This trip had been in the planning for a long time by Tony Bothwell and other members of the IRC #jeep channel. I'm not on IRC, but I joined the trip last year and for some reason they invited me back. I asked to be kept in the loop, but quite frankly had no intention of going once I found that 2 people from the previous year would also be returning. I have no intention of ever wasting a trip with those two again.

Well...good news - they cancelled.

So Thursday I was driving home from a business retreat and thought about the trip starting that night. I was going! So I went home, loaded up the Jeep, went down to my office to check email and announce that I was leaving and packed up the rest of my stuff. Then I looked at the itinerary - the trip left the night before.

I had already decided to wheel for the weekend and had no intention of staying home. I had two choices - I could go to Big Bear and hook up with Steve Friend, or I could join the Rubicon trip in progress.

At 2:00 Thursday I left my office in San Francisco. A quick stop in Placerville got me the supplies I needed and I was at Loon Lake at 6:00 pm. I aired down, locked in my new hubs and hit the trail. I had a couple of good surprises on the way (twice put two wheels in the air - once the front wheels, once the driver's side), but I rolled into camp at Spider at 8:15. Good time I think - it's amazing how fast 1 Jeep can travel on an empty trail. I was a little nervous of stranding myself, but I knew I could walk to the camp if I needed - see....I didn't know what CB channel they were on.

Nobody was expecting me, so more than a few people looked at me strange when I walked up (left the Jeep at the top of the stairs into camp - I was ready for a spotter by now). Only Dave recognized me because of my short hair. In fact, I had been there a half hour drinking beer before Tony figured out who I was. HAHA! We hung around and talked about last year and caught up for many hours (and beers) into the night. It was a great group!!

Speaking of which, here's the participants and their vehicles. My apologies if there are any errors.

• Tony Bothwell, fiancé Cynthia and brother Tommy in a SOA YJ, RR Detroit and 35's
• Lance and Jen (from Portland) in a YJ with 33" Swampers and open diffs
• Dave Frascone and Hogan Whitehall in a TJ with 31" MTs and a RR EZ Locker
• Eric Denning and wife (!) Jamie in a TJ with bald 31" ATs and a RR Lockrite
• Paul Nasvik (me!) in a TJ, FR & RR functional ARBs, 35s and a bitchen’ rack from Brad that drew lots of attention on trail

Day 2-ish found us leaving Spider Lake around 10:00 am; the goal for this trip was to keep it relaxed so nobody left trail as tired as last year. We decided to forgo a morning run of the Little Sluice and head for a camp on the far side of Rubicon Springs. We also decided that we would look at, and most likely attempt the Old - or True - Sluice as none of us had ever taken it. So after we worked our way there we got out, walked a ways on the Old Sluice and decided to try it - after lunch. While we were eating some Jeepers I know came by and told us we could make it, and that there is a way "around" the big rock everyone talks about.

The first part of this section has a few rocks and steps but is fairly easy. But then we hit the good stuff - the trail takes a dive down the hill and enters a narrow rocky area. Slow going with lots of articulation and bumping, and good off camper stuff if you desire (always nice to get used to your rig again). The trail enters a section in between two high rock walls and takes you towards a big rock half blocking the trail - we had "arrived".

The "bypass" is to go around the big rock on the left and take a hard turn to the left in front of the Rock. Then go up the hill to a little plateau where you can turn around and head down the ledge on the downhill side of the Rock. Not and easy route (especially open and with low clearance), but a lot better than the other way - straight down the trail.

Tony lead the way and opted for the turn around thingy. Then it was Lance, Dave, Eric and me. We had spread the two winches to the ends of the group in case of trouble. The other three also took the bypass with varying lines - different capabilities. Only a little damage when Dave rolled his fender flare into the ledge on the downhill part of the obstacle - a new screw for the marker light will make it all better. Actually, he also tweaked one of his stock lower control arms - anyone have one to spare? I gave mine away....

I spotted everyone through and decided to take the straight line. Tony probably could have done it too, but I used the locker at both ends. Clearance was a definite factor as I almost nailed rockers, corners, and other parts on the Rock and the surrounding "cliffs". I managed to make it through with out damage however. Very cool obstacle!!!

The rest of the way down to Buck Island Lake was pretty uneventful. We were all really glad we tried the Old Sluice as it was a blast! The extra trail time was worth it.

I should mention that Tony had a bad ear infection that was killing his hearing and giving him blinding headaches. I'm amazed he drove as well as he did.

Also incredible is Eric. He's kind of embarrassing to those of us with big trucks. He walked through almost everything without an issue. The legends are true!

We stopped at Buck and cleaned up before heading to the Big Sluice. I had heard (from Harold) that the Big Sluice was harder this year. Truth be told it was easier. Same fun, but nothing to sweat about. About half way down there was a Early Bronco dead and stuck. (Why is it always a Bronco blocking the trail?) I used my winch to get him out, and they eventually got it started and off to camp. They offered me a reward in the form of something green (not sure what they meant exactly) and I of course refused.

About this time Tony's head had enough and he gave the keys to Tommy. Tommy hadn't driven off road much, but with good spotting from Tony we all made it down to Rubicon Springs and camped on the river. Another LATE night of beers, Dr Pepper's and the usual BS. I'm telling ya - you gotta be careful of too much Dr Pepper!!

We left camp around 11:00 Saturday morning for the quick trip out over Cadillac. Wouldn't you know it? There were more Broncos blocking the trail. Can anyone explain this to me? hehehe

We had a few *interesting* moments - like Lance very calmly listening to my very calm spotting to keep him on the trail. We went back and looked at his tracks - half a Swamper tread on the trail. Good moment. After that (and a couple of my own tense moments) we were up to the lookout for lunch and pictures. 10 miles of trail to go, but usually a quick trip.

There's a mud pit half way through that I had yet to make it through. Make that HAVE yet to make it through. But this time a quick strap forward wouldn't do it. Neither would a strap backward. Tried the winch forward. Tried it back ward. Tried a snatch block backward. That was just going to rip a bumper off.

The Jeep was at about a 30 degree angle with the driver's side buried over the 35's in REALLY sticky mud. The passenger side was on fairly solid ground. There is a 3 foot (or more) ledge to climb in front. Tony came up with the brilliant idea of winching me from the side. I wrapped my tree saver around me roll cage (thank god!) and Tony winched me level. Two tires in the air over a big sticky hole. We threw a log in there for the rear tire to ride on, and then I used my winch to move me forward and out of the hole. It only took 2 hours to get me out...

Everyone else was extremely patient and I appreciate it. It was the end of the trail and everyone was looking forward to a real meal and a shower. Thank you!

So we hit the end of the trail, I aired everyone's tires and we went to Truckee for pizza. We decided that we need to do it again next year, but this time it will be invite only. I'm thinking it will be the 2nd Annual Paul Nasvik Invitational. Guess who's not invited.

Great trip. May be the best yet. We all had a great time, nothing broke, little damage and I got to play with all my new toys. Now I have to figure out how to keep that wheel on the ground. It's a little strange to look up at the bottom of the driver front tire and keep going forward....