Veterans 2016 Dusy Ershim trail run

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I heard from spotcruiser, he should be here about 2:00, then we'll be on our way.
 
Spotcruiser (Todd) dropped me off about 12:00. The trip went very well, we all had a good time.

Todd on Thompson Hill.
Todd on Thompson 1

This is Todd leaving Ershim Lake.
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Coming down Divorce Rock.
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This is a blind turn for the driver.
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Made it.
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Lakecamp Lake.
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More to come.
 
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Very glad things went well. I'd love to hear your trail report. This is my favorite trail, and the scenery and concentration required make this trail a must do.

How was Thompson Hill? Any weather problems?

I've just finished this year and I'm already looking forward to next year.
 
Cruiserdrew said:
I'd love to hear your trail report.
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Todd showed up Saturday afternoon saying he had a death wobble, turns out it was way better than what I know as a death wobble. It was a mild vibration about 30 mph. We got up to Courtright about 5:00, we didn't have an exact meeting point, and Voyager Rock was crowded. We talked to a couple people I know that we're there for the annual disabled persons weekend camp trip. They informed us the group hadn't come by yet. We started for Dusy Creek and found a Jeep up Chicken Rock, two of the people from San Diego. We went with them to Dusy Creek, getting there after dark. The other three rigs arrived about midnight, having had alternator problems around Bakersfield.

The next morning a group of five Jeeps was coming by on their way to Thompson Lake from Voyager Rock, two had trailers. They waved us ahead. Thompson Hill was a bit of a struggle for some rigs, the Jeep had trouble right away. Part way up the Landcruiser needed to winch up a step, and Todd forgot he still had the transmission in reverse. While trying to drive forward he was actually pulling against the tree and broke the passenger side Burfield. With only three wheels pulling, another rig came around for him to winch off of. They had to repeat that several times to get up the hill. During this process, the group of Jeeps came up behind us. Once at Thompson Lake Todd replaced the Burfield and tightened the pitman arm nut, that did away with about 2/3 of the slop in the steering wheel, the rest was coming from a worn rod end. We also heard the Blazer had a PS box leak, while trying to replace the o ring he pulled everything out and dropped the steel balls inside. He ended up taking the box off and dumping out the balls into a cut off 1 gallon water jug. Had to do a bunch of filing to get everything to fit. Then put it back together, no leak, no more problems. This delayed our departure to Ershim Lake, so we went to East Lake instead.

Tuesday we moved to Ershim Lake, no one was there when we arrived. The group of Jeeps, and a single Jeep with two occupants (from Washington state) came in Thursday. There was smoke in the air Thursday afternoon, and Friday morning. We left for the trailhead Friday morning. Just after Divorce Rock the Chevy pickup had a front brake line damaged, and no spare. So he drove on with only rear brakes. Then the Blazer had some problems with the transmission mount, and passenger side motor mount, it took about an hour and twenty minutes to fix it. Along the way we saw bow hunters camped with a Jeep and Quad. We camped near the trailhead that night. The weather had been really good the whole time, except for the smoke the last day at Ershim Lake. Todd put a new bushing in the front passenger side shock the last night. The exhaust had also come loose on the way out, and was banging around.

We aired up at the pavement, and headed down. No stops to eat because it was early, and a bunch of them had to get back to San Diego. A ways down Todds alternator light came on. He looked under the hood, and drove on without it charging. We pulled over to say our goodbyes with the S.D. people, and headed for my house. Todd opted to have his rig towed to his moms house, because of the issues that had developed, and because of the heat, he was melting. Funny, the guy that had flown out from Florida/Georgia had a jacket on a lot of the time. Both the pickups added to their body damage, for the Chevy it was most of the drivers side. All the drivers enjoyed it and plan on going again next year. I plan on taking my truck next year. We talked in depth about how my disability affects me on the trail with the added stress of driving and dealing with issues that come up, I got very positive responses.

Might be some things I forgot, I know Todds best because I was riding with him.
 
Nice report. Sounds like the usual Dusy related breakage! Sounds like the Chevy guy really suffered!
 
I'm wondering if spotcruiser (Todd) will ever chime in on how he thought the trip went, how he liked the trail, etc.
 
spotcruiser said:
Not necessarily, but it's a long way to go for a run. There are a lot of trails I haven't run within a 1000 mile radius.
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Understood. I don't travel that far myself, but I know a lot of people like to get to as many trails as they can.

I think people following this thread would like to hear your perspective on the trail, and how you thought your rig did. After all, this is a Land Cruiser forum.
 
Anyone want to do this next year? Post up. I don't see a reason my rig won't go next time.
 
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