The route starts off of highway 88 and is within EDNF (El Dorado National Forest), the trail passes by Red Lake, Upper Blue Lake and Lower Blue Lake. You could also head south on 9N01 at the end of the trail (near way point B on the map below), this takes you on a road down through twin lake and over through meadow creek.
We went around memorial day and actually could not make it through the entire route due to snow, if it has been a heavy snow season I would wait until mid/late June before heading out.
View Larger Map
This is an easy going trail that passes by a lot of great water features and some very nice camp sites (mostly established but there is one disbursed right after forestdale creek), the trail is not difficult and most AWD/4WDs will be able to make it through without a problem (barring any issues with snow!). If you are a fisherman this area has some great fishing, but really the vast open scenery was the biggest takeaway for me (i'm trying to find some photos..but this was at least 4 years ago so i'm not sure where they have gone!).
Other peoples photos:
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/13622036
Special Note:
*You will cross over forestdale creek during your journey, but a bridge has been put in place, please use it as it lessens the impact to surroundings.
*You may pass by private property on this route, please be mindful of the land owners and do not make any unnecessary stops while on the private property.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Mosquito Road and El Dorado National Forest
El Dorado national forest is an amazing landscape full of vibrant evergreens, crystal clear streams and lakes. I also consider it my back yard :-). One of the benefits of living in Sacramento. Mosquito road is actually a fairly simple drive on a fire road that is for the most part in decent shape. If it had not been raining for the last few days prior to our trip I think staying with the WJ's all wheel drive mode would have been plenty sufficient. However, given the rain we encountered I was happy to have option to lock the center differential.
View Larger Map
One of the best parts of this drive is going across the bridge at the south fork of the american river, it is a single lane bridge and only supports one vehicle at a time. It is an absolutely breathtaking river with spectacular granite formation and gorgeous backdrop:
There are very few spots along the bridge to stop, so if you see an opening take it! It is worthwhile to stop and admire the scenery! If you do decide to head down to the river be very careful as there is not a secure way down to the water.
You will drive for a while longer after the bridge before you hit dirt, from then on you cross by a few other water features before finally getting to Wentworth Springs road and stumpy meadows.
This is a pretty basic drive in the forest. I always feel safer in a four wheel drive vehicle, but an AWD station wagon, or a 2wd SUV could easily take this on... weather permitting. When we went the red dirt had turned soft and the highway tires I had on the WJ at that point in time did their fair share of slipping...the red clay also forever stained the underside of that poor truck!
***Before going on any trail please check with the local ranger station as conditions do of roads do change!!***
View Larger Map
One of the best parts of this drive is going across the bridge at the south fork of the american river, it is a single lane bridge and only supports one vehicle at a time. It is an absolutely breathtaking river with spectacular granite formation and gorgeous backdrop:
There are very few spots along the bridge to stop, so if you see an opening take it! It is worthwhile to stop and admire the scenery! If you do decide to head down to the river be very careful as there is not a secure way down to the water.
You will drive for a while longer after the bridge before you hit dirt, from then on you cross by a few other water features before finally getting to Wentworth Springs road and stumpy meadows.
This is a pretty basic drive in the forest. I always feel safer in a four wheel drive vehicle, but an AWD station wagon, or a 2wd SUV could easily take this on... weather permitting. When we went the red dirt had turned soft and the highway tires I had on the WJ at that point in time did their fair share of slipping...the red clay also forever stained the underside of that poor truck!
***Before going on any trail please check with the local ranger station as conditions do of roads do change!!***
Prior Trips
As i was thinking more about this blog I thought it would also be appropriate to share with everyone the prior adventures I have been on in my FJ, or my old Grand Cherokee. I apologize in advance since many of these trails were taken many years ago! This will be my attempt at list out the trail names (or at least the basic locations):
In the 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee (stock - no quadratrack*) WJ:
El Dorado National Forest around mosquito road
Red and Blue Lakes
Pony Express Trail
Slate Mountain
Alleghany Trail
***Appologies for the stock WJ photo...i couldn't find one of mine!
In the 2008 FJ Cruiser - Modified (more details on the modifications at some point in time!)
McKinney Creek Trail
North Bloomfield-Bowman Lake trail
Deer Valley Trail
Strawberry Trail
Mount Watson/Watson Lake
Love Lady Ridge
Pacific Ridge Trail
Sierra Buttes
Gold Lake
Gold Valley
I think there may be a few more...very difficult to try remember these from the past. I'm pretty sure I have some photos of each.
*For those of you that don't know quadratrack was an option available on WJs was advertised as having the ability to keep all four wheels in motion. As I have seen, anything that tries to be a locker is essentially not a locker at some point in time (when you need it most) will simple not deliver the torque required for forward movement.
In the 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee (stock - no quadratrack*) WJ:
Red and Blue Lakes
Pony Express Trail
Slate Mountain
Alleghany Trail
***Appologies for the stock WJ photo...i couldn't find one of mine!
In the 2008 FJ Cruiser - Modified (more details on the modifications at some point in time!)
McKinney Creek Trail
North Bloomfield-Bowman Lake trail
Deer Valley Trail
Strawberry Trail
Mount Watson/Watson Lake
Love Lady Ridge
Pacific Ridge Trail
Sierra Buttes
Gold Lake
Gold Valley
I think there may be a few more...very difficult to try remember these from the past. I'm pretty sure I have some photos of each.
*For those of you that don't know quadratrack was an option available on WJs was advertised as having the ability to keep all four wheels in motion. As I have seen, anything that tries to be a locker is essentially not a locker at some point in time (when you need it most) will simple not deliver the torque required for forward movement.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Regarding a Trailer
So I have been in the market for a teardrop style trailer that has decent off road capabilities for some time now. While I don't consider myself a rock crawler, I love the concept of overlanding and just the general spirit of getting outside and communing with nature. My hope is that an off road teardrop will help me get out more...and in much more comfort!
Now there are obviously many options out there so I need to lay out some basic requirements:
1. It needs to be towable by my 2008 FJ Cruiser
2. It needs to be sturdy enough for miles of washed out roads and well designed enough to handle some fairly rough and rock trails. I'm not talking "rubicon" tough....but just a notch below.
3. It has have all the creature comforts i need/want including solid side walls, comfy bed, galley, and room for a fridge. Any additional storage and electrical wizardary is a bonus.
4. My wife (Katie) has to approve of it. This may be the most difficult requirement to meet! Approval of final pricing also has to be approved by her so i'm trying to keep it below 17k.
So I wouldn't consider these final requirements but they are a start. Next up...taking a high level glance at the available options for this niche.
Now there are obviously many options out there so I need to lay out some basic requirements:
1. It needs to be towable by my 2008 FJ Cruiser
2. It needs to be sturdy enough for miles of washed out roads and well designed enough to handle some fairly rough and rock trails. I'm not talking "rubicon" tough....but just a notch below.
3. It has have all the creature comforts i need/want including solid side walls, comfy bed, galley, and room for a fridge. Any additional storage and electrical wizardary is a bonus.
4. My wife (Katie) has to approve of it. This may be the most difficult requirement to meet! Approval of final pricing also has to be approved by her so i'm trying to keep it below 17k.
So I wouldn't consider these final requirements but they are a start. Next up...taking a high level glance at the available options for this niche.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)