Rubicon Trail - Memorial Day 2003
I was still living in Oregon at the time Memorial Day 2003 was fast approaching. I really was
getting the itch to get back to the Rubicon after going through Tillamook State Forest in Oregon. The timing
of the trip made it all possible as my wife was going to be in Sacramento for a bachlorette party. The Jeep
was ready as I had recently added some Xenon extended flares and everything was tightened up.
I flat-towed Old Red down behind my Nissan Xterra. This was the second time I had towed the Jeep with the
towing mounts and frame that was fabricated by stevesjeepfab.com and it pulled straight and was very well
designed. The drive from Portland, Oregon to Sacramento, California was non-eventful. The next day I loaded
up the Jeep with all the needed provisions and utilized the new interior cargo rack. The drive up to Ice House was
really pleasant, I had no top on and the doors fully removed. As I gained in elevation I could feel the
temperature dropping pretty quickly. I stopped at the market and bought a bag of $3 ice and continued on to
Loon Lake. As I was driving up there I noticed snow on the groud (Memorial Day weekend and snow?). There were
a few rigs around, lots of trucks with empty trailers. I aired down, pulled the sway bar discos and did a quick
check over on everything. The first section down to the first obstacle Gate-Keeper was non eventful. There
was a line up of about 15 vehicles before it so I decided to go see what the hold up was. Gate-Keeper has
really gotten chewed up over the last few years. There was at one time a bypass, but a large boulder has been
put in place closing that off. There are a couple ways to get through this section. I chose what looked like
the least amount of unberbody carnage and gave the most articulation. I was in Gate-Keeper for only two minutes
before it let my Jeep pass. My jeep was setup with a 2" lift, 32" BFG All Terrains and completly open front
and rear. I instaled a gas tank skid and rocker panel protection. I truely believe that an open dif vehicle can
get through most any obstacle.
--MORE REPORT TO COME--
This was my eighth time going through the Rubicon and I am always looking forward to going back.
