Topic: Rattlesnake Canyon 02/06/10

[Oz]

Was really great meeting new folks and putting faces to my friends on here. Was a super fun day but got a tiny bit long at the end.

Meeting everyone at the primary meet spot


Not even 10 minutes on the 15 north the freeways shut down - vehicle fire.


Met up with the North Group (Joe and Edward) at Hwy 18 and Bear Valley.


Hwy 18 pretty flooded in spots


Finally reached the trailhead - airing down.



Heading into the canyon.








First patch of snow at 4600'










Joe spotting John






Craig and Joe (SCsilverX & Logisense)


Heading into the real snow








Couple of 'poser' shots



Lunchtime lineup on the saddle.


Only about 25 miles more of this before we get out


The race to get off the trail before the storm and nightfall begins.


Leaving clear skies behind


This would be my view for the next few hours




Finally got some beadlocks, albeit they're made out of snow


The snowy hills are really tough. The ruts basically do all the turns for you If you come out of the ruts you have a high risk of being stuck. Spin you're wheels and you've made some holes and that's it you're stuck. You really had to maintain forward momentum on the ascents. If you stopped you would dig holes and have to back up and try it again. This was how we spent our afternoon and evening. Did about 20 miles of this. OH - and we encountered a giant fallen tree that we had to negotiate (in the dark) that was blocking the tracks. A few guys got some damage around that. I sure someone got photos of that tree.



To complicate thing it then started snowing.


6:48 pm and 4 more miles till pavement. getting a little antsy here.


Some water crossings as well.




Really snowing hard now.


Finally on pavement.


Eric and Craig replacing CB fuse.


Nissan Night at Valero - airing up and fueling up.


After I said my goodbye I went down the Hwy 38 to get home. It was blizzard conditions and I could only go about 20 mph through snow, THICK fog and finally rain at 4000'. WAS A really FUN day! (but long)

[Paul]

Epic ... nice photos!

[sturndog]

Awesome, glad everyone is okay, looks like a great run. Airing up must have been a drag, except for those with clip ons rather than screw on receptacles. Thanks for the pictures,Oz your X looks like a SAS beast!   

[FrankB]

Great write-up and pics Oz.  Glad to see everyone had fun and made it out alive.  I was getting cold just looking at some of those last few pics.  I was going to say I'm sorry I missed it, but I'm not entirely sure that's really the case.

[Logisense]

Oz, pictures are awesome.  im trying to get my camera to co-operate.  i should have had you leading some of the way, but i know that if you did, we would have needed your winch in the back.  i want to do some snow wheelin again, so we'll have to figure something out!

[Nissanpatrol]

Nice pictures. Looks like you enjoyed the trip, in spite of all the difficulties, I'm glad all of you made it.

[XterracerX]

Wow! Now that's an epic winter adventure! Thanks Oz for sharing! Can't wait to see the rest.

[justin4x4]

Looks like alot of fun, great pictures.

[Jeff08X]

Well it

[Oz]

Jeffffffff those are GREAT!  Feel bad about your damage thou

[Ghost65]

Great pictures Jeff and Leanne!  Thanks for posting up.  Feel bad about your door for sure.  I discovered similar creases in my hood that I didn't see until the next day, so the tree definitely left its mark.

  Eco revenge, I suppose. 

[ultrapc40]

what's the saying?  Chicks dig body damage!

[XterracerX]

Battle scars! Wear them with pride! 

[Jeff08X]

Yeah the tree definitely got the best of us . I think all of us got some kind of damage while we were out except OZ. But im not worried about my door I would do it all over again.

[Oz]

Yeah the tree definitely got the best of us . I think all of us got some kind of damage while we were out except OZ. But im not worried about my door I would do it all over again.

Oh that's not true! I think the tree folded my Pass mirror in