August 26, 2007: Slate Mountain Trail

Adam, Crystal and their son Raith decided to take their Chevrolet Blazer out to earn it's stripes with us today! It performed great - they even tackled a really wild logging road in it! I didn't have a chance to get the exhaust repaired on the Land Rover until Monday, so she was breathing through one nostril on this trip.

The trailhead is about ten miles north of Placerville on Mosquito Road - a winding mountain road that gets progressively more narrow and twisty. Eventually, you're down to one lane (with random turnouts along the way) that crosses an extremely narrow wooden bridge.We finally turned left on 12N70 and entered the Eldorado National Forest. 12N70 starts out as a paved road, but eventually turns to graded dirt a few miles down. HOWEVER, not content to tackle a mere DR: 2 trail, Adam and I spotted a logging road just behind the sign marking the entrance of the National Forest and decided it might make a fun detour...

So off we go, up some random logging trail littered with debris and sharply-peaked moguls! Sarenna was looking at me like I was mildly insane (maybe she's on to something?) and I'm pretty sure Crystal had the same expression - right up until the Blazer dragged it's frame through the dirt and we decided to call off the adventure. Now we had to get OUT of the mess we were in! Adam executed a graceful 100-point turn - with Crystal holding Raith and watching from OUTSIDE the truck - and got the Blazer aimed back downhill.



While Adam was descending the slope, I had to perform an emergency binkie retrieval, only to discover that I couldn't get back into the truck! Where I was parked had an off-camber tilt which left the door sill about 2.5 feet off the ground. After a particularly ungraceful headfirst dive into the truck, it was my turn to follow Adam down and get back to the trail we'd originally planned on...



Where the pavement ends on 12N70 marks the 'official' start of the Slate Mountain Trail. It's rated a DR: 2 and that's pretty accurate with the exception of the spur which leads to the Slate Mountain Lookout Tower. Mild ruts and a wide, relatively well-graded road though the forest continue on until you reach the spur trail to Slate Mountain Lookout Tower (12N76).This trail is unavoidably brushy, both from the sides and overhead branches, very narrow and has some patches of rock and ruts where a non-4WD equipped truck might run into trouble. The Manzanita, Live Oak and Sugar Pines claw at every painted surface, leaving a web of fine scratches. The trail winds its way up through the trees, crossing some very 'interesting' settlements along the way. (Do I hear banjos playing in the distance?) I wouldn't stop to ask for directions! Eventually, the trail dead-ends in a 'T' and to the left, up the hill, you can see the radio towers on the summit. We followed the left fork which intersects a steep, gated road on the right. The gate is closed, but not locked, so we decided to back both trucks up the slope and have lunch.

We hiked to the summit only to discover that the Slate Mountain Lookout Tower doesn't exist anymore!!! The concrete foundation and stairs are still there, but the actual tower is gone. In it's place is a large antenna array which is gated off - probably a good thing as we had three very curious boys with us!

The view from the peak was fantastic and the boys had fun exploring and throwing rocks. Eventually, we walked back down to the trucks, had lunch and more-or-less relaxed while Danny, Jayden and Raith ran wild. It was already 4:00PM so rather than head down the spur to the main trail, we decided to continue down 12N76 for a few miles to where it intersects Mosquito Road.

The road is no less brushy until you reach Mosquito Road, where it suddenly widens out and is in much better shape. This road is a nice change from the claustrophobic spur trail and leads right back to Highway 50 in Placerville.

We've already talked about going back and finishing the main trail and the boys had a great time playing on the mountain. Besides, Adam and I still have to see where that logging road leads... :)


Directions:

Take Hwy. 50 East to Placerville
Exit at Main St. and head East until it crosses under the freeway
Main turns into Mosquito Road and heads North
Turn left on 12N70 and follow it to where the pavement ends

Trail Notes:

The Slate Mountain Trail is an easy trail, but there is a loose surface, so a vehicle with 4WD is recommended. The spur trail is very brushy so you'll have to be willing to accept some scratches as part of the deal. It is hot and dry, despite the altitude, so bring plenty of water.

August 25, 2007: Corral Hollow OHV Route

What a trip this was! Marshan, Lalani (in her signature sandals) and Lola the intrepid traildog returned for more after the Sierra Buttes run. Jeremy, Catherine and their daughter Caitlyn joined us in their Jeep Wrangler this time as well. This was also the first trip where everyone had a radio - we found them to be an invaluable tool on this trip.

The drive to Bear Valley takes about 2.5 hours and we were at the rendezvous point (Bear Valley General Store and Deli - try the Bear Trap breakfast sandwich!) by 10:30AM. After breakfast, we departed for the trailhead and soon discovered that the small jeep sign that used to mark it is no longer there. Look for a break in the trees on Highway 4 about .1 miles southwest of the Bear Valley Road turnoff - you can see the trail information board from the highway.

Marshan, Lalani and Lola made the turn but had to wait for the rest of us - we sailed right past the turnoff and had to make a 'creative' directional change a mile or so down the road... Oops.

The Corral Hollow OHV Route doesn't pull any punches - it's rated a DR: 5, but by the end, we all agreed it would be more appropriately labelled DR: 6. If you have a large SUV or full-size truck, find another trail. You CAN make it, but your chances of trail-damage are much higher. I was able to pilot the LR3 through the narrowest parts with the help of some excellent spotting by Sarenna, Marshan and Jeremy.

The rocky trail winds up the ridge through dense forest and can get extremely narrow for larger vehicles. Unlike Sierra Buttes, this trail rarely gives you a break - the rocks, roots and trees seem to go on forever! The trail meanders up the hillside, crossing a number of dry creekbeds (there may be water in them at other times of the year) and our impression was that this trail will only get more difficult as it ages. Not that we're complaining! The roadbed is very loose and powdery, punctuated by large embedded boulders and sharp rocks, roots and stumps.

Traction is difficult, especially on the steeper sections which can exceed 20 degrees. The final climb to the summit is the most difficult section of trail - a steep, rocky hillside with a very loose surface. If you do not have locking differentials, plan your line well ahead! The 'smoother' sections of the climb turned out to be dust traps, virtually impassable without lockers.

At the summit, we were rewarded with an incredible view of the valley below. This was a perfect time to take a break and get the kids (and Lola) out of the truck to burn off some energy. Soon, we were back on the trail, following the ridgeline before dropping down into Bear Trap Basin. The road here is fairly wide and not nearly as rocky as the first section. The trail winds through the trees as you descend the slope and with the exception of a few challenging drops, is fairly easy to negotiate.

And then it happened - On a mild section of the trail, in a spot obscured by the glare, I dropped the rear of the LR3 straight down on a rock half-buried in the dusty roadbed. Sarenna and I looked at each other as the rear crashed down and at that moment, we both thought the same thing - "That CAN'T be good!" We sat for a moment, listening for any strange noises or warning lights to illuminate - nothing so far... Slowly, we pulled away, following Marshan toward Bear Trap Cabin with Jeremy bringing up the rear.

The trail eventually leaves the forest and switchbacks through an enormous field of Mule-Ears. A generally un- attractive plant when not in bloom, they cover the landscape on both sides of the ridge. Finally, just as we're beginning to wonder if we're still on the right trail, Bear Trap Cabin comes into view.

We pulled into the dirt parking area in front and talked with a few hunters who were just leaving before unloading our boxes and ice chests. It is significantly cooler in the cabin and there is a large picnic-style table inside. The creek behind the cabin was little more than a scummy mudhole this time of year, so needless to say, we opted out of it! As I was unloading the LR3, I noticed the driver's-side exhaust hanging lower than usual and looked underneath to inspect the damage. The rock we landed on had crushed the exhaust pipe between the catalytic converter and muffler and sandwiched it up against the transmission housing. It wasn't pinched shut and it hadn't torn the pipe open, so it was still safe to drive on - just another trip to the Land Rover dealer when we get home!

We took a nice break to eat, relax and sign the guest log in the cabin, then loaded up and started on the last leg of our journey. This part of the trail is substantially easier, with fewer turns and rocks to worry about. Eventually, the trail intersects forest road 7N09 which leads back to Highway 4.

On our way home, we stopped to gas-up in Arnold and heard that Highway 4 was completely closed in Avery due to an arsonist setting four seperate fires in the area! By the time we arrived, traffic was being allowed to pass, one direction at a time, and although it was backed up, we eventually got through - just in time to pull off in Murphys for an 'emergency' diaper change. Thanks Jayden!

We all made it back, more or less intact, and had a fantastic time. This is one trail we will definitely be visiting again!


Directions:

I-80W to Hwy. 99 South
Hwy. 99 South to Galt
Take the Liberty Road exit and turn left onto Liberty Road
Turn right at Hwy. 88
Turn left at Hwy. 12
Hwy. 12 merges into Hwy. 49
Turn left at Hwy. 4 in Angels Camp
Trailhead is on the left (7N35) .1 miles south of Bear Valley

Trail Notes:

The Corral Hollow OHV Route has aged considerably since the last written reports and ranges from a DR: 4 to DR: 6. There are several sections of trail that would normally have relatively shallow water crossings, but are currently dry. It appears that the trail was washed-out in places and filled in with gravel and rocks.

This trail is about compromise - the more lift you have, the better you'll get over the rocks, but you'll also end up scraping along the numerous overhanging tree branches on the second half of the route. There are many trees that actually grew in an arch over the trail with branches hanging almost straight down! If you have a short-wheelbase vehicle, you'll make it through just fine, but larger trucks and SUV's will need some carefull spotting to make it through. Long-wheelbase trucks will have to do some multi-point turns to get through the trees. The surface is very loose and dusty - especially on hills - making traction and braking difficult. Give yourself plenty of time to stop and good seperation between vehicles when ascending. This is NOT a trail to attempt in wet weather!

Bear Trap Cabin is a nice shelter for taking a break, but there is no water and the nearby outhouse is 'questionable'. This is also high-country pasture land, so watch where you step! The trail is very dry, so make sure you bring plenty of water.

*** UPDATE ***
The exhaust on the LR3 turned out to be a simple fix. $42.50 and a half-hour later, the damaged section of pipe had been cut out and a new piece welded into place.

Marshan spotting Dan's LR3 through the trees...

Jeremy finds a dust trap on his ascent...

Dan's using some 'colorful metaphors' on his ascent to the summit!

Jeremy's descent into Bear Trap Basin...

View through the LR3's windshield as we start up the trail...

Things are getting a little bumpy...

Threading the needle...

Taking a break at the top of the ridge...

The view from the top of the ridge...

Heading up the ridgeline...

The view from the trail as it follows the ridge...

Jeremy coming down from the overlook at the summit...

Desending through Bear Trap Basin after lunch at the cabin...

Viair 420C Compressor Install: Part 2

After mounting the compressor, all that was left was to route the power lines to the switch and run the air line through the wall of the second battery compartment. Easier said than done! The compartment is shared by a number of other components, some of which get quite hot, so I had to make sure the wires and steel-braided leader hose wouldn't come into contact with anything that could damage them.

I decided to mount the switch in front of the ABS system as it didn't require much depth inside the box and a swiveling quick-connector was mounted beside it. Both mounting positions required a 1/2" hole in the wall of the battery box. The switch I chose is a 50 amp SPST toggle switch and is rated high enough that I didn't have to wire a relay into the system. The quick-connector was threaded through the wall of the battery box and screwed directly into the 3/8" to 1/4" reducer on the end of the compressor's leader hose. Teflon tape was used on all of the threaded connections to ensure a good seal.

The leader hose is temporarily zip-tied to the inboard wall of the battery box to keep it from resting against anything. I purchased some insulated hose clamps and nylon push-in connectors and will be re-routing the hose and securing it later.

The last step was to mount a dust cap for the air connector, attach the wires to the switch with round terminal connectors and install the fuse in the inline fuse holder. Once the connections were all in place, I tested the unit and checked for leaks - everything works perfectly!

I also tested it with the battery cover intstalled and there is more than enough space for it to draw air as well as stay cool. The unit is relatively quiet (especially with the cover in place) and there is virtually no detectable vibration in the engine bay.

This project is not very difficult, it just takes some good planning and selecting the right components. Overall time spent was about 5 hours, but a more experienced person could do it in less. Good luck!

Viair 420C Compressor Install: Part 1

Although the trails we drive are not up to Rubicon-esque standards, we frequently encounter loose surfaces, embedded boulders and other obstancles which necessitate airing-down our tires to provide as large a contact patch as possible. This greatly improves traction and makes for a much more comfortable ride. I recently purchased a Viair 420C compressor and am hard-mounting it into the 2nd battery compartment of my Land Rover LR3.

The Viair 420C is a 33% duty cycle compressor (runs for 15 minutes, then cools for 30 minutes), pushes 2.54 CFM and draws 30 amps. It's a sealed unit designed for exterior use on 4WD vehicles and the kit includes almost everything you need to mount it.

I had the Land Rover dealer run a 10-gauge accessory line from the existing battery to the second battery compartment with a 40 amp inline fuse. They did a very clean job and followed the existing harness routing, so there is no unnecessarily exposed wiring. In order to position the compressor, I set it in the battery compartment and made sure there was plenty of clearance all the way around. With the compressor positioned, I dipped the flat side of a bamboo skewer in white paint, then slid it through the mounting holes and marked the bottom of the battery box. This ensured the mounting holes were perfectly positioned and eliminated the possibility of measurement errors.

I removed the compressor and drilled a 5/16" hole through each of the marked positions. This was just big enough to fit the brass threaded inserts to anchor the compressor. I chose these inserts because the compartment for the second battery is shared with the ABS system and I was concerned that without a firm anchor, the compressor could break loose and damage the system. Using a steel dowel and 5-lb sledgehammer, I drove each of the inserts into the plastic bottom of the battery box. The inserts now sit totally flush with the bottom of the compartment and as a side benefit, they give the installation a completely 'stock' look. The compartment already has a number of threaded brass inserts molded into it for the battery-mounting hardware, so if I ever remove the compressor, the compartment won't look like there are a bunch of random holes drilled into it.

With the brass inserts installed (and my heart rate back to normal - it's not easy to drill holes in a brand-new truck!) I inserted the screws and washers through the mounting holes on the compressor and positioned it in the box. Here's a tip - with the screws and washers on the compressor, the lower washers will fall off when you turn it over to mount it since there is nothing to hold them in place. I wrapped a very small piece of teflon tape around the threads of each screw to keep the washers from sliding off.

The threads cut through the tape as they are secured into the anchors and the tape won't interfere with the mountings. One last note: The body of the LR3 sits very close to the bottom of the battery compartment, so I had to remove about 1/8" from the passenger-side front screw. This allowed me to tighten the screw firmly without any risk of hitting the body below the tray. With the compressor secured, it is practically impossible for it to break loose and there is absolutely no movement of the unit inside the compartment.

I routed the ground wire from the unit to a chassis ground lug located inside the battery box.



The top of the box has plenty of room to seal, I can replace the air filters without removing anything and none of the hoses or wires are routed near any hot components. All that's left is to wire it up and mount the air source quick-connector!

August 4, 2007: Sierra Buttes Trail

Since our first trip was something less than what we'd hoped, we decided to look for a trail that was a little more clearly marked and invited some friends to join us. Mike and his son Alexander drove up the night before with Doug and camped near the trailhead in Downieville. We caravaned up the following morning with Marshan, Lalani and his dog Lola. The drive to Sierra City was a little long (about 2.5 hours from Roseville) but the boys entertained themselves watching Transformers and Shrek movies while simultaneously covering themselves an the inerior of the truck in juice and beef jerky. We met up with Mike, Doug and Alexander around 11:30AM and made our way to the trailhead a few of miles outside of town. At the trailhead, we let the boys (and Lola) get out and stretch their legs while we discussed the trail and made last-minute adjustments to our gear. We hit the trail by noon with Doug's Jeep Grand Cherokee in the lead, followed by Marshan's Toyota Tacoma and our Land Rover LR3 bringing up the rear.


The trail starts out easy enough - it's a fairly well maintained gravel road that leads up a series of irregular switchbacks. The road quickly narrows and we began our ascent up a winding, rutted mess of an OHV trail. The shelf road gets VERY narrow in places and is covered in moderately loose soil and baseball-sized rocks that can make traction difficult. Throw in a nice mix of 9"+ embedded rock formations and you have the makings of an exciting climb! As we gained elevation, the views from the road are breathtaking - so much so that Sarenna asked that I PLEASE look out the widshield and not admire the view until we've stopped! Oops!

We found the turnoff for the spur trail that leads to Sierra Buttes Tower - an unmanned fire watch tower - and decided this would be a good place to stop for lunch. The spur trail is short (about 1.2 miles) but severely rutted with very loose soil and some steep climbs over embedded rocks. It's also pretty narrow and winds through the trees. At the top of the spur we pulled into the 'parking lot', a small clearing wide enough for a half-dozen trucks. While the kids snacked and played, we debated whether to climb the rough, steep trail that leads to the base of the tower. In the end, Marshan, Lalani (in sandals!) and Lola led the way up and we climbed, crawled and clawed our way up the hill to the tower. Once there, we had to climb four sets of precarious stairs bolted to the exposed granite face of the mountain in order to get to the tower itself. Marshan and Lalani helped me get the boys up the stairs and onto the tower - the view was incredible!!! The wind was also incredible and it didn't take long for the boys to decide they'd had enough and we headed back down to the trucks.

The descent down the spur was no less exciting than the ascent, but it passed relatively quickly. By the time we started heading back down the main trail, it was almost 5PM so we pushed on until reaching FR-93 which leads back to the highway. FR-93 starts off as a paved road (which feels strange to be driving on again!) but it eventually alternates between gravel and hard-packed dirt trails which lead down the mountain. Once back to Hwy. 49, we gassed up in Downieville and headed back to civilization. The only casualties were a minor overheat on Doug's Jeep going up the spur trail, some pinstriping on my LR3 and Marshan lost the bolt-on exhaust tip from his Tacoma.















Directions:

I-80E to Hwy. 49N
Hwy. 49N to Sierra City
Turn left on Butte St. and left again on Sierra Buttes Rd.
The trailhead is on the right by the entrance to the transfer station.
At the intersection with Columbo Mine Rd. and Sierra Buttes Rd., turn right up the hill onto Butcher Ranch Rd.
Return trip is a left turn onto FR-93 which intersects Hwy. 49.

Trail Notes:

The main trail is a shelf road that that is acceptably wide with a slightly loose surface. There are some small embedded rock obstacles and it is slightly rutted. High-clearance 2WD or 4Hi is fine along this section. A couple miles up, the main trail narrows considerably and the surface becomes moderately loose which can make traction difficult. There are embedded boulders and rock obstacles in excess of 6" and the trail is moderately rutted. High-clearance 4Hi recommended here! Once past the spur, the main trail becomes less rutted and is very similar to the first few miles with only a few patches of rock to negotiate.

The spur trail leading to the watch tower is severely rutted and steep with a loose surface that requires 4Lo to ascend. The ruts alternate from right to left so it is very important to pick a good line before attempting to cross as it would be fairly easy to high-center a vehicle in them. The trail narrows as it winds through the trees and also slightly brushy with substantial embedded boulders and rock obstacles to negotiate.

The hiking trail to Sierra Buttes Tower is approximately 1.5 miles of steep and rocky switchbacks. Plan on 45 minutes at a leisurely pace to ascend, 30 minutes to descend. It is very high up (8500+ feet) so it's easy to get winded on the hike. The trail is not open to OHV's, but you'll probably see a few anyway, so be alert and ready to move out of the way. The summit is very windy and can get chilly so it's a good idea to bring a sweatshirt or windbreaker.

There are no facilities and no local water souces along either the OHV or hiking trails. We crossed two very small muddy streams that ran across the main trail, but they are less than a few inches deep and a foot wide.

Video from inside Marshan's Tacoma as he follows Doug up the trail...

One of the local residents...

Looking up at Sierra Buttes Tower from the 'Parking Lot'...

Looking down at the "Parking Lot" from Sierra Buttes Tower...

More views from the top of Sierra Buttes Tower...

July 22, 2007: Baltic Ridge Trail

Well, this was the family's first attempt at off-roading and like most first attempts, it didn't quite go as planned.

We bought the Land Rover LR3 HSE just two weeks prior and after getting past the 'official' break-in point, I was itching to get it dirtied up. We decided on the Baltic Ridge Trail in El Dorado National Forest. Situated between Placerville and Pollock Pines, it looked like a relatively short drive to the trailhead, a relatively easy difficulty level (3) and a nice mix of scenery. So, we loaded everyone up and started off on our maiden voyage!

In about an hour and a half, we reached the spot where the guidebook and GPS said the trail should begin, a small forest road named 10N61. After searching unsuccessfully, we decided to take another trail (10N57) that we'd come across. Here's my first lesson - DON'T GO DOWN TRAILS YOU DON'T KNOW! As branches from various trees and bushes rake down both sides of my brand-new truck, I'm repeating a mantra in my head, "This is what you bought it for, this is what you bought it for..."

After driving down a loose slope for a few miles, we were confronted by a large fallen tree that blocked the path and since I didn't have a chainsaw, we decided it was time to turn around. Try turning around a 3-ton SUV on a narrow single-track dirt road! I accomplished a very inelegant 100 point turn and got us back up the hill to a campsite we'd found when looking for our original trail. We stopped to eat lunch - well, Sarenna and I ate while the boys threw rocks, sticks and their own lunches out the back of the truck. After taking a hike and letting the boys blow off some steam, we decided to make one last try and head over to the opposite end of the Baltic Rdige Trail and see if we could locate the trailhead from that side. After driving to the opposite end of the trail, we did find it - along with about 100 other intersecting unmarked roads which made navigation all but impossible. It was getting late and we decided to turn around after going only a few hundred yards down the trail.

Here are my notes on this location (10N57):

1. Trail is very brushy and has a number of relatively steep ascents and descents over moderately loose soil.

2. There are no significant rock obstacles, but many fallen logs and branches.

Despite not finding the right trail, we had a great time! The boys loved the screeching sound the branches made as they clawed at the sides of the car. They were laughing like crazy and shouting, "Do it again Daddy!!!" Yeah, I'll get right on that... :)