Labour Day weekend trip?

RockDoc · 08-26-09, 10:19 PM

Who would be interested in getting out for some wheeling and/or camping on the long weekend? Day trip? 3 days? Anybody have thoughts on somewhere to go?

I'm hoping we can get something together to enjoy one more weekend before real life rears its ugly head.

KingSpence · 08-26-09, 11:13 PM

I would be game for a day trip, but Sunday is the only day I will be off work. The alternator went on my HJ60 tonight, so I'm hoping I can find one tomorrow, if not hopefully by the weekend. I'm hoping someone has one in town, or at least a rebuild kit, parts for these trucks are impossible to find, on top of that everything is 24v.

Spencer

RockDoc · 08-26-09, 11:50 PM

If you need one quick, I'm sure the guys at 4WheelAuto could hook you up, might not be cheap though. If you have some time to look for a cheaper option, I'd post up a parts wanted thread in the diesel section of the classifieds. Here: Diesel & JDM Parts - IH8MUD.com Another option would be to take it in to an auto electric shop and have them rebuild it, believe that would be cheaper than outright buying a rebuild, but never done this myself.

I assume this means no wheeling tomorrow night.

IIRC, Jammer said the only time he might be able to get away on the long weekend is Sunday as well.

Rummat81 · 08-27-09, 02:49 PM

Hello All,
I would be up for a day trip during the long weekend.
Thanks,
Ali.

KingSpence · 08-28-09, 01:38 AM

So far the turnout is looking promising. I also have a buddy with an 85' Pickup who wants to tag along as well. As for places to go, I know of a few, but I don't know how many quads we would encounter on trails on a long weekend like that. Whitecourt, Vega, I haven't been to Bruderheim since the fire; those are the closes places I have been to this summer.

RockDoc · 08-28-09, 01:51 AM

That's true, long weekend isn't going to be a quiet time on the trails. I honestly don't know any decent places that are close to the city. Hopefully someone has some suggestions, or else perhaps we could just pick an area out in the foothills and do some exploring to see what's out there. I've got a list of OHV/quad areas, have to cross-reference that with some maps when I have a chance.

'85 pick up, that'll still be solid front axle, right?

KingSpence · 08-28-09, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockDoc

.'85 pick up, that'll still be solid front axle, right?

Yes sir. 1985 was the first year of the fuel injection, and the last year for the solid front axle. Unfortunately it's an early '85 base model with no options and the 22r. But the solid axle makes the truck.

RockDoc · 08-28-09, 03:48 AM

So after comparing the OHV areas list to some maps, here are a few options. Keep in mind I haven't been to any of these places, so I can't vouch that there are good trails (or truck worthy trails for that matter).

There is the Vega area north of Barrhead - Someone has been out there but I can't remember who. Supposed to be a real sandy area. About 1.5 - 2 hours away from town.

The Redwater and Brudheim Natural Areas (one on each side of the North Sask) out past Ft. Sask. Would be around 30 outside of town, would be a good option for a day trip on Sunday.

The Lakeland OHV area 30 km east of Lac La Biche. Looks like it could be a nice place to spend a few days, long trails and decent lakes (camping...), but I wouldn't want to go out there with a bunch until I had a chance to check the condition of the trails. It would be 2+ hours out, and could be swampy ground.

In the foot hills, the Cadomin area looks promising, but would be about 4 hours from town....

Out around the Brazeau Reservoir and westward into the foothills would be a nice area to explore over a few days, seeing what there is along the logging and petroleum roads, enjoying the scenery and looking for trails worth coming back to. Out further west from this there is the Ruby Creek Trail (which I was out to on the August Long). Really nice spot, but going out there would require a few days, and either a few really capable trucks to ensure that everyone makes it through (we had a couple close to stock trucks on streetish tires, they got through fine, but we did have some breakage, and one spot where most trucks had to be winched through, also a long way out if something breaks that we weren't prepared for) or head out there after freeze up negates the challenge of some of the mud holes.

So I think I would lean towards a day trip to Redwater and Brudheim on Sunday, or else a multi-day poking around trip down into the Brazeau area.

Thoughts?

I may still decide to run up to FSJ over the long weekend and spend the week up there wrenching with Charla, so if there aren't solid bites, that's fine too.

canadian bum · 08-28-09, 06:34 AM

Sorry guys I'm planning on going to Crowsnest with a couple friends I would've lead a group out by Rocky but maybe next time.

Jammer · 08-28-09, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockDoc

IIRC, Jammer said the only time he might be able to get away on the long weekend is Sunday as well.

Rockdoc,
it was this sunday that i am available. the sunday of the long weekend is the only day i am not available (hockey tryouts) but there is the saturday and monday

KingSpence · 08-28-09, 02:16 PM

For some reason I though we were wheeling this Sunday as well. But that doesn't change me availability much, I will be around Sunday for sure, and I may even have the Monday off as well, I'll check the schedule tonight at work.

As for areas, I have never been to Vega, but I remember Bruderheim being pretty good before the fires, but I didn't venture to far in because I had my stock pathfinder that I did not want to scratch. Cadomin is supposed to be worth the drive I've been told. I also know a place about 30 min east of Edmonton that has some good trails.

At the end of the day I am fine with going anywhere, I just don't want to camp this time round. I would like to think my truck is pretty trail capable, minus the garbage bfg a/t tires that turn into slicks when I hit mud.

If you plan on heading out anywhere this week to check trail conditions let me know and I can tag along, but the only day I am available in the evenings this week is Thursday and Sunday, every other day I work at 4pm.

Spencer

RockDoc · 08-28-09, 02:45 PM

I have a wedding reception in Calgary tomorrow, and won't be home till late late late..... but this Sunday might be quieter on the trails...... Maybe we could hit Bruerdheim and/or Spencer's secret trails in the late afternoon/evening since they aren't far out. That would leave the long weekend open incase I decide to his NE BC.

RockDoc · 08-28-09, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canadian bum

Sorry guys I'm planning on going to Crowsnest with a couple friends I would've lead a group out by Rocky but maybe next time.

No worries John, I look forward to the next time we're out on the trail together though.

RockDoc · 08-28-09, 02:50 PM

cruisernerd???? (I see you lurking

)

KingSpence · 08-28-09, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockDoc

cruisernerd???? (I see you lurking

)

Creep.

On another note, is CanadianBum maybe available this weekend? By the looks of it, this Sunday may end up working better for everyone. Somebody needs to set a solid date and time soon though, if I know anything about planning meets over forums, if you don't get a solid plan made early, usually everything falls apart.

Spencer

RockDoc · 08-28-09, 05:12 PM

Sorry guys, I'm out for this Sunday, I won't be home till Sunday night now. How about we plan for a Saturday trip to Bruderheim on the long weekend. Would that work for you Spencer? Or would Monday be better?

Kroll · 08-28-09, 07:53 PM

I saw Eric today at the shop. He mentioned about a Nordegg trip? (or else my cold is screwin' with my hearing) I would be interested for a weekend trip for the long weekend. The only wild card is if my rig with be trail ready. What do you think??

RockDoc · 08-28-09, 08:16 PM

Yah, he mentioned that to me too, I was going to see if he brought it up rather than invite myself and others along. Might be a good option, as I'm assuming some of the ones headed that way know the trails. If worse comes to worse, you could ride with someone (I've always got a spare seat). I do like the idea of camping and getting in some fire time. I've got a bunch of deadwood I pulled off our apple tree to burn.

If Nordegg looks like a go, maybe we could do a weekday evening trip somewhere close by soon too for those who can't get away for a full weekend.

Eric??

cruisernerd · 08-28-09, 09:42 PM

ya, a buddy from work is headed to nordegg. some quading with his family and girlfriend. he invited my but i was reluctant to third wheel on a family trip. he says they are easy going.

i would be into heading down there with some cruiser heads. then we could make our own camp if need be.

also cadomin would be awesome. long drive either way.

RockDoc · 08-28-09, 10:20 PM

I would be up for either Nordegg or Cadomin. From the looks of the mapbook, I think there would be lots to explore around Cadomin/Mountain Park, it shows lots of "trails" that are supposed to be seasonally open (old coal exploration trails?)

KingSpence · 08-29-09, 01:32 AM

I'll be working 4-mid Friday, 4-10pm Saturday on the long weekend; so the only days I am available is Sunday and Monday as of now. I start at Nait Tuesday morning.

I would really like to explore the Cadomin area, I've been told its good stuff, but that would be more than a day trip. If we can get plans figured out I can try to get my shifts covered. Saturday shouldn't be too hard to get rid of, Friday may cost me a case of beer.

Spencer

cruisernerd · 08-31-09, 06:18 PM

i realize (other)guys have family and commitments, but maybe we should consider doing the loop from nordegg to hinton via cadomin. a multi day trip, guys can do the whole thing or just part.

i guess that is hard to organize...
especially in a land with no cell. where are the rmlca guys, with their ham radios, when you need them.

anyone have any input??

as it stands, i am thinking of leaving for nordegg either thursday or friday depending on who is coming and their plan requirements
eric

RockDoc · 08-31-09, 07:04 PM

Would be a good opportunity to scout for good areas. No Ham radio yet, but it sounds like I'll need to get licensed and pick one up for Alaska next summer..... I have an old sat phone kicking around, is should fire it up and see if it still gets coverage... We could arrange to meet at a certain intersection in the Cadomin/mountain park area on Sunday at high noon or something like that. I'd be game for doing a full loop and taking off on Friday.

Perhaps I'll give you a call later tonight Eric...

Kroll · 08-31-09, 11:11 PM

I am willing to join you on Friday. But as it stands I've recently lost all motivation to get my cruiser ready for such a trip. If one of you provides a seat, and can get me home before 2100 on Monday..I'd be happier than hell. What do you think about that ?

RockDoc · 08-31-09, 11:25 PM

Sounds like a plan to me Karol, when are you free on Friday?

Kroll · 08-31-09, 11:39 PM

I plan on working till about 4 or 5. If it is too late, I can accommodate! Perhaps I'll call you tomorrow in the evening. Always better to make plans through a phone.

canadian bum · 09-01-09, 08:13 PM

I am probably free this weekend if you guys want to do a Falls Creek run let me know. I can take a group out there.

RockDoc · 09-01-09, 08:41 PM

John, it's looking like Eric, Karol and I will be in the Nordegg area with 2 trucks. Would Falls Creek be a day trip? Perhaps we (and others who can make it that day) can arrange to meet at the trailhead or in Nordegg on Sunday or Monday?

canadian bum · 09-01-09, 09:29 PM

I could do a whole weekend thing if you guys didn't want to drive all the way out there. There is no shortage of trails out there. Let me know what you figure it would be closer for you guys if your interested.

KingSpence · 09-01-09, 10:51 PM

If you guys plan on running a full weekend trip, I could probably drive out early Sunday morning/Saturday night after work and meet up with everyone from there. But I don't know how difficult it would be to find you guys though, being no reception and all in the middle of buttfuck nowhere. Would it be worth it, or should I pass and tag along next trip?

I've never been camping out of my truck before and really want to.

. This may be my last chance before snow falls. And I really want to go wheeling this weekend; It's been almost a week since I've been out, much too long.

Would anybody we willing to tag along if I were to head out mid weekend?

Spencer