Rubicon Run August 10-13 2001
Lloyd, Greg, Don, and Steve all arrived by late afternoon Friday, while Wit and I arrived late Friday evening.
GETTING LOST ON THE WAY TO THE MEETING PLACE... BASSI FALLS
Due to an number of factors...
- remoteness of Bassi Falls
- lack of good GPS coordinates for the trail there
- number of potential wrong turns to the falls
- lack of cellular coverage
- and a bad CB Antenna
Wit and I decided that rather than try to meet up with everyone in the middle of the night (it was after 10:00pm by the time we got there) we would be better off camping where we were and then calling / meeting them the following morning, back at the Ice House Resort.
It helped that we were at a beautiful site just at the crest of a hill with plenty of clear sleeping areas and just off the main trail. After laying out our bags, I quickly fell asleep, gazing at the vastness of the Milky Way.
MEETING UP
As expected, we were able to call them the following morning at the Ice House Resort, but unfortunately we were only able to leave Lloyd, and Steve messages on their perpspective cell phones. Fortunately Lloyd showed up needing Ice, of all things!!
Following Lloyd back, we met up with everyone at their campsite. After packing up camp and heading out, we made our way over to the Loon Lake Sluice/Rubicon Entrance. We arrived there just after noon and finally started on the Rubicon Trail.
THE RIGS
Luckily for us, our rigs were all fairly well equipped (as far as you can with Mitsubishi 4x4's)
- I had my Gen I, 4 Door, 3.0L with rear ARB locker, 33" Geolander MT's, front & rear rock bumpers, rocker protection
- Don had his Gen I, 2 door, 2.6L with rear ARB locker, 31.5" Geolander MT's, with stock front & rear bumpers, no rocker protection!!
- Lloyd had his Gen I, 2 door, V6 with custom front Detroit locker, ARB rear locker, 33" BFG MT's, front & rear rock bumpers, rocker protection
- Steve had his Gen II, 4 Door, 3.5L with rear ARB locker, 33" BFG MT's, front rock bumper, rocker protection
GETTING TO THE LITTLE SLUICE
We made excellent time through all the obstacles and reached the Little Sluice by Saturday afternoon. Trail damage was pretty much limited to Don's rocker panels (due to not having any protection) and Steve's Rear Bumper,,, what do you expect, the darned things are made of plastic!!
CAN YOU SAY "DELIVERANCE" (BANJO MUSIC IN BACKGROUND)
When we got there, there was a group of guys urging another guy in a lifted Toyota Pickup (35" or 38" tires) over the first obstacle on the Little Sluice. As he made it up to a precariously balanced position, his son (20's) pushed his rig over on it's side!!
They proceeded to repeat this strange "initiation" (for lack of a better term) several more times. The gathered crowd of course was going crazy with these antics and loving every single minute of it!! We watched them for at least 30 minutes, just amazed at what they were doing. We all concluded that this had to be some type of initiation.
In the back of our mind's we couldn't help but think of banjo's playing surreally in the background!!
We decided to set up camp near the Little Sluice because we wanted to make sure Lloyd had ample opportunity to attempt the Little Sluice. (Plus the sun was setting pretty soon)
RUDE AWAKENING
Sometime early Sunday morning, (around 3:00 am) a couple of rude off roader's decided to attempt some nearby obstacles and ended up having difficulty with one of their rig's. They ended up waking up the whole camp (except your's truly... Mr. Sleep of the Dead).
Wit being the most annoyed/bravest approached them and asked if they knew what time it was. They said they thought it was around 3:30 am.
Wit mentioned that lots of people were trying to sleep.
They said they needed to get their truck out of the obstacle because others would be coming through!! Wit mentioned that they were the only ones who came through and that they needed to get their rig's moving, or shut down for the night, "cause people wanted to sleep, and 'his guys' wanted to get some sleep themselves!!
It still took them quite some time, since one of their rigs was trying to make the run using a dead battery. Finally they got their rig unstuck, and camped nearby for the night.
The following morning, we all got up slowly and took time to enjoy the relative solitude.
LLOYD DOES THE LITTLE SLUICE
After a great breakfast/brunch meal (Thanks Wit... next time you I'll see what I can do about finding a Cast Iron Skillet <GRIN>) Lloyd began his attempt on the Little Sluice.
Unfortunately, he ended up stripping out the splines on the right side of his IFS axle! Ouch!! Fortunately he had a spare axle, but it was for the driver side (left) not the passenger side. Hoping it would fit, he removed the old one and replaced it with the new one, but unfortunately, it didn't fit properly and he ended up having to re-install the broken unit and proceed in three wheel drive.
"Left... Left... Left... LEFT!!!"
"Not that left!!! You're other left!!"
"Hey Greg, Drew's never gonna believe I was up here... you better get a pic of this, quick!!"
"Ray, do I get royalties on this postcard?"
"Take another one, just in case"
"Lloyd, we're really glad we're able to help you with that stripped axle, but you know what, my beer needs more ice!!
August 13, 2001: Parting Ways, and Heading Home
The following morning, we all got up early eager to continue on with the run, but being that I had to be back at work on Tuesday, I elected to drive back rather than continue on. Since they were all running low on water, I gave them most of my water (I kept about 100 oz.) and food and also took their trash. We said our goodbyes and they continued on the Rubicon east, while I proceeded back towards civilization.
Being Monday, traffic was extremely light on the trail and I was able to make excellent time getting back, unfortunately, I wasn't running with my GPS on and took a wrong turn and ended up on the trail headed to the Wentworth Springs entrance, which, if I recall correctly, was closed off due to construction.
Being on an unfamiliar trail, I got a little lost and once I turned on my GPS and looked at the map, I realized my mistake. (Spouses, please don't speak up at this point!!)
I decided my best option was to turn around and try to get back to where the trail forked off and make the right turn, but getting back meant traversing a fairly steep, loose section, which I just didn't feel comfortable doing alone without a winch to extricate myself... soooo, I turned around and decided to follow the wentworth springs trail, hoping it wouldn't be too difficult.
Incurring Major Damage
After traveling over numerous obstacles without encountering any problems, I got stuck and ended up breaking my rear, drivers side trailing arm right where it wraps around the axle!!
Lloyd had mentioned previously as well as earlier on the trip that I needed to get them "fish plated" to give myself better protection and to prevent this exact problem from happening. Well, it was too late and now I had a major problem!!
Total Strangers Come To My Aid
Amazingly, after sitting there for a mere 30 minues, a group of folks who only come up once a year that happened to be on the trail at the same time as me found me on the trail. They were heading into the 'con rather than heading out.
Brian Reed from Bager Off Road, Ron Thomas from RCMP (Ron's Custom Machine Products) and about a dozen of their friends were kind enough to help me repair my broken trailing arm right there on the trail.
The first order of business was to extract me from my stuck position which Ron made short work of, using his SuperWinch 9000. The next thing was to re-attach my broken trailing arm. It certainly wasn't easy and took 2 hi-lifts, 2 bottle jacks, my Craftsman toolset, and Brian's portable welder (Premier Power Welder).
It was amazing! and in the end, I was able to continue down the trail... limping, but at least mobile again.
Should have stayed in the "Red" instead of the "Green"
Well, enough to limp home anyway (2WD with front's only.
After thanking them profusely and bidding each other farewell, I was on the way again. I was pretty happy, but still slightly cautious, since I still had a bit of a ways to go to get home.
After going less than a hundred yards, it became apparent that I was
2 Hi-Lift's, 2 Bottle Jacks, a full tool set, chains, a welder, and lots of Sweat was all it took!!
Learning the Extent of My Damages
Due to the Trailing Arm breaking on an obstacle, the driver side of the rear axle pulled back and away from the vehicle while the passenger side stayed where it was supposed to.
This "angular" deflection, unfortunately not only bent my driveline, but in fact pulled the slip yoke away from my transfer case enough that it did not go right back in. Eventually it went back in, but not before increasing the number of bends my driveline. These bends were so significant that my driveline was almost completely sheared off at the slip-yoke.
A quarter of a mile further on the rough terrain sealed it's doom and I now had a broken driveshaft banging around in addition to a crippled rear axle!
The Killer Stuck
I ended up getting hi-centered again and not having my rear tires spinning with open front differentials didn't help any. I tried contacting them using my CB, but being a Line of Site radio, I was unable to raise them.
After finding my position using my GPS and Map, I decided that it would be better to save my energy, and limited water, and head down the trail rather than try to free myself again. Plus, I knew that stacking rocks probably wouldn't be enough and II would probably need a pull to get out.
Since I was only about 5 miles from the pavement and only a half mile from the Wentworth Springs Campground, I decided to try to walk out and see if there might be other rigs who might be able to help.
The Boyscout Emerges from the Cobwebs
Drawing on my experiences in the past as a Scout, I gathered what limited resources I had, for the hike.
- Water (<20-30 oz.): I used some on my last stuck.
- Light Jackets (2): Wind Breakers really (it was August, and very warm)
- Headlamp (1): LED unit, so I had lots of light.
- Leatherman knife (1): Actually a Gerber unit for you analyticals
- Food (8 Powerbars, 12 rice crispy treat bars)
- GPS
- Compass
- De Lorme Atlas
- Map from TopoZone.com
- 1st Aid Kit
- Portable CB Radio
- FSR Radio
- Cell Phone (1/2 power on battery)
- Knee Brace (for my bum knee)
- Iodine Tables to purify water
- My sleeping Bag
- Marine Core Tarp
I was able to fit all of the above into, or onto my pack and off I went.
A Bad Situation
Even with all the wonderful technology, I was still in the Sierra Nevada's, on a seldomly used trail, with a bad knee, less than 4 cups of water, limited food, with some basic survival gear. My Biggest Mistake was being here alone! I couldn't raise anyone on my CB or FSR radior, nor did I have any cell service!
At this point I was pretty worried, and kept on thinking back to all the stories I've read in Reader's Digest's "Drama In Real Life" section.
Fate/Luck Steps In (AKA Devine Intervention?)
After about another half mile, I ran into a young couple (Bret and Agnes). Two students from UC Berkeley's College of Optometry. They were up for a few days of hiking and kayaking.
They allowed me to use their water pump/purifier to refill my water resevoirs at a nearby stream. They told me that the road was only about 3 miles away, and a relatively easy walk, but also offered to give me a ride to Highway 50 in 2 days when they were supposed to leave.
I thanked them for their offer, but decided to try to make it to the main road to try and catch a ride into town so I could get home sooner. After another mile of walking though, I found my knee in major pain (even after taking 5 Advil's). I reluctantly turned back around and hoped that Bret and Agnes would allow me to share their campsite with them.
Bret and Agnes no only shared their site with me, shared their dinner with me, and offered to drive me to Pollock Pines the following morning.
August 14 2001: Back in Civilization
The following morning, Bret and Agnes drove me into town and dropped me off at the Crystal View Station where I was able to arrange for someone to drive back with me to extricate my rig, and bring it to a spot where a flat bed could pick it up.
After about a 70 minute drive to the trail with John in his full sized Chevy Blazer and another 20 minute drive to my rig, we were able to use his Winch to get me unstuck.
I was only able to limp along for another 20 feet or so before I got stuck again! We found that he had to pull me a few more times where the lack of 4 wheel drive became an issue.
After about an hour, we made it back to the pavement.
After another, and we were back at the shop, where they arranged for a flat bed to come out and pick me up.
After setting that up, I decided my best option was to leave my rig with them and have them fix it, instead of trying to somehow get it home.
I thanked everyone involved for their help, and suddently realized that both Bret and Agnes left without giving me any way of contacting them, to thank them for helping me. Well, if you two are somehow reading this, Thanks a ton, and I did promise you both a nice dinner, so email me and I'll be happy to take you both out!
August 15, 2001: Getting Home
After I got everything situated with the impending pick-up of my Monty, the guys at the Crystal View Station were kind enough to give me a ride to a local hotel where I stayed that night.
That evening I contacted several friends to try and arrange for a ride home that evening, but found that most were either unavailable or could not break away from work for various, but valid reasons. One friend suggested I take Amtrak since the fare was only around $40. What a deal!! However, when I contacted Amtrak, I they told me the cheapest fare was $350 one way!!!
After thinking things through, I gave Greyhound a call and found that they could get me home for a mere $18.00 from nearby Placerville leaving around noon the following day! Perfect, I would even have time to sleep in a little.
The following day, I took a Taxi to Placerville, caught the bust and home and here I am, safe and sound at home.
Putting Humpty Dumpty Back Together Again
Due to the damage I had to leave the Monty at the Crystal View station. At a minimum, I was going to need...
1) Trailing Arm
2) Drive Shaft
3) Tail Shaft Housing
4) All associated gaskets, seals and bushings.
Additionally, I might need a new ARB, or worse a new transfer case casing.
After contacting a number of dealers regarding the cost on these parts, I also contacted M&S Recycling to see if they had any parts available. They had ALL the parts available! Not only that, but these guys were at least 75% cheaper than the cost of new parts!!
Now keep in mind, that these are used parts but when you consider that my rig has over 200K miles on it, these used parts are bound to be newer than my original parts... i.e. in better condition.
There was one minor hitch in getting these parts from them... The tail shaft housing was not available as a stand alone item. To get it, I had to purhcase the whole transfer case. Luckily, it only cost me $200. Keep in mind the tail shaft housing new from the dealer is $275. Plus M&S Recycling didn't charge me a core charge, which means I was able to keep my original transfer case for either spare parts or for having development done on lower gearing.
At this point, I do have to give major Kudos to the folks at M&S Recycling and I suggest that if anyone needs parts and is not put off by using used parts, then Make sure you give M&S a shot. I'd put money down that you'll get the same excellent service I got at a very reasonable fee.
If you'd like to reach M&S Recycling, please click here.
August 22, 2001: To date, the rig is still being fixed but hopefully, I'll have it back by this weekend. Now, if I can only find a someone who's willing to drive me up to pick it up.
August 24, 2001 - 4:25 pm: I spoke with the mechanic's at Crystal View Station's Auto Mechanic Shop and they said that my Monty might be ready tomorrow and I should call them in the morning and they could tell me for sure if it'll be ready.
August 25, 2001 - 8:30 am: Got a call this morning from John at the Crystal View Station. He said that I should be able to pick my car up today. I immediately call my buddy Ben since he offered to give me a ride down to pick it up today after he ran a couple of early morning errands.
After running those errands, we headed off for a 3.5 hour drive up to Pollock Pines. After a fairly uneventful trip, we arrive there around 1:00pm. After thanking the guys and paying them for their repairs for my rig, I pickup my broken trailing arm, broken Tails Shaft Housing, Extra Transfer case, and the other tail shaft housing and start heading back down.
The first thing I notice on the freeway is that my Steering Wheel is still misaligned (happened on the trail) and my speedometer still doesn't work.
I realize that my local mechanic will have to look at things and repair them before the monty will be 100% again. Needless to say, at least it runs without any problems other than those created on the trail and the majority of the major problems have already been fixed.
In the end , I arrived home after an uneventful trip back. Thus ends my Rubicon Saga.
Here's that broken Trailing Arm, the chain that was used to trail repair it, and the resulting broken tail shaft housing.
Oh heck! Need more body work!!
This is no longer my daily driver. Hmmm... always wanted a Jetta!
And then there's the Right side.. notice the doors, and rear quarter panel!! That new Jetta's calling out!!
Here's a close up of the right rear. Notice white dust from a boulder impact that is still attached to my bumper.
Ouch up front! More damage, except this was due to hitting a boulder.
First of all, the Steering is going to be re-aligned tomorrow.
AUTO-HUB RETIREMENT
While Driving driving back from the shop one day after replacing some steering components, I found that the rig made a horrendous grinding noise coming from the frontal area. The noise would occur once the rig was underway and anywhere between 20-60 miles an hour. There was no discernable pattern as to when it would occur. There were stretches where I made no noise for weeks, then one day it would start grinding. To stop the grinding noise, I merely had to come to a near stop (<5mph). Once that happened a loud thunk would occur (could feel the thunk) and then the grinding would stop.
After driving like this for a few months, I had a hunch that my AutoLocking hubs went south. All that front wheel drive only action on this trip couldn't have been good for them.
Knowing that I wanted to get Manual hubs anyway, I went ahead and purchased a set of Superwinch hubs. Rear End Specialties recommended I contact Freeman Frame, in San Jose CA. After an hour or so, I had a new set of hubs.
I kept the old Auto hubs as backup units just in case.
Oh, and the grinding sound is no longer there!!
