Topic: So now that GONE '11 is over with...

[npgtech]

When's the next wheelin' trip?  I'm itchin' and ready to hit the trails again.  Hopefully we can get my wife's X a little dirty this time and maybe get her to put it in 4-LO.  Anyone else interested?  Any ideas? 

[leons240s]

definitly! rattlesnake was supposed to be my first trip with you guys but i had to miss out due to starting a new gig at morongo casino, any hopes of running the san bernardino mountains?

[boats]

Im thinking of doing a day trip to Joshua tree. Not sure when im still looking at what trail to do. Something not to crazy as i have not welded the nuts for my oil pan skid.

[Ghost65]

Hey Nick...there are a lot of options depending on the timing.

The desert is out as it will be hot through September...so...what difficulty level are you looking for?

We could do a day trip run to Big Bear and hit the Gold Mountain Trail, or maybe run up Palomar Mountain/Nate Harrison Grade, or we could even run Rattlesnake Canyon again.

What are your thoughts?

[FrankB]

Depending on how far people want to drive, the Espinosa Trail down from the top of Los Pinos Mountain to the Corral Canyon OHV area might be nice. It can be a bit warm out there, but hard to say with the recent cooler weather.

Palomar Divide Truck Trail, up to the fire lookout tower, would be fun.

[shi819]

Oooooh look who thinks he is funny. Need to get my truck dirty and in 4Lo ! When you guys thinking?

[Oz]

There's a few of us running John Bull June 26th if anyone's interested

[shi819]

There's a few of us running John Bull June 26th if anyone's interested

That is our son's 6th birthday. :/ Where is John Bull?

[Oz]

Big Bear

[RockinX]

Now you have your birthday theme.  How many kids get to say they got to run John Bull for their 6th birthday.  And no worries, John Bull is stock friendly.    

ETA.  Well, maybe Kristina and Michael (mini-Xtoolboxs) have run JB for their 6th birthday, but still.....

[MaxPower]

John Bull is stock friendly.

I've wanted to do John Bull but didn't think it was stock friendly.....or were you joking?

[Oz]

I've wanted to do John Bull but didn't think it was stock friendly.....or were you joking?

its about as stock friendly as that 20' section of N202, times 11 miles

I think she was joking

The John Bull Trail has the solid reputation as one of the toughest and most challenging trails in the Big Bear mountains of San Bernardino County. This trail should only be done with in a group of well-equipped short-wheelbase vehicles. Lockers are recommended, but not always required. The entire trail is strewn with boulders of various sizes. There are a number of sharp drop-offs along the way. Be prepared for scratches, dings and flat tires. This trail is not for stock SUV's.
The trail is part of the "Adopt a Trail" program through the National Forest Service, and has been adopted by the So Cal Broncos (east end) and the Waywegos 4 Wheel Drive Club (west end).
Running the trail west to east is somewhat easier, there is a campground at the western starting point. Most off-roaders prefer to start at the east end of the trail. The official start point is off of the Burnt Flats Trail (3N02), although many catch it at the end of 3N32.
Around April/May 2009 the ends of the trail has had more boulders pushed in to make more difficult "gateways".

Its really not as tough as the description, but there is a part where you scratch you head and say "There is no possible way vehicles should be on this trail" - but you take a strap or a winch and everybody eventually get through

[MaxPower]

Thanks Oz.  That's pretty much what I thought but wanted to make sure. 

[Ghost65]

John Bull is not for the faint of heart...or open differential. 

Gold Mountain Trail however, can be fun with a few good spotters.

[Ghost65]

There's a few of us running John Bull June 26th if anyone's interested

Oz - who is running with you?