Cruiserdrew
On the way there
In case any other locals might be interested, we have a Norcal Wagon run going this weekend to the Slickrock/Deer Valley area. The start is tomorrow 7/20 but there is lots of other opportunity to meet the group. Here is a copy of my email that went out on the Norcal Wagons list, that has directions and alternate meeting spots for Friday, or even Saturday morning. I think we have 10-12 rigs total, so a few more would be welcome.
I thought I would put out some finalized plans with instructions and where to meet depending on what day. We are actually running 4 trails over 3 days-Slickrock, Deer Valley, Pardoes, Strawberry Pass. If you have the Charles Wells book, all but Pardoes are well described there.
Thursday night: Meet up and camp at Utica Resivoir. David will get there first and mark with plates. I think the plates will read TLC with an arrow. I am aiming to get there by 7pm. Basic directions--Hwy 4 to the right turn toward Spicer Resivoir. The road is called Spicer Road on one map and Spicer Resivoir Road on another. Then, follow the signs to Utica Resivoir-it's a turn to the left. At the next fork, go left-you should see us. Current plan is to cook a quick dinner even if we arrive late.
Friday morning-We'll leave no later than 9am and run the Slickrock trail, which connects us back to Hwy 4 at ALpine Lake. Lunch stop will be shortly after we get back to the Hwy. Then we head East to the Deer Valley trail head. The turn is the same one for the Hermit Valley Campground.
Friday Afternoon-Deer Valley trail stopping at the Creek near the mid point of the trail. I'm aiming for an early camp so we have time to cook up some goodies and play in the creek/flyfish. gps; N 38 34 18.2, W 119 54 49.1. THat is the camp spot and a good place to meet up. For those of you coming up Friday afternoon/evening-this is the place to meet us. It means a couple of miles of dirt road from HWY 88 to Lower Blue Lake, then 2-3 miles of trail to our camp on Deer Creek. The guide book suggests this is not difficult, but I've never done it. We can guide you in by CB (chancy) or definitely by 2 meter (146.460 MHz) Alvaro is making Chili and I'm making cobbler.
Saturday Morning-Leave camp by 8:30 and complete the Deer Valley trail ending up at Lower Blue Lake. THen the dirt road to Hwy 88. If you come up Saturday am, meet us on 88 at the turn to Blue Lakes or at the Summit of Carson Pass. Park somewhere obvious so we can see you! We'll head west 10 miles or so to Pardoes Road and eat lunch somewhere on Pardoes. A couple of good overlooks are described.
Saturday afternoon: Backtrack down Pardoes then east on Hwy 88 to Caples Lake and pick up the unmarked Strawberry Canyon (also called Strawberry Pass) trail and head north as time allows. I've camped at the summit ridge before(9000 ft!), but if we run out of time/energy there are a couple of good spots on the lower part of the trail. If we get to the top, the view at sunset is spectacular. I'm making Lamb Chops with deglazed wine sauce/pasta. I think I have 6 thick chops and I know Amando wants one! Jeff and I want one so there are 3 up for grabs! Warning-new receipe.
Sunday morning: Strawberry Canyon takes about 2 hours, so if we get a good start we'll be at Hwy 50 by noon for the run home.
Other things:
Standard Norcal Wagons operating proceedure:
No alcohol/beer/wine/spirits until parked for the day.
Share your food-it's communal/pot luck
Help out if someone gets stuck
You are responsible for truck damage, not your spotter
Bring spare parts-fan belts, rad hoses and most improtant-a good spare tire.
You must pack out ALL your trash-be a good sport about this. If you are seen deliberately littering, you get to carry ALL the trash for the weekend.
Radio stuff: CB channel-day of the month Thurday=20, Friday=21, Saturday=22...etc
2 meter (Ham) radio: 146.460MHz=standard Norcal Wagons frequency.
KI6CXS is my call sign
KI6DKA is Alvaro
Questions, post them up.
AJP
I thought I would put out some finalized plans with instructions and where to meet depending on what day. We are actually running 4 trails over 3 days-Slickrock, Deer Valley, Pardoes, Strawberry Pass. If you have the Charles Wells book, all but Pardoes are well described there.
Thursday night: Meet up and camp at Utica Resivoir. David will get there first and mark with plates. I think the plates will read TLC with an arrow. I am aiming to get there by 7pm. Basic directions--Hwy 4 to the right turn toward Spicer Resivoir. The road is called Spicer Road on one map and Spicer Resivoir Road on another. Then, follow the signs to Utica Resivoir-it's a turn to the left. At the next fork, go left-you should see us. Current plan is to cook a quick dinner even if we arrive late.
Friday morning-We'll leave no later than 9am and run the Slickrock trail, which connects us back to Hwy 4 at ALpine Lake. Lunch stop will be shortly after we get back to the Hwy. Then we head East to the Deer Valley trail head. The turn is the same one for the Hermit Valley Campground.
Friday Afternoon-Deer Valley trail stopping at the Creek near the mid point of the trail. I'm aiming for an early camp so we have time to cook up some goodies and play in the creek/flyfish. gps; N 38 34 18.2, W 119 54 49.1. THat is the camp spot and a good place to meet up. For those of you coming up Friday afternoon/evening-this is the place to meet us. It means a couple of miles of dirt road from HWY 88 to Lower Blue Lake, then 2-3 miles of trail to our camp on Deer Creek. The guide book suggests this is not difficult, but I've never done it. We can guide you in by CB (chancy) or definitely by 2 meter (146.460 MHz) Alvaro is making Chili and I'm making cobbler.
Saturday Morning-Leave camp by 8:30 and complete the Deer Valley trail ending up at Lower Blue Lake. THen the dirt road to Hwy 88. If you come up Saturday am, meet us on 88 at the turn to Blue Lakes or at the Summit of Carson Pass. Park somewhere obvious so we can see you! We'll head west 10 miles or so to Pardoes Road and eat lunch somewhere on Pardoes. A couple of good overlooks are described.
Saturday afternoon: Backtrack down Pardoes then east on Hwy 88 to Caples Lake and pick up the unmarked Strawberry Canyon (also called Strawberry Pass) trail and head north as time allows. I've camped at the summit ridge before(9000 ft!), but if we run out of time/energy there are a couple of good spots on the lower part of the trail. If we get to the top, the view at sunset is spectacular. I'm making Lamb Chops with deglazed wine sauce/pasta. I think I have 6 thick chops and I know Amando wants one! Jeff and I want one so there are 3 up for grabs! Warning-new receipe.
Sunday morning: Strawberry Canyon takes about 2 hours, so if we get a good start we'll be at Hwy 50 by noon for the run home.
Other things:
Standard Norcal Wagons operating proceedure:
No alcohol/beer/wine/spirits until parked for the day.
Share your food-it's communal/pot luck
Help out if someone gets stuck
You are responsible for truck damage, not your spotter
Bring spare parts-fan belts, rad hoses and most improtant-a good spare tire.
You must pack out ALL your trash-be a good sport about this. If you are seen deliberately littering, you get to carry ALL the trash for the weekend.
Radio stuff: CB channel-day of the month Thurday=20, Friday=21, Saturday=22...etc
2 meter (Ham) radio: 146.460MHz=standard Norcal Wagons frequency.
KI6CXS is my call sign
KI6DKA is Alvaro
Questions, post them up.
AJP
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