Snake Bait Trail, Ridgecrest, Sat Feb 26th

[Goatman]

This will be a day run. It's roughly a 2 hr drive towing to the parking area for Snake Bait, a little less if not towing. This is a rock crawling trail and while the trail is not tight, body damage could be possible but not likely. Should have a minimum of 33" tires and two lockers. A front locker and rear limited slip will work, but no front locker makes it very difficult and rock stacking dumbs down the trail. Older YJ's and XJ's with stock shafts and 260x joints could be very likely to break a shaft, best to have upgraded front shafts. D35's are always questionable for rock crawling, but could be OK with 33's with a very careful driving style and some good luck, with 35's a D35 hasn't much chance unless you just have a very lucky day.

The trail could take all day based on how many rigs and their capability. We can go into Ridgecrest and have pizza for dinner before heading home. Meet up Sat morning at 6:00 at the Jack in the Box at Weedpatch and 58, leave at 6:15.

Who's in?

[Lake_v2]

In, this should be fun.

[Desert Dog]

IM IN!!!!!

[Goatman]

The optional entrance to Snake Bait, what we call the Snake Pit, is one of the toughest obstacles out there. We'll see if anyone wants to give it a try.

If we get done in a reasonable amount of time there is plenty of other stuff to check out. The local pizza place is pretty good too, all you can eat smorgasbord style.

[VICTORG93307]

If anyone needs a co-pilot I'll go.

[Goatman]

Here's the entrance to the Snake Pit, which is optional:

[img]http://inlinethumb59.webshots.com/21754/2399278660038561203S600x600Q85.jpg[/img]

[img]http://inlinethumb42.webshots.com/27049/2318498420038561203S600x600Q85.jpg[/img]


Here's a few pics of the trail:

[img]http://inlinethumb08.webshots.com/45191/2500829360038561203S600x600Q85.jpg[/img]

[img]http://inlinethumb28.webshots.com/43867/2067532890038561203S600x600Q85.jpg[/img]

[img]http://inlinethumb59.webshots.com/43962/2913154760038561203S600x600Q85.jpg[/img]

[Goatman]

Who else is going?


I might have an empty seat......

[Frylock]

I wont have my RCVs in on time or I would go.

[rcxj92]

be careful out there guys they say snow levels down to 1500 feet this weekend wish I could go.

[Goatman]

Yeah, the forecast doesn't look promising. Have to watch it the next couple days and see what happens. If it will be snowing in Tehachapi and raining in Ridgecrest it might be best to go another day.

Snow run the weekend after??

[REDxj5150]

who knows? it may be snowing in ridgecrest.

[Desert Dog]

WOOHOO

Snow wheeling and rock crawling on the same run

[Goatman]

Not looking good........we'll see what the forecast is tomorrow.


[url]http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=35.59450649082071&lon=-117.48092651367187&site=vef&smap=1&unit=0&lg=en&FcstType=text[/url]


Wet, and a high of 43 with high winds would be a little tough.

[Mickey]

Not for us guys with heaters... lol

[Goatman]

Ha!

I can handle it if we can get there and back through Tehachapi. Snow level of 2900' might give us a problem.

[rcxj92]

I got to go to los angeles for a appointment on friday, hopefully they dont close the grapevine and let me back home they said it might drop to 1000 feet wow

[Desert Dog]

Richard, we should give Piute another try the Sunday after that then! Snow is going to be DEEEEEEEP up there. With the USFS considering the Piute winter travel plan this year, we might not get to snow wheel there after this winter. Ready for round 2?

[Goatman]

How about Ridgecrest next Sat, the 5th, and Piute this Sunday? Fresh snow anyone??


(I need to borrow a set of 35's)

[Desert Dog]

I have to work on the 5th, but im down for the sunday snow run.

I have some 37s you can borrow on 5x5.5 wheels.

[Goatman]

Well, the forecast isn't getting any better. Snow in Tehachapi and temps in teens to low 30's, rain and snow in Ridgecrest with temps in the teens to low 40's. Not a pleasant day and we could get caught in Tehachapi if it snows enough to close the highway, plus the possibility of ice with those low temps. I'm figuring if you don't have to drive that day, best to not do it. And if we had any trouble or breakdowns in Ridgecrest it could be pretty miserable. We'll go another time.

So, let's go to the snow Sunday instead.

[Desert Dog]

Good call trailmaster.