4Wheeling/Fishing Trip - Hermitt Valley Campground 8/23-8/25

Your Jeep should be good though.

Was just doing more intel and this website also said stock jeeps can make it....

Recommended equipment: Almost any type of  4x4 vehicle can make it through, but some are easier than others. Stock Jeeps will do the job. Vehicles with a long wheel base will have a little trouble with some sharp turns. Tow hooks and straps are a must.  The less the vehicle is equipped the more work  you can expect.

http://www.californiajeeper.com/deerval/review.htm#recom

Yes stock can make it, or at least most of the way on slickrock and deer valley. Pay attention to the signs up at deer valley, as far as I know you still cannot run the whole trail and will have to turn around at the 1st water crossing (coming from the south). Boards crossing is another option on the way up too. Its out of Dorrington

I was just up there with our Xterra club and saw half a dozen stock jeeps turn around on the stairs on slick rock after one got high centered and had to winched up the rest.

Unless of course damage is not a concern.

Well... looks like I'm leaving the plastic behind; not really gonna have time to paddle/peddle around.

So I guess my best bet to get a line wet will be Trout fishing in Mokelumne River.

Any suggestion a fly patterns for that area? or should I just throw castmaster or r-tails in the river?

Any suggestion a fly patterns for that area? or should I just throw castmaster or r-tails in the river?

Go to flies ANYWHERE in California:
Brown wooly worm size 10 of 8
Simulator size 10 thru 14
Yellow humpy size 10 thru 14
Elk hair caddis size 12 thru 16

Will a stock '04 Explorer make it?????

Any suggestion a fly patterns for that area? or should I just throw castmaster or r-tails in the river?

Go to flies ANYWHERE in California:
Brown wooly worm size 10 of 8
Simulator size 10 thru 14
Yellow humpy size 10 thru 14
Elk hair caddis size 12 thru 16

Will a stock '04 Explorer make it?????

Thanks Tote!!!!

Not sure on the stock Explorer; here's a link on the trail.... and yes, I can read the big red watermark in the center....

http://4x4trailmaps.com/4x4Trails.php?Trail_ID=1

Omg that sucks I can't believe they closed it.

Omg that sucks I can't believe they closed it.

Actually, its open from the south entrance to the river crossing....  So I'll still make a go of it...

Last weeks Sierrafest. Majority of the 1st page is Rubicon pics but about 3/4 down it gets into some pics from Deer Valley and Slickrock. http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1103847

Whoa!!! what a weekend!!!!!!! never thought any group would come close to an NCKA or Loose Screw Hookup, but they came dam close with all the food, chill'n and the comoradorie!!! (but they got a long way to go to even come close to the major NCKA events)...

First let me get my fishing plug in so that I wont get any heat:Didn't get to hit any of the local lakes because spent the vast majority of the time wheeling, but did get to through a line in at the stream at the end of the trail. used a gold 1/16 panther martin and was kept really busy by all the cookie cutters chasing it down. really fun and kept me busy until everyone else made it down; but pack'd it all up after 30 minutes to head back out for camp.

Wheeling Adventure:
Got a late start and didn't get on the trail until 09:30, there were 13 toyotas, plus my Jeep; they ranged from heavily modified to "dude, why the hell are you bringing your truck on this trail?".

First obstacle was the "Gatekeeper" and if you can make it through this section, you should be able to make it through the rest of the trail. First 2 trucks (H-mod) made it up with no prob, 3rd was my son-in-law (m-mod) and made it up a bit slower; i was next in line....

With ALL eyes on me and this being my first true off-roading run, I was extremely nervous. As I proceeded up the obstacle, I made it up, but got "high centered" on my skid plate (this is the pic where the guy is looking under the front of the jeep, as I'm hanging off the ledge); as expert guidance from my spotter, I made it through the obstacle... WAAAAHHHOOO!!!! crowd went wild.... hahahaha!

For the most part, I was able to make it through the trail okay, the full skids underneath my jeep took a pounding, but held up; only had to use a couple of the bypass and used the winch twice to get my off a high spot... I also used my winch to pull out a toyota (my son) 2x my size  .

I don't believe a stock jeep could have made it up or through this trail; I think I had the bare minimum mods needed to get by/through the trail. Didn't sustain any major body scraps or dents; a couple of toyotas took heavy hits to there rigs, busting lights, denting quarter panels and even almost taking off a driver's door...

Here are some shots of my jeep; I had the Gopro and will post some clips shortly....

Thanks for the report looks like fun!

I knew a stocker wouldn't make it through, not without damage. LOL!

My buddies and I are having a BBQ at hollister hills on the 29th, you and your jeep are welcome to join.

Looks like fun. Thanks for sharing.

My buddies and I are having a BBQ at hollister hills on the 29th, you and your jeep are welcome to join.

Thanks for the offer!!! But, cant make it this weekend, the wife and I will be dirt biking at Cisco Grove; and Sept 27-29, I will be up at Jackson Meadows camping/fishing/wheeling....

Here my little jeep in a hoard of Toyotas: