Dec. 6th Christmas Tree Run

RredFJ40 · 11-30-08, 10:35 PM

Oops that thread title sounds like I have the answers. I just need some.

Who's leading, where are we going, where are we meeting and what time?

Ebag333 · 11-30-08, 10:59 PM

I think we're going up to Dutchman's peak. Should be snow up there. /knock on wood

We can bomb in from the Applegate side, but that's a loooong drive (been there done that). It's not too bad from the Ashland side (~30 miles depending on how far you go).

The

is gone that weekend, so I'm up for whatever. I have to work on Sun morn, so no overnight camping on Sat night for me (though Fri night isn't out of the question).

jamister1 · 12-02-08, 07:54 PM

As far as I know there is no snow anywhere in Southern Oregon. We need to firm up everything, we're really just 3 days out. Dutchman's seems like a long drive, I'd gladly lead the way on a Pilot Rock run if we wanted an alternative. How many people are actually going to be getting trees? Mine is plastic so I'm just going for the wheeling aspect. With no snow is there anything up on Dutchman's Peak besides dirt road???? We could always meet on Mt Ashland and then decide what to do from there. Does anyone know any good wheeling near the Hilt exit? There are a ton of logging roads there but I'm not sure what's gated and what's not.

I propose a meeting time of 10am on December 6th in the big turnout at the bottom of the Mt Ashland Ski Road where it meets Old Hwy 99 S.

2ndGenToyotaFan · 12-02-08, 09:00 PM

No tree for me, long live the plastic 2 footer!!!!!

I'm just in it for wheeling....

Mt. Ashland sounds like sweet dream to this long hauler! But I'm down with whatever.

RredFJ40 · 12-02-08, 09:08 PM

We had planned on getting a tree with everyone but if we're the only ones I might come just for the wheeling and grab a tree with the in-laws. Either way, we are in for saturday at 10am.

Kief · 12-02-08, 09:34 PM

Christmas tree & Snow Wheeling trip are two different runs at this point AFAIK. I plan on going up Saturday AM on the Applegate side.. We got into a nice grove of trees last year (of course there was over a foot of snow then). I suppose we all could meet up for lunch and a bonfire.. I have no idea as where any "trails" may be. Permits are $5 at the McKee bridge store and they give you a nice little map too.. As for me, a tree will die. ->>>

2ndGenToyotaFan · 12-02-08, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kief

->>>

AH....HEHAAHAHAHEWEEHHEHAHAHA!!!! Nice!

Ebag333 · 12-03-08, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kief

Christmas tree & Snow Wheeling trip are two different runs at this point AFAIK.

Well it sounds like most of us are having some plastic tree's (or very small ones

) so doing something from the wheeling aspect is going to be a higher priority for us.

knoll0351 · 12-03-08, 08:03 AM

I'm down either way, really hoping that there will be snow somewhere though...other than Crater Lake :( leason learned for shizzle.

I may be solo with the monkeys...really not sure what's going on in my world right now. As for the tree I think I'd like to get one, but we do have a fatty plastic one, fully loaded, just plug er in....courtasy of Umpqua Bank...long story.

jamister1 · 12-03-08, 09:01 AM

Does anyone know if the area around Pilot Rock is BLM? Might make the decision easier for us.

Kief · 12-03-08, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamister1

Does anyone know if the area around Pilot Rock is BLM? Might make the decision easier for us.

Where is that?

I have had some pretty crummy "tree" hunting experiences and will be sticking with the sure thing unless I can be persuaded. I had hoped to be out in Ruch about 9ish. If y'all have other plans fill us in.. If you haven't ever been up there its a beautiful place and hooks up with Mt. A somewhere up there as previously mentioned.

2ndGenToyotaFan · 12-03-08, 11:14 PM

Pilot rock is East of the Siskiyou summit.... I'd like to go exploring around Pilot rock!

That's my vote!

knoll0351 · 12-04-08, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kief

Where is that?

I have had some pretty crummy "tree" hunting experiences and will be sticking with the sure thing unless I can be persuaded. I had hoped to be out in Ruch about 9ish. If y'all have other plans fill us in.. If you haven't ever been up there its a beautiful place and hooks up with Mt. A somewhere up there as previously mentioned.

Spencer had quite a few "perfect" tree's...but while we were there tree rigs showed up and on the way down we probably passed....I'd say at least ten or fifteen more (without exagerating) so it's probably pretty slim pickins by now. Seeing that area I fear that it may be like that every where

No precipitation in the forcast so sad

RredFJ40 · 12-04-08, 10:57 AM

It's getting close and I'm really in need of a solid decision. Gotta plan ahead since I'm coming from Klamath. I don't know your area so are any of these places close to each other? I think, since Kief is dead set on a tree and we'd really like to get one I'll be hooking up with him. Anyone else?

Kief, what is our meeting point and time?

Ebag333 · 12-04-08, 11:36 AM

If we come in from the Applegate side and leave on the Ashland side, it's a fun run but not challanging in the least. There's lots of cool scenery though.

It's also a very long run, something like 70 miles. You can't go very fast going up the Applegate side as it's got nasty washboarding, and you will find yourself sliding all over the place.

If Keif's getting a tree on the Applegate side at 10, probably wouldn't be able to get to the Ashland side until maybe 1-2 PM (assuming he takes forest service road 20).

Joel: If you want to meet up with Keif it's going to be a LOOONG drive for you. Coming from K-Falls you're probably looking at 2.5-3 hours just to get to the bottom of forest service road 20 on the Applegate side.

Here's a link to Pilot Rock.

Pilot Rock, OR - Google Maps

This page says it's BLM.

The only close OHV areas that I can find is John's Peak/Timber Mountain. Anyone ever been there before?

Oregon Parks and Recreation: Places to ride ATVs
Timber Mountain OHV Area Details | Oregon/Washington | Bureau of Land Management (BLM) | US Department of the Interior
ATVA Riding -- John's Peak/Timber Mountain OHV Area
http://www.riderplanet-usa.com/atv/t.../ride_7314.htm

Here's a map I found of it.
http://www.motorcycleridersassociati...ridingarea.pdf
http://www.motorcycleridersassociati...to/MRAmap2.jpg
http://www.riderplanet-usa.com/atv/t...7/map_4fbd.htm

Looks like an ATV permit is required.

The advantage is that it is rather close to where Keif wants to go to get a tree, so he could meet up with us pretty easily.

Kief · 12-04-08, 02:47 PM

I've heard of guys wheeling up at John's peak, right outside of J-ville, it is mostly used by motorcycles and ATV's (I think that is where the two firemen died when they wrecked their Rhino).. Don't know how well suited that is..
Sorry if I am not being much help here, my family is pretty set on going up and getting a tree.. Of course they know if there is a tree then they're one step closer to Christmas..
I did see however, that an 8' Noble fir is going for about $40 and you are allowed up to a 12' tree then I'm saving about 50 bucks for fuel and lunch!
If y'all want to go wheelin' don't feel bad leavin' me out.. You know what a sissy I am!

Ebag333 · 12-04-08, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kief

(I think that is where the two firemen died when they wrecked their Rhino)

Yes, that's the spot.

I went up a different way (up through Ruch) though some private property. I could probably get back there, but don't know who's property we went through and wouldn't want to impose on him for a group, especially when you can get up to the same general area through J-Ville.

There were some fairly cool spots that would work for wheeling, but I didn't see anything super technical or challanging, except for the spot where the two firefighters were at, but that's probably beyond the capabilities of a 'cruiser (it's so steep that many dirt bikes can't make it up).

Some pics of where we were at:
Picasa Web Albums - Ebag333 - 05-24-08 Crui...

I've also been up a ways towards the motorcycle staging area. There are some more technical/challanging areas there, but it is more geared towards dirt bikes and quads. I've heard that there's some technical areas more like what we'd be interested in, but I'm not sure where.

2ndGenToyotaFan · 12-04-08, 06:23 PM

I think Kief should decide if he wants a boring (Dutchman) Christmas tree or an exciting (Pilot rock...)one!!! Exciting in that you don't know if you'll be able to find one or not!!!! Oh think of the anticipation!

I think we should meet at the I5 turn off for Mt. Ashland, and go looking for trouble. Joel, if heading all the way out to meet up with Kief is too far, you're welcome to join the Mt. Ashland group and see what the fates hold...

Does that sound like a good idea people?

Ebag333 · 12-04-08, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2ndGenToyotaFan

I think Kief should decide if he wants a boring (Dutchman) Christmas tree or an exciting (Pilot rock...)one!!! Exciting in that you don't know if you'll be able to find one or not!!!! Oh think of the anticipation!

I think we should meet at the I5 turn off for Mt. Ashland, and go looking for trouble. Joel, if heading all the way out to meet up with Kief is too far, you're welcome to join the Mt. Ashland group and see what the fates hold...

Does that sound like a good idea people?

I've looked at Google Maps and don't see anything exciting around Pilot rock. Lots of forest service roads, so lots of places to explore but.....

jamister1 · 12-04-08, 07:17 PM

I've been on one trail by Pilot Rock twice. First time was fun and fairly easy, 2nd time we had to turn around because of snow and water. (FJ40 on 35" swampers couldn't make it through the water). The guy I am bringing with me used to wheel up at Pilot Rock a lot and knows all the good spots in the area. There was a logging operation going on up there and it may be done with now but it opened up a lot of new area if it isn't gated.
The same guy also used to ride up at John's Peak a bunch and we were talking earlier this week of putting something together there but scouting it out first before we bring everyone up. I grew up on the backside of John's Peak and after taking my buddies Rhino out he showed me a ton of stuff that I had never even seen before.

jamister1 · 12-04-08, 08:44 PM

Also FWIW I will be heading up the Old Hwy instead of I-5 if anyone wants to go that way I will be around Ashland at 9:15am give me a call if you want to caravan up. 541-840-3871 I go up I-5 everyday and it is brutal on vehicles so I didn't want to risk my Cruiser overheating on its inaugural run. I will be getting there a little early since my buddy and I have RC Crawlers (Mine's an FJ40) and we want to mount an attack on the large piles of pea gravel at the meeting spot.
Jerod: if you feel like being a rebel there is an earlier "Exit" off I-5 that drops you right down on top of the meeting spot. Just before the bridge and after the summit, pull off to the right and there is a dirt road with a sign that says, "official vehicles only". Go down it and turn back under the bridge and you will be there. I do it all the time in my UPS truck, make sure there are no cops waiting there first. Otherwise go down to the Callahan's exit and then go back up the hill on toward Mt Ashland less than a mile and you're there.

Kief · 12-04-08, 09:18 PM

Yep, I think I will stick with boring.. just take lots of pictures for me.. I have to be home by 2ish anyways.. Glad to see y'all are going to do something.. We will have to do the snow run if we get some!

tblume · 12-05-08, 09:13 AM

I'll be looking for a tree closer to home with my monkeys and prepping the house for a rel estate agent visit, so I'm out on this one.

good luck out there, I'll probably make a trip south to meet you guys for the snow run
(if we get any... January club run-meeting? )

Jamie, I share your crawler sickness,

knoll0351 · 12-05-08, 10:48 AM

So just to re-clarify for those of us that don't skim as quickly or read as affectively as others:
What time?
And which exit and direction to the meeting spot? (for those of us coming from North and don't have shortcut

)

knoll0351 · 12-05-08, 11:04 AM

So I'm seeing 9:15am at the Ashland exit... Which one and where from there?

Ebag333 · 12-05-08, 02:36 PM

I was planning on 9 AM at the Mt. Ashland exit (that's a ways past the Ashland city exits).

Google Maps

It's about 35 minutes from my house, so I'll probably be leaving about 8 as I'm picking up my pops and have to stop to pick up some lunch, etc.

knoll0351 · 12-05-08, 04:30 PM

Coolio, thanks man! So it's the Mt Ashland exit...right or left?

2ndGenToyotaFan · 12-05-08, 06:07 PM

So we're meeting at 10 at the big arrow?

2ndGenToyotaFan · 12-05-08, 06:12 PM

Or at this arrow?

Darkrealms · 12-05-08, 06:33 PM

Me the wife and kids will be going and we will be getting a tree. Again it won't be the cruiser. I don't have any time right now to get it done.

EDIT
And yes Jared, Tiffany is making cookies as promissed at the last meeting (no I don't know what cookie cutters).
/EDIT

And to recap at the MT.Ashland exit at 10:00.