February 2016 MORG

[DHappel]

Yes ladies and Gentlemen, it's MORG time!

 

And I need a does of MORG...I've missed the last couple due to travel/schedule conflicts.

 

So the big question is .... where?

 

I think January was only a couple people and was out at Frank Rains, correct?  I'm OK with going back there as it's a much nicer drive for those of us in the east/north/Sac area, but depending on how much rain we get this week Frank Rains can be very slimy.

 

Of course there's the old stand-by of Hollister as well.  It's bigger and has more terrain to play in and is closer for the southbay folks.

 

Or we could roll the dice and head up the hill to see what we can find in the way of snow runs up toward Arnold on highway 4.  That's a bit of a gamble for a MORG since we don't know the conditions up there currently and we usually want to keep the MORGs suitable for even stock rigs.  It's also a pretty good haul for those in the bay area (about the same for me as Hollister though)

 

I could do any of them, but we need to make a call in the next few days since it's this Saturday.

 

Let's hear your thoughts!

[DavidW]

I can probably go to any of them, but will know for sure once folks decide on a location. Hollister is a pretty sure things for me, but I would also consider Arnold as long as the run lasts 2-3 hours and then I would need to head home. Frank Raines is likely a go for me, but if it's too slippery like it was when Alyson and others were there for the January MORG, then I am not sure. That place can be rather scary (and dangerous) in certain conditions. I'm not brave like Don.  

[AdvRovr]

Looks like there will be rain Tuesday but it is supposed to stay dry until after the weekend. I don't know if that's enough time to take the edge off of FR or not. 

 

There are some routes in the Sierras that are lower and open for the season, which means they likely won't have much or any snow on them. Always fun to go up to the mountains. 

[ndamico]

i'm interested if its east of me..

[AdvRovr]

Can you suggest any routes in the sierras that are passable by stock trucks in the snow and open now? You're probably one of the only ones who would nbd l know that.

[lilcrawler]

Don, January was Alyson and I. Frank Raines can get a little bit scary in the mud, especially when you descend hills. Seeing how much rain the Bay Area has been getting recently, I think Frank Raines would still be... interesting, especially if you don't have MTs.

[Jethro]

So one thought is the trail "shirttail canyon" from the book California back roads and 4-wheel drive trails. It's on the easy side being a graded dirt road but given it the rain it may be a little more interesting. Trail starts and finishes in Colfax so snow isn't an issue, there are off shoot options as well for those wanting to explore further. Big selling point is the views of the river and you drive right up to several water falls while crossing a suspension bridge.

[DavidW]

So one thought is the trail "shirttail canyon" from the book California back roads and 4-wheel drive trails. It's on the easy side being a graded dirt road but given it the rain it may be a little more interesting. Trail starts and finishes in Colfax so snow isn't an issue, there are off shoot options as well for those wanting to explore further. Big selling point is the views of the river and you drive right up to several water falls while crossing a suspension bridge.

 

<EDIT> I looked it up and it's about 3.5-4.5 hours from the SF bay area, so may be a little far for me for a day trip, though still very possible. It sounds really nice! 

[Jethro]

Colfax is about an hour from Sacramento heading up I80. Fun drive and goes through some historic mining towns.

[Jethro]

Here's the video from our last time through...

 

https://youtu.be/w_nvPWD94TI

[DavidW]

Don, January was Alyson and I. Frank Raines can get a little bit scary in the mud, especially when you descend hills. Seeing how much rain the Bay Area has been getting recently, I think Frank Raines would still be... interesting, especially if you don't have MTs.

 

Ah yes, now I remember Alyson told me she drove white knuckled down this hill and it was pretty scary. I have only been to Frank Raines twice. The first time was when I went with the group and Don had his scary sledding experience and then again when it was a bit dryer, though I still found it too slippery in many places. I think a stock rover can do Frank Raines when it's not so muddy, but no matter the tires (especially if you don't have MT), it's dangerous when it's wet there! 

[DavidW]

Here's the video from our last time through...

 

https://youtu.be/w_nvPWD94TI

 

That's very nice! I love that terrain. Will you going?

[ndamico]

So one thought is the trail "shirttail canyon" from the book California back roads and 4-wheel drive trails. It's on the easy side being a graded dirt road but given it the rain it may be a little more interesting. Trail starts and finishes in Colfax so snow isn't an issue, there are off shoot options as well for those wanting to explore further. Big selling point is the views of the river and you drive right up to several water falls while crossing a suspension bridge.

Do you actually think there will be snow there? I don't think the elevation is high enough.

[ndamico]

Can you suggest any routes in the sierras that are passable by stock trucks in the snow and open now? You're probably one of the only ones who would nbd l know that.

I would say mormon emigrant out of sly park. You basically drive up and up..the higher you go, the more snow.

[Jethro]

Do you actually think there will be snow there? I don't think the elevation is high enough.

Thinking there is no snow, an option for the MORG as stock rovers will have no problems and it's a fun drive.

[DHappel]

We do always have the option of making this a 'teachable moment' in the form of doing some recovery work if we do get into too much snow.

 

I think highway 4 is probably closer for most folks than up I80 and there's plenty of options in that area. For a generic starting point I tried Mountain View to Arnold and a me up with about 2.5 hrs. More like 2 hs from the east bay or Sacramento area. I'm sure we'll visit Holister plenty of times in the future as we have in the past, but this would be a good chance to give the valley/sac folks a break as well as get in a little snow fun for those who can't make it to Shaver later this month. We have several members who know the area well and can lead a day trip tailored to the people who show up and lots of trails to chose from.

 

There's certainly plenty of snow to be found up 80 such as MET, but it's a further haul for those coming from the bay.

[lilcrawler]

You guys are making me jealous! Although I am planning to head into the Magdalenas this weekend for a little fun myself...

[DavidW]

We do always have the option of making this a 'teachable moment' in the form of doing some recovery work if we do get into too much snow.

 

I think highway 4 is probably closer for most folks than up I80 and there's plenty of options in that area. For a generic starting point I tried Mountain View to Arnold and a me up with about 2.5 hrs. More like 2 hs from the east bay or Sacramento area. I'm sure we'll visit Holister plenty of times in the future as we have in the past, but this would be a good chance to give the valley/sac folks a break as well as get in a little snow fun for those who can't make it to Shaver later this month. We have several members who know the area well and can lead a day trip tailored to the people who show up and lots of trails to chose from.

 

There's certainly plenty of snow to be found up 80 such as MET, but it's a further haul for those coming from the bay.

 

Hi Don,

 

That sounds great to me... About 2.5 hours is fine with me, and then maybe a couple hours of off road and then head back.  I know Pedram was at Hollister over the weekend and said it was really muddy as well, so some parts may be like FR.

[DavidW]

I would say mormon emigrant out of sly park. You basically drive up and up..the higher you go, the more snow.

 

And I approve any trail with the name Mormon.

[GraemeWare]

I would say mormon emigrant out of sly park. You basically drive up and up..the higher you go, the more snow.

 

Nick,

 

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/eldorado/home/?cid=fsbdev7_019037

 

Says it is closed.

 

Graeme

[ndamico]

We do always have the option of making this a 'teachable moment' in the form of doing some recovery work if we do get into too much snow.

 

I think highway 4 is probably closer for most folks than up I80 and there's plenty of options in that area. For a generic starting point I tried Mountain View to Arnold and a me up with about 2.5 hrs. More like 2 hs from the east bay or Sacramento area. I'm sure we'll visit Holister plenty of times in the future as we have in the past, but this would be a good chance to give the valley/sac folks a break as well as get in a little snow fun for those who can't make it to Shaver later this month. We have several members who know the area well and can lead a day trip tailored to the people who show up and lots of trails to chose from.

 

There's certainly plenty of snow to be found up 80 such as MET, but it's a further haul for those coming from the bay.

 

MET is up hwy 50, not 80. about an hour from sac. i know right now if we go up hwy 4 you'll have to get to our cabin to start seeing snow. the only thing i don't know of is where to actually go.  most 4x4 trails there are closed for the winter.   called the USFS to see if sourgrass is closed and they said it is.   they close hwy 4 at lake alpine and its a snowmobile trail.  technically i think the corral hollow route would be open from west side (normally its run east-west) as it starts out as a regular USFS road but i don't know how much snow will actually be there.  i just looked on the camera at our cabin and all i see is snow, no dirt.  most of those trails are higher up so could be too much.  sly park to mountain view is 2hrs 50 min according to google maps.  

[ndamico]

Nick,

 

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/eldorado/home/?cid=fsbdev7_019037

 

Says it is closed.

 

Graeme

 

sort of.  that road goes from sly park road to hwy 88 at the old Iron mountain ski resort.  there is a gate before you get to hwy 88, but you would never make it that far anyway. i think the gate is 27 miles from sly park or thereabouts.  when we went a couple weekends ago we never made it to the gate as the snow got too deep.  so when they say closed, they just mean it doesn't go all the way through to 88.  starting in 2010 they starting closing it in the winter.. you can see from this link that its basically at the hwy 88 end:

 

http://www.mtdemocrat.com/uncategorized/mormon-emigrant-trail-to-close-nov-19-until-spring/

[ndamico]

if we are going to go somewhere lets nail it down. logistically sly park would be closer/easier for me.  Andrea wants to stay home this weekend as the weather is supposed to be "warmer" here in sac than it has been.  once some people commit i'll see what she is up for.  who is interested in going? show of digital hands???

[DavidW]

Nick, I am interested, but I just need to be mindful of the time since I have to be back in the bay area (San Carlos) by late afternoon. Once folks decide where they want to go then, I can look at the timing and figure it out.

[BEAR]

I was thinking about exploring this area on one of my next "expeditions" based on the location I'm thinking it should be fine at the bottom and get into some snow.