Well, finally a chance to run these trails without snow (or so we thought). Only problem was my truck was in the shop (the start of a 5-1/2 week ordeal to get it back, but that's another story). So, I managed to bum a ride in Terry's extra cab along with his co-worker who rode in the rear jump seat. Anyway, the Get-N-Off 4x4 club was having a run up Sour Grass and Ramsey trails over the weekend. Terry led a small group going up for a day run Sunday. As you head east on Hwy. 4, the Ramsey Trail is a gravel Forest Service road to the right just as you can see the Cottage Springs ski area sign.
We
met up with the main group camped at the Stanislaus River at the bottom
of Ramsey Trail. On the way down, we followed a couple of other Jeeps
and when we got to the runoff-swollen river, we were amazed to see one
of these Jeeps on the other side! He didn't make it back (under his own
power at least). With his winch cable and Terry's combined, we were
able to hook up in mid-river and winch him across (his battery was
dead). After a lot of work, they finally got the water out and his
engine running.
One
of the Jeeps in the club broke a rear axle (Dana-35) and was able to
contact one of the rigs coming up Sunday, so we brought up a spare
axle. The still-dripping-wet Jeep driver lent a hand trying to get the
remnants of the old axle out so the new one could be installed.
Deciding there was enough (too many actually) hands for the repair, a few of us headed up Hwy. 4 to Spicer road. At the snow parking lot, the road was still covered w/ snow. We took off down the road towards the reservoir. It was tough going (downhill!) in the soft spring snow. After an hour or so, we decided to turn around and head out. Terry's 1/2 worn M/Ts were having some trouble getting uphill. Finally we dropped the air down to about 10 psi and the going was much easier. Back on the main road, we aired up at Bear Valley before heading down for a good dinner in Angel's Camp.
===>> 