Weekend Adventures for weekend warriors

[kmessinger]

I am planning several weekend adventures that start withing 2 to 2-1/2 hours from Dublin. We would like to do one or two per month depending on baseball shedules. How accurate is Backcountry Adventures as far as difficulty ratings? Looks to me like SMB Sprinters (and others that haven't had their clearance lowered) could make trails rated 3 without getting into trouble.

I am specifically looking at Clavey Bridge Road, Lumsden Bridge Road, Borland Trestle Trail, Dodge Ridge Trail, Crandall Peak Trail, 4,700 Foot Road, and the Calaveras Dome Trail. I am thinking we leave here in the AM, start the trail around noon, camp and finish the trail the next moring being back home in time for cocktails.

Regards,

Keith
PS. If anyone want to do a weekender, the more the merrier!

[charlie56]

Here is my thought for what its worth.

Cottenwood trail in Death Valley is rated as a 3. I ran all but the last 1/4 mile of it in 2wd last year. I used 4x4 when I got into some deep sand. There were some large rocks that I didn't give a second thought to, but would have given your Sprinter a problem if you didn't respect them. Would I recommend that trail to you driving alone in Death Valley? Probably not. Driving with another 2x4, sure. I haven't been on any of those trails, but if you read the descriptions, sometimes the difficulty only exists in a few places. I generally think the difficulty ratings are a little conservative and if you are careful and take things very slow, you will be all right on a 3-rating. I know, pretty easy for me to say that.

Let us know when you are planning the trips, if it works out we would be interested in tagging along.

Oh, and have you checked out the Google Earth files in the subscriber area? You can pre-run those trails right from the comfort of your desktop.

[Ford_6L_E350]

Once a month sounds like it is doable. Depending on baseball schedules of course. I mean the Giants not the the Athletics. Actually, we prefer to go to mid-week day games, so maybe the baseball schedule doesn't matter at all.

Mike

[pjpvi]

I would be game as available. I live in San Ramon and work in Dublin, so the location is good. I've been down to Lumsden Bridge a couple times now. The road to the bottom had been graded last time I went and is 2wd doable. The 4wd people could make around an attempted road block and get to a more remote camp.

I've been exploring up East of Arnold lately too. There's some great places up there (as long as you don't back into trees).

Phil

[BroncoHauler]

Originally Posted by pjpvi

I would be game as available. I live in San Ramon and work in Dublin, so the location is good. I've been down to Lumsden Bridge a couple times now. The road to the bottom had been graded last time I went and is 2wd doable. The 4wd people could make around an attempted road block and get to a more remote camp.

I've been exploring up East of Arnold lately too. There's some great places up there (as long as you don't back into trees).

Phil

Phil,

Maybe you should try Death Valley where there aren't any trees around.


Herb

[Joel]

I would love to go on a trip that is 2WD-able. I'm up in Oregon but never mind driving around.

[daveb]

Keith, most of those are doable but can change due to winter weather. A few years ago some of the trail were closed because many of the culverts had washed out. I've done all those trail one time or another. Last year Crandall was fine except one spot that had a couple 100 yards of 2 foot ruts in red clay about 3/4 of the way down. Sand Bar and Fraser are regular campgrounds you can use. Kind of steep into Sand Bar and go before it gets hot. Don't even think of going to the old Crandal Pk lookout.
The Dodge Ridge trail is brushy in spots but a scenic drive just stay on the main road. You can even do much of the Pinecrest Peak loop trail with your vehicle. When trout season opens I (or friends) will be in those areas if the snow clears in time. PM me before you go and I'll try to give you an update. Maybe I'll join ya. I'd like to re-visit a couple of those areas. The worst of it is during early summer it can be packed with people so weekdays are best.
Dave

[kmessinger]

Originally Posted by charlie56

Here is my thought for what its worth.
Oh, and have you checked out the Google Earth files in the subscriber area? You can pre-run those trails right from the comfort of your desktop.

I totally forgot about google earth. I will definitely check it outl

[kmessinger]

Originally Posted by daveb

Keith, most of those are doable but can change due to winter weather. A few years ago some of the trail were closed because many of the culverts had washed out. I've done all those trail one time or another. Last year Crandall was fine except one spot that had a couple 100 yards of 2 foot ruts in red clay about 3/4 of the way down. Sand Bar and Fraser are regular campgrounds you can use. Kind of steep into Sand Bar and go before it gets hot. Don't even think of going to the old Crandal Pk lookout.
The Dodge Ridge trail is brushy in spots but a scenic drive just stay on the main road. You can even do much of the Pinecrest Peak loop trail with your vehicle. When trout season opens I (or friends) will be in those areas if the snow clears in time. PM me before you go and I'll try to give you an update. Maybe I'll join ya. I'd like to re-visit a couple of those areas. The worst of it is during early summer it can be packed with people so weekdays are best.
Dave

Hey Dave, thanks for the info. I will put up a date fairly early as there are several who want to come along. Tell me about the trout - are you fly fishing?

[daveb]

Na...angler. I like to keep moving Haven't had the fly rod out in several years.