Big Bear Meet,Greet and Wheel May 19th and 20th

[teotwaki]

I just want folks to have fun. I am at least familiar with Gold Mountain (FUN!) but do not know these other trails so I cannot say who can make it through them. Hopefully we can decide on something that is good for all, about as difficult as Gold Mountain. I'm going home and will dig out the books and maps.

 

[ntsqd]

SCEB's trails list rates the relative difficulty of the trails. Might make it easier to pick trails comparable to Gold Mtn.

 

[DesertBound]

SCEB's trails list rates the relative difficulty of the trails. Might make it easier to pick trails comparable to Gold Mtn.

Sorry for my ignorance, but what's SCEB?

Also, with regard to communication on this run, from teotwaki's planning post:

Communications:

CB Channel 4 unless otherwise discussed; ham radio and FRS radios are welcome as additional comms channels.

Does this mean CB is required, and Ham and FRS are optional? Or any of the 3 are suitable?

 

[ntsqd]

Southern Calif. Early Broncos. There's a link above somewhere to their page.

 

[teotwaki]

Radio Communications

Everyone who is going should post what kind of radio they have.

I have FRS, CB, commercial UHF & .VHF handhelds, and a cranky old dual band ham handheld.

If we all can have a common radio that is all I am trying to achieve.

 

[teotwaki]

Gonna be a blast!! It looks like there are a few lines to take, so we should be able to get everyone through with no damage. (or minimal)

Are you coming?? Which days? Main day is Saturday. A couple of folks are staying overnight.

 

[teotwaki]

Okay... so Deep Creek is at the opposite end of Holcomb Valley, about a 16 to 18 mile drive on easy dirt road (3N16). Running it that way would cause us to head towards Lake Arrowhead. I don't know if that is "frontwards" or "backwards" as far as conventions go but it may be too far to be practical.


Let's try this option:

Go South to North on Gold Mountain, come out of Gold Mountain (3N69) go left on the main road (3N16) a short ways, right on 3N02, possibly go all the way up to the Mohawk Mine (dead end) and have lunch, then back down to do the first moderate piece of John Bull (3N10) and then anyone (like me) could bail out at the 3N32 junction (back down to 3N16) before the more difficult part of John Bull.

If we have lots of time then we can attempt some other trails or take it easy

 

[DesertBound]

Everyone who is going should post what kind of radio they have.

I have FRS, CB, commercial UHF & .VHF handhelds, and a cranky old dual band ham handheld.

If we all can have a common radio that is all I am trying to achieve.

I currently only have an FRS hand-held. I know that CB is the standard means of comm on off-road runs, so figured this trip might be the impetus to take the plunge. I'd been thinking of getting a hand-held unit, but after reading up on them, I'm not sure if I'd be happy with the performance. I definitely won't be able to swing a ham license in time for the trip.

 

[DesertBound]

Let's try this option:

Go South to North on Gold Mountain, come out of Gold Mountain (3N69) go left on the main road (3N16) a short ways, right on 3N02, possibly go all the way up to the Mohawk Mine (dead end) and have lunch, then back down to do the first moderate piece of John Bull (3N10) and then anyone (like me) could bail out at the 3N32 junction (back down to 3N16) before the more difficult part of John Bull.

If we have lots of time then we can attempt some other trails or take it easy

Sounds like a plan! Thanks for coordinating this run, Jim!

 

[ntsqd]

Dusty, Steffie, Tom, Terry and others behind the Big Bear Bronco Bash have grouped the trail runs by difficulty and come up with combos that would be a normal day out on the trails for a moderate sized group. They've been doing this event for 6 years now, and two of the So CA Brethen are Big Bear locals. I believe they've got a pretty good handle on the trails. Those combo's & descriptions can be found here: http://www.dustyland.net/socalbroncos/bbbb/trails.html
Maybe this will be some help if you are still pondering the options.

No. 9 is a particularly important run to me. I was there for the dedication, & just typing about it brings back the emotion of the day.

 

[teotwaki]

Dusty, Steffie, Tom, Terry and others behind the Big Bear Bronco Bash have grouped the trail runs by difficulty and come up with combos that would be a normal day out on the trails for a moderate sized group. They've been doing this event for 6 years now, and two of the So CA Brethen are Big Bear locals. I believe they've got a pretty good handle on the trails. Those combo's & descriptions can be found here: http://www.dustyland.net/socalbroncos/bbbb/trails.html
Maybe this will be some help if you are still pondering the options.

No. 9 is a particularly important run to me. I was there for the dedication, & just typing about it brings back the emotion of the day.

#4 is what helped me to settle on the current plan because we have an easy to find meet point and easy access to Gold Mountain. Because I am familiar with Gold Mountain I know I won't be getting anyone in over their heads. The first part of John Bull should be similar in difficulty and it is close by.

I just don't want to be the one leading folks into unknown carnage such that our "Meet and Greet" becomes "Hunt and Kill Jim" :Wow1:

 

[wesel123]

Sounds like a plan! Thanks for coordinating this run, Jim!

I second that motion!!!!!!!

 

[ujoint]

Yea, I plan on coming up, probably Saturday AM. I'll most likely camp that night. -- The only thing that could keep me from going is a new job situation, most likely won't affect it.

 

[DBS311]

If you run Deep Creek towards Arrowhead, that would be doing the trail backwards. I don't think it really changes the difficulty, main difference being that instead of climbing the most difficult obstacle, you would be descending it. Deep Creek really isn't that bad, just lots of washouts/gullies to flex through. When I ran it last, it was with a bunch of 80's and one 40. The FJC's that were with us (lifted and quite capable) decided not to run it. We had just run Holcomb Creek and I think the FJC guys were pretty tired after that trail. The rock gardens didn't stop them, it just took a lot of time and spotting to get them through. Holcomb isn't rated as difficult as Deep Creek, but the IFS guys had a smashing good time (pun intended). If you run Holcomb and have IFS, you will use your skid plates.

 

[teotwaki]

If you run Deep Creek towards Arrowhead, that would be doing the trail backwards. I don't think it really changes the difficulty, main difference being that instead of climbing the most difficult obstacle, you would be descending it. Deep Creek really isn't that bad, just lots of washouts/gullies to flex through. When I ran it last, it was with a bunch of 80's and one 40. The FJC's that were with us (lifted and quite capable) decided not to run it. We had just run Holcomb Creek and I think the FJC guys were pretty tired after that trail. The rock gardens didn't stop them, it just took a lot of time and spotting to get them through. Holcomb isn't rated as difficult as Deep Creek, but the IFS guys had a smashing good time (pun intended). If you run Holcomb and have IFS, you will use your skid plates.

I think I'll save that for another run, starting from Arrowhead. Some of us are only planning on one day so I will stick to the current plan as something achieveable and enjoyable by all.