I am trying to make it but will not know till the weekend before and I will not be driving a built truck so mostly riding in with someone who has a seat open
CK5
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Rubicon July 2023
- Thread starter mrk5
- Start date
I'm feeling better about fuel after a trail run this past weekend. This particular trail has a gas station close to the trail head so I filled up before and after the trail. It was about 8.5 miles round trip we spent 6 hours on the trail. I consumed 7 gallons of gas so based on time that's about 1.1 gallon per hour or about 1.2 mpg.
If we end up about 12 hours of moving time on the trail, I would need 13 gallons. I read the entire Rubicon is about 22 miles, so distance would indicate about 18 gallons. I've got provisions for 10 gallons of spare fuel plus the 40 gallon tank. Even if my consumption is double what I used on this most recent trail, I still shouldn't need to dip into my reserve cans.
I think the snow runs skew my perception of how much gas the crew cab uses on the trail.
If we end up about 12 hours of moving time on the trail, I would need 13 gallons. I read the entire Rubicon is about 22 miles, so distance would indicate about 18 gallons. I've got provisions for 10 gallons of spare fuel plus the 40 gallon tank. Even if my consumption is double what I used on this most recent trail, I still shouldn't need to dip into my reserve cans.
I think the snow runs skew my perception of how much gas the crew cab uses on the trail.
you'll be fine with the 40 + 5 with the BBC IMO. FYI- I burned 7sh gallons between fresh pond and loon lake last Sunday. The Tahoe side is flatter/downhill to south lake so you'll probably only burn a few gallons.
I used 13 gallons on the trail the past 5 days and wheeled about 16 miles i would guess.
trailered rig with a SBC for added clarity.
Yeah that is ON the trail
Here I thought the "bb" in ontonebb74 stood for "big block".
It used to back in 2004 when It had one under the hood.
Might be a question of how much body damage you're willing to incur.
I think you can go as far as you want however you'll need a tug through some areas. Plenty of rigs are on 33's however the heavy burb, long wheelbase, low clearance and open front diff make it a difficult combination. The skids, front and and rear bumpers are going to get some love at a minimum. I would bet that you'll find yourself hung up or turtled often.
I am just trying to see if I can get in a ways to catch up with the guys because I can't go on the 17th so I will be going on the 18th.
I could also take my s15 Jimmy instead, smaller but smaller tires too.
As the plan sits currently,
Monday: 1 hour drive from Pollack Pines to the trail head, then run first 5 miles(ish) We'll camp at or near Buck Island.
Tuesday: take our time running towards Observation Point. The plan is to camp at Observation Point, which isn't far so we'll have time to hike and explore.
Wednesday: complete the East side of the trail, then drive 1.5 hours back around to Pollack Pines. There appear to be far fewer obstacles on the East side of the trail, so we should have no trouble running that side in a day.
Trailhead to Buck Island distance:
West side of trail:
East side of trail:
Monday: 1 hour drive from Pollack Pines to the trail head, then run first 5 miles(ish) We'll camp at or near Buck Island.
Tuesday: take our time running towards Observation Point. The plan is to camp at Observation Point, which isn't far so we'll have time to hike and explore.
Wednesday: complete the East side of the trail, then drive 1.5 hours back around to Pollack Pines. There appear to be far fewer obstacles on the East side of the trail, so we should have no trouble running that side in a day.
Trailhead to Buck Island distance:
West side of trail:
East side of trail:
I think we're planning on leaving from Pollock Pines between 10-11am on Monday. If you're not staying there, plan on meeting up at the trailhead near Look Lake at Noon.
Using a combo of ONx maps and google maps, I'm getting a trail distance of about 13.5 miles. By way of comparison, Poison Spider is listed at 16 miles and Steelbender is 15 miles. We should have no problem doing 13 miles in 2-3 days.
If I don't already have your contact info please send me a DM (here or instagram) with your phone number. I pinky promise not to hassle you about extending your vehicle warranty.
Using a combo of ONx maps and google maps, I'm getting a trail distance of about 13.5 miles. By way of comparison, Poison Spider is listed at 16 miles and Steelbender is 15 miles. We should have no problem doing 13 miles in 2-3 days.
If I don't already have your contact info please send me a DM (here or instagram) with your phone number. I pinky promise not to hassle you about extending your vehicle warranty.
Leaving at 10 or 11am from pollock pines? You ladies need to do your hair and makeup? 
I would highly recommend leaving earlier, the trail between loon and buck has lots of cool spots to stop and check out. Plus Buck is pretty cool to hike around (check out the Payne memorial too) and you'll be limited leaving that late. My $.02 anyway.....
I would highly recommend leaving earlier, the trail between loon and buck has lots of cool spots to stop and check out. Plus Buck is pretty cool to hike around (check out the Payne memorial too) and you'll be limited leaving that late. My $.02 anyway.....
Well, to be fair, we do have ladies with us that would appreciate that, but that said, it kinda looks like Tuesday is going to be a pretty light day. We'll have all day to go like 2 miles.Leaving at 10 or 11am from pollock pines? You ladies need to do your hair and makeup?
Should we plan on stopping earlier Monday and save more for Tuesday?
Buck is a great place to camp so I would push your way there Monday and enjoy it. If you left a little earlier it give you more time to checkout Soup Bowl, stop at Cell Phone Tree, Little Sluice, Spider Lake etc. That was a 6 hour drive for us last week to give you an idea.
Day two should be interesting with Big Sluice, Rubicon Springs and Cadillac Hill
Imaginary Friend 1985
Newbie
Ive only ran it twice, once going to Buck day 1, Rubicon Springs day two, and up Cadillac day 3. Second time Buck day one, stayed at Buck day two, came through everything up Cadillac day 3.
Both times driving after the trail to camp down by Mammoth Lakes down 395 on day 3.
Either is doable and depends on what camping looks like. Camping at Buck and the Springs is nice just because you can rinse off. But have a stationary or short day is nice too.
Me and stupidhumans2000 were talking about camping at Ice House Resort on the way to Loon. Its the last place with cell service and is relatively close to the Loon trailhead. Although we'll need to figure a good spot to park a two rig near Pollock Pines.
Both times driving after the trail to camp down by Mammoth Lakes down 395 on day 3.
Either is doable and depends on what camping looks like. Camping at Buck and the Springs is nice just because you can rinse off. But have a stationary or short day is nice too.
Me and stupidhumans2000 were talking about camping at Ice House Resort on the way to Loon. Its the last place with cell service and is relatively close to the Loon trailhead. Although we'll need to figure a good spot to park a two rig near Pollock Pines.
I just happen to know that the best western has a big lot behind the hotel and they charge $20 a day to park there.
stupidhumans2000
Registered Member
I recommend we get to the trailhead as early as possible on Monday. Say 7 or 8. Getting to Buck isn't an easy task. If we leave camp at 10 or 11, we'll arrive at Buck at night time. Also the Icehouse resort that Imaginary mentioned is a very hospitable place to camp. I'll probably drop my tow rig off down in Pollock Pines on Sunday and then drive to Icehouse and camp for the night.
