2013 San Rafael Swell!

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WhiteElephant said:
To the people going out early, where could I meet up with you on the 20th or the 21st? I'll be coming from Vegas.
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No Problem, We will be camping relativly close to paved road access points each night. If you come up on the 20th you could probably meet us at the end of Lockhart near camp off of highway 313. I'm intentionally not giving exact camping locations because the variables are so high as far as how far we get each day. I will be checking emails and this thread when I am in service throughout the drive. If you come up on the 21st meeting in Green River would be ideal. We plan to stop for resupply at the grocery store in GR.

riderjgs said:
Bonnie and I are out. Headed to Phoenix on the 16th, then on to the Mohave and Joshua Tree before ending up with family in SoCal. Herding the Pig all the way. Hope to have the new seats in this weekend to add a bit of comfort.
Have fun!
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Enjoy the Mojave! I look forward to seeing some pics!

idahotrooper said:
Im going to try and make this as well. Im buying my cruiser this weekend and should give me enough time to do a once over and pack up the gear! im thinking ill drive in thursday and wheel friday saturday and sunday!
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Good luck with the cruiser purchase! What are you picking up? We look forward to meeting you.:cheers:

Just talked to IceAxe. He's in for the entire trip! He will be sporting a new rig too!
 
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jonharis said:
awesome! Will be great to have you along. I found this video of Lockhart. Looks like it will be a tough one for the camper. I think I can pick out the spot where you were off the edge with the 2 straps attached to your truck Ace.

A couple tight switchbacks that concern me. I need to add a few recovery points to the camper.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HQZiZqAodA

I might do a long day/2 day Prerun in late Feb early March to check it out.
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The guy that took this video is part of my local club in Vegas. I'll be going out on the trail with him tomorrow haha.

Sent from my iPad using IH8MUD
 
Was in Moab over the weekend so I took a chance to do a short prerun of the difficult section of Lockhart. I grabbed a few shots of where I thought might be problem areas for those with wider vehicles and trailers. In the first picture there was about 8-10 inches on either side of the mini truck. The option put wheels up on the ledge to the right of the picture might be the way to go but the whole section is pretty narrow. The second and third picture might be rough for the trailer crowd because its shortly after a turn and getting the trailer lined up could be tough. I made it through the first switchback and dont think there will be a problem for anyone. There were more switchbacks farther down the trial but I was at bingo fuel so I didnt want to chance it.

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Thanks for the current trail info. That's how I remember it from two years ago, not an easy gravel road at all. Pictures don't lie. There is a steep sand hill on the trail too but we will be going down it this time.

When I did the trail Thomas Dawson was with me and pulling a small GI trailer behind his FJ. His plan was "if the truck goes the trailer will follow" and it worked quite well. I only recall him having to back once.

Ace
 
Thanks for the pics! What is your width from outside of tire tread to outside of tire tread?

I'm looking into going up on the 10th for a day run or checking it out as part of the CM trail leader pre-run the next weekend.
 
I'll check this afternoon but I am a little wider than a standard mini. Both of those sections are within about a mile of the junction with chicken corners. There was another area I thought might be tough for you but I couldn't stop the truck on it.
 
At our last meeting we discussed what limits we must set for this trip regarding vehicle size and decided that Jonathan's FJZ-100 with trailer is the limit. His trailer is an Adrenalin which is close to the width of his truck but has some overhang that could be a problem. He plans to scout Lockhart prior to the run and then decide if it's doable for his rig. So with that in mind we need to hear some specifics on what you will be driving (and towing) on this run. A photo would be best.

Also we will require certain safety items, basically the same as TLCA requires for their events: first aide kit, fire extinguisher, working parking brake, five good matching tires, seat belts, and roll bar if soft top rig. Also need recovery points front and rear, recovery strap with no hooks on the ends, gloves and a shovel. Hi-lift jack, winch, tire sealing kit, air compressor or CO2, and more recovery gear are all very important but not required.

Basically you and your rig need to be well prepared for nearly any trail situation and any weather. An example is running street tires. They may be ok if the trails stay dry but if wet they will be useless. Some like to carry chains to get through the greasy adobe mud, just make sure they fit while at home.

I'm sure there are more requirements and suggestions that will be added so stay tuned. Most important bring a smile and good attitude. Good beer helps with both. ;-)

My rig:

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My rig meets all of the requirements above. I just need to purchase chains if everyone feels they are required. My winch is only a Warn 10k, so it may have issues winching out somebody's heavy rig plus loaded trailer. I'm not bringing a trailer. Are lockers required? I only have a rear locker. Is 10 gallons of reserve gas enough?

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I wouldn't say chains are a serious concern and your rear locker is one more than my mini truck is running and I went through just fine. I'll have to see if I can get over to Clint's shop and see if he can put a shackle mount for me. If not I'll bring an extra strap and wrap it around my bumper.
 
Don't worry about Chains, and a Rear locker or ATRAC are sufficient. If we really do have the turnout at Lone Warrior that it looks like we might we will probably split into two Groups. A more hard core group and a moderate group.

PLEASE CHECK BACK ON THE FIRST PAGE, I'VE SYNTHESIZED SEVERAL POSTS TOGETHER.
 
SanDiegoCruiser said:
My rig meets all of the requirements above. I just need to purchase chains if everyone feels they are required. My winch is only a Warn 10k, so it may have issues winching out somebody's heavy rig plus loaded trailer. I'm not bringing a trailer. Are lockers required? I only have a rear locker. Is 10 gallons of reserve gas enough?
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Your truck looks good to go to me. I didn't see where anybody else answered your question if 10 gals of extra fuel was enough to bring, yes it is, that's how much i bring. Looking forward to meeting you on the Swell, I'am a ex-San Dieagon myself.
 
I didn't mean chains were required or even suggested, but some who run the desert a lot do carry and recommend them. Bill Burke does for one. I might throw in a set for the rear of my truck. I recently got a set of Ruds and they have not been out of the bag yet.

Ace
 
Here is my 4runner. She is lifted 3", locked in the rear, 33" tires, soon to have rock sliders. Just got the rear bumper, roof rack, roof top tent installed and looking forward to using them on this trip. If I can get a total count on people going and a yep on donations, I'll go ahead and pick up Ribeye steaks again for Saturday dinner. Need to know soon though so I could put the order in.

:cheers:

Matt:steer:


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hicntryflyguy said:
Here is my 4runner. She is lifted 3", locked in the rear, 33" tires, soon to have rock sliders. Just got the rear bumper, roof rack, roof top tent installed and looking forward to using them on this trip. If I can get a total count on people going and a yep on donations, I'll go ahead and pick up Ribeye steaks again for Saturday dinner. Need to know soon though so I could put the order in.

:cheers:

Matt:steer:
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Yum!! Put me down for three steaks!
 
Just a tease!!

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I'm in for a steak!


Craig
 
hicntryflyguy said:
Here is my 4runner. She is lifted 3", locked in the rear, 33" tires, soon to have rock sliders. Just got the rear bumper, roof rack, roof top tent installed and looking forward to using them on this trip. If I can get a total count on people going and a yep on donations, I'll go ahead and pick up Ribeye steaks again for Saturday dinner. Need to know soon though so I could put the order in.

:cheers:

Matt:steer:
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Sure I'll have a steak and send you a check, or however you want to handle that, soon as you say how much.

Ps think your truck might qualify. ;-)

Ace
 
Id put in for a steak. Just so I can get the stamp of approval I have the blue mini seen earlier in the thread. Currently sitting on small lift with 31s with a bobbed bed and slightly extended wheelbase. I think the only part I'm worried about is keeping up on the pavement.
 
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