Rubicon July 2023

[ashman]

This has been tough to plan, not having ever been there. We are getting advice from people that have done it that varies from "you can do the whole trail in less than a day" to "3 days of driving isn't enough time".

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.

An early start does help to mitigate problems if we get delayed on the trail, but we will be driving 10-11 hours to get there Sunday and it's going to be tough getting in late, and then heading out early the next morning.
I've got a time estimate of about 6 hours from the trailhead to Buck Island. Even a 2 hour delay should still put us to camp by 8pm. Not ideal, but still daylight.

 

[mrk5]

You guys camping near the trailhead could get an earlier start and we can just plan on meeting up with you all at Buck Island. Or somewhere along the way depending on how things go.

@ashman, @72gmck5, and I have Rugged Radios, what do the rest of you all carry for trail comms?

 

[J. Surg]

I just did the Rubicon on 6/28-6/29. fueled in Polluck Pines started at Loon Lake. burned a half a tank.

 

[pblaze725]

Do you guys plan to go all the way thru to the Tahoe side and drive back on the highway or turn around at some point and head out the way you came in?

 

[mrk5]

All the way thru and drive back on the highway.

 

[ashman]

I asked the Rubicon fb group how long it should take to do the first leg of the trail. Lots of answers, but 4-6 hours seems to be the average. From the looks of things, our trucks are better equipped than the average, so we shouldn't have any issue hitting that time. Barring breakdowns.

 

[mrk5]

I think we should just straight up BAN breakdowns.

 

[Imaginary Friend 1985]

You guys camping near the trailhead could get an earlier start and we can just plan on meeting up with you all at Buck Island. Or somewhere along the way depending on how things go.

@ashman, @72gmck5, and I have Rugged Radios, what do the rest of you all carry for trail comms?

I have a Baeofang with an external antenna, seems to work well. We can agree on a frequency and go from there. At Icehouse Resort we should have cell reception. Worst case I'll have my Garmin for text communication.

Ice House Resort is 45min from loon trailhead and directly on the path from 50 to Loon. They have a bar, pool table, and small camp/supply store if you forget anything. First day can be a long one so earlier is better, but a late start won't kill us. It's taking me 6hrs to 12hrs getting to Buck. But we were also going with a couple of crew cab short bed SAS 2500hd chevy's/gmc's that needed more finesse to keep all their sheet metal. The 12hr trip had multiple break downs too....

All this to say with no issues we can get to Buck in 6hrs with K5's and a Jeep.

 

[mrk5]

@Imaginary Friend 1985 if you have chirp, I can get you the frequency list for our rugged radios.

 

[stupidhumans2000]

I'm really looking forward to hanging out with you guys on this trip. I think Imaginary and myself are going to get an early start and secure a campsite at Buck with enough space for everyone. We'll need to agree on some radio frequencies so we can stay in contact on the first day.

 

[ashman]

I'm really looking forward to hanging out with you guys on this trip. I think Imaginary and myself are going to get an early start and secure a campsite at Buck with enough space for everyone. We'll need to agree on some radio frequencies so we can stay in contact on the first day.

Right on. I talked to him on the phone yesterday, so I think we have a good plan. I'm looking forward to it too.

 

[mrk5]

Almost time to roll.

 

[imiceman44]

Almost time to roll.

View attachment 452132

Well it looks like I am going to miss this one.
Just got a bunch of meetings on Monday and Tuesday and I have a priest retirement party Tuesday night.
Maybe we can at least meet for dinner before you guys head out back home

 

[ashman]

On our way!

 

[ashman]

It's been a helluva trip already, and we haven't even made it on the trail yet.

Blew through all 3 of my spare trailer tires, and the floor jack shit the bed, so I had to change them all with the little oem bottle jack that came with the truck.

Bought 4 new tires when we got to reno, and then when we were almost here, the truck popped codes and went into limp mode.
First reading is soot build up in the exhaust and a bad NOx sensor. Gotta deal with that after we get off the trail.

We hit the trail in the morning hoping for better luck.

 

[imiceman44]

It's been a helluva trip already, and we haven't even made it on the trail yet.
View attachment 452351
Blew through all 3 of my spare trailer tires, and the floor jack shit the bed, so I had to change them all with the little oem bottle jack that came with the truck.

Bought 4 new tires when we got to reno, and then when we were almost here, the truck popped codes and went into limp mode.
First reading is soot build up in the exhaust and a bad NOx sensor. Gotta deal with that after we get off the trail.

We hit the trail in the morning hoping for better luck.

That happened to my trailer on my way to Moab in I think 2017.
Lost 3 tires and destroyed 2 rims.
And on my way back ripped the hitch receiver off the truck and destroyed the trailer frame, it was bowed so much it was almost dragging the ass on the road.
And you probably remember my flop and then later snapping my front shaft.
Hopefully you only have to deal with the ride and not the wheeler

 

[Wes Harden]

Gonna need A Ruby 2023 Carnage thread I see

 

[Fastereddie]

Gonna need A Ruby 2023 Carnage thread I see

Yeah, where are these guys. How are we supposed to web wheel ?

 

[Wes Harden]

no cell signal will be the excuse

 

[72gmck5]

Met up with @mrk5 and headed out on Monday.