This is the the official 2023 Rubithon Thursday Breakfast Morning thread.
I am looking forward to meeting you all on this years trip. My name is Doug, I will be leading the run this year with my co-driver Dominik aged 18 and my 7 year old daughter( and 6 year Rubithon Veteran) Isabella.
I have driven this trail a bunch of times in a both a mini truck and in my 80 series. The 80 I will be driving is setup in a pretty typical fashion with 3" of lift, 35" tires, 4.88 difs., low t case gears, front and rear lockers, all the requisite armor, dents, winch, snorkel, fridge, tools.
This will be a traditional Loon entrance to the main Rubicon Trail. This unique run has a pre-paid private breakfast at the Ice House Resort before we start the trail. The breakfast is scheduled to start at 0800. We ask that we all get there early as in 0700 so that we can do the the tech inspections and insurance paperwork early and be able to hit the road right after breakfast. If you are not at Ice House by the time breakfast is finished we will be moving on. If you are not at Loon Lake by 0900 we will be moving on. If you arrive late and feel comfortable on the trail by yourself feel free to hit the trail and catch up.
There are a few "motel room" cabins at the resort, some RV spots and a tent camping area. The rooms are way rustic but "OK".
I usually fuel up at fresh pond on #50 before the turnoff to ice house road. Topping off at the pump at ice house resort is not a bad idea (be prepared to spend $10 a gallon). Topping off at Ice House and driving straight through and exiting at Tahoma I have never needed to dip into a Jerry can. I always pack a 5 gallon Jerry can just in case I have to drive the full trail back out due to the Cadillac Hill exit being closed (due to fire or LOTS OF SNOW).
Our first day's destination will be Buck Island Lake were we will camp.
On group runs like this we will be taking the easier lines and getting everyone there safely. With a sizeable group it is important to keep things moving and stay in our rigs for short stops. a prepacked lunch is a great idea. I will do everything that I can to get us there early enough to have some down time and a swim before dark. With this years snowpack, I would expect a full ice cold lake and not a muddy pond full of stumps like previous years.
Friday we will continue on to Rubicon Springs where folks will typically scatter and find a camp spot. At that point the official word is that the group run is complete and we are all on our own for camping. Groups often stay together to camp and some of us will do that but it is not required.
Sunday everyone mostly exits up Cadillac Hill, there is a local 4x4 club, Hi-lows that provides assistance. If there is a change in the planned “exit strategy”, the chairman Ross Woody will keep us apprised.
The Rubithon signup page will list mandatory safety and recovery gear that you will need, as well as equipment requirements. Minimum tire size is 35's and a 3" lift, you should have serious armor and a strong passenger to stack rocks doesn't hurt either. If you have not extended your axle breathers yet this years wet conditions might be a good excuse. A couple water crossings might be a bit deeper than usual Not a problem for an 80 series with stock air intake but a mini truck with an air intake low in front behind the headlight might want to take care.
Make sure a heavy strap (no hooks on the end) and a fire extinguisher are readily accessible. I like the strap on the passenger floor board so I'm not hunting for it or dealing with a swing out bumper while in a precarious situation.
I will walk around camp and offer a wrench so that everyone can check their knuckle studs before during and after each day on the trail. If you are driving an 80, I do have some tips for mechanical preparation, sway bar advice, etc. I do carry specific parts for an 80 series such as a steering box, birfield and all the parts to repair a knuckle/studs (minus the actual knuckle), tie rod ends, rear drive shaft and a spark plug repair kit (don't ask).
We will be using 2m Ham for our communications, most likely 146.400. I recommend obtaining a license but don't let that stop you from picking up a radio. I have Baofeng hand held, they are inexpensive. I have a file (chirp) that can be uploaded to the radio which I can share ahead of time. It is very easy if you have a sync cable.
If you have made it and read down this far.
It would be nice to get to know each other a little better before joining up on the trail. This is a good place for introductions, to ask questions, and get answers.
Doug
AKA Devil's Slide Doug
I am looking forward to meeting you all on this years trip. My name is Doug, I will be leading the run this year with my co-driver Dominik aged 18 and my 7 year old daughter( and 6 year Rubithon Veteran) Isabella.
I have driven this trail a bunch of times in a both a mini truck and in my 80 series. The 80 I will be driving is setup in a pretty typical fashion with 3" of lift, 35" tires, 4.88 difs., low t case gears, front and rear lockers, all the requisite armor, dents, winch, snorkel, fridge, tools.
This will be a traditional Loon entrance to the main Rubicon Trail. This unique run has a pre-paid private breakfast at the Ice House Resort before we start the trail. The breakfast is scheduled to start at 0800. We ask that we all get there early as in 0700 so that we can do the the tech inspections and insurance paperwork early and be able to hit the road right after breakfast. If you are not at Ice House by the time breakfast is finished we will be moving on. If you are not at Loon Lake by 0900 we will be moving on. If you arrive late and feel comfortable on the trail by yourself feel free to hit the trail and catch up.
There are a few "motel room" cabins at the resort, some RV spots and a tent camping area. The rooms are way rustic but "OK".
I usually fuel up at fresh pond on #50 before the turnoff to ice house road. Topping off at the pump at ice house resort is not a bad idea (be prepared to spend $10 a gallon). Topping off at Ice House and driving straight through and exiting at Tahoma I have never needed to dip into a Jerry can. I always pack a 5 gallon Jerry can just in case I have to drive the full trail back out due to the Cadillac Hill exit being closed (due to fire or LOTS OF SNOW).
Our first day's destination will be Buck Island Lake were we will camp.
On group runs like this we will be taking the easier lines and getting everyone there safely. With a sizeable group it is important to keep things moving and stay in our rigs for short stops. a prepacked lunch is a great idea. I will do everything that I can to get us there early enough to have some down time and a swim before dark. With this years snowpack, I would expect a full ice cold lake and not a muddy pond full of stumps like previous years.
Friday we will continue on to Rubicon Springs where folks will typically scatter and find a camp spot. At that point the official word is that the group run is complete and we are all on our own for camping. Groups often stay together to camp and some of us will do that but it is not required.
Sunday everyone mostly exits up Cadillac Hill, there is a local 4x4 club, Hi-lows that provides assistance. If there is a change in the planned “exit strategy”, the chairman Ross Woody will keep us apprised.
The Rubithon signup page will list mandatory safety and recovery gear that you will need, as well as equipment requirements. Minimum tire size is 35's and a 3" lift, you should have serious armor and a strong passenger to stack rocks doesn't hurt either. If you have not extended your axle breathers yet this years wet conditions might be a good excuse. A couple water crossings might be a bit deeper than usual Not a problem for an 80 series with stock air intake but a mini truck with an air intake low in front behind the headlight might want to take care.
Make sure a heavy strap (no hooks on the end) and a fire extinguisher are readily accessible. I like the strap on the passenger floor board so I'm not hunting for it or dealing with a swing out bumper while in a precarious situation.
I will walk around camp and offer a wrench so that everyone can check their knuckle studs before during and after each day on the trail. If you are driving an 80, I do have some tips for mechanical preparation, sway bar advice, etc. I do carry specific parts for an 80 series such as a steering box, birfield and all the parts to repair a knuckle/studs (minus the actual knuckle), tie rod ends, rear drive shaft and a spark plug repair kit (don't ask).
We will be using 2m Ham for our communications, most likely 146.400. I recommend obtaining a license but don't let that stop you from picking up a radio. I have Baofeng hand held, they are inexpensive. I have a file (chirp) that can be uploaded to the radio which I can share ahead of time. It is very easy if you have a sync cable.
If you have made it and read down this far.
It would be nice to get to know each other a little better before joining up on the trail. This is a good place for introductions, to ask questions, and get answers.Doug
AKA Devil's Slide Doug
Have to see how many are still coming
