It's that time of year again, it's time for the Gettin'off 4x4 club to open up the adopt-a-trail in the norcal mountains after the winter snows. The trail is called Sourgrass or AKA pine needle flat and it's a fairly easy trail. There are a couple good obstacles though.

The opening basically means picking up trash and cutting back any foliage that has encroached on the trail over the winter. Maybe cutting up any fallen trees too. In past events we met up with the rangers and they came along to help out. Here's a little description from roger brown: http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CA-4/index.shtml . Here's some pictures from last year's closing event: http://www.robinhood4x4.com/gallery/sourgrass03

Usually after the cleanup we hit another, more difficult trail -- Slickrock trail or Deer Valley trail. Both of these require sliders or no fear of slight body damage. No locker is necessary but it does make things easier.

The trail is located a little bit past Arnold up on hwy 4. Usually takes about 3 hours from dublin/pleasanton. This will be a day trip and we'll be meeting at Tracy - Arco Station @ Grant Line Rd Hwy 205 7:30 a.m.
or
Angels Camp - Burger King approx 9:15 a.m.

Anybody and everybody is welcome to come along. It's a great beginner's trail.

 

Doesn't look like anyone from here was planning to attend, but the run has now moved to May 8 to accommodate the ranger.

The ranger wasn't available on May 1 and asked the club if we could postpone for a week. The new date is now May 8th.

 

Bump for the club run...

Come on NorCal people, you're missing out if you don't go!

Sarah may be out there for work at that time, maybe if Scott goes she'll ride along!

 

It sounds like Scott's coming. Is she going?

 

May 1st would have been better for me but I'm gonna try to make it anyway. Depends on work......

 

I'll need to find out if she's flying out on Friday or Sat., if its friday then she'd probably go. I'll let you know!

She'll definitely be out there for the May meeting though.

 

Good deal birdman.

 

Im in sac, I may attend, gonna try to see if I can get it off...

Sounds like a blast, I hope I can go.

 

Getting closer, Bump

 

So is Sarah going to make the trip? Miki's going.

 

So are you guys going to make it? Let me know if you need directions.

 

Steve,

I might be interested but I dont have sliders and defintely dont want "slight" body damage yet. I also still have running boards on, so I dont think my Runner will be up to spec for the trail. WHat do you think?

Also how late would you guys be back in Tracy?

I need to test out my new lift and tires on a "friendly" trail first.

Also it seems dogs are allowed??

 

You should be fine for the clean up trail, but probably not for slickrock or deer valley. What we've done before is leave the newer trucks nearby and the drivers/passengers just ride along with other people for those trails. You're welcome to ride along with me.

Usually we get back kinda late, maybe 10pm or so.

Dogs are welcome, we'll be bringing our mini schnauzer.

 

Sounds like great fun, unfortunately I have other commitments for the evening and will have to leave Tracy probably no later than 5PM to get back home in time to clean up, and it's no fun rushing things.

I'll have to give it a miss this time then hopefully nxt time round I can make it.

 

Had a great time, a couple people were surprized to see that a basically stock 4runner can make it on the trails we were on. I added a new dent to the front skid plate, broke a bracket on the front plastic bumper and removed some paint from the rear bumper and the sliders.

We closed an illegal spur on our adopt-a-trail by winching a huge fallen tree across the road and picked up some trash. Then we hit Slickrock and went down the stairsteps. The water crossing was pretty deep (it swallowed 35s) and the trail was snowed in a couple miles ahead so we decided to turn around.

Here's the pics:
http://www.robinhood4x4.com/gallery/sourgrass_5-8-04

 

Nice pics Steve! Get that locker yet?

 

No, I've been too busy looking for a miata. The people on craigslist seem to think their cars are made of gold or something.

 

Looks like great fun pity I missed it.