could get back to me by then, it should be golden road for me.

LOL

As for water, it was bone dry when I was up in the area in July. All the snow up at the top was already gone when we were up visiting, so I doubt it'll be as wet as the picture of Dean needing a pull.

-Matt

Andrew- tell ya what. You can ride along even if Connie comes. I've had 2 passengers plus gear plus dog at Deer Valley before. It will just require a little more shuffling of cargo, but it's definitely doable. Be prepared for a casual, kick-back trip, as the middle day (Sunday), we'll probably just relax at the campsite or go splash around in the creek.

Huey,
Do you have a gps location for where we are going to camp? I might try and see if I can make it into camp on Thursday. I can't wait to get out and do somemore wheelin.

Casper

Thanks Dean! I'm requesting it off ASAP. This trip should be a good preview for later trips as I get my sliders.

Sure:

N 38*34.283
W 119*54.867

Hmm...the NorCal Backroads & 4WD trails book has slightly different waypoints...

trail head:
N 38*36.285
W 119*55.283

camp:
N 38*34.182
W 119*54.491

trail end:
N 38*32.220
W 119*53.444

The trail should be a breeze for you from HWY88 to camp.

- Travel on HWY88 till you see the turnoff for Blue Lakes on your left (I assume you would take HWY89 to HWY88 toward Kirkwood).
- Take that road all the way to the lakes and campground.
- Once you reach the camp area keep to your left and start looking for signs for Deer Valley trail near the dam.
- Hit the trail traveling parallel to the waterfall for a bit
- You will hit the 1st water crossing within a meadow (pic where dean is stuck), just push on
- You will travel a ways and then hit water crossing #2. That is where camp is.

Your total trail time should be around 2-3 hours (going solo) depending on how many pics you take.

I would say just scout the immediate area around that water crossing for a good spot to camp. There are a few really good ones after you cross the stream. I doubt you will have any issue, but give me a call if you need more info.

Thanks Huey. I looked for the trail in the NorCal Backcountry Adventure book and could not find it. Is it under something other than "Deer Vally"?

Casper

You won't find it in that book, but there is a great trail near Blue/Red Lakes that is listed in that book in-case you have time and would like to explore a bit.

It is in the smaller book NorCal Backroads & 4WD trails listed under Deer Valley.