4x4tographer 3,642 Posted December 31, 2020 (edited) TRAIL RIDE UPDATE! Hi everyone, while the ride is still going to happen, I'm needing to make some pretty big changes to the route for a few reasons: Safety - There is still a good amount of snow and ice reported along our route north of Hozoni Ranch. Much of that section of the trail are narrow shelf roads with quite a bit of risk in the snow. Time - in talking with a few folks familiar with the area, we're probably looking at a 10-12 hour day on the original route, getting us into Crown King around dark + another 2-3 hours for some to get home from CK. Apologies for any confusion for inconvenience. This spring I'd like to turn the route into a 2 day overnight/overland trip to give us more time to enjoy the trails without the need to push through for time's sake. The New Updated Route! The first half of the new route will remain the same taking us up the Morgan City Wash and past Copperopolis and Bradshaw's Grave. For the 2nd half, rather than going north, we'll connect to the beautiful Buckhorn Springs Trail which will take us by Buckhorn Springs which is normally flowing with water. From there, we'll connect to Castle Hot Springs and end up back at Lake Pleasant. The overall distance of the run is still the same (64mi) but we'll be on faster trails and make better time (and no ice!). The difficulty rating is still MODERATE due to the area around Copperopolis/Grave (north-end of the below trial map). It should still be a great day of exploring! Meeting time and place are unchanged. Highlights include: The Bog Ranch Copperopolis Bradshaw's Grave Briggs town site Castle Creek Canyon Buckhorn Springs This trip is: An all-day event! 64 miles A combination of various trails and roads (such as Morgan City Wash / Castle Hot Springs Rd / Buckhorn Springs) to create the route MEET UP Meet at 7am on 2/13/20, depart by 7:20am Dirt lot to the left on Castle Hot Springs Road (only 1 mile up the road) GPS: 33.84723812995156, -112.32316760443118 Google Maps COMMS GMRS: Channel 17 (462.600 Mhz) Ham: 146.460 Mhz TRAIL DIFFICULTY: Moderate Trail is rated moderate due to some rough areas, off-camber washouts, and remoteness. Much of our day will be in the washes, but a multi-mile section will be on firm ground. TRAIL INFO Here's a map/GPX of the new route (in purple below). Morgan City Wash Copperopolis/Bradshaw's Grave Buckhorn Creek/Springs Castle Hot Springs REQUIREMENTS A high clearance 4x4 truck or suv with a low range transfer case option, suitable front & rear recovery point, aggressive 33" or larger A/T or M/T tires, aftermarket skid plates, and rock rails. Sway-bar disconnects are highly recommended. GMRS or Ham radio in good working order Rigs & drivers must meet all the typical state/federal legal requirements for on-highway vehicles (license, insurance, registration, seatbelts, lights, etc.) A State Trust Land Permit is required. You can purchase one here. DON'T FORGET! Pack a lunch and snacks Bring plenty of water for yourself and your guests A chair A camera! Dress for the weather (layers) RIG LIMIT: 10 vehicles *confirmed for revised run 1 - @4x4tographer (leading) * 2 - @Trail Toy * 3 - @gearhead 4 - @CAVU2 5 - @Stacey and Scott 6 - @Bradywgn71 * 7 - @shellback91 * 8 - 9 - 10 - On Standby: 1 - 2 - Edited February 12, 2021 by 4x4tographer 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gearhead 693 Posted January 1, 2021 Please sign me up.....thanks! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CAVU2 267 Posted January 1, 2021 I’d like to go as well 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
klaykrusher 65 Posted January 1, 2021 Sign me up please! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mbuckner 208 Posted January 1, 2021 Please add me to the list. Mike 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stacey and Scott 1,404 Posted January 2, 2021 Yes please, sounds like a great day! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KtroubleA 93 Posted January 6, 2021 We're in! Looking forward to it 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bradywgn71 1,007 Posted January 6, 2021 Please sign us up 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shellback91 2,305 Posted January 11, 2021 This looks interesting, sign me up please. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eugene 51 Posted January 18, 2021 Ryan -- Can you please add me to the standby list. Mike 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
