lilcrawler Posted April 8, 2015 Report Share Posted April 8, 2015 NOTE: RSVP in the NCLR Calendar to attend - click hereSo, with summer coming up, I decided that it was time to start thinking about Fordyce. Due to the nature of the trail, I do not expect a huge turnout, so anyone who wants to go can throw out a date that works for them, and we'll see if we can get a date that works best for everybody. July 11th is out for me, but other than that, I am fairly open. Keep in mind it will take two days to run the trail.Some things to consider:- I would prefer to avoid holidays, because of traffic on the trail, and it is difficult for me to take off work.- I like weekdays personally because of low traffic on the trail, but that doesn't work for everybody.- The Jeepers Jamboree is July 23-26th, and people tend to flock to that, when I ran the first part the trail was completely dead, except for a couple side by sides.- The earlier we run the trail, the higher the water crossings are, and I would prefer not to add a snorkel to the list of required equipment.Basic Information:The trail is 12.2 miles long, and even though the book says that it can be run in a day, personal experience tells me that it can't. I think that it will be more enjoyable if we camp halfway through, and spread the trail out over two days.Fordyce is an extremely difficult trail with large rocks, challenging hill climbs, and deep water crossings. I can't compare to the Dusy, but I would classify this trail as more difficult than the Rubicon. On the Rubicon, often times there are bypasses for the most difficult obstacles, and almost all of the time there are at least two or three options for different lines. Fordyce is quite a bit narrower, and on quite a few obstacles there is only one line that you can take. I ran the Rubicon unlocked diff without too much difficulty, but when I started Fordyce, I found myself in situations where I was crossaxled, and could not avoid the holes. I eventually ended up spending a couple hours unsticking myself from a large rock that got stuck right in between my differentials.There are three water crossings, the most technical being the second, called Committee Crossing. I am not too worried about the level after four years of drought, but last July, the first water crossing came just above my rear bumper. There are also five "Winch Hills", where Sierra Trek usually places their spotters. Tim Scully, our guide on the first Rubicon trip, said "When 33in tires were considered big, most everybody winched up all five of these hills, which is why they are called 'Winch Hills.'" I would plan on winching at least once, if not more. Body damage is also fairly likely, so I would not recommend this trail if you are insistent on keeping your paint perfect.Minimum Vehicle Requirements:-3in lift-33in tires-At least one locker-Winch-Front and Rear recovery pointsRequired Equipment:-FIrst Aid Kit. Christopher Solis just did a very nice write up on first aid kits here if you want recommendations on what it should contain.-FIre Extinguisher-Spares appropriate to your vehicle. I carry a crank position sensor, MAF sensor, and driveshafts.-Extra Fluids-Hi-Lift Jack-Tire Changing equipment/spare tire/tire repair kit-Tools-Any camping/cooking equipment you need Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraemeWare Posted April 8, 2015 Report Share Posted April 8, 2015 So, with summer coming up, I decided that it was time to start thinking about Fordyce. Due to the nature of the trail, I do not expect a huge turnout, so anyone who wants to go can throw out a date that works for them, and we'll see if we can get a date that works best for everybody. July 11th is out for me, but other than that, I am fairly open. Keep in mind it will take two days to run the trail. Tyler, The best would have been the 11th July for me (but that was the one that you said won't work for you). I could push a few days off work, so whatever you decide I can probably make work. The sooner we tie down a date the better. Graeme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHappel Posted April 8, 2015 Report Share Posted April 8, 2015 I wanna go! But not in my LR3.... However if anybody thinks they'll have an open seat I'd be interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilcrawler Posted April 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2015 I think that July 23rd would be best. Everybody who took that weekend off will probably be on the Jamboree. Don, I may have an open seat. I'll let you know once the date gets settled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHappel Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 I can bring a big-ass tent if needed. And a fridge. So I'm not totally dead-weight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFuller Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 Fordyce is much more difficult than the rubicon. I have been through the trail before but not in my rover. It is doable in a day but that day is looooooong and isn't much fun after a while. The commitee crossing is the last water before meadow lake so camping there is a good idea. We did from the first crossing to meadow in a day and with a couple of tire changes we were rolling into camp around 10 pm. I am planning a trip with a friend of mine thins July to fordyce also. Actually he is planning on running the rubicon and then fordyce back to back. I can't get that much time off. I would suggest plan a day to the commitee crossing and then A second day to meadow lake. Spend the night at meadow and head out in the morning after some r&r. If we can make the dates work maybe we can work through the trail together. You will winch, you will smash a panel of two and 33's will make your trip extra challenging. One option would be to go the weekend after Sierra treck. Those guys stack rocks galore and the trail is much easier. Just sayin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFuller Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 Oh and my buddy has a cabin a few miles from the trail head if anyone wants to trailer they can leave their rig there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHappel Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 Threads like this make me want to chuck the LR3 and build a real trail rig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFuller Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 No need for that don. You have room in your heart for two rovers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilcrawler Posted April 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 Fordyce is much more difficult than the rubicon. I have been through the trail before but not in my rover. It is doable in a day but that day is looooooong and isn't much fun after a while. The commitee crossing is the last water before meadow lake so camping there is a good idea. We did from the first crossing to meadow in a day and with a couple of tire changes we were rolling into camp around 10 pm. I am planning a trip with a friend of mine thins July to fordyce also. Actually he is planning on running the rubicon and then fordyce back to back. I can't get that much time off. I would suggest plan a day to the commitee crossing and then A second day to meadow lake. Spend the night at meadow and head out in the morning after some r&r. If we can make the dates work maybe we can work through the trail together. You will winch, you will smash a panel of two and 33's will make your trip extra challenging. One option would be to go the weekend after Sierra treck. Those guys stack rocks galore and the trail is much easier. Just sayin.Thanks. I was still researching where to camp. New plan is to camp by Committee Crossing. I ran Rubicon then Fordyce back to back last year, and that was fun. I ran the trail backwards, going up Big Sluice instead of down. That was fun with unlocked diffs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lutz Posted April 10, 2015 Report Share Posted April 10, 2015 Wish i could make this trip but work calls . Maybe one day have fun be safe and take lots of pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHappel Posted April 10, 2015 Report Share Posted April 10, 2015 No need for that don. You have room in your heart for two rovers.Heart yes. Wallet no. Garage....well, if we ever build the garage I want I'll have the room, but that's at least a year away. See Wallet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilcrawler Posted April 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2015 Right now I have:Me-Going with vehicleGraeme-Going with VehicleDon-Ride-AlongChuck(Desertcrawler)-Possible with vehicleBarry(Jeep Friend)-Possible with vehicleColin-Probably notLutz-No Graeme, would July 19th-21rst work for you? That would connect it with the Mendo Rally. Being a weekday, and with the Jamboree that next weekend, I can't imagine the trail being very busy. The schedule would go:Sunday the 19th- Transit day. Camping at the campground off of the Eagle Lakes road exit just off of I-80. Fuel is just a couple miles up the road, and I believe the campsite has power and water, but no guarantees. This may be a long day for the Mendo Rally folks depending on the difficulty of recoveries, etc. Monday the 20th- Wheelin! Proceed to campsite at Commitee Crossing. Camp there for the night Tuesday the 21rst- More wheelin! Proceed to end of trail. It is up to you to decide to go home, or camp one more day and meander back on the 22nd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilcrawler Posted April 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2015 Or looking at the four hour drive from Ukiah to the trailhead, the Fordyce trip could be pushed back a day. Then it would be the 20th through the 22nd, and would give the Mendo Rally crew time to do any last minute repairs etc. The likelihood of setting up camp at 2:00 A.M would also be significantly reduced Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraemeWare Posted April 10, 2015 Report Share Posted April 10, 2015 Or looking at the four hour drive from Ukiah to the trailhead, the Fordyce trip could be pushed back a day. Then it would be the 20th through the 22nd, and would give the Mendo Rally crew time to do any last minute repairs etc. The likelihood of setting up camp at 2:00 A.M would also be significantly reduced Tyler, I think that is more realistic. Some of us aren't as young as we used to be .... Graeme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilcrawler Posted April 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2015 Tyler, I think that is more realistic. Some of us aren't as young as we used to be .... GraemeSo it does work for you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHappel Posted April 10, 2015 Report Share Posted April 10, 2015 Don't base the trip timing around me, but as of now either of those dates will work for me. I do have a client asking me to take a boat to Canada in that time frame but we haven't nailed down the schedule as yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraemeWare Posted April 10, 2015 Report Share Posted April 10, 2015 So it does work for you? Tyler, As far as I know at the moment ... Graeme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertcrawler Posted April 10, 2015 Report Share Posted April 10, 2015 Timing works for me. What I remember about Fordyce was that underbody protection (e.g. diff guards, skid plates, etc.) was pretty important. And be prepared for a lot of winching and rock stacking. I'll be doing Mendo Rally the weekend before as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilcrawler Posted April 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2015 I'm going to go ahead and lock down the date for the 20th then. If someone can add that to the calendar, or show me how to add that to the calendar that would be great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRover Posted April 10, 2015 Report Share Posted April 10, 2015 This event has been added to the NCLR Calendar. Click here to RSVP/attend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinB Posted April 10, 2015 Report Share Posted April 10, 2015 I Want to go. I am noy sure my new business will allow it. We will see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHappel Posted April 11, 2015 Report Share Posted April 11, 2015 Come on Colin....we need more of your particular brand of madness on these trips! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraemeWare Posted April 11, 2015 Report Share Posted April 11, 2015 I Want to go. I am noy sure my new business will allow it. We will see. Colin, The trouble with having your own business is that the boss is a real jerk and never lets you have time off. Graeme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilcrawler Posted April 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2015 I Want to go. I am noy sure my new business will allow it. We will see.That's what I expected based upon our conversation at DITD, which is why I put you down as a "probably not." Your new business will allow you to help us fix the breakage after the trip. For a fee of course Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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