4th of July 2008 Camping Trip @ Mammoth Lakes

[CrnCnn]

Well, why couldn't you just take your Jeep? I mean, it would suck to not have your VX, but its better than staying home!!

Bart

Doesn’t that defeat the purpose of having a VX meet?

Yeah right, that's why we got a winch, we can use you for the guinea pig

Please dont use the word PIG when we are going into the woods.

Seriously though, Clint, what do you think is needed to get your VX back up to speed? Are you thinking major CV work?

Bart

I am thinking but really not sure yet. I am going to investigate this weekend. Are you guys going to do some work on your this sunday?

[cyronman]

Are you guys thinking strictly VX peeps, or kind of a more-the-merryer deal.

I was going to bring 2 people W/me but was telling a few people to think about coming (IF I can even make it) along, since for us down here it's kind of a get-outta-town 3-day vAcA type of deal.

Just wondering

[snowtrooper1966]

I don't see any reason to exclude anyone, especially if Clint may be driving the Jeep.
We can always print out a full size VX and paste it to the side of any non VX
Best,

[nfpgasmask]

Exactly! Obviously it would be ideal to drive the VX, but I would like to think that we are friends beyond the VehiCROSSes by now! That's doesn't mean I won't give you crap for being in a Jeep. To me, I am mostly interested in seeing the Mammoth Lakes area, getting outside, hiking, canoeing, drinking and camping, and just plain hanging out and having a good time. I would go in whatever vehicle I can get there in!

And yes, the more the merrier!

Bart

[Mrs. CRNCNN]

I don't see any reason to exclude anyone, especially if Clint may be driving the Jeep.
We can always print out a full size VX and paste it to the side of any non VX
Best,

I agree we can't exclude anyone... i will be driving the jeep!! HEHE! Clint says its too "plush" for his bottom!!

[nfpgasmask]

I agree we can't exclude anyone... i will be driving the jeep!! HEHE! Clint says its too "plush" for his bottom!!

LOL. Yeah, the VX is like that. Once you ride high in those comfy Recaros, nothing else seems to work.

Well James, do we have any updates from you? With this trip tenatively 3 weeks away, I highly doubt we are going to get a reservation at an "actual" campsite. So, have you any ideas where we can go? I think its time we get a real plan with real specifics in place here or else this trip ain't gonna happen. Sorry, I am a stickler for organization when it comes to these things.

That said, I am also still game for a Petroglyphs trip up this way. James, you are of course welcome to make the trek up here, and I would even be willing to put you up Thursday night so we can leave Friday morning. (We have a spare queen and a spare single for whoever you bring with).

Come hell or high water, I'm going somewhere that weekend!

Bart

[snowtrooper1966]

I think we are still go!
The site I recommended (Twin Lakes) has some first-come-first-served spots, which I should have a good crack at. I have a plan to go up one of the proposed trails, which is 4X4 only that ends at a lake. I think we should be able to camp there, but not sure of there are any "facilities". In my recent exploring, I have found MANY campsites. We should have no problems...
Best,

[nfpgasmask]

I think we are still go!
The site I recommended (Twin Lakes) has some first-come-first-served spots, which I should have a good crack at. I have a plan to go up one of the proposed trails, which is 4X4 only that ends at a lake. I think we should be able to camp there, but not sure of there are any "facilities". In my recent exploring, I have found MANY campsites. We should have no problems...
Best,

OK, well, as far as crappers go, I will be purchasing one of these for me and Linda:



She better like it! So I think we will be fine.

So, if you get a campsite for Thursday, that would be awesome. I think we should be able to get there around 8-9pm. Ascinder will probably have to come down Friday morning and meet up, right Ascinder?

I just want to make sure if we make the 3+ hour trek we have a place to camp. So, the weight is on you, James!!! Keep us up to date, dude!

Thanks,
Bart

[Mrs. CRNCNN]

I am thinking but really not sure yet. I am going to investigate this weekend. Are you guys going to do some work on your this sunday?

Burgers, Brats, And Beer for those who come over to work on a VX or to watch the VX's being worked on!!!

[Ascinder]

I got guard but I need to get mine worked on pretty seriously. I also still have Justin's CV boot band clamp tool so let me know if you need it.

[snowtrooper1966]

Greetings, all!
No, I don't feel any pressure
I will double check tomorrow about the first come basis @ Twin Lakes, and talk to a ranger.
I did go up and do a little scout on Laurel Lakes trail this evening. It was just me and SnowtrooperJr. It took me half an hour to get 1 mile. That part of the trail is alot of loose fist sized rocks and glaicial moraine. I did not have my cell, and since I had the boy, did not feel comfortable trying to go up the entire trail, since I would be descending in the dark To me, with my inexperience, it seemed challenging, but you guys might find it tame.
I will go up again tomorrw and snap some pix...

I found a youtube vid of some Jeepers hitting it (the 2nd half is the Laurel Lakes run, and does not do it justice IMHO) and another local trail, Wheeler Ridge:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ym6Z8Dj87KA

Here is also a local guide to a few trails:

http://www.cityconcierge.com//mammot...oad-routes.asp

I will keep you updated as I get more info.
Best,

[nfpgasmask]

James!

You rule! I can't wait to meet up and agree to disagree about movies and music, bro!

Your previous post about coming down in the dark made me oh so anxious. My buddy who made my spikes just finished fixing my light rack so I should have my four Hella back up by next week! Night wheeling sounds like fun!

Anyway, yeah, I'm getting excited. I can't wait to see this part of Cali. I have never been down there so I am all juiced up about it.

Clint, if you take the Jeep, do you think you will have any spare room in your truck?

My brother might come, and possibly another friend which means I will need to put my back seats back in. And if I bring the canoe, I will have to put my spare in the back and my room for camping gear will be rapidly depleated. Anyway, if you think you will have room, let me know. Also, you gonna bring your canoe? Beau, your kayaks?

And with that idea, James, do you think we will have time to canoe? Is it worth it for us to bring our boats? Or should we skip that?

Bart

[nfpgasmask]

Burgers, Brats, And Beer for those who come over to work on a VX or to watch the VX's being worked on!!!

Do you wanna work at your dad's garage again or my place or both?

I was gonna get up early on Sunday and start doing my diffs and transfer case, you can come by if you want and then I can go back over to your place to work on yours, or whatever. What are you planning to do? Tear down your CVs and try to figure out what's going on with them? I would like to be there for that, since I will most likely eventually have the same problem.

Call me tomorrow sometime and let me know.

Bart

[snowtrooper1966]

Yea, Bart, it made me a bit anxious too....
IIRC, the Jeep vid I attached earlier shows them going down at night. I could see this happening with a group, but was just not going to attempt it with myslef and SnowtrooperJR.
As far as the boating, that is up to you. If you have to sacrafice gear storage to bring it, I'd say negative. They do have rentals around here, and if it's important to you, I am sure you will make time.I would not mind taking Jr out for his first water experience if the opportunity arose.
Best,

[nfpgasmask]

Yea, Bart, it made me a bit anxious too....
IIRC, the Jeep vid I attached earlier shows them going down at night. I could see this happening with a group, but was just not going to attempt it with myslef and SnowtrooperJR.
As far as the boating, that is up to you. If you have to sacrafice gear storage to bring it, I'd say negative. They do have rentals around here, and if it's important to you, I am sure you will make time.I would not mind taking Jr out for his first water experience if the opportunity arose.
Best,

Absolutely dude, you made the right decision. I would be a bad thing to get stranded at night in the Sierras with a wee lad. Solo wheeling is always a risk, although it is quite fun.

Anyway, yeah, I don't NEED to bring the canoe, and it will only kill my gas milaege on the way down anyway, so I guess I will let the other boys decide. If I bring my brother and my brother from another mother than its going to be tight in my VX.

Bart