OAUSA Trail Runs
Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2013 9:22 pm
Info to be posted soon.
Saturday June 22 Miller Jeep Run
Lead: Tom Severin
Tail Gunner: TBD
Comms Designee: Tom Severin
Difficulty: Difficult
Meeting Time: 8:30 am
Meeting Place: McGil Group Campsite
Departure Time: 8:30 am
CB Channel: Ch. 4
2M Simplex: 146.460
2M Repeater: Frazer Park 447.860 - (PL: 141.3)
There will be 9 rig maximum for this run.
Signed Up:
1. Tom -- KI6FHA --- Land Cruiser
2. Cris --- KJ6DZZ -- Powerwagon
3. Brent - KI6SGO -- Land Cruiser
4. Nick -- KK6ENA -- Xterra
5. Lehn20 ------------ LX450
6. Steevo ???
7.
8.
9.
TRAIL DESCRIPTION:
The trail runs through the Padres National Forest from Lockwood Valley Road to Alamo Mountain. The trail covers a lot of ground. We go up and down 3 ridges on the Lockwood trail before we get to Miller. There is a stream crossing (Lockwood Creek) at the Sunset Camp site It is generally only a couple inches of water and it has a smooth gravel bed for crossing. There is a picnic spot at the camp sitel with shade trees and picnic tables. The final ascent up Alamo Mtn is the most difficult section of the trail. It gets steep, loose and rocky with some potential for hitting the low points and rocker panels on stock rigs pretty hard.
LOGISTICS:
We will meet at camp grounds at 8:30 Saturday morning and head back down toward I-5 but only to Lockwood Valley road. That will take us the start of the trail. We will have lunch on the trail. Once we are up on top of Alamo Mountain, we will have a long drive back on Gold Hill road through Hungry Valley State Park. But it will give us an opportunity to gas up in Lebec.
RATING:
The Forest Service rates it as Most Difficult. It is a 6 or 7.
6 = Quite rocky or deep ruts. Rocks to 12" and frequent. Water crossings may exceed hub depth with strong currents. Shelves to 6". Mud may require checking before proceeding. Moderate grades to 20 degrees. Sidehill may approach 30 degrees. 4WD necessary and second attempts may be required with stock vehicles. Caution may be required with wider vehicles.
7= Rocks frequent and large, 12" and may exceed hub height. Holes frequent or deep (12"). Shelves to 9". Mud 8" deep and may be present on uphill sections. Grades to 25 degrees and sidehill to 30 degrees. Water crossings to 18" and may have strong currents. 1-1/2 vehicles wide. 4WD required. Driver experience helpful.
ADVENTURE PASSES:
Adventure passes are required in the National Forests. You need either a Daily Adventure Pass ($5.00) or an Annual Adventure Pass ($30.00). Please purchase a pass in advance! We will not have time to stop. They can be purchased at Big 5, REI and other sporting goods stores or directly form the Forest Service at any of the District Ranger Stations. You can purchase one on line at http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/nationalforeststore. Don’s Liquor Mart at 616 Monterey Trail in Frazier Park sells them (661-245-1712) as does Midway Market 600 E. Border St. (661-245-1790 in Frazier Park. Check out http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino/ap/ for more details on the Adventure Pass program.
DRIVING TIPS:
Longer wheel bases will need to hold longer into the turns to clear obstacles and to get between trees that are close. Use low range first gear to creep over obstacles. Compression braking is required on the descents into the valleys. As long as you are no more then 3-5 MPH you will be able to make the turn as the trails works its way down. Stock vehicles should pick the easier lines and ask for spotters.