Here is the trip report for Big Bear, August 13-15, 2010.
after loading up the truck and trailer, we headed up Hwy 330, turned onto Hwy 18, and then on to green valley road. Crossing the water on 3N16 on our way to the camp was a nice bit of fun. too bad it wasnt a bit deeper!
we arrived about 1 in the afternoon and setup camp in the worst campsite i have ever seen. the stall was the wrong way round, so i had to go in the wrong direction to back the trailer in. The entire campsite was about 15* from horizontal. And oddly shaped.
Started out on saturday a bit late. Kevin and Bill had repairs to perform from the previous night. a broken CV on Bill's 3rd gen and a maladjusted alignment cam on Kevin's 2nd. We hit the eastern edge of Dishpan Springs at about 10 am.
After some time on the trail, we arrived at the waterfall. this is by far the most difficult section of the trail, which really isnt all that difficult. a few years ago i tagged my door and nearly rolled it due to some horrendous spotting. this time, there was an easier path, and i had good spotters and a little more knowledge of the trail and my vehicle. i got through it no problem:
here is mikey making it look easy (click to play:
and marc's second try after getting it into 4wd (click to play):
thats about all the pictures i got of the trail.
While everyone else enjoyed deep creek and then returned to camp on dishpan springs, we returned to the campsite via Hwy 18 to play doctor on dad's leg, ate lunch, and went exploring some of the near by dirt roads. the forest is in pretty rough shape after the fires.
Mikey, we had a brief convo on the CB about Holcomb creek. i didnt get to add much because i was trying to not hit rocks. the trail is closed because of approx. 1200 "danger" trees. trees that are dead and in danger of falling on the trail, blocking it, hurting vehicles or people. expected opening date is may of 2011, but who knows. this is all from a ranger at the disco center.
CARNAGE REPORT:
The only real carnage for us was sustained by my father:
the worrying part is he is diabetic and healing takes longer than normal. he is in a bit of pain but otherwise fine. i think a trip to the doc is a possibility tomorrow, just to be on the safe side.
otherwise, lots of scraped sliders, bumpers, skid plates. i even nailed my panhard bar!
it was a great trip! awesome to see some old friends like Mikey and Marc, and nice to meet some new ones like Bill. and thanks to Chris, Kevin, Patric, Lance and Troy for coming out! Troy, i DID scratch my rear bumper. ill get a picture of it for you later!!!
thanks again guys, it was a great trip!