Tweet
Another great run to the Rubicon! The MJR group was small this year (only 4 Jeeps). Due to fire restrictions no open fires were allowed in the back country. It was a lot drier than last year, but there was still plenty of water. Buck Island and Rubi Springs were up to the same level as last year. The water was somewhat warmer. Temps were in the lower 90s during the day, and a very comfortable 60s at night. The group consisted of Stuart (Jeep Virgin), Christy and thier two boys, Jason (Tapatio Thomas) and his two boys, Andrew and Shari (Double AA), me (Rat Patrol) and Debra. We spent the first night a Robbs Resort. I highly recommend Robbs over Ice House. Way better set up and they are WAY freindly. The bar tender doesn't know the meaning of the word "enough"! The restaurant serves a pretty good pizza.
The weather throughout the entire run was perfect. We hit the trail head at Loon Lake around 9AM and aired down. We were expecting a lot of traffic after learning that a "secret" initiation run for new "Pirates" was going to be coming off the trail that day. Traffic was light though, as most went out on the Tahoe side. Saw a bunch of buggies, one knocking so loud from a thrown rod you could hear it before you saw it. He drove it all the way from Buck Island like that. Not much carnage in our group; a broken brake line, body dingers, lost balance weight on a front drive shaft, some bent and broken tire carriers, water cans, but overall a safe and break free run.
On our way to the Rubicon
Airing down at Loon Lake
We're going in! The Gate Keeper was changed and not as difficult as last year
one of the many buggies we met coming out
The first of the slabs
Jason climbing up
This is the buggy with the rod knock. He made it from Buck Island with an engine that sounded like it was going to blow any minute
This is at the Wentworth/Loon Lake junction. I got stuck here bad. Almost puller a dead snag out of the ground winching out
Some of the obstacles have changed dramatically from last year. This is where Jason's brake line let go. We got it fixed anf got back on the trail, dodging more traffic.
Hand me that hammer!
Taking a break at Little Sluice. I think I saw some of Erik's red paint there still!
Dropping down to Buck Isalnd Lake
The perfect end to the day.
The weather throughout the entire run was perfect. We hit the trail head at Loon Lake around 9AM and aired down. We were expecting a lot of traffic after learning that a "secret" initiation run for new "Pirates" was going to be coming off the trail that day. Traffic was light though, as most went out on the Tahoe side. Saw a bunch of buggies, one knocking so loud from a thrown rod you could hear it before you saw it. He drove it all the way from Buck Island like that. Not much carnage in our group; a broken brake line, body dingers, lost balance weight on a front drive shaft, some bent and broken tire carriers, water cans, but overall a safe and break free run.
On our way to the Rubicon
Airing down at Loon Lake
We're going in! The Gate Keeper was changed and not as difficult as last year
one of the many buggies we met coming out
The first of the slabs
Jason climbing up
This is the buggy with the rod knock. He made it from Buck Island with an engine that sounded like it was going to blow any minute
This is at the Wentworth/Loon Lake junction. I got stuck here bad. Almost puller a dead snag out of the ground winching out
Some of the obstacles have changed dramatically from last year. This is where Jason's brake line let go. We got it fixed anf got back on the trail, dodging more traffic.
Hand me that hammer!
Taking a break at Little Sluice. I think I saw some of Erik's red paint there still!
Dropping down to Buck Isalnd Lake
The perfect end to the day.
Comment