Loon Lake Loop is riding guuuud

[otbp_nocal]

Rode Loon Lake/Rubicon on Sunday and it is riding good... nice to hit it when it's not dusty. 1st time I've done it on my Nomad... what a perfect bike for that trail. Thank you Santa Cruz!

I took some photos:
1. Singletrack on south side of Loon
2. Far side of Loon, rocky climb
3. Hitting the Rubicon Trail at the end of the connector trail
4. Here comes the jeepers
5. One of a million technical sections

[otbp_nocal]

More photos:

1. Dropping into Sluice Box
2. Nice little drop
3. Sluice Box
4. Entering Slickrock Bowl
5. Leaving Slickrock Bowl

[vova]

Every time I go wheelin I think about riding my bike out there. How far did you go?
It would be fun to ride to Buck island.

[BrandonMiller]

Originally Posted by vova

Every time I go wheelin I think about riding my bike out there. How far did you go?
It would be fun to ride to Buck island.

Let me know when and let's go Vova

I'm thinking during the taco feed if not sooner (who knows, maybe I'll actually have a running rig and then I'll be driving it)

[anotherbrian]

damn. I was going to ride there on Friday and call it first, but ended up staying at home and sweating (er, riding) in Auburn instead.

[anotherbrian]

Here is an image from Google Earth of a GPS track I did last year.

The southern trail connects to the Rubicon at Buck Island.

[vova]

Originally Posted by BrandonMiller

Let me know when and let's go Vova

I'm thinking during the taco feed if not sooner (who knows, maybe I'll actually have a running rig and then I'll be driving it)

What's up Brandon. I was thinking wheelin in to Buck and set up camp. Then do rides to the Box and the Springs. That way I would get to do two of my favorite things
When is the taco feed this year? Maybe camp at Spider and ride out for tacos and then back to Spider.

[BrandonMiller]

It's sept 2 I think, Labor Day anyway..

[zuk88]

Originally Posted by vova

When is the taco feed this year? Maybe camp at Spider and ride out for tacos and then back to Spider.

Spider Lake is closed, you can walk in to the lake I hear but the wheelers can't park down in the bowl anymore. Something to do with a lawsuit and human waste.

[BrandonMiller]

doesn't make it closed, you just can't drive 25' from the center of the trail..

Please don't spread untruths.. Spider is a lot private property, same as the Springs..

[Fast Eddy]

There's a Toyota Land Cruisers Assoc. (TLCA) event called Rubithon from 6-20 to 6-24.

I'm pretty sure I don't want to take my stock, no-dents fj-40 back there, so I was thinking about riding in/around and heckling and taking some pictures.

Is some of that track around the lake singletrack and not open to OHV?

Do you think I'm wimping out and I should just take my Cruiser?

[zuk88]

I'm sorry for the miss info, this is what I read Pirate4x4:


By Court Order (due to a lawsuit filed in 2005 against the USDA Forest Service), all vehicles must remain within 25 feet of centerline of the Rubicon Trail -- a non-maintained county road.

In other words, the USFS property on both sides of the Rubicon Trail are temporarily closed to vehicles. You must keep your vehicle within the county easement (50 feet total). Signs are up but are not always reliable. FOTR and county Sheriff personnel try to keep the signage current, but you can't count on it. You must know where the trail is.

IMPORTANT: the trail is only physically 8 to 10 feet wide; but the easement is 50 feet. This means there's some room to pull over here and there to let folks by, but it does NOT mean a free-for-all in that 50 feet of easement. Do not drive over vegetation or drive where vehicles have not gone. Stay on the well worn trail.

Buy books; use a current map; download GPS info from reliable sources; follow the signs; and learn where the real trail is before you go.

Driving off trail or over vegetation is considered resource damage and will cost you!


ALSO, the private property around Spider Lake remains closed to all vehicular access. All Private Property along the Rubicon Trail route needs to be respected. We just need to stay within the trail boundaries at all times. The Private Property owners are adamant that they do not want resource damage on their lands (as is the USFS).

Fines for off trail travel (resource damage) range from $175 to $275 or more for violations of the 50 foot easement (25 feet of centerline).

Note: you can camp or walk any where you want; you just can't take your vehicle outside the easement.

PLEASE, it is up to us to obey this court order and to regain our normal access to the trail and the surrounding area. Support the organizations intervening in this lawsuit and who are supporting you and your access to the famed Rubicon Trail (BlueRibbon Coalition, Calif. Assoc. of 4Wheel Drive Clubs, the Rubicon Trail Foundation, and the Friends of the Rubicon (FOTR)

I guess if you ride in your good to go, but if your wheeling I'd recommend Buck as a better camp spot.

[anotherbrian]

Originally Posted by Fast Eddy

Is some of that track around the lake singletrack and not open to OHV?

Do you think I'm wimping out and I should just take my Cruiser?

It is ~7 miles of singletrack from the campground/boat ramp area at the south-west end of Loon Lake (before the dam) to the edge of Desolation Wilderness. The trail connects over to the Rubicon along the west side of Buck Island ... you'll end up on the Rubicon about 0.5m above Big Sluice.

[BrandonMiller]

Originally Posted by zuk88

I'm sorry for the miss info, this is what I read Pirate4x4:


By Court Order (due to a lawsuit filed in 2005 against the USDA Forest Service), all vehicles must remain within 25 feet of centerline of the Rubicon Trail -- a non-maintained county road.

In other words, the USFS property on both sides of the Rubicon Trail are temporarily closed to vehicles. You must keep your vehicle within the county easement (50 feet total). Signs are up but are not always reliable. FOTR and county Sheriff personnel try to keep the signage current, but you can't count on it. You must know where the trail is.

IMPORTANT: the trail is only physically 8 to 10 feet wide; but the easement is 50 feet. This means there's some room to pull over here and there to let folks by, but it does NOT mean a free-for-all in that 50 feet of easement. Do not drive over vegetation or drive where vehicles have not gone. Stay on the well worn trail.

Buy books; use a current map; download GPS info from reliable sources; follow the signs; and learn where the real trail is before you go.

Driving off trail or over vegetation is considered resource damage and will cost you!


ALSO, the private property around Spider Lake remains closed to all vehicular access. All Private Property along the Rubicon Trail route needs to be respected. We just need to stay within the trail boundaries at all times. The Private Property owners are adamant that they do not want resource damage on their lands (as is the USFS).

Fines for off trail travel (resource damage) range from $175 to $275 or more for violations of the 50 foot easement (25 feet of centerline).

Note: you can camp or walk any where you want; you just can't take your vehicle outside the easement.

PLEASE, it is up to us to obey this court order and to regain our normal access to the trail and the surrounding area. Support the organizations intervening in this lawsuit and who are supporting you and your access to the famed Rubicon Trail (BlueRibbon Coalition, Calif. Assoc. of 4Wheel Drive Clubs, the Rubicon Trail Foundation, and the Friends of the Rubicon (FOTR)

I guess if you ride in your good to go, but if your wheeling I'd recommend Buck as a better camp spot.

and that is true, but nothing is "closed" you just can't park more than 25' from the center of the trail. You can still camp out there..

[BrandonMiller]

Originally Posted by Fast Eddy

There's a Toyota Land Cruisers Assoc. (TLCA) event called Rubithon from 6-20 to 6-24.

I'm pretty sure I don't want to take my stock, no-dents fj-40 back there, so I was thinking about riding in/around and heckling and taking some pictures.

Is some of that track around the lake singletrack and not open to OHV?

Do you think I'm wimping out and I should just take my Cruiser?

I've seen pics of your rig, I didn't think it was stock - what size tires? If you have never done the trail you are pretty much guaranteed body damage but oh what a feeling - you will have a blast for sure! There will be brand new FJ's out there so I am sure you won't be the least prepared.

[SJensen]

im going to be up there for the taco feed again this year. i will be in a red 69 bronco on 37 mtr's, and prob have my bullit in the back to go watch the nighttime box action! ill look for you vova and Brandon! vova, you have the 1 ton toyota right?

[anotherbrian]

Originally Posted by BrandonMiller

and that is true, but nothing is "closed" you just can't park more than 25' from the center of the trail. You can still camp out there..

Several years ago it was closed to all use though. The closure signs for it were still up along the southern side of the lake along the hiking/singletrack trail that leads to Desolation Wilderness at the end of last summer.

[Fast Eddy]

Originally Posted by BrandonMiller

I've seen pics of your rig, I didn't think it was stock - what size tires? If you have never done the trail you are pretty much guaranteed body damage but oh what a feeling - you will have a blast for sure! There will be brand new FJ's out there so I am sure you won't be the least prepared.

Stock height with 33s that measure about 32". I have an Aussie-spec 4 speed mated to a 3 speed case, so I have reasonably low gears compared to stock. I think my crawl ratio is about 48:1. My truck is the minimum they'll allow for the TLCA event, and they recommend a locker as well, which I don't have now.

I'd have a blast in something that didn't have the undamaged-with-original-paint Japanese steel. I'm thinking about getting another rig that I don't have to worry about denting. I kinda feel like I could finesse my way through with just some sliders in place of the running boards, but I want to see it first. I've never been there.

[michaelsnead]

Originally Posted by otbp_nocal

Rode Loon Lake/Rubicon on Sunday and it is riding good... nice to hit it when it's not dusty. 1st time I've done it on my Nomad... what a perfect bike for that trail. Thank you Santa Cruz! ....

Hi otbp_nocal,

I’ve been up to Loon Lake 4 times by myself to ride the Sierra “Slickrock” in what you call Slickrock Bowl. However, I’ve never done any of the singletrack. If you’re interested in folks joining you please let me know the next time you plan on doing this ride. I notice you live in El Dorado Hills and I live in Coloma so might want to consider joining our small group when we shuttle in Auburn.

Thanks,

Michael

[otbp_nocal]

Originally Posted by michaelsnead

Hi otbp_nocal,
I’ve been up to Loon Lake 4 times by myself to ride the Sierra “Slickrock” in what you call Slickrock Bowl. However, I’ve never done any of the singletrack. If you’re interested in folks joining you please let me know the next time you plan on doing this ride. I notice you live in El Dorado Hills and I live in Coloma so might want to consider joining our small group when we shuttle in Auburn.

Thanks,

Michael

No prob... I'll try to remember... I think we talked about it once before. Sorry I forgot. Anyway, I'm sure I'll get up there once more this year. We usually hit it on Sundays when we do it. If you're itching to go, let me know too, and maybe I can join you. Cheers- Jeff

[Brah]

Never been up to the Rubicon... it looks sweet

[BrandonMiller]

Originally Posted by anotherbrian

Several years ago it was closed to all use though. The closure signs for it were still up along the southern side of the lake along the hiking/singletrack trail that leads to Desolation Wilderness at the end of last summer.

uh no, it has never been closed to all use - it's a county road..

There IS private property that has always been private and they littered the place with signs with sucks but it is what it is..

Anyway, if anyone is curious I have a ton of pics, non bike related but you get the idea of the trail

http://whiteknucklemotorsports.net/g.../RubiconTrail/

http://whiteknucklemotorsports.net/g...2_itemId=12346

my toy
(Picture taken in 04' right at spider lake in the little sluice)

[anotherbrian]

Originally Posted by BrandonMiller

uh no, it has never been closed to all use - it's a county road..

There IS private property that has always been private and they littered the place with signs with sucks but it is what it is..

Spider Lake, which is what we are talking about, was closed to public use for a time in 2004 and 2005 (some of the USFS signs were still up as of last summer).

See also:
http://4wheeldrive.about.com/od/atvt...rlakeclose.htm

[CDMC]

Originally Posted by Fast Eddy

Stock height with 33s that measure about 32". I have an Aussie-spec 4 speed mated to a 3 speed case, so I have reasonably low gears compared to stock. I think my crawl ratio is about 48:1. My truck is the minimum they'll allow for the TLCA event, and they recommend a locker as well, which I don't have now.

Nice FJ, do not take it up there if you want it to stay undamaged. Check out ih8mud, there is a great 40 forum there.

[Fast Eddy]

Originally Posted by CDMC

Nice FJ, do not take it up there if you want it to stay undamaged. Check out ih8mud, there is a great 40 forum there.

I'm Fast Eddy there too. There are a ton more photos of it in my Rig Of The Week post and a link to some pics of us wheeling at Hollister linked at the end.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=137295

[sactojesse]

Looks like you had a good time, Jeff. (I saw the pictures and said, "Hey, I know some of those guys!") Duane asked me if I wanted to do that ride with him, but I was at the 24-hour race at Laguna Seca last weekend. Next time! Bring extra derailleur hangers--that trail eats derailleur hangers like potato chips.

[otbp_nocal]

Originally Posted by sactojesse

Next time! Bring extra derailleur hangers--that trail eats derailleur hangers like potato chips.

No kidding.. N$ane got to finish the ride on his 42 pound singlespeed! See you out there next time.