BBCNN Run: Fordyce 7-12-08

[Bbumbl40]

Trail: Fordyce

Fordyce trail is arguably tougher than Rubicon. This is my most expensive (trail damage) trail. The goal of this trip is to make it out the upper section through Meadow Lake. We’re hoping the trail isn’t closed again this year.

Date: Saturday, 7-12-08

Meeting Time:8:00 am Leave Time: 8:15 am

Meeting Location: Chevron gas station at Cisco Grove exit on I 80.

Trail Difficulty: Mostly 4

Additional Equipment needed:Extra food, gas, and water. This is an overnight trip so be prepared with your camping gear.

Duration of Run: All day Saturday, most of Sunday.

Tread Lightly / CB Channel 3

BBCNN

[spressomon]

Dang...can't make this one either . I was hoping to ride shotgun as photo taker on this one.

[rusty_tlc]

I'm counting days.

[rusty_tlc]

Dreamflows has Fordyce at 37 - 38 CFS.

[Bbumbl40]

Kewl, I won't be able to break my fan again.

I checked the NFS web site a couple days ago. Looks like the only restriction in the area will be fire permits, and that's for any kind of flame including stoves.

Shawn

[rusty_tlc]

We only need one permit for the whole group right?

[chicago]

I wish that I could go on this in some capacity!
If you guyz think of it, could you take some pictures of the trail. Id love to see what its like there even if only by pics!
Im gonna TRY and get longs and an aussie (front) in time for Rubicon.
Talking with guyz in the 60 series forum say that an auto in the front isnt all that bad so long as you upgrade the axels, and I may possibly be doing a hydro assist as well. Doubt all that will be done in time for the trip though, but It MAY work out.

K

[rusty_tlc]

Originally Posted by rusty_tlc

We only need one permit for the whole group right?

I called the El Dorado NFS station today. Each stove requires a permit, no charcoal or fires are permitted. the lady I talked to was really nice and she suggested that the BLM office in Reno might be able to give us permits. I'll call them in the AM and verify.
Otherwise the NFS station at Big Bend will be open at 8:00AM.

[FJason80]

Once again I'm playing the skeptical 80 owner. Just how technical is this trail? Could my 2 1/2 inch lifted on 34's with sliders and front and rear bumpers do this? I've heard some people say "oh no I'd never take an 80 on that trail" and other say the complete oposite.

[Cruiserdrew]

I'm in. See you guys at the trailhead.

I saw some video of guys fording the crossings at 250+ CFS and it looks hairy as heck. If it stays at 35, we're golden. Is there a back up plan if the flows are high?

My CB is wonky, so I'll reliably be on 146.46

Rusty Dan--I'll call tomorrow from my cell so you'll have my #, but I'm also sending it as a PM.

[locrwln1]

Jason,

I would pass, it is a very rough trail.

Now you can meet up with everyone and wheel into the trail for a ways, park near the Eagle Lakes turn off and hike a little to get a feel for what the rest of the trail is like.

I would not take mine on 35's.

If you could bum a ride on one of the runs, that would be better, trust me.

Jack

Originally Posted by FJason80

Once again I'm playing the skeptical 80 owner. Just how technical is this trail? Could my 2 1/2 inch lifted on 34's with sliders and front and rear bumpers do this? I've heard some people say "oh no I'd never take an 80 on that trail" and other say the complete oposite.

[chicago]

Any reports yet?
Im hoping you all made it home safe and sound!

K

[Cruiserdrew]

I'm home in Sacramento safe and sound. Great people and a great trip. I had a blast. Maybe the best campsite ever.

This was the first time I have wanted even lower gearing.

bumblb and Rusty should post up soon. Later, I will try and post a pic or two of a 40 going over a rock.

In brief:

Winch Hill 1 is impossible, and the bypass is very slippery and uncertain. The bypass broke Dan's 40. I'll let him tell you about it.

Pine Sluice is winch hill 1.5. Fun, challenging and leads to a great camp site.

Winch Hill 2 is difficult and slippery.

Winch Hill 3 is impossible with a 6 foot ledge at the top. The bypass is challenging, tippy and interesting. Imagine a 40 standing on it's back tires, climbing vertically and turning left to avoid a 20 foot drop all at the same time.

Winch hill 4 is very difficult.

Winch hill 5 was not so bad, and immediately after the hard spot, the trail ends.

The winch only came out once and that's when Dan's spring pin was broken.

No other major damage.

I appreciate the great spotting from Shawn and Dan. It was great to be a first timer on this trail with these guys.

[chicago]

AWWW YEAH!!!!
Sounds like an exciting run!

K

[locrwln1]

Originally Posted by Cruiserdrew

I'm home in Sacramento safe and sound. Great people and a great trip. I had a blast. Maybe the best campsite ever.

This was the first time I have wanted even lower gearing.

bumblb and Rusty should post up soon. Later, I will try and post a pic or two of a 40 going over a rock.

In brief:

Winch Hill 1 is impossible, and the bypass is very slippery and uncertain. The bypass broke Dan's 40. I'll let him tell you about it.

Pine Sluice is winch hill 1.5. Fun, challenging and leads to a great camp site.

Winch Hill 2 is difficult and slippery.

Winch Hill 3 is impossible with a 6 foot ledge at the top. The bypass is challenging, tippy and interesting. Imagine a 40 standing on it's back tires, climbing vertically and turning left to avoid a 20 foot drop all at the same time.

Winch hill 4 is very difficult.

Winch hill 5 was not so bad, and immediately after the hard spot, the trail ends.

The winch only came out once and that's when Dan's spring pin was broken.

No other major damage.

I appreciate the great spotting from Shawn and Dan. It was great to be a first timer on this trail with these guys.

Wow, just shows that you have to respect that trail. I have seen more carnage on Fordyce than Rubicon.

Sounds like a great run.

Jack

[Cruiserdrew]

Here is a teaser shot of Dan, fording water crossing #1. Easy peasy but at high water it would be difficult or impossible. We were very lucky that this was a dry year, and the flows were reduced. It can be 10 times this high.

[chicago]

Nice weekend for you guyz out there Im sure!
I wish that I could have been along with you guyz as a passenger to see it first hand. Ive heard stories about it, and would love to have experienced it.
Cant wait to see more pics!

K

[Bbumbl40]

That was the best trip on Fordyce I've had. It was GREAT. Winch hill 1 is the new little sluce. The V crack at the top was the easy part. It's been truned into something just nasty. The upper section was just a blast, slipper, twisty, tippy, trees, mud holes, you name it. Good time. The only downer for me was that left my camera at home. At lest I didn't leave it on the trail this time.

[rusty_tlc]

Andy it was great to have you along, you are welcome to join us anytime. And I'm not just saying that because you fed us such a great dinner Saturday. Although your Carnitias are also welcome anytime.

I got home and crashed last night. Two days that intense just drained me dry.

I'm going to hold off on posting pictures until I decied if I'm going ahead with the TT piece.

As Andy said I was the weak sister, a broken spring pin on the winch hill #1 bypass. I'm sure it was already broken, good thing Shawn caught it in time or it could have caused some real trouble.

CHECK YOUR SPRING U-BOLTS TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE TIGHT!!!!!


Other than a mini with a broken knuckle we saw very little carnage, maybe because after Winch Hill #1 there was almost no traffic on the trail. I agree with Shawn WH#1 is the new Little Sluice, complete with hecklers in lawn chairs swilling beer.

The mini truck broke his knuckle because the steering arm studs were loose.

CHECK YOUR STEERING ARM STUDS TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE TIGHT.

[chicago]

Hey Rusty...Not that its really a BIG DEAL, but how did the lower front shock mount hold up? I hope I did OKAY for you. How was the situation resolved with the spring pin?
I guess it just goes to show that you cant let the little things like routiene bolt tightening lapse, hu?
Cant wait to see the pics.
Sounds as if the wagons would have had a tough go on this trail?

Glad youre all back safe!

K

[rusty_tlc]

Originally Posted by chicago

Hey Rusty...Not that its really a BIG DEAL, but how did the lower front shock mount hold up? I hope I did OKAY for you. How was the situation resolved with the spring pin?
I guess it just goes to show that you cant let the little things like routine bolt tightening lapse, hu?
Cant wait to see the pics.
Sounds as if the wagons would have had a tough go on this trail?

Glad youre all back safe!

K

The weld held up fine. Thanks again for the fix on such short notice.

The back story on this is I was worried about a glitch in my steering and discovered that one of my front shock mounts was broken. The way it was hanging you couldn't really tell until you were up close that there was a problem. I left a message for Keith Thursday and he called m Friday morning. He had it welded up and ready to go in no time.

My other discovery on Thursday was a leaky clutch master cylinder. I know it was fine when earlier that week so it could have only started that day. After I left Keith's house I found a new MC at NAPPA which I picked up before the run. I took a chance and didn't swap it out Friday but had it in the rig for the trip. The only fall out from that was the driver side floor will need some new paint.

The spring pin fix went pretty well, thanks to some great help from Shawn and Andy. Lucky for me Shawn had a spare pin. We winched my rig up onto flat ground then strapped the spring to the frame. Then we undid the u-bolts and jacked the body up. The axle was rolled back and out came the old spring pin. Lining things up for the new pin took a while but Shawn got it in eventually. The it was just putting everything back together.

Realize that the whole while there is a group of drunken rednecks making observations and suggestions as they walk by on their way to the peanut gallery. In addition the rest of their group is busy getting their rigs over the obstacle. Some with excess use of the skinny pedal.

[rusty_tlc]

Pictures

[rusty_tlc]

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