McKinstry Road access

[Rubicrawler]

Some of our group is planning on coming in late Friday night for the work party next weekend and are planning on using the McKinstry road to Ellis. Anyone know if this road is clear?

TIA

[cruzila]

I posted in the other thread that it has not been opened. Still 4-6 ft drifts near Ellis. It may be melted by Friday, but you won't know until you get there.

Scott

[Rubicrawler]

Thanks Scott! You've been a real help today I owe you a

[Jeepndel]

WAIT!! Are you saying I cannot get in McKinstry way? Yikes.
Somebody scout it before Friday, please. I might spill my coffee trying to get over Gatekeeper.

Del

[Monkeyboy]

Dell When are you heading in?

[randii]

I'm taking the Dodge in that way Friday evening late... I'll bring a shovel. Anyone else going in that way want to go in together?

Randii

[Monkeyboy]

Randii,

Want to wait up for us?

I'll be showinfg up with my CJ-3b and my mom in her Black YJ.

Late Friday evening.

[Jeepndel]

Ok, beat me up. I'm going to confess.
I'm taking my RV up to Gerle Creek/Airport flat area Friday night and staying there. Yes, generator, shower, blender....you get the drift.

So i'll head in early Sat. am to be in to Ellis Creek around 8am
Del

[randii]

Waiting for a couple rigs is no problem. Can you forecast an arrival time? I was planning to stage about 9pm on Friday night (may have to stop in and check out Del's blender !), and then work my way in that evening.

IIRC, Brian said he'd been in that way earlier this season, so I don't expect any downed trees (I'll have the world's dullest chainsaw, though, just in case) but with the late snows and tree-cover on that route, it may be slow going. Won't know 'til we get there.

Del, we'll have it cleared for your regal arrival but you're gonna have to share that fresh-from-the-motorhome coffee.

Randii

[Monkeyboy]

MMMMM Blender.


Randi

I We will be leaving Antioch at 5:00pm

That should put us up in the area at around 8:00.
I'll be flat towing the 3B so we will eb going slow on the highway.

I'll have a Chainsaw, Shovels chains and straps.

If it gets too rough we can always just camp and wait for Dell to show up so he can help. Or we can turn back.

I wonder how well the 3b will bust through snow drifts with it's 72HP and pizza cutter tires

[Jeepndel]

Ok, as to the blender. Here's the deal. I bring my lady with me. She asks very little of me. :0
The one thing she asked for this time was the RV with electricity.
so ok.......and what do I get????

She makes one heckofa GREAT margi. She is blender proficient.

I plan to be at Airport Flat campground (the last one on the right before you hit the old Wentworth/McKinstry road).

Big silver Safari Motorhome -- older but nicer.
C UN RD the red jeep with snorkel will be nearby.

Stop by if you 're cruising thru ( or hit me on the CB on channel 3 for Music Man)
Or cell phone: 209 304-7693

I should be there with blender running by 7:30pm if someone needs a quick refreshing stop.

Del

[randii]

One of my coworkers stopped in while I had the topo up for McKinstry.... he's interested in heading up there midweek to drive/hoof the backway in and check out snow levels. Weeknight trips can be entertaining, but we'll have to be conservative driving just one vehicle.

The way I look at it, the stretch that cross the saddle between Jerrett Peak and Guide Peak has the chance of holding snow for the longest. Altitude creeps up near 7100 feet and the North/South trail through trees keeps the trail itself well-protected from the sun.

I'll post more if we go up...

Randii

[Jeepndel]

Randii, please do let us know (or anyone else who goes thru McKinstry) if we can get in that way.

I'll be waiting with baited breath.....as I'd hate to have to WALK.
Del

[rockwrangler]

Del
I'll lend you a strap first one free 2nd $20 3rd $40 4th $60
see a trend

[Jeepndel]

Strap????????? Ouch......but thank you for the very kind offer.
I hope I can return the favor sometime.
Del

[rockwrangler]

Del
I have started on that Rubicon Jeep trailer I spoke to you about
at the arena in Moab, and if all goes well I just might build another one if you like it. I'll even throw in that strap. See you this weekend

[Monkeyboy]

Any word on the conditions on this route yet?

[rockwrangler]

Maybe we can get Joe
AKA= ROCMYCJ to check the conditions of the road He lives in that area or semi close JOE JOE ARE YOU THERE JOE!!!!!!!
Hay ROCMYCJ do you have time to check

[Jeepndel]

I hope somebody can check the trail conditions (McKinstry) before Friday. Otherwise, if I have to tent it, I won't be able to use my blender.

YIKES>>>>>>

Del

[Monkeyboy]

I guess if anything Randii and I will find out how the road is on Friday night.

[cruzila]

Gentleman, from what i saw last Friday evening, you will be the first this year to go down that trail. When we passed Ellis, there were so many drifts I could not tell which trees to drive between. BUT, there have been many hot days since then and more to come.

Scott Johnston

[Monkeyboy]

I was up in the sierra's last weekend and the high elevations didn't have much snow anymore.

I'm gonna figure that the trail is probably pretty clear now.

[Danger Ranger]

I rode my XR six fiddy from Wentworth springs to ellis tonight, no snow, no trees... just water, very little snow at ellis.

[Monkeyboy]

Aaron you ROCK!!

Thanks for taking the time to check that out.

[randii]

I rode my XR six fiddy from Wentworth springs to ellis tonight, no snow, no trees... just water, very little snow at ellis.
Didja cut straight across on the actual Rubicon Trail? Past the Postpile?

My topo shows survey spikes at Wentworth Springs (6013 feet) and the Ellis Creek encampment (6526 feet), with most of that section of the trail in the fairly broad valley with Gerle Creek at its center. IIRC, there's less tree cover down by that stretch of the trail, and there's not that much of a ridge to the South, either.

The topo shows a 6922 spike at McKinstry, and that valley is shaded by Jerrett Peak. I'm pretty sure I can bull my way through to the lake, but that last stretch that goes over the saddle between Jerret and Guide Peaks then winds down through the newish trees... I 'spect to find some drifts hiding in the shade there. Kinda hoping for SOME challenge, I'll admit.

I need an excuse to cut outta work tomorrow a bit early, so I'm still running up to scout toward McKinstry.

Randii (hoping for a bit of snow, still, for the dog to play in)