Elherbinator Posted April 20, 2023 Report Share Posted April 20, 2023 (edited) So I want announce the June MORG that I will be leading. It will be the second weekend 6/9-11) of June instead the traditional first weekend. This is an excellent trip and good warm up for the summer rock crawling season. I am announcing the plans early because it is imperative that you book your campsite well in advance because it will book up. This MORG will be an overnight and a rock crawling trip. Non rock crawlers can still come and have some fun though. There are plenty of dirt roads and overlanding opportunities in the surround area, not to mention we will be camping at a really nice lake. I will be leading the run down Hell Hole Jeep Trail, but anybody is welcome to plan and lead a run on some of the surrounding trails and forest roads in the area. The plan will be to camp at French Meadows Canpground next to French Meadows Reservoir. This is a popular campground and usually fills up. Reserve your asap if you plan to come. I already reserved spot 011 for Friday and Saturday nights. Here is a link to reserve a spot: (suggested sports to take would be #007-015) https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232047 It is a nice, developed campground that is walking distance to the lake. The campground requires a modest fee, but has bathrooms and garbage and running water. The lake also has excellent fishing opportunities and paddling. So even if you don’t want to drive the trail, it’s worth it to come hang out and enjoy a weekend camping at the lake. We will be running the trail on Saturday with the plan being to leave camp at 9am SHARP. The trail isn’t long, but you’d be surprised and how quickly we always seem to lose daylight. Getting back to camp at night is not uncommon. Hell Hole Jeep Trail (it’s called a Jeep Trail, otherwise I would not include Jeep in anything) is an out and back rock crawling trail. It’s only about 4 miles long, but it very narrow and steep. The first half of the trail will be dropping down to Hell Hole Reservoir and the second half will be coming back up. Depending on our group, I would anticipate it taking 2-3 hours each way with about an hour long break at the bottom. This is a very rewarding trail that will definitely leave you with a sense of accomplishment when you finish the trail. Body damage is a risk as the trail is narrow, but avoidable especially if you have something short like a D90 or something. The trail involves climbing and dropping down ledges and staircase sections. Minimum vehicle will be rock sliders, a lift, 33” tires, and a rear locker. Independent suspension vehicles can come, but they will need to be built and have a winch. Winching is likely for vehicles that just meet the minimum. I have yet to see an independent suspension vehicle do the trail. It would be an impressive challenge to any driver. Maybe we can convince Don to leave the ROKROVR at home 😉 😂 This is one of my favorite trails to run. This will be my 4th or 5th time leading a run on the trail for the club. I am excited to introduce the trail to folks who haven’t had a chance to run it yet. It is always a challenge for even the most built vehicles and also a good test for the spotters. Please feel free to DM if you have any questions on the trail or trip in general. This is a trip you don’t want to miss and also a great opportunity to test your skills if you’re looking to do other trails like the Rubicon. If you can handle this trail without issue, you’ll be fine for the Rubicon. If you have a lot of issues, it’s a short trail so we can manage any issue and it won’t be the end of the world. Edited April 22, 2023 by Elherbinator Hudd130, Andrew Wood and RobertDingli 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDS Posted April 24, 2023 Report Share Posted April 24, 2023 (edited) I got campsite 46. All my favorite sites were already gone. Better reserve now if you are planning to come. The place tends to fill up… Edited April 24, 2023 by SDS RobertDingli and Elherbinator 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickK Posted April 24, 2023 Report Share Posted April 24, 2023 Reserved spot 14. One of my favorite trails. SDS, Elherbinator, Jethro and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mffoster Posted April 24, 2023 Report Share Posted April 24, 2023 Leigh Anne and I have spot 8. Looking forward to the trip! SDS, RobertDingli and Elherbinator 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.BlueSky Posted April 24, 2023 Report Share Posted April 24, 2023 We nabbed spot 007. See everyone there! RobertDingli and SDS 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drafdog Posted April 24, 2023 Report Share Posted April 24, 2023 (edited) 17 hours ago, SDS said: I got campsite 46. All my favorite sites were already gone. Better reserve now if you are planning to come. The place tends to fill up… Are you planning on running the trail? I'm interested to see who's going to attempt it in a lr3 so I can cheat and follow them. Edited April 24, 2023 by drafdog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDS Posted April 24, 2023 Report Share Posted April 24, 2023 5 minutes ago, drafdog said: Are you planning on running the trail? I'm interested to see who's going to attempt it in a lr3 so I can cheat and follow them. Good plan! Unfortunately, I plan to cheat too by using my “new” D2. 😉 drafdog and Mr.BlueSky 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drafdog Posted April 24, 2023 Report Share Posted April 24, 2023 Ah! My plan is foiled. May tag along and just watch people get stuck. Maybe I should invest in a new D2.... once I get an actual space to work on it and a better job to cover the costs. SDS and Mr.BlueSky 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elherbinator Posted April 25, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2023 Spots 004, 005, 006, and 009 are left and in close proximity to the group. Grab them quick or you might be SOL Mr.BlueSky 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.BlueSky Posted April 25, 2023 Report Share Posted April 25, 2023 17 hours ago, drafdog said: Are you planning on running the trail? I'm interested to see who's going to attempt it in a lr3 so I can cheat and follow them. I'm planning to run a day trip route for folks who prefer to overland rather than rock crawl. So stock trucks are very welcome. Worst case, I am also very happy to sit at camp, possibly fish, kayak or read books. Life is hectic and I am so ready for a slow down ; ). @RobertDingli are you planning on this trip? We could do a potluck / group dinner plan if you are interested ! RobertDingli and SDS 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drafdog Posted April 25, 2023 Report Share Posted April 25, 2023 We will see. I'm planning on attending the overland trip and the May MORG. Will need to see if I can do a quick turn around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Wood Posted April 25, 2023 Report Share Posted April 25, 2023 I reserved campsite 12. Looking forward to running this trail, it's one of my favorites. Mr.BlueSky and RobertDingli 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler Mattson Posted April 26, 2023 Report Share Posted April 26, 2023 We reserved camp spot 10 so hopefully we'll make it up late Friday night in either the 88 or the new to me d1. RobertDingli, SDS and Mr.BlueSky 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.BlueSky Posted April 26, 2023 Report Share Posted April 26, 2023 1 hour ago, Tyler Mattson said: We reserved camp spot 10 so hopefully we'll make it up late Friday night in either the 88 or the new to me d1. Your rovers are multiplying! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler Mattson Posted April 27, 2023 Report Share Posted April 27, 2023 My backyard is starting to look like a rover storage lot but they all belong to Julia. And even though I shower her with all these superior orphaned automobiles she still looks upset when I bring one home, I guess I just need to buy more until she's happy. SDS and Mr.BlueSky 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jethro Posted April 28, 2023 Report Share Posted April 28, 2023 I'm really hoping to make this work in some capacity...so I have reserved spot 17. Not as close to others as I was hoping but it's not the largest area. RobertDingli and Mr.BlueSky 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertDingli Posted May 1, 2023 Report Share Posted May 1, 2023 I’ve just booked site #9 @Mr.BlueSky Happy to join a pot luck Andrew Wood 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHappel Posted May 1, 2023 Report Share Posted May 1, 2023 Just booked site 28. Only one more left it looks like Mr.BlueSky 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elherbinator Posted May 1, 2023 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2023 Sites 04, 05, and 06 are good options adjacent to our group and are still available Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffBlake Posted May 6, 2023 Report Share Posted May 6, 2023 Booked #6 Mr.BlueSky 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jethro Posted May 18, 2023 Report Share Posted May 18, 2023 I think this topic came up on the recent Podcast, but got a warning about the camp ground not being open for Hell Hole... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elherbinator Posted May 18, 2023 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2023 30 minutes ago, Jethro said: I think this topic came up on the recent Podcast, but got a warning about the camp ground not being open for Hell Hole... Yeah, but no need to address it yet. We will see how it plays out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.BlueSky Posted May 18, 2023 Report Share Posted May 18, 2023 Yep I got that message too. I'm not phased. Rather, I'd be stoked for a slush run in June! ; ). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MatM Posted May 27, 2023 Report Share Posted May 27, 2023 I'm in. Probably won't do the trail. - Mat Jethro 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elherbinator Posted May 30, 2023 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2023 Looks like the campsite will No be open for our trip. I’ll update th plan tonight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts