Been out of action for a couple of years and trying to catch up. On the surface, it would appear that very little has changed ... I apologize if I'm rehashing old ideas, but I somehow don't think that's the case.
I've just read through Randii's "Standard" rig thread and I'm left with a lot of thoughts and questions. But rather than post to an overly long and ego-filled argument (yes I know that's imflammatory), I thought I'd post a new question and idea here.
How should the Rubicon fit into the structure of trails throughout the Sierra and even the western United States? It is often touted as the "hardest" or "most famous" or "benchmark" or even "best" trail. But really - it's just another trail that has suffered because of overuse. I think the issues of what size tires, or how many lockers, or my-grandmother-can-drive-better-than-your-grandmother is completely missing the point.
Whether you go to the Rubicon to go fishing/camping, drinking with friends, entertainment at LS and others, maintain the trail or because it's some sort of holy grails of all trails (hey a rhyme!) you're still using a trail that is in fact no different than Fordyce, Barrett, Dusy, etc. They are all 4x4 designated routes with beautiful scenery and some challenging terrain.
None of them are more special than the others. So why are people placing the emphasis on making the Rubicon so much better than the rest? History? Maybe. Ego? For sure. Because it's a sign of all that is to come in terms of trail usage? Quite possibly.
But the fact is, in spite of (and partially because of) the gates and seasonal closure Dusy and Barrett are better trails. Sorry, it's true. They're clean, trail boundaries are respected (no idiotic bypasses) and they haven't attracted what I like to think of as "a bunch of punks from Sac who built up they're extreme (read: cheap) Toys and like to party on the 'con". (And before I get in trouble, let me say that stereotypes have to come from somewhere - you don't have to be a part of that crowd just because you look like you do. :flipoff2
Seems to me that if the Rubicon is "dumbed-down" or restricted than one of two things will happen. Either the "idiots" will find somewhere else to go (hence moving the battle - or intensifying it at Fordyce), or they will stay on the Rubicon and just create bigger problems (creating a greater need for strict enforcement and driving the rest of us away).
(Ok... I'm losing focus... need an edit.)
Personally, I don't care what an ideal Rubicon vehicle is. I think teaching people how to "drive" should be applied to parking ramps as much as trails. I think "old timers vs. young punks" is too devisive.
I want a place I can go hang out with my friends, drink a few beers, maybe catch a fish and enjoy life at 7000'. The rig gets me there. I can have fun staying on a 12' wide trail and take entirely different lines than a less experienced driver in a less equipped vehicle. Huh... just described a trip through Dusy or Barrett...
And when I want to break my rig, I go to Johnson Valley or Hollister (what is it about that place???).
I would like to see the Rubicon maintained to a level that will attract people who care about the trail - "extreme" or otherwise. Frankly, I don't care if those people are "yuppies" driving RAV4s (If nothing else, the quality of free beer for aiding in trail fixes will improve.)
I think that whatever we do, we de-emphasize the Rubicon as the "ultimate" trail and instead make it just another great trail.
Thanks for reading my rambling.
Paul
EDIT: Forgot to make the point that whether we like it or not, the solution for the Rubicon will a guideline for how other trails throughout the west are managed in the future. Think about that as you think about how you want the Rubicon to be.
I've just read through Randii's "Standard" rig thread and I'm left with a lot of thoughts and questions. But rather than post to an overly long and ego-filled argument (yes I know that's imflammatory), I thought I'd post a new question and idea here.
How should the Rubicon fit into the structure of trails throughout the Sierra and even the western United States? It is often touted as the "hardest" or "most famous" or "benchmark" or even "best" trail. But really - it's just another trail that has suffered because of overuse. I think the issues of what size tires, or how many lockers, or my-grandmother-can-drive-better-than-your-grandmother is completely missing the point.
Whether you go to the Rubicon to go fishing/camping, drinking with friends, entertainment at LS and others, maintain the trail or because it's some sort of holy grails of all trails (hey a rhyme!) you're still using a trail that is in fact no different than Fordyce, Barrett, Dusy, etc. They are all 4x4 designated routes with beautiful scenery and some challenging terrain.
None of them are more special than the others. So why are people placing the emphasis on making the Rubicon so much better than the rest? History? Maybe. Ego? For sure. Because it's a sign of all that is to come in terms of trail usage? Quite possibly.
But the fact is, in spite of (and partially because of) the gates and seasonal closure Dusy and Barrett are better trails. Sorry, it's true. They're clean, trail boundaries are respected (no idiotic bypasses) and they haven't attracted what I like to think of as "a bunch of punks from Sac who built up they're extreme (read: cheap) Toys and like to party on the 'con". (And before I get in trouble, let me say that stereotypes have to come from somewhere - you don't have to be a part of that crowd just because you look like you do. :flipoff2
Seems to me that if the Rubicon is "dumbed-down" or restricted than one of two things will happen. Either the "idiots" will find somewhere else to go (hence moving the battle - or intensifying it at Fordyce), or they will stay on the Rubicon and just create bigger problems (creating a greater need for strict enforcement and driving the rest of us away).
(Ok... I'm losing focus... need an edit.)
Personally, I don't care what an ideal Rubicon vehicle is. I think teaching people how to "drive" should be applied to parking ramps as much as trails. I think "old timers vs. young punks" is too devisive.
I want a place I can go hang out with my friends, drink a few beers, maybe catch a fish and enjoy life at 7000'. The rig gets me there. I can have fun staying on a 12' wide trail and take entirely different lines than a less experienced driver in a less equipped vehicle. Huh... just described a trip through Dusy or Barrett...
And when I want to break my rig, I go to Johnson Valley or Hollister (what is it about that place???).
I would like to see the Rubicon maintained to a level that will attract people who care about the trail - "extreme" or otherwise. Frankly, I don't care if those people are "yuppies" driving RAV4s (If nothing else, the quality of free beer for aiding in trail fixes will improve.)
I think that whatever we do, we de-emphasize the Rubicon as the "ultimate" trail and instead make it just another great trail.
Thanks for reading my rambling.
Paul
EDIT: Forgot to make the point that whether we like it or not, the solution for the Rubicon will a guideline for how other trails throughout the west are managed in the future. Think about that as you think about how you want the Rubicon to be.