FJ Cruisers of Northern California

To hell and back.............who wants to go next time?

I just got back from a awesome weekend wheeling and camping on the Hell Hole OHV trail at Hell Hole reservoir. Had such a good time, planning to go back. Hardcore trail with a great place to camp and fish. Even ran across the adopted owners of the trail, the Capital City Mountain Goat 4wd club. I am planning to head back some time in August. I wanted to see if there was interest in going from anyone here and what dates would work for those interested. I am still in the pre-planning stages but figure I would start early. This trail although short (4 miles), is a hardcore, slow, pucker-factor, what the heck am I thinking trail. Took 6 hours in and 4 hours out. This trail is more difficult than Slickrock and Deer Valley, to give two examples to compare too. Damage is very possible, I have a minor dent on my door, another rig had a dented bed side, some only had rock rash and some had mechanical damage (bent drive shaft, busted e locker). Expect some bumps and bruises. Post up if interested. More pictures in the album.

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Permalink Reply by Back in Black (FJ4 Tahoe) on July 18, 2011 at 7:28pm

You can count Christine and I in...if we go in early August.

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Permalink Reply by The Josh on July 19, 2011 at 8:53am

I'm so down!!

Pending date...

My truck is gonna go into Toy Connection in 2 weeks to fix a problem with the front locker so hopefully if it's near the end of next month. Always wanted to do thar trail. I gotta get prepped for the marlin roundup In September

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Permalink Reply by CA Annie on July 21, 2011 at 7:39pm

Cool picts!

The book says 1-2 hours each way, was the 6/4hour with your drive from the Bay, or is the book misleading?

Is there camping at the end of the trail? Book indicated camping at the trail head, only.

That trail head is right near the Rubicon, bet it was a challenge. Looks like a great trail!

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Permalink Reply by GHOST on July 21, 2011 at 7:59pm

The book lied, lol. The 6 hours in was part not being familiar with the trail and part traffic. Took us 4 hrs to get out with no traffic. There is a a campground at the trail head but it is a developed campground. Along the lake is considered dispersed camping. Hell Hole reservoir is ok for dispersed camping. The restriction are for Ice House Reservoir, Gerle Creek Reservoir, Wrights Lake, Echo Lake, Silver Lake, Kirkwood Lake, Woods Lake, Caples Lake, and Stumpy Meadows Reservoir. It was a great trail, very challenging and scary at times but well worth it.

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Permalink Reply by daPitbull on July 21, 2011 at 8:36pm

Im interested.

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Permalink Reply by PRS TiFJ on July 21, 2011 at 8:39pm

Im in, cant do the weekend of the 6th as it is my dads memorial.

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Permalink Reply by MoreFJland on July 21, 2011 at 8:57pm

Depending on the date, interested.

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Permalink Reply by GHOST on July 21, 2011 at 8:59pm

For those interested, what dates would work? I will be wheeling SlickRock and Deer Valley from the 18th through 21st. Although I have some plans for some weekends, I am flexible. Post up dates and we can narrow down a date. Just a heads up but I would not run this trail without these minimum mods: 33" tires, lift, and sliders. We would need someone equipped with a winch for one obstacle that will require winching for some. I would highly recommend skids as well. I bent my budbuilts. Also some form of rear diff skid/protection. I also would keep your weight low in your rig because it gets really tippy at certain points.

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Permalink Reply by Briman on July 22, 2011 at 12:53am

Reply by GHOSTFor those interested, what dates would work? I will be wheeling SlickRock and Deer Valley from the 18th through 21st. Although I have some plans for some weekends, I am flexible. Post up dates and we can narrow down a date. Just a heads up but I would not run this trail without these minimum mods: 33" tires, lift, and sliders. We would need someone equipped with a winch for one obstacle that will require winching for some. I would highly recommend skids as well. I bent my budbuilts. Also some form of rear diff skid/protection. I also would keep your weight low in your rig because it gets really tippy at certain points.

I may come up to slick rock for a day or two with the wife on those dates. Never been over to deer valley. Haven't ever had enough time. I'm 100 miles from my door to alpine lake, so it would be a good overnighter.