Veterans 2016 Dusy Ershim trail run

[Big Ed]

Edit: dates are 13-19 August 2016.

I got this message from spotcruiser, and thought the discussion would be better here. Maybe others would be interested, we're thinking mid August.

I'd love to run the Dusy with you next year if we can work out the details. It's always tough getting people to come together at the same time for things like this, but maybe if we start planning now we can get a group of vets there for next summer?


The Dusy Ershim is a 33 mile rock crawling trail in Central California. It starts at 8,400 feet elevation, and stays between 9,000 and 10,000 most of the way. The trail is rated ten on a scale of one to ten Northbound, and nine on a scale of one to ten Southbound. I've been through about twenty one times, driving six of those times, and riding or hiking the other times. Also driven in and out of Thompson and Ershim from their perspective ends. There are six high mountain lakes along the way, all but one has trout. There are also intersecting hiking trails and destinations you can hike to. Many first timers expect a dirt road with a boulder section here and there. It's not like that, it's rocky most of the way through.

Video from the group we're talking about going with, from last August.

 

[Big Ed]

Something just occurred to me, a club of Marines and veterans from San Diego runs the trail about that time. I think we would be welcome to join them. I've been in communication with them for several years now, I was already thinking I would try to go with them next year, probably wouldn't do two runs though. They usually do a week, I like that length of time too. Do we want to join them? Go at the same time, but do our own thing? Spend only "some" time with them?

Dusy-Ershim

 

[spotcruiser]

I have no problem joining another group. Too large of a group can be a hindrance at times, though, so I guess it depends on how many people they are running through. A week on the trail sounds like a good pace. I like to enjoy being out there, rather than just pushing through as quickly as we can.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Just to reiterate what I said in a PM, this is not something in which I would participate... It's simply not my cup of tea. I like to travel and camp alone and don't like the thought of damaging 44.

Having said that, I really hope some of you will take advantage of having a Dusy guide of Ed's obvious caliber (if you read the comments in the Mesa 4X4 club's newsletter, you'll see what I mean). This could be a once in a lifetime trip for those of you who like this sort of run!!

Address List

Current list of veterans in the Veterans' Highway thread

@pngunme
@Chungas Revenge
@Colorado Boy-74-FJ40
@rkymtnflyfisher
@spotcruiser
@UltraFJ
@dieseldog
@krzyabncanuck
@sggoat
@FluByU
@WB8LBZ
@M0untaineer
@69LC
@Cdbailey
@FJCowboy
@ErikinSC
@reconranger
@CharlestonG8R
@honk
@Beau Diddly
@collk22
@daniel.watters
@Walkerm916
@Scuddyp4
@little_joe
@Ocho77
@jclarke450
@TexAZ
@divemedic
@ElPolloBlanco
@Helipilot
@brew8
@t_tentech
@firestopper
@Hugh Heifer
@awynne56
@thebrassnuckles
@KliersLC
@Alex Fogg
@Big Ed
@ExpoGeorgia
@David1947
@Boss Hog
@David1947
@coinoperated40
@OyajiJon
@jimep

Current list of non-veterans in the Veterans' Highway thread

@JohnnyC
@fj401978

 

[Big Ed]

Too large of a group can be a hindrance at times.


A week on the trail sounds like a good pace. I like to enjoy being out there, rather than just pushing through as quickly as we can.

I agree with both of these, we can decide on wether or not we're combining groups once we know how many are going closer up.

The trail will beat you up and wear you out, it's good to have planned down days. You could lay around camp, go for a hike, go fishing, etc. It's not all about wheeling for me either.

 

[WB8LBZ]

OK, I give up. I'm interested but I don't know how to PM. Can some one give me a hint?

Larry in El Paso

 

[Solace in Solitude]

It's a conversation on the FRESH MUD - click on Big Ed and click 'start conversation' Larry

 

[spotcruiser]

Post your questions, thoughts, or concerns here, Larry. We're beginning to discuss doing a Dusy trip around mid-August of next year. Post up.

OK, I give up. I'm interested but I don't know how to PM. Can some one give me a hint?

Larry in El Paso

 

[WB8LBZ]

I did the PM. August here in West Texas is down right HOT. My 40 has no A/C and is 2X65 cooled. I have a few things to get fixed before I attempt any kind of trip. I have a 700R4 that leaks, Fuel Injection to replace the Holley, Heat wrap the headers and add radios. I do a lot of Ham Radio so I will need to add several for my own comfort.

Larry in El Paso

 

[Big Ed]

August in Central California is downright HOT too, except up in elevation where the trail is. Could even get hail storms.

 

[WB8LBZ]

I did a rough calculation on mileage and travel time. From El Paso, TX to Fresno, CA, traveling 60 miles per hour it would take me over 17 hours of driving to get there. I'm going to be 64 next August. That would be a rough trip.

Larry in El Paso

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Larry,

I certainly see your point... If this is something that interests you, maybe you can work out an arrangement that would allow you to fly out there and ride along with someone.

Just a thought... I may be overstepping here... You would obviously need to speak with Ed.

Anyway... I wanted to be sure everyone saw the additional info that Ed posted in his post #1, above.

Cheers!

 

[OyajiJon]

It looks like I may be relocating to Port Hueneme after retirement on December 7th, and I've wanted to run that trail ever since I was told I shouldn't do it in my 60 series on 33s...haha. I may be down for this trip if I can pull the time off at the new gig.

 

[Big Ed]

Larry, the guy from Arizona I rode with rented a pickup and trailered his rig with it. That way he was more comfortable for the long trip.

Danny, you're not overstepping anything. Maybe someone will offer him a ride on your idea.

And yes, I did put more info in my first post. Will probably continue to update as more questions arise.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

August in Central California is downright HOT too, except up in elevation where the trail is. Could even get hail storms.

I'm going to subscribe to this thread and hope to see your group up there as you nail down a time. I'll likely be a few days ahead. We got rain and some hail in a freak 2am storm this year. I retrospect it was very cool, but I was sleeping outside and quickly had to rig up better protection.

The weather is part of the fun. Many years there have been late afternoon rainstorms for several hours. Best to get up early, make your goal, set up camp by 3pm or so. Then if no rain, you have more time to goof off, hike around etc.

This trail is best done over 4 days. 3 is doable but not as much fun. Be careful about counting on driving your rig home. Usually doable, but the potential for significant damage is there. Very good idea if feasible to trailer to the start. Actually it's even better to trailer to Shaver Lake, leave the tow rig there and drive to the start at Courtright.

 

[Big Ed]

This trail is best done over 4 days.

I don't want to do it that fast........I'd like to do at least as many rest days as moving days, and you could end up burning rest days for repairs. The trip I did with the Arizona club was five days. We were supposed to have two rest days, but they all ended up being busy days.

 

[WB8LBZ]

I have 33 inch tires but I don't think I have much suspension travel. This trail sounds like it is for 40 inch tires and 18 inch wheel travel. It does sound like fun.

Larry in El Paso

 

[Big Ed]

Rigs on 33s go through, maybe with help in a few spots. Do you have skid plates? Lockers?

 

[WB8LBZ]

Previous owner did some major changes on the vehicle. No skid plates. I need to put it on jack stands to check for lockers. There are no air lines running into the diffs. Anything done was 2004-2006 time-frame. This was part of a hot-rod collection out of Novi, Michigan. Owner died in 07ish

Larry in El Paso

 

[Big Ed]

A hot rod guy might not have done what you need for the trail, it would be good to know what crawl ratio you have too.