Swamp Lake Trail July 27-29

[Loki XJ]

Richard what kind of min requirements we lookin at here? I'm 4" on 31's locked rear with armor and F/R tow points with lots of determination...

[Goatman]

[quote="Mikeys_cougar"]Richard what kind of min requirements we lookin at here? I'm 4" on 31's locked rear with armor and F/R tow points with lots of determination... [/quote]

You're fine. You'll have a lot of wheeling to do with 31's on this trail, and might need a tug in one or two spots depending on which way we run it. It's been done on 31's before. You'll have fun.

[Zak.Taylor]

My challenge should be comparable to mikey's then. I've got bigger tires, but probably less belly clearance and no locker

[Beck*A*Poo]

[quote="Goatman"][quote="Mikeys_cougar"]Richard what kind of min requirements we lookin at here? I'm 4" on 31's locked rear with armor and F/R tow points with lots of determination... [/quote]

You're fine. You'll have a lot of wheeling to do with 31's on this trail, and might need a tug in one or two spots depending on which way we run it. It's been done on 31's before. You'll have fun. [/quote]


he won't need a tug , shit he made it in calico just find

[JeremyRowell]

[quote="Mikeys_cougar"]Richard what kind of min requirements we lookin at here? I'm 4" on 31's locked rear with armor and F/R tow points with lots of determination... [/quote]

Wheeling these trails is more fun on 31's-33's.. All these guys with 37's+ either get bored or break chit.

[JeremyRowell]

Anyone up for going in a day early? Meeting at Dinkey Creek Wednesday night and hitting the trail Thursday morning?

[Goatman]

[quote="JeremyRowell"]Anyone up for going in a day early? Meeting at Dinkey Creek Wednesday night and hitting the trail Thursday morning?[/quote]

Yes, definitely, I'm up for it.

Oh wait, I have a business to run and can't take the extra day. Damn. I love going in a day early.

[Goatman]

Here are directions to where we'll be camping Thurs night. We camp at Dinkey Creek, but not in the campground, so there are no fees. We'll leave for the trail from our camp area at 8:30 on Friday morning. We'll run half the trail on Fri and we usually get to Grouse Lake by early to mid afternoon. We'll leave Grouse Lake mid morning on Sunday and finish the trail. There will be a pot luck dinner on Sat night.

Here's directions: Take Hwy 168 from Fresno east about an hour to Shaver Lake. As you are coming into the town of Shaver Lake make a right turn onto Dinkey Creek Rd, where there is a sign saying Wishon and Courtright Reservoirs. Go about 12-15 miles on Dinkey Creek Rd and look for another sign saying Wishon and Courtright Reservoirs, and make a right turn at the sign onto McKinley Grove Rd. You'll immediately cross the bridge over Dinkey Creek then go about a 1/4 mile and you'll see two roads that go to the left, one cuts back sharply and goes to Camp Fresno, and the other one is 10S36, make a left turn onto 10S36 and immediately turn into the trees on the right, which will be our camp.

The best place to gas up, if you're not towing, is in Prather at the bottom of the big grade going up to Shaver, or at the station in Shaver Lake. There is gas at the Dinkey Creek store but it's expensive. There are showers at the Dinkey Creek store, a little cafe, and ice. You can top off your ice in the morning if you need to. We could use some firewood at camp Thurs evening, and it never hurts to have some firewood at Grouse Lake since the firewood can be scarce from regular use. There is a decent outhouse at the camp at Grouse Lake.

[Goatman]

So, who's going, and when are you leaving?

I'll be leaving Thurs around 6 pm.

[JeremyRowell]

Wednesday around 5

[Desert Dog]

We will be leaving at about noon on Friday.

Where are you parking your tow rigs? and what are the directions to the trailhead from that location?

[Beck*A*Poo]

we won't be able to make it ...:/

[aldo90731]

My vacation plans fell through; this sounds like the perfect short getaway instead.

I have a stock 2012 Rubicon with a 2.5" budget boost and front winch. Sounds like it should clear, right?

Gawd I haven't been wheeling in forever!

[Goatman]

[quote="aldo90731"]My vacation plans fell through; this sounds like the perfect short getaway instead.

I have a stock 2012 Rubicon with a 2.5" budget boost and front winch. Sounds like it should clear, right?

Gawd I haven't been wheeling in forever![/quote]

Yes, you'll be fine. This is a very enjoyable trip. I'm trying to figure out who's going so folks know where to camp Thurs night, since I won't be getting there until around 9:30.

[Desert Dog]

Whats up Aldo! Did you trade your old JK in for a new one?

[aldo90731]

[quote="desert dog"]Whats up Aldo! Did you trade your old JK in for a new one?[/quote]

Hey Dawg! Not much! Just been working non-stop...

Yes, I traded my 2009 about six months ago. I do a fair bit of on-highway driving --usually to/from Canada; wanted the power and fuel-economy of the new motor for safe passing and longer range.

Haven't really taken it offroad yet --but don't want to ding it either LOL

[aldo90731]

[quote="Goatman"][quote="aldo90731"]My vacation plans fell through; this sounds like the perfect short getaway instead.

I have a stock 2012 Rubicon with a 2.5" budget boost and front winch. Sounds like it should clear, right?

Gawd I haven't been wheeling in forever![/quote]

Yes, you'll be fine. This is a very enjoyable trip. I'm trying to figure out who's going so folks know where to camp Thurs night, since I won't be getting there until around 9:30.[/quote]

I'm in. I have Thursday off, so I will probably take the scenic route...

[Goatman]

[quote="desert dog"]We will be leaving at about noon on Friday.

Where are you parking your tow rigs? and what are the directions to the trailhead from that location?[/quote]


We're parking our tow rigs right where we camp Thurs night. Follow the directions to camp and you'll see the tow rigs parked in the trees. There is also a paved parking lot to the left on Dinky Creek Rd, right across from where you make the right hand turn onto McKinley Grove road and cross the bridge over Dinky Creek. Either parking place is fine.

Here's directions to the trailhead, from the south, which is the way we'll be running it. Follow the directions I posted earlier to where we'll be camping Thurs night. When you turn off the highway at road 10S36, you should see a few trucks and trailers in the trees, which is where we camped. Continue on road 10S36 for a few miles, passing some logging roads, until you come to a road to the right with a forest service gate, which will be open, turn right on this road. Turn right through the gate and go for another few miles (could be 3-5 miles, hard to say) until you come to a road going to the left that also has a gate, which will be open. Turn left through the gate and this is the start of the trail, continue for 6-7 miles until you reach our camp at Grouse Lake. If you get on 10S36, where we camp, and go to the first gate and turn right, then go to the first gate and turn left, you can't miss it. Enjoy the drive.

[Desert Dog]

Thanks Richard, see you guys in camp on Friday evening.

[Goatman]

Who else is going? Trying to make sure you know where to go, since I won't get there Thurs until after dark.

[aldo90731]

[quote="Goatman"]Who else is going? Trying to make sure you know where to go, since I won't get there Thurs until after dark.[/quote]

Here is a map showing Dinkey Creek Road and 10S36 --left upper side of the map [url]http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5305543.pdf[/url]

See you guys there.