I still consider myself a noobie. A lot of these other guys have a lot of trail time and they have never steered me wrong with advice on what me and my rig could do. The Yota has shocked the heck out of me with what it can do. John bull is tough but gold mountain is not that bad at all. Looking at your signiture you are good to go. You have more lift and larger tires than I did and I had absolutely no damage from it. I even got to tow strap a hooked up 05 Tacoma twice. You will still have fun even if we do easier trails. Hey who knows with my wife coming along maybe I should start off easy also.

 

well guys... Count me in I guess... If I end up being the only super noob there, I won't hold you guys back from doing the more advanced trails... I'll probably just do an easy trail there and/or fish at bbl.

 

darrin,

you'll be fine, dont worry.

bob

 

I'll be in Big Bear for Thanksgiving. I'm planning on doing Baldwin Lake to Green Valley Lake on basically the 3N16 on my way home on Saturday. I'm trying to do my best to show my new wife all my playgrounds! If there's any significant recon I'll let you guys know. Too many projects at home will keep me from joining you for the 10th. As soon as I have a bedroom floor and enough closet space for my new roomate I hope we'll be able to hook up.

 

Just got back from the mountains . . . . not too much to report. The most significant thing was the cold temp this morning and the sight of snow making at Bear Mountain and Snow Summit. We didn't get to do the 3N16 due to having our road bikes hanging off the back of the truck. We did the loop around Baldwin Lake and saw quite a bit of ice on the surface. Sorry I can't give any better recon facts. I hope you all have a great time!

Oh, . . highlight of the trip was my 6 year old nephew catching his first fish and the family hikes near the Champion Lodgepole Pine area. I got to introduce the family to offroad travel getting to the trailhead.

I saw this link for road conditions: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino/conditions/

 

Im a nebee to 4X4in' but this Big Bear day trip sounds like some good times..what type of things should a person bring for their 1st time going off-roadin'?? whats the head count up too? how many new people are going to be up their because i would hate to spoil a good time for others since im new to wheelin and have people baby sit the new guy....anyways look forward to going so count me in....

Corey (The New Guy!!)

 

Corey
Not to worry about the new guy stuff. You would be suprised how many people have high post counts but actually do very little off roading. Without knowing what you are driving it is alittle tough but....
-spare tire and tire change tools (check your spare!)
-All Terrain tires or better
-Tow strap
-recovery points front and rear (just check to make sure the factory hook is in the front and either a hitch or factory tie downs in rear)
-general tools/misc repair stuff
-no running boards if stock height (no lift)
-food/water

Recommended but not required:
-CB radio
-sliders
-passenger to help spot for you

It is kind of funny how I have seemed to add to my What I need to go off roading list of stuff. It is getting bigger every time I go out. Another cool thing about going with a group like this is that if you don't have something one of us probably does and we help each other out. Like an air compressor. THis will be the first time I will have my own but I have aired my tires down and up every time out becasue guys helped me out until I got mine. Can you tell us about your rig? That would help a lot. Post a picture if you can.

 

Im drivin my new 05 4runner v6 4x4 sport edition...dont even have the plates and dyin' to break it in...would bringing extra gas be advised??if so ill have to figure something out..how many miles on avarage are the trials we will be going on in big bear?

 

Trail runs are usually pretty short in terms of miles. Go with a full tank and you'll be fine on this trip. Now if you are compiling a full set of gear to take for offroad trips (even to the point of building a cargo box), a gas jerry is a darn good idea, but if you can't bring one on this trip you ought to be okay.

 

heres just a quick night picture of what i bring to the club...ill get some better ones in Big Bear

 

That is a really nice 4Runner. The bigger 4th gen may need to do more multiple point turns in the tight stuff but should do fine. Most of Big Bear is wider trails so scratchs are not a big concern but rocker damage is possible. Beware running boards.

 

any updates on this? When and where is everyone meeting up at?

 

I updated the details on the 1st page so please read it there: (makes it easier for those who are reading this thread for the first time).

Caravan options? Since it looks like most of us will be from LA, I thought I'd open this up.

There are 2 ways to get to BB. 18 going slow and windy or 38 around the back. I personally will be taking the 38 around the back as it's not windy and easier for my 4runner.

I will open this up for discussion as part of the fun is all caravaning up to the site together If I'm not driving up fri night I'd like to setup a meeting location for D&B at the Ontario Mills Parking Lot at 700am and depart at 7:15am. From there, it should only take 1:15-1:30ish.

 

I'll be driving up the 9th and staying in a hotel with a friend of mine who is up there snowboarding that weekend. See you guys on the 10th!!

If anyone is wondering about the harder trails, I was the weekest link on John Bull last time with 31"s stock suspension, rear locker and lots of armor, and made it ok. Holcomb creek was done with a stock 3rd gen with no locker with minor rocker damage.

 

Very nice looking rig. If you are eventually planning on taking off the running boards, do it before the trip. You'll have a lot more fun, and a lot less stress. If you plan on doing a lot of offroading, you can either take off the running boards, or the trails will take them off for you. If you plan on keeping them (if you have small children or something), you'll still be fine on the easier trails so don't worry too much. A good spotter (which there will be plenty of I'm sure) will overcome most vehicle limitations.

If I were you, I'd take them off and keep everything pretty!

Oh, and before going offroading, be sure you have plenty of money, because once you go and enjoy it, you are going to have the urge to throw money into your truck making it ugly and capable!! Trust me.

BTW, sorry Lance I really wanted to make a run with you, but I (once again it seems) have a prior engagement on that date.

 

Well looks like I'm of this one...again. I gotta go to vegas for a cheerleading competion for my daughter that weekend. Dangs kids! lol Allows seems like I'm saying I'll make the next one. If it does work out that I can make it I repost. As far as the wheeling in and around Bigbear there are miles of trails for all levels. So no worries guys!

 

cheerleading competition? you better not tell these guy which hotel it is at or this run might get cancelled!!!

 

yeah ill eb getting rid of those things here shortly before the trip, i dont even know why they are on in the first place, all they seem to do for me is get the back of my pants dirty...oh i just got a magnaflow tonight...kind of a mistake..at least i think...it the 18 incher and its really really loud on the inside during take off..enough to make me get a headache driving around on streets..im going back tommorow to see if i can get my stock muffler back on...i liked the power!!! thats for sure.. i could really tell the difference getting on the fwy.

 

anyone who has done this big bear trip before.. are there any streams we will be crossing? those look like fun. (as long as its not to deep). Generally speaking and depending on weather are these big bear trails wild enough to keep the truck in 4 wheel drive or can you survive with it in 2? Man count down begins!!!! im excited to get out there.....

 

oh one more question..what are rockers? my fenders? frame, bumpers???