SWAMP LAKE, July 31 - Aug 2nd

[Desert Dog]

Several Bakersfield folks are running the Swamp lake trail On July 31st. Some may be running in on August 1st and only staying 1 night.

I have to work half day on the 31st so will probably end up doing the usual night run in on that Friday.

Everyone will be camping at Grouse lake - at about 9000 feet elevation. Expect nice days and cool nights. About half the time I go here in the summer, it rains - so expect that too. Pack out what you bring in. Fishing is usually pretty good for small rainbow and brook trout. The skeeters can be downright vicious, and they laugh at most bug sprays. 100% DEET seems to be the only thing that is very effective. Ohh, and don't forget to bring some cheap inflatable rafts to have fun on the lake.

RIG REQUIREMENTS:

33s, a locker, rock sliders, front & rear attachment points, and a rig in great running condition.

Also bring bring spare parts. If you don't have chromoly shafts, be prepared to handle broken ones. If you have a D35 in the rear, be prepared to deal with that. Spare u-joints, spare fluids, tire repair kit and compressor, spare brake lines, spare belts, spare high-pressure steering line, and your own tools should get you by.

This trail is very remote - more remote than the Rubicon. If your shit breaks really bad, it will be left on the side of the trail until we can get a recovery crew out there the next week - you can not be towed out. So if your rig is running bad, overheating, or having problems - it is best not to attend this run

Although this trail is not too difficult, it is VERY off-camber in sections. Keep the weight as low as possible. Loading heavy stuff on a roof may cause you to flop.

Basically, prepare for this run just like you would for the Rubicon, maybe even a little more prepared.

DIRECTIONS TO TRAILHEAD:

Take Hwy 168 from Fresno east about an hour to Shaver Lake. Be sure to top off your gas tank in Prather or the town of Shaver Lake. As you are coming into the town of Shaver Lake make a right turn onto Dinky Creek Rd. Go about 12-15 miles on Dinky 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 Dinky 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 a staging area for tow rigs with trailers. Continue to the trailhead 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, and go to the first gate and turn right, then go to the first gate and turn left, you can't miss it ( 37° 04' 23.8" N - 119° 06' 07.2" W )

Here is a great link with GPS coordinates: http://4x4trailmaps.com/4x4Trails.php?Trail_ID=45

[Zak.Taylor]

I got 35's, no locker and a '13 JK. Think I'll be alright?


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[Desert Dog]

[quote="Zak.Taylor"]I got 35's, no locker and a '13 JK. Think I'll be alright?[/quote]

Yep, but you will have to be pulled/winched through a few of spots.

And make sure you have sliders.

[Desert Dog]

I plan on being at the trailhead at about 3:30pm on Friday if anyone wants to run in with me.