Barret lake run

[jonb96150]

Okay,
Point taken. But your 80 with auto trans,(autos can get away with way higher gearing than manuals) lockers, 35's and well seasoned driver is worlds apart from a 60 on 31's, one locker, and self professed green driver with a 5sp behind a v8. The manual tranny w/(probably) stock gearing alone makes it inappropriate for Barrett Lake.

I apologize if I'm pissing people off, but most folks don't enjoy being in way over their head. Throw in a broken axle/driveline/clutch a long way from home and a buch of body damage and a lot of folks would regret it. That's all I'm trying to do, is give a heads up to people who have not been on the trail.

I look forward to being schooled on what an 80 can do, as I'm slowly building mine up.

I will try to find out the opening date. It is usually later in the summer when the trail dries out. I know a guy that belongs to the club that maintains the trail and I'll look him up and see what he says.
Kind regards,
JonB

I was told by everyone that the Dusy was no place for an 80 series. That there was no way it could make it. My first time on the Dusy was with 33" tires, rear locker and OME 2.5" medium lift. My rig was filled to the rim with stuff, which made it a lowrider. It was difficult, but made it out with only one scratch. I have to thank my wonderful spotters.

The second time around, La Cabra had 35" tires, J springs and was locked front and rear. Even though it was a lot easier, it was no picnic. Very little spotting required.

When someone says it can't be done, I'd say I'll have to take a look at it by myself. If I get body damage, well that's the nature of the game. It will be my fault for not listening. Most trails can be done with good spotting.

Regards

Alvaro

 

[NorCalDoug]

Although I am willing to give this trail a shot, it's only those who have beater rigs or those with short wheelbase rigs who say the trail is not as tough as it's made out to be.

I don't mind a tough trail...but I'd like to avoid getting the crud beat out of my rig, if at all possible...

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Although I am willing to give this trail a shot, it's only those who have beater rigs or those with short wheelbase rigs who say the trail is not as tough as it's made out to be.

I don't mind a tough trail...but I'd like to avoid getting the crud beat out of my rig, if at all possible...

What?? I don't think your 450 has any crud left!

 

[Chartdog]

"I apologize if I'm pissing people off, but most folks don't enjoy being in way over their head. Throw in a broken axle/driveline/clutch a long way from home and a buch of body damage and a lot of folks would regret it. That's all I'm trying to do, is give a heads up to people who have not been on the trail."

Jon,

Point taken also, in the past few years my wheeling on hard trails has been uneventful and I sometimes get overly optomistic.


And Doug,

I'm with you on not turning my rig into a beater, I recently joined a new 12 step program called "Wheelers against body damage"

 

[DirtyHarry]

Personally I don't think that this trail is as hard as the Rubicon or Fordyce, but obviously if we are even drawing the comparision it is not an easy trail. Last time I went through there was a mini truck with 33s and stock gearing and a CJ5 with bald 31s and worn out limited slips and they did OK (needed a strap in a few spots). Those rigs are a lot smaller than a wagon though and there are some tight spots on this trail, but if you have already been through Dusy you know about tight spots.

 

[alvarorb]

Jon,

I agree with you, a rig needs to be modified to run these type of trails. Trying to do a trail like the Con, Dusy or Barret on a rig that's not prepared is risking serious damage.

Before you go on a trail is good to do your homework. I'm not for beating my truck, if it happens it's not the end of the world. But I'll do everything I can to avoid it.

Regards

Alvaro

 

[jb welda]

first off, dont worry about pissing me off or anything of the sort. i would rather people be truthful or blunt if need be instead of being all pollyanna and having me find out just how deep im in all by myself!

>The manual tranny w/(probably) stock gearing alone makes it inappropriate
>for Barrett Lake.

forgot to mention, i believe i have 4:11 or even 4:54 (or whatever) gearing...that was done in the shop where the 5 speed was installed and its written down on the receipt but i dont recall exactly at this point. all i know is that ive a pretty (seemingly to me anyhow) awesome "crawl ratio" when im in 4wd low range 1st gear and on the street i rarely even use 1st gear (2WD high range of course) because it is so "granny".

but the point of the matter is that i thank you guys for your honest appraisal and yeah i would rather not trash my rig, but as alvaro says it is sort of the nature of the beast.

so, in summary, i think i will pass on running this trail in my vehicle; i thought it was not as hard core as it seems to be. but alvaro invited me to come with him so im thinking i will want to do that if possible.

see my problem, and its not really a problem i suppose, is that i have yet to actually go on a trail ride with another vehicle along, esp with more experienced trail drivers (ive spent much of my life driving scca sport cars etc so high riding over obstacles is something ive only recently come to appreciate). ive gone with a passenger and solo, and of course given even a bit of common sense, i try to avoid having to walk out which means im rather tactful in picking what i try to go through or over.

one of my motivations (aside from a chance to meet all you folks) in wanting to go on something like this is to be with people who seemingly know what they are doing and watch how they do things. also to know if i follow and get in trouble there is a good chance someone can help me extract myself from that trouble and/or give me a ride out at least if not do field repairs i may not be capable or knowledgeable or equipped to handle myself. and just being able to watch someone tackle obstacles give me much needed confidence and motivation to do the same or to defer if those with more experience look askance at me thinking of tackling something out of my or my vehicles league. i dont really want or need to prove anything to anyone so i would rather defer to those with more experience in these matters. but i *would* like to become more familiar with what my vehicle can do in these circumstances.

up to now most of my off road stuff has been pretty mild though in pretty isolated places...and my motivation for this is not to abuse the machinery but instead to give me confidence to get places i want to go esp up in montana where i have a cabin and in utah where i plan to retire to fairly soon. so when you guys set up rides im often sitting here thinking "wow that looks cool maybe i can go" and so you being to the point about the dangers of a given trail are a blessing and appreciated.

anyway sorry to go on and on...i will be ordering some sliders soon and may be biting the bullet on the 31s vs 33s and getting 33s despite the 31s being practically new (and in fact my three spares have never really even touched the ground). wish i knew then what i know now but its forward always backward never so next time i know better!

many thanks again for your kind advice and believe me i take it serious. hope to meet some or all of you soon.

one love
jah bill

 

[Cruiserdrew]

JB-Don't sweat it. If this happens, you can ride with me.

 

[jonb96150]

wish i knew then what i know now but its forward always backward never so next time i know better! jah bill

Well said

 

[VETTE60]

i'll try and find out when it will open asap. on the difficulty rating....last year my buddy made it with his heep cherokee with a 2 inch lift and 31's, some bdy damage, but hardly as much as the con or fordyce. and by the way... the 'con is not getting harder, it is in fact getting easier the county is removing many of the obstacles that have been winched into place. the gate keeper and the aligator pit are no longer there.....

 

[Cruiserdrew]

the 'con is not getting harder, it is in fact getting easier the county is removing many of the obstacles that have been winched into place. the gate keeper and the aligator pit are no longer there.....

Just finished the Rubicon with the TLCA. The Gatekeeper and Alligator pit are no more. The rest of the trail is at least as hard if not more so. There are many deep holes in front of the worst areas, which have added considerably to the challenge. It's a bit of an arms race out there. Bigger tires, more horse power, deeper holes, repeat. With each cycle, the holes get bigger. Having run through the last 6 years at Rubithon, and several more times in small private groups, the Rubicon is getting harder over time. The Gatekeeper was an early challenge and parts breaker to keep marginal trucks out. It's too bad that's gone, because you will now see broken Explorers and Hummers in places where they should not be.

 

[VETTE60]

you can also expect to see changes to the sluice, etc.... the county has a plan to somewhat restore it to original, so it is going to get easier. used to be that a stock rig made it without issue, but over time all of the obstacles have been placed or eroded into what now is the 'con. in order for the county to controll it they have re-declared it a county road. this allows them to do things such as have sobriety check points at the dam, and open container checks. which by the way you can expect on all big weekends. definitely not a bad idea. IMO they are trying to reduce the hardcore impact by making it easier in an effort to steer the crazies elsewhere.

 

[alvarorb]

I'd like to see more law enforcement on the trail. If we can get alcohol off the trail, 80% of the bad rep 4 wheelers get would be gone. People make better choices when not intoxicated. There should be zero tolerance for drinking and driving on the trail.

Regards

Alvaro

 

[450 DUDE]

I'd like to see more law enforcement on the trail. If we can get alcohol off the trail, 80% of the bad rep 4 wheelers get would be gone. People make better choices when not intoxicated. There should be zero tolerance for drinking and driving on the trail.

Regards

Alvaro

AMEN ! its to bad that kind of stuff has to take place , makes me a sad panda

 

[VETTE60]

"Early August is the best guess" i'll keep my ears open for when it opens for a run.

 

[VETTE60]

oh, and the gate measures 79.5" wide...

 

[jonb96150]

Just spoke to Forest Service, tentative opening 2nd week in Aug. And with my usual luck, I will be on weekend rotation Aug. and half of September. Anyone for a mid-week trip?

 

[koleaselo]

barret lake

I'm planing on doing it on the 7th and the 8th, Monday and Tuesday. It should be open then. Just me and two other rigs.

What days is this run going be? I might be interested?


Ko

 

[VETTE60]

i'm in for mid week for sure. lets keep in touch and updated.