Slick Rock / Deer Valley Report from 6/7/08

Skillet · 06-08-08, 10:23 PM

Went up to Slick Rock and Deer Valley this weekend.

Slick Rock is open and passable with few snow drifts at the top by Alpine but got through them with no problems.

Deer Valley was different...we made it a couple of miles in and ran into some trees across the trail, big trees. After about an hour of chainsaw work we had that part of the trail cleared but about another 3/4 mile the snow got simply too bad to continue.

Another couple of weeks it should be good to go and there are few less trees to clear for the next guys.

I got out with only a passenger door ding, tacoed control arm and a couple of crunched fender flares.

You play you pay...

I went up alone and was lucky enough to run into a guy named Loren Kaiser. Owns a custom 4x4 shop in Sonora called Kaiser's Kustoms.

Great guy with an insanely built Scrambler and one of the best collections of camping music I have ever heard.

Here are some highlights.

Skillet · 06-08-08, 10:24 PM

More pics...

Skillet · 06-08-08, 10:29 PM

More Scrambler and some carnage...

spressomon · 06-08-08, 10:35 PM

Hmmm...trail damage. Must be the year for it

.

Nice pics...thanks for sharing. And, although I have not been on this trail(s) yet thanks for cutting wood!

cc93cruiser · 06-08-08, 11:33 PM

Jeb, isn't that trail a mild one except for he last section? How did you manage all that carnage? Wheeling blind folded?

Skillet · 06-08-08, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cc93cruiser

Jeb, isn't that trail a mild one except for he last section? How did you manage all that carnage? Wheeling blind folded?

We started on the highway 4 side, which is the "last section" of Deer Valley. So... nya, nya.

I would not call it Rubicon but I would not call it "mild" either.

Most of the carnage happened in a very tight pinch between a dead tree and a fallen log. I was bound and determined to squeeze through.

The control arm happend when I slid off a boulder at the gateway ladder of Slick Rock.

norcal40 · 06-09-08, 12:17 AM

Hey - we met you in the campground. Thanks for cutting those trees, we were able to go a little past them. There were 8 rigs with us, 4 made it past the snow before we decided to turn around.
After we left Deer Valley, we got through Slickrock in an hour.

Skillet · 06-09-08, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norcal40

Hey - we met you in the campground. Thanks for cutting those trees, we were able to go a little past them. There were 8 rigs with us, 4 made it past the snow before we decided to turn around.
After we left Deer Valley, we got through Slickrock in an hour.

I remember. Green 1976 40, right?

Nice rig.

No problem with the trees, everyone has to lend a hand here and there.

Hopefully we will see you on the trail again.

NorCal Cruiser · 06-09-08, 01:08 AM

Sounds like you had a pretty good trip. I wish I could have come along.

Loren is a good guy- one of my friends used to work at his shop.

Skillet · 06-09-08, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorCal Cruiser

Sounds like you had a pretty good trip. I wish I could have come along.

Loren is a good guy- one of my friends used to work at his shop.

Nate,

It was a pleasure meeting you out there.

You have to love a community of individuals who flip a U-turn on the highway to chat with a fellow cruiser-head who is getting fuel.

Maybe the next time you can join me on the trail.

Jeb

NorCal Cruiser · 06-09-08, 01:43 PM

Hey, I couldn't pass up a chance to meet the techno-viking

Fast Eddy · 06-09-08, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skillet

We started on the highway 4 side, which is the "last section" of Deer Valley. So... nya, nya.

The gatekeeper there is where I got my rust-colored badge of courage.

How'd the "tacoed control arm" work on the long trip home?

Skillet · 06-09-08, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fast Eddy

How'd the "tacoed control arm" work on the long trip home?

I forgot to mention, REAR control arm.

Actually, not much of an issue.

Tracked just a hair off with the steering wheel cocked but pretty much smooth as silk.

Time for some beefier units as that is the third one I have "tacoed"...

nat · 06-10-08, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skillet

Most of the carnage happened in a very tight pinch between a dead tree and a fallen log. I was bound and determined to squeeze through.

That's where the narrow track of the Piggy comes in handy

Wish I could have been there with you

nat · 06-10-08, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fast Eddy

The gatekeeper there is where I got my rust-colored badge of courage.

How'd the "tacoed control arm" work on the long trip home?

After my experience of going through gatekeeper in the Pig with only 3 tires (couple years ago)..........I feel like I can conquer anything.

within reason

Skillet · 06-10-08, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nat

That's where the narrow track of the Piggy comes in handy

Wish I could have been there with you

It was not nearly as fun as your "sleep-over", I am sure.

chicago · 06-10-08, 03:16 PM

I was just thinking about how deer valley was doing, and maybe trying to plan something...Guess it would be best to wait. Im itchin to do that trail again.
Thanks for the report...
X5 on the tree cutting!

Chicago

Campfire · 06-10-08, 11:29 PM

Again, thanks for the trail maintainance X10!!
I'm heading up to Slick Rock Thursday and was wondering what it was like. I was going to post if anyone knew, but thanks for the trail report. I'll take my saw in case I head on over Ebbets.

CaliCruiser · 06-12-08, 05:52 PM

Yo Jeb, I'm thinking of doing a trip this weekend on deer valley if you or anyone else is down to go. Probably just a one dayer, sunday would be better. I NEED to take my 60 out for test run before Rubithon.
Dylan

Skillet · 06-13-08, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliCruiser

Yo Jeb, I'm thinking of doing a trip this weekend on deer valley if you or anyone else is down to go. Probably just a one dayer, sunday would be better. I NEED to take my 60 out for test run before Rubithon.
Dylan

Dylan,

Thanks for the offer but I cannot get up this weekend.

It would be fun. I need new rear control arms...

Plus I have some things to accomplish here.

Nat is up at Ebbets fishing the Mok right now, maybe he will stay up there and you will bump into he and the pig.

Have fun if you go.

Jeb

jonb96150 · 06-13-08, 12:35 PM

We were on the Deer Valley trail on Saturday also, but we went in from Blue Lakes. quite a bit of snow but we made it to the lower stream crossing for lunch. I didn't figure we'd make it to hwy 4 so we turned around.

Skillet · 06-13-08, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonb96150

We were on the Deer Valley trail on Saturday also, but we went in from Blue Lakes. quite a bit of snow but we made it to the lower stream crossing for lunch. I didn't figure we'd make it to hwy 4 so we turned around.

Too bad...

We could have met in the middle for tea and crumpets.

stormscrambler · 06-13-08, 11:44 PM

i am going to be headed up there next weekend of the 21 prob camp fri night at alpine and fish sat morn and them see how far i can make deer valley or come aroound to the 88 side and camp at the stream crossing stormscrambler@hotmail.com f any one wants to hook up and go

06-08-08, 10:23 PM	#1
Skillet no bueno Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: КАГІҒОЯИІА TLCA# 16078 Posts: 2,580	Slick Rock / Deer Valley Report from 6/7/08 Went up to Slick Rock and Deer Valley this weekend. Slick Rock is open and passable with few snow drifts at the top by Alpine but got through them with no problems. Deer Valley was different...we made it a couple of miles in and ran into some trees across the trail, big trees. After about an hour of chainsaw work we had that part of the trail cleared but about another 3/4 mile the snow got simply too bad to continue. Another couple of weeks it should be good to go and there are few less trees to clear for the next guys. I got out with only a passenger door ding, tacoed control arm and a couple of crunched fender flares. You play you pay... I went up alone and was lucky enough to run into a guy named Loren Kaiser. Owns a custom 4x4 shop in Sonora called Kaiser's Kustoms. Great guy with an insanely built Scrambler and one of the best collections of camping music I have ever heard. Here are some highlights. Attached Images __________________ 1993 FZJ80 1973 FJ40 oh no you didn't... "...mud is a hotbed of leftist chat/activity." - swank

06-08-08, 10:24 PM	#2
Skillet no bueno Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: КАГІҒОЯИІА TLCA# 16078 Posts: 2,580	More pics... Attached Images __________________ 1993 FZJ80 1973 FJ40 oh no you didn't... "...mud is a hotbed of leftist chat/activity." - swank

06-08-08, 10:29 PM	#3
Skillet no bueno Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: КАГІҒОЯИІА TLCA# 16078 Posts: 2,580	More Scrambler and some carnage... Attached Images __________________ 1993 FZJ80 1973 FJ40 oh no you didn't... "...mud is a hotbed of leftist chat/activity." - swank

06-08-08, 10:35 PM	#4
spressomon IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Reno Posts: 5,082	Hmmm...trail damage. Must be the year for it . Nice pics...thanks for sharing. And, although I have not been on this trail(s) yet thanks for cutting wood! __________________ Modded '99 for overlanding/exploring: 35's, 4.88's, AO drawers, Slee rr, TJM fr, ARB fr locker, ear candy, Waeco CF-50, PowerGate with 2nd battery, home brew sliders & t-case skid plate, 9.5XP/X-line, LF 170's, OEM 864's, Foxes x 4, 12mm BL, Carl's UCAs, ... KE7NCM

06-08-08, 11:33 PM	#5
cc93cruiser IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Redwood City, Ca. TLCA# 15132 Posts: 1,052	Jeb, isn't that trail a mild one except for he last section? How did you manage all that carnage? Wheeling blind folded? __________________ Robert Muniz TLCA#15132 1993 Toyota Land Cruiser 206K 3x locked+4.88's+315 BFG AT&MT+SAFARI SNORKEL+SLEE 4"LIFT+ARB FR+WARN M12000+HANNA RR+SLEE SLIDERS+SLEE SKID+AO DRAWERS+ARB FRIDGE+DUAL OPTIMAS+GARVIN RACK+IPF'S+OKOLE COVERS+HUSKY MATS+POLY REARS+ NOT INSTALLED YET-LONG INNERS+NF BIRFS

06-09-08, 12:17 AM	#7
norcal40 IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Ripon, CA Posts: 1	Hey - we met you in the campground. Thanks for cutting those trees, we were able to go a little past them. There were 8 rigs with us, 4 made it past the snow before we decided to turn around. After we left Deer Valley, we got through Slickrock in an hour.

06-09-08, 01:08 AM	#9
NorCal Cruiser I don't post much Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tuolumne/ Rancho Cordova, CA TLCA# 15308 Posts: 295	Sounds like you had a pretty good trip. I wish I could have come along. Loren is a good guy- one of my friends used to work at his shop. __________________ Nate '93 FZJ80- Cruisin' in comfort with factory lockers--- Now with custom desert pin striping and some armor! Stock '83 FJ60- FOR SALE--> BUY ME VW powered sandrail: the roller coaster you can steer!

06-09-08, 01:43 PM	#11
NorCal Cruiser I don't post much Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tuolumne/ Rancho Cordova, CA TLCA# 15308 Posts: 295	Hey, I couldn't pass up a chance to meet the techno-viking __________________ Nate '93 FZJ80- Cruisin' in comfort with factory lockers--- Now with custom desert pin striping and some armor! Stock '83 FJ60- FOR SALE--> BUY ME VW powered sandrail: the roller coaster you can steer!

06-10-08, 03:16 PM	#17
chicago IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Reno, Nevada Posts: 3,283	I was just thinking about how deer valley was doing, and maybe trying to plan something...Guess it would be best to wait. Im itchin to do that trail again. Thanks for the report... X5 on the tree cutting! Chicago __________________ TLCA#16202, KE7VAT Toyota family: 88 FJ62 (Fairly built) 06 4runner...wifes rig! 06 Tacoma, DD, BONE STOCK and staying that way! PROUD member of the WEST COAST BLOTCHERS and the Battle Born Cruisers of Northern Nevada! FAWKING CUBS! Life long DISAPPOINTMENT!

06-10-08, 11:29 PM	#18
Campfire Need smores! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Napa, California TLCA# 16416 Posts: 415	Again, thanks for the trail maintainance X10!! I'm heading up to Slick Rock Thursday and was wondering what it was like. I was going to post if anyone knew, but thanks for the trail report. I'll take my saw in case I head on over Ebbets. __________________ Jeff 1999 UZJ100, 285's, TJM front, Warn HS9500, four pinion front diff, rear locker, 7 Pin Mod, console pocket, Airlift rear bags, OME 865 springs, Slee Offroard rear bumper, 3rd seats removed, Husky liners, Garmin equiped, and dual batteries, stuff, too much stuff. 1998 UZJ100, gone but not forgotten. It was a great rig, right up to those rocks... 1982 FJ60, Springs, shocks, Warn 8000, 31's, sold and shipped to Costa Rica

06-12-08, 05:52 PM	#19
CaliCruiser IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Pine Grove, Ca TLCA# 15987 Posts: 1,810	Yo Jeb, I'm thinking of doing a trip this weekend on deer valley if you or anyone else is down to go. Probably just a one dayer, sunday would be better. I NEED to take my 60 out for test run before Rubithon. Dylan __________________ ROTW '85 FJ60 \| SOA \| ARB \| M8274-50 \| Sliders \| Aussie'd \| H55F \| 4.7 Toybox \| 4.88s \| Custom Crap

06-13-08, 12:35 PM	#21
jonb96150 IH8MUD Regular Join Date: May 2003 Location: S. Lake Tahoe, CA Posts: 395	We were on the Deer Valley trail on Saturday also, but we went in from Blue Lakes. quite a bit of snow but we made it to the lower stream crossing for lunch. I didn't figure we'd make it to hwy 4 so we turned around. __________________ JonB ke6gfb 87 bj70, arb'ed, slidered, winched, 4x4llabs bumper. 97 40th fzj80 w/difflocks, cdl switch & pin 7 mod, Hanna sliders, 2.5" ome lift, 1" body lift, rear drawer system on 285/75-16's. 87 sas 4runner- air lockers, dual cases, beadlocked 35" mtr's, waggy & cheby springs, sliders, 8274 winch, etc...

06-13-08, 11:44 PM	#23
stormscrambler IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 23	i am going to be headed up there next weekend of the 21 prob camp fri night at alpine and fish sat morn and them see how far i can make deer valley or come aroound to the 88 side and camp at the stream crossing stormscrambler@hotmail.com f any one wants to hook up and go __________________ 85 4runner, stock soon to be wild.

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