Rubicon Trail August 5th and 6th 2024

[Go1712]

Rubicon Trail August 5th - 7th
The goal is to knock it out the 5th and 6th but leaving the 7th open for any delays, welcomed or unwelcome delays.

Attending

@Go1712
@3TV + 1
@driventoadventure
@roaniecowpony

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[C.Sco]

I'll keep this on my calendar, I'm definitely planning to do Rubicon at least once, maybe twice this summer. And early August is definitely on the table. I won't be able to give a definitive yes or no, though, until like August 1st My work schedule is wacky this summer.

 

[C.Sco]

FYI, if your JL Sport is still stock, I would strongly consider some upgrades before trying the Rubicon. It's a brutal trail, you're unlikely to make it through without a lot of damage and winching unless you have a number of upgrades. Let me know if you need some upgrade suggestions/recommendations - the Rubicon trail foundation (RTF) website has a good list of what they would consider to be the bare minimum requirements for the trail (and a stock Sport doesn't have most, or maybe even any of them). A stock Rubicon or Willys can make it through, perhaps with not a ton of damage, but a stock Sport is pretty much guaranteed damage (maybe serious damage) and will need a lot of help to get through some of the tougher obstacles that don't have bypasses.
https://www.rubicontrailfoundation.org/trailinfomation/vehicle-prep/

 

[Go1712]

FYI, if your JL Sport is still stock, I would strongly consider some upgrades before trying the Rubicon. It's a brutal trail, you're unlikely to make it through without a lot of damage and winching unless you have a number of upgrades. Let me know if you need some upgrade suggestions/recommendations - the Rubicon trail foundation (RTF) website has a good list of what they would consider to be the bare minimum requirements for the trail (and a stock Sport doesn't have most, or maybe even any of them). A stock Rubicon or Willys can make it through, perhaps with not a ton of damage, but a stock Sport is pretty much guaranteed damage (maybe serious damage) and will need a lot of help to get through some of the tougher obstacles that don't have bypasses.
https://www.rubicontrailfoundation.org/trailinfomation/vehicle-prep/

I’m on XR suspension, 35’s and armored up.

 

[C.Sco]

I’m on XR suspension, 35’s and armored up.

Ok sweet, you should be good to go then! Hopefully I can head up that week, I'll keep watching this thread and post in a month or so once I have a better idea!

 

[Go1712]

Ok sweet, you should be good to go then! Hopefully I can head up that week, I'll keep watching this thread and post in a month or so once I have a better idea!

It would be during the week since the trail is closed on the weekend for the jamboree. Not sure if that affects you.

 

[C.Sco]

It would be during the week since the trail is closed on the weekend for the jamboree. Not sure if that affects you.

That's when I always go, too. Even without the jamboree / other events going on, the weekends are too crowded for my liking. Nice and quiet during the week

 

[fourfa]

Count me as interested. I'm closer (bay area) but don't have any friends that wheel at more than a casual level. Haven't found a local club yet either

JTR on 37s, 3.5" lift, lots of armor, winch, spares, etc. Everything on that RTF list except the welder

 

[Go1712]

Count me as interested. I'm closer (bay area) but don't have any friends that wheel at more than a casual level. Haven't found a local club yet either

JTR on 37s, 3.5" lift, lots of armor, winch, spares, etc. Everything on that RTF list except the welder

Same I’m missing the welder. But I am set on everything else.

 

[C.Sco]

If I go, my small group of coworkers (myself + 2 other guys with CJ's) have a welder we always bring

 

[Go1712]

Is two days doable? Does anyone know the best spot to stop to setup camp between the two day trip?

 

[C.Sco]

Two days is definitely possible, as long as nothing goes wrong with your jeep or someone else's in your group. If something breaks it can easily add another day, or even more if it's a serious breakage that requires something from an auto parts store.

But if it all goes smooth, 1 night is all you need.

Usually I go with the plan to only spend one night, but the gear and food for 3 nights. And I tell people not to expect me back home for 3 nights, so nobody panics at home if I run into an issue that costs a day. There zero cell signal anywhere on the trail (except at one specific tree, aptly called Cell Phone Tree). I carry a Garmin satellite messenger.

The best camping spots are buck island lake, and Rubicon springs. I do buck island if it's only a one night trip, or both if it's a two night trip. Buck island d is free, Rubicon springs is a private campground you have to pay for. Both are very nice.

 

[3TV]

What he said, one night is enough if all goes well. Last year we tried to make it to Rubicon Springs on the first night, but were a little late getting started for that, and I lost a bead on my Jeep and had to pull off to change to the spare tire, which delayed us some more. We spent the night at Buck Island Lake, and it turned out great. Earlier on the first day a group from my town that were in side by sides had caught up to us on the trail. We just pulled over and let them by because the side by sides travel so much faster than Jeeps. The second day on the trail we met them again, coming back the other way on the trail to get to their trailers and tow vehicles. They said that they had spent the night at Rubicon Springs and didn't get any sleep at all that night. Apparently, they we up all night chasing bears away that were climbing into their side by sides and tearing things up.

 

[Go1712]

How are we looking on who is still coming?

 

[3TV]

I'll be there. It doesn't look like I'll have a spotter, so I'll just have to do my best and try not to drive by brail the whole way, feeling my way along the trail with skid plates.

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