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- Jaunuary 10 - San Jacinto Day Run
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Rattlesnake Canyon and Pontiac Loop |
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Written by Dennis
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Monday, 08 December 2008 |
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12/06/08 - Another excellent trip by the club on a combination of fun trails that make an excellent day run, Rattlesnake Canyon and Pontiac Loop. Rattlesnake Canyon runs up the back of the San Bernardino Mountains from Old Woman Springs (east of Apple Valley) in the desert and up into the mountains. In the old days (before the lake) it was a trail on which cattle were moved from summer grazing in Hart Bar Ranch to winter grazing at Old Woman Springs. Hart Bar is now an equestrian camp while Old Woman Springs is still an active cattle ranch and we ran into a few of the inhabitants. Pontiac Loop is named for an old Pontiac in one of the washes, but is the rocky trail to the old mines near Onyx Summit (east of Big Bear). After this we headed west to Big Bear to see the Rose Mine on the way. Unfortunately we had a few unavoidable last minute cancellations due to breakdowns, work and more. But, little groups are fun and so our little caravan of four hit the trail! We actually saw cattle in Rattlesnake Canyon, I assume from Old Woman Springs! We made it up the canyon without issue and climbed from the desert to the mountains, with only one u-turn by the King of U-turns, our trailboss for the day. We then headed over to Pontiac Loop and had our second u-turn on the way as the King of U-turns was too bust waving at a Jeep club to turn onto the trail. We headed up the mountain to the mine with only the last obstacle hanging folks up a little! We had lunch at the top and enjoyed the time to relax and look around. After lunch we headed back down as we came. We then headed over to the Rose Mine and then over to Baldwin Lake. There was at least one more u turn someplace as well, plus one “loop” that didn’t count as the trailboss made very clear! Some headed home from Baldwin Lake and some headed to the Sonora Cantina for food and drink, and a lot of laughs. The cantina gang were all staying up on Big Bear, so the designated drivers took over and soon off to the hotels and to sleep. Another excellent adventure for the club! For pictures click here! |
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SalineValley, CerroGordo and More |
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Written by Dennis
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Tuesday, 04 November 2008 |
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 November 3, 2008 - On Thursday, John, Sal and Julia, Ruby and Dennis met at the Chevron in Big Pine and headed out with John in the lead for a long adventure in the desert. We headed over to Eureka Dunes and spent some time there looking at the huge sand dunes before heading over Steele Pass, enjoying perfect weather all the way to Saline Warm Springs. We made camp just south of Middle Springs and settled in for supper. The wind picked up as the sun set and it would continue to blow throughout the night. We headed to the warm springs, and had it to ourselves! It was great, but a little cold getting out in the wind. However, soaking and joking was wonderful, in this little spot in the middle of the desert! Thought it was windy all night, most slept well after a fun day!
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Last Updated ( Monday, 08 December 2008 )
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A Great Nightmare in El Paso |
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Written by Dennis
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Tuesday, 23 September 2008 |
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 09/21/08 The team met up at Jawbone Station and with John in the lead we headed out into the EL Paso Mountains to tackle Nightmare Gulch and whatever else we could find. John knew just where to go for the kind of things we like to do! Juan and his family. Jeremy, Dennis and Ruby followed John off into the desert.
We went down Nightmare and it had changed a bit over time, the mud was gone but more rocks were in place. It was beautiful and fun. Everyone enjoyed it and it was a great warm up for what was to come! John then took us up a trail he had done many times before but never with a group of Tacoma’s, usually it was just him and Jeeps. The trail, had five dry water falls, each a bit more difficult to conquer than the last. John made it up after a few attempts, ready to help everyone. Jeremy and Dennis got a little help from the winch but Juan, no locker, made it up due to his new found magical power to turn off gravity! |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 04 November 2008 )
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SCTC Hits Miller & Lockwood |
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Written by Dennis
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Saturday, 16 August 2008 |
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 08/16/08 A few members and guests of the Southern California Tacoma Club decided to take a run the Lockwood Miller Jeep Trail and have a nice day on the trail. Meeting at the traditional spot at the Flying J very early to beet the heat, the little group headed to the trial, aired down and made it to Yellow Jacket by nine in the morning. The North Orange County Coalition complained they’d been up since before four so it was lunch to them, so the team ate, relaxed a while in the shade and then moved on. Making it to the top without incident, the team relaxed yet again, in the trees, talking and watching other rigs and off road toys go by before heading down to Hungry Valley to air up, and eat lunch again.
All in all Miller Jeep Trail was in fine shape, a few obstacles here and there but nothing too difficult. The SCTC team made it through without any issues at all, so it was a good time. The fires left some open areas to see the views and it appeared the undergrowth is coming back so spring would be a great time to see the area again! Another sucesful run and a lot of fun! Click here for pictures |
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Last Updated ( Monday, 08 September 2008 )
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