Topic: Cerro Gordo And Salt Trams Trip 2017

[Celt]

Thanks for setting this up Tony! looking forward to this
I'll bring biltong

 Hennie, I think you should put your camp spot right next to mine that way I can help you protect that Biltong from anyone trying to five finger discount it.

[Celt]

This guy is going to show up in pretty much every SCCX thread from now on, isn't he?

HAHAHAHAHA........ Bug-Man and his peanut gallery advice lurks in the shadows.

[lutsie]

I made the list! Hell yeah.

+3 for me


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[PainRoller]

Be sure to read and follow the SCCX Xcursion Guidelines.  In addition, here are a few of mine for this trip:
A)   Rig requirements:
1)   Good clearance, or thick skid plates (having both is preferred)
2)   In generally good mechanical order
3)   Good recovery points front and rear – in case we need to drag your mall-crawler chassis over some rock outcrops (see item #1)
4)   Communications of some variety, in descending order of preference – ham VHF, FRS, CB, horn, whistle, smoke signal, sign language
B)   Driver requirements:
1)   Good attitude, especially when A3 is occurring
2)   Generally self-sufficient
3)   No whiners
C)   Navigator/passenger requirements – driver’s responsibility:
1)   Good attitude, and definitely when A3 is occurring
2)   Generally self-sufficient
3)   No whiners
The current plan is as follows:  Saturday we will be travelling from Swansea up to our first camping site.  This is the reverse, or tougher, way as gravity won’t be helping rigs get down ledges or obstacles (if there are any). It shouldn’t be too difficult, but it is a gain of 6,000 feet in less than ten miles (~15 road miles).  We will NOT be hard-charging this trip.  Saturday will be devoted to getting to the crest of the Inyo Mountains and finding the ideal camping site.  If we depart Swansea by 1000 I expect we will be in camp by 1400, if not sooner.  There will be plenty of time to stop for pictures, check out the geology, and be amazed at the ingenuity and determination of the folks that built the salt tram.  We will be surrounded by “wilderness” and there are lots of hiking and exploring opportunities.  Just watch out for light-headedness, over-exertion, dehydration, and other signs of altitude sickness.  Sunday will be a drive along the crest south to the salt trams (~7 road miles) where we can spend a couple of hours exploring and having lunch.  Then it is on down the road (~7 more road miles) to Cerro Gordo ghost town.  Note that the crest trail is a shelf road in many places, and can cause severe (even debilitating) sphincter contractions.  Those with weak dispositions should be medicated or blindfolded and muffled. We will camp east of the ghost town Sunday night.  Monday, we will explore the town for a couple of hours, and then head back to pavement and home.  The last section of dirt road from Cerro Gordo down to Hwy 136 is ~6 road miles long, but you drop almost a mile in elevation as well.
Location information:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recarea/?recid=21880
Friday night accommodations – you are on your own.  I am staying in Lone Pine at the Comfort Inn.  If you are in the vicinity and want to meet up for dinner, that would be great.  Rooms are going fast, as it is Memorial Weekend.  Alternatively, you could get up early on Saturday and drive directly from home to the trail head meeting at 0900.
Please post your number of persons/vehicles and send me a confirmation PM.  Also note what type of comms you have or intend to use on the trip.  I will be putting together a comm plan.  There will be no name tags.

No whining and opps for butt clinching  - can't wait! 

[JFanaselle]

Just wanted to say thanks for setting this up Tony. The wife and I are in for sure! This is going to be an epic trip, and you are the man for tackling this. Let me know anything I can do to help coordinate along the way (you need me to make some nametags?  )

[chrishaynesusa]

Did not realize I was so universally celebated in SoCal.

Glad you all have a target.

[Celt]

Did not realize I was so universally celebated in SoCal.

Glad you all have a target.

 Don't be that full of yourself. You placed that target firmly on your shoulders all by yourself.

[Sage Bromax]

Just a New Year's reminder - this trip is still on.   

[Celt]

Just a New Year's reminder - this trip is still on.   

  Just a reminder to the New Year's reminder.... I'm still in!!!!



                                            

[JFanaselle]

Thanks for the reminder. I just booked my room at the Comfort Inn. There are now 4 rooms left according to booking.com at $140 a night. Better scoop one up quick if you're thinking about going! The $140 rate allows you to cancel all the way up until May 25th with no charge.

[knightrider]

Still in and +1, i think i gave Jill enough notice that she should be going.

[Celt]

Just booked a campsite on the 25th in Lone Pine. Giddy up Bat Man this is gonna be an awesome trip!!!!!

[SCUBA_Dale]

Just booked a campsite on the 25th in Lone Pine. Giddy up Bat Man this is gonna be an awesome trip!!!!!

Was it actually Lone Pine Campground, or was it one of the many others?  I still need to book somewhere...

[Celt]

Was it actually Lone Pine Campground, or was it one of the many others?  I still need to book somewhere...

 Yes, it's the Lone Pine Campground. I would recommend anyone that is looking into camping in that area start checking for available sites in the area. Mt. Whitney is a huge draw starting around the time of this trip and it can be very difficult to get anything. I was actually going to look into Whitney Portal because I like that area so much but I didn't want to have to worry as much about bear proofing everything.

[SCUBA_Dale]

Booked...Site 8!