Monache Meadows (1 Viewer)

[DirtyRice Joe]

I’m planning to head out in September, the lift I want is back ordered, is a stock LC200 have enough clearance? I’ve seen everything from need at least a leveling kit to a guy drove a stock RAV4 out and did the river crossings.

Hi Sean,

September should be beautiful, but be prepared for possible chilly nights. Just a few days ago, it was 80's during the day, and low 40's at night. I'm not sure of the clearance on your rig. Two of the guys on our last SoCal TLCA club run brought stock 100 Series. One of the 100's dented a running board on the way in, but he said it was his own carelessness. The other 100 (no running boards) was fine. I'm not sure if either one had adjustable suspension, but you could put the question out on our SoCal TLCA Clubhouse page (just below this one).

About a month ago, I went in with a stock Wrangler on A/T's, and a near new Grand Cherokee w/adjustable suspension & highway tires. Both were fine. Too late for a short answer, so the long answer is you'll probably be fine if you're cautious & chose your line with care. There are really only a couple of potential obstacles. Re: water crossings - this late in the year they're only hub height, so no worries there. You've probably driven through deeper SoCal flooded intersections!

Have fun!

 

[SoCal_80]

Hi Sean,

September should be beautiful, but be prepared for possible chilly nights. Just a few days ago, it was 80's during the day, and low 40's at night. I'm not sure of the clearance on your rig. Two of the guys on our last SoCal TLCA club run brought stock 100 Series. One of the 100's dented a running board on the way in, but he said it was his own carelessness. The other 100 (no running boards) was fine. I'm not sure if either one had adjustable suspension, but you could put the question out on our SoCal TLCA Clubhouse page (just below this one).

About a month ago, I went in with a stock Wrangler on A/T's, and a near new Grand Cherokee w/adjustable suspension & highway tires. Both were fine. Too late for a short answer, so the long answer is you'll probably be fine if you're cautious & chose your line with care. There are really only a couple of potential obstacles. Re: water crossings - this late in the year they're only hub height, so no worries there. You've probably driven through deeper SoCal flooded intersections!

Have fun!

Thanks guys for all of the info. We finally got some dates locked in and will be up there in late September with the 100 and SoCal Teardrop. I watched way too many YouTube videos and I am all but certain my 100 will be able to cruise through Monache. She is 100% built and compared to the stick rav4 that ran it fine I am certain I will be good. Totally looking forward to the cool evenings and a little fly fishing.

 

[Sdandrew75]

Thanks guys for all of the info. We finally got some dates locked in and will be up there in late September with the 100 and SoCal Teardrop. I watched way too many YouTube videos and I am all but certain my 100 will be able to cruise through Monache. She is 100% built and compared to the stick rav4 that ran it fine I am certain I will be good. Totally looking forward to the cool evenings and a little fly fishing.

I’ll be there 9/10-14, probably watched the same videos, taking my stock LC200

 

[Brentbba]

I've been all the way back to the river sites a number of times towing my now departed M101CDN without a problem. You'll be fine!

 

[SoCal_80]

I've been all the way back to the river sites a number of times towing my now departed M101CDN without a problem. You'll be fine!

that’s where we plan to camp. Totally looking forward to getting up there.

 

[Brentbba]

that’s where we plan to camp. Totally looking forward to getting up there.

Get up there early as the river sites are popular!

 

[SoCal_80]

I’m planning to head out in September, the lift I want is back ordered, is a stock LC200 have enough clearance? I’ve seen everything from need at least a leveling kit to a guy drove a stock RAV4 out and did the river crossings.

I saw a YouTube video of a guy in a Honda Civic running it. I think you/we will be good. I will be there beginning 9/23 if anyone wants to stop by!

 

[SoCal_80]

Well it looks like Monache is closed due the Castle fire nearby.... Doubtful it will be contained in two weeks to make that trip possible...Fingers crossed though. Coyote Flat is a parking lot now due to everyone going up so it looks like we are heading up 395 to stay at some remote’ish spots. Still should be good times!

 

[Sdandrew75]

Well it looks like Monache is closed due the Castle fire nearby.... Doubtful it will be contained in two weeks to make that trip possible...Fingers crossed though. Coyote Flat is a parking lot now due to everyone going up so it looks like we are heading up 395 to stay at some remote’ish spots. Still should be good times!

I was actually going to post today. I spoke with the SQF (castle fire) coordination center yesterday about 15 min before they announced the closure - I think someone realized how packed a single way in and out was about to get this weekend. We're heading up to Laurel Lake real early next Thursday instead.

 

[SoCal_80]

All of Inyo National Forest is now closed...

 

[SoCal_80]

I was actually going to post today. I spoke with the SQF (castle fire) coordination center yesterday about 15 min before they announced the closure - I think someone realized how packed a single way in and out was about to get this weekend. We're heading up to Laurel Lake real early next Thursday instead.

I heard Laurel Lakes is a parking lot all the way up and down including zero room at the lake.

 

[Sdandrew75]

I heard Laurel Lakes is a parking lot all the way up and down including zero room at the lake.

I talked to a guy who went this past weekend, came out before it got shut down, he said it was really busy. Moot point now because it's been closed down by USFS. Might hit a patch of private land on the Owens if it calms down by Thursday, otherwise, I'll watch what could be the only NFL games we see this year

 

[DirtyRice Joe]

I just drove down 395 from Reno on Saturday, 9/5/20. It was ugly and smoky the whole way. It burned both my wife's eyes and mine, and my wife's throat is just getting better today. We camped Saturday night at Hogback Creek in the Alabama Hills, and when we woke up we could barely see the base of the Sierras through the haze. I'd avoid that whole corridor for now, if i were you. Sorry to be the bearer of such bad news!

 

[Sdandrew75]

I just drove down 395 from Reno on Saturday, 9/5/20. It was ugly and smoky the whole way. It burned both my wife's eyes and mine, and my wife's throat is just getting better today. We camped Saturday night at Hogback Creek in the Alabama Hills, and when we woke up we could barely see the base of the Sierras through the haze. I'd avoid that whole corridor for now, if i were you. Sorry to be the bearer of such bad news!

Glad you made it out. Cancelled for this weekend, hopefully early October is safe again!

 

[SoCal_80]

Due to all the closures we ended up doing a portion of the Great Western Trail from Prescott to the Grand Canyon. Had a great trip and spent 2 hours or so crawling up a good section .....

 

[DirtyRice Joe]

Due to all the closures we ended up doing a portion of the Great Western Trail from Prescott to the Grand Canyon. Had a great trip and spent 2 hours or so crawling up a good section .....

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Nice! Arizona is beautiful. Great pics!