Pressing on, worked on itenerary on Sunday. Damn, I forgot how hard it is to narrow down 100 trails into a handful! As always my eyes are bigger then my schedule. The meet up point has been tricky since the "Fire" will begin in a new area for me. But I think I have settled on the Calico Ghost Town pay campground to meet up. Easy to find each other, and fun for the kids. After that, no more city slicker crap. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

What dates are we looknig at?

Still pinning the length down, but the start day is set as Sunday Sept 1st meeting at Camp. That is labor day weekend. Will go through the following weekend at least. The start day will NOT change because I am already in LA starting Thursday for something else.

Ok, here is my preliminary concept. Catching up to speed on the ever losing battle against land closure, I can see we are best going south in hopes some stuff might re-open up north and the FTR boys get there access. Cross your fingers for 2014...

2013 Sierra Carnage Return
"Fire and Ice"

The FIRE

Sunday Sept 1st PM: Meet at Calico Ghost Town Pay Camp Ground. Note: We plan to arrive no later than 2:00Pm and enjoy the attractions. http://cms.sbcounty.gov/parks/Parks/CalicoGhostTown.aspx
Monday Sept 2nd: Run Calico Area Trails Doran Loop and Odessa Canyons(Hardcore Warm up) Drive to Bonanza Gulch Trail and camp.(Includes one hour of Highway time, could be long day)
Tuesday Sept 3rd: Complete Bonanza Gulch and related side trails. Including historical sites such as the Burrow Schmidt Tunnel, Bickel Cabin, Holly Ash Cleanser Mine, Bonanza Gulch Post Office, ect. Historical Interest day, easy wheeling day. Begin Jawbone to Lake Isabella route, camp along route some place that looks good.
Wednesday Sept 4th: Complete route to Lake Isabella and Run Freeway Ridge/ Black Gulch Trails. Camp???

The ICE

Thursday Sept 5th: Supply up day. 2.5hr road trip to Shaver Lake. Run Bald Mountain Trail. Drive to Court right Reservoir and camp at Courtright.(as far in as we can) Could be long day.
Friday Sept 6th: Saturday Sept 7th: Dusy to Ershim Lake, camp at Ershim Lake. This is a bit of a push, but starting from Court Right should be doable.
Saturday Sept 8th: Ershim Lake to Mirror Lake(supply up day)Mirror lake is a stop over point because Coyote is too far, and a RIOT to get out from!
Sunday Sept 9th: Mirror Lake to Coyote Lake
Monday Sept 10th: Day of Rest at Coyote Lake to wind down the trip and get ready to head home.
Tuesday Sept 11th: Out Coyote Lake and Head Home. Booooo.

I just want to advise for those anal people about dates and such and nit pick planners that you messed up the dates versus the days of the week. Just trying to help a guy out. Also, No rubicon? I take it that is north?

Dates look ok to me. Yes Rubicon is north. Many trails are locked up due to a radical law suit up north. The conceptual plan is to head north next year, crossing our fingers some trails will re-open and access to the private land FTR bought between Spide and Rubicon Springs will be secured. THAT, could be very, very interesting...... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Look again. Specifically Saturday. Seems its able to travel time.

I'm tentative at this point.

I reallllly want to make it, but it's gonna be an issue of funds (making sure the truck is ready, plus trip expenses). It's still a ways out, so I might be able to pull it together - if only a set of tires wasn't $1000. That's pretty daunting right now, as my truck currently has weather-cracked 31's that are definitely a no-go on an excursion such as this! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

We'll see what happens. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Sure. The other main forum I'm on is the Expedition Portal Mitsu forum. Mostly Overlanding community but some harder core guys as well... Put my marketing and sales hat on and posted this. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

I may have 1-2 Jeep or Yota friends who want to come along. I doubt they will follow thru (it's tough for them to get 10 days off in a row), but on the off chance that they do - I want to make sure they would be welcome assuming they were self-sufficient as far as driving/navigating/repairing/etc.

Also...junkyard sale in my area next weekend. I plan to grab a set of the basic trail spares, whatever I can afford. Tie rod ends, center drag link, CV axles and trailing arms were on my list.

If anyone needs small stuff, I can possibly grab something for you if you are patient and can pay shipping (or can somehow pick up in SoCal). Shoot me a PM. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />