Fordyce Creek

[Mike]

Ouch that hurt

Hey, I got most of my info from you!

[dr.dirty]

Hey, I got most of my info from you!

Just givin you a hard time The trip looks awesome......

[RAT]

I'm still downloading over 800 photos. Had no idea I took that many. But I'm just gonna throw up random shots here and let Mike finish telling the story. I recommend Fordyce to everyone. It's a great challenge and a whole lot of fun.

This is the last campground we stayed at on the trip. Twin Lakes on the Eastern Sierra slopes.

Fordyce Niagra trip 2011024 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

Chuck said it was like Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom. So much wild life was out and about. Deer were coming down into camp day and night. Especially at night. This was the morning we left

Fordyce Niagra trip 2011021 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

Horrible vistas surround the campsite.

Fordyce Niagra trip 2011013 by MJR RAT, on Flickr


Fordyce Niagra trip 2011010 by MJR RAT, on Flickr


Fordyce Niagra trip 2011007 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

Yes I have pics of Fordyce and Jeeps! They're still downloading. Gotta do something about this over active shutter finger...

[RAT]

The trail is pretty much like this the whole way, broken up ever now and then with some mud holes and water crossings and, can't forget the winch hills. Some of the unnamed obstacles are pretty impressive as well.


Fordyce Niagra trip 4 013 by MJR RAT, on Flickr


Fordyce Niagra trip 4 012 by MJR RAT, on Flickr


Fordyce Niagra trip 4 021 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

Mud, lots and lots of mud


Fordyce Niagra trip 4 023 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

Still quite a bit of snow on the trail. We stopped to reload the coolers with rock hard snow pack to keep the Mist cold...


Fordyce Niagra trip 4 027 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

If you can find a place in the Sierras that DOESN'T have a beautiful view, I want to know about it!


Fordyce Niagra trip 4 024 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

Mr. Green rockin it

Fordyce Niagra trip 4 017 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

Mike and Sharon's Jeep is on 35" tires. It was a test of driving skills the entire trail and Mike made it look easy.

Water falls are everywhere along the trail. Lots of water crossings.

Fordyce Niagra trip 4 020 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

This is right at the Comittee crossing. We did not cross the creek here this time. Which means we have to go back! Hell yes.

Fordyce Niagra trip 4 016 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

[RAT]

We were almost alone on the trail the entire time, which is NOT what we expected. The only time we saw a large group was at winch hill #1. Mike already posted that an XJ broke on the "easy" line going up the right side. The left was wa fun!

More random trail shots-

Fordyce Niagra trip 4 007 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

Like I said, lots of water crossings

Fordyce Niagra trip 4 015 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

Lots of extra crfedit lines too!

Fordyce Niagra trip 4 010 by MJR RAT, on Flickr


Fordyce Niagra trip 4 006 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

Not sure why but this is one of my favs

Fordyce Niagra trip 4 009 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

Mike squeezin through

Fordyce Niagra trip 4 011 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

First shot of the 2nd day, just leaving camp.

Fordyce Niagra trip 4 005 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

There were fields of flowers everywhere. Spring is just now Springing on the Fordyce.

Fordyce Niagra trip 4 001 by MJR RAT, on Flickr


Fordyce Niagra trip 4 004 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

Lots of dead trees along the trail, and on the trail. Stanislaus NF has a way different view of trail conditions than that of the SBNF. We must have climbed over 100 dead trees in the trail.

Fordyce Niagra trip 4 014 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

More snow

Fordyce Niagra trip 4 022 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

And more pics to come... still downloading.

[mrchips]

very nice photo's, want to do this run next year.

[dirtman13]

Day 1

Once again another epic adventure. Fordyce is a great trail and is defiantly in my top 3 of favorite trails. Although the trail is only 12 miles long it is well worth taking your time and doing it in 2-3 days. There are some great camp spots along the way. I will be going back next year.
The scenery is just fantastic everywhere you look.


1st water crossing. I had the GoPro mounted to the frame and got some cool under water video.





There are a few mines along the trail and evidence of the mining operations are quite visible.

The Squeeze

Winch Hill

We waited over 2 hours for the traffic to clear on the winch hill so we decided to break camp early. This was our front yard.

[RAT]

More Jeep pics-


Fordyce Niagra trip 3 074 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

Cody concentrating on line

Fordyce Niagra trip 3 072 by MJR RAT, on Flickr


Fordyce Niagra trip 3 071 by MJR RAT, on Flickr


Fordyce Niagra trip 3 060 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

Hmmm, long way down

Fordyce Niagra trip 3 064 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

Picture post cards at every turn

Fordyce Niagra trip 3 062 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

More MUD

Fordyce Niagra trip 3 041 by MJR RAT, on Flickr


Fordyce Niagra trip 3 049 by MJR RAT, on Flickr


Fordyce Niagra trip 3 052 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

Forest of Endor

Fordyce Niagra trip 3 040 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

First water crossing... Decisions, decisions...

Fordyce Niagra trip 3 034 by MJR RAT, on Flickr


Fordyce Niagra trip 3 019 by MJR RAT, on Flickr


Fordyce Niagra trip 3 021 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

[dirtman13]

Day 2 began with us going to Committee Crossing. We did not cross here since we were headed to Meadow Lake. Now we have to go back.



More mining equipment.



Ice was getting a low so we found some nature ice.

We stopped for lunch at Meadow Lake before heading back to the vehicles.

Sometimes it’s rough.

We had a little visitor for lunch.

[dirtman13]

Off to Niagara Rim

After a much needed shower and a nice comfortable bed in Truckee it was off to Niagara Rim. On the way we stopped by Tahoe for a few pictures.


The water is so clear.



For those that have not traveled Sonora Pass highway 108 it is 26% grade and not recommended for trailers. Just as we were getting to the steep climbs we were stopped by modern day cowboys taking their cattle to the higher elevation for the summer.




Sonora Pass has some beautiful scenery.

[dirtman13]

Niagara Rim

After not finishing this trail last time do to a breakage in the group I was looking forward to getting back to complete this trail. Needless to say it did not disappoint. I didn’t get a lot of pictures here but I do have a ton of video. Coming soon.



Back at camp I decided to experiment a little with my camera.

[dirtman13]

The next morning we packed our gear and headed out to do some fishing. After a short stop at Topaz Lake we headed to Twin Lakes just outside of Bridgeport. While the fishing wasn’t the best this was one of my favorite camping spots of the trip. The picture will explain why.


Sunset



As soon as the sun set the animals came out to play. Behind our camp spot we had at least 5 Mule Deer come down for a visit. We also had a few visits by a black bear which I did not get pictures of but I did get him on video. Coming soon.

This picture was taken at 9:15pm. Hard to see the deer but they are there.


The next morning we had two deer come in to camp.





This was another great trip that I will remember for the rest of my life. The rest of my pictures are here.

[Tycho]

Great write ups and pics. Looks like it was lucky that the water was not flowing too fast for that first deep crossing.

[Mike]

Great write ups and pics. Looks like it was lucky that the water was not flowing too fast for that first deep crossing.

From what I hear, that crossing can be very deep and fast when the dam is open. Here are a few more shots:











Also, here are a few more picks that I like:
























The Committee Crossing:






Winch Hill #4:


Winch Hill#5:




Our lunchtime friend at Meadow Lake:


The drive out of Meadow Lake:

[ECV Jeep]

Mike, Kurt & Chuck-

That looks like one dang fine trip you all had. I am soooo very jealous. Looks like you guys had a great time. I hope that Penny and I can join you next time out.