Rising Sun and Wasatch Cruisers Club Ventures! - Planning

[allen.wrench]

That's a good idea @DaveInDenver ! I love the NPS overlay. Thanks for doing that!

I just looked into the Echo Park option and just in case we end up staying there I reserved that biggest spot available for 25 people max. But it seems to say 6 vehicles max. So if we do stay Saturday, Aug 17th, overnight at Echo Park we might need to get creative.

Would 1-3 people that definitely plan to join the adventure mind reserving an Echo Park campsite each?

Depending how the 16 truck group moves we might make good time from the Friday night river camp to Echo Park. If we're slower I expect our Saturday night camp will be at the top of Cliff/Stuntz Ridge. Last year that area had an amazing sheltered meadow. Even though at the top of the ~8000' ridge, the wind was minimal in the meadow and was nice flat/great for ground tents.

This weekend I owe the first post an update to better explain the plan in my mind for daily mileage, what we'll see, campsites, and backup options just-in-case.

Allen

 

[allen.wrench]

Also. TkOffroad (WCs) had to drop. @MarkEva you're moving into the attendance list!

Allen

 

[DaveInDenver]

I just looked into the Echo Park option and just in case we end up staying there I reserved that biggest spot available for 25 people max. But it seems to say 6 vehicles max. So if we do stay Saturday, Aug 17th, overnight at Echo Park we might need to get creative.

Would 1-3 people that definitely plan to join the adventure mind reserving an Echo Park campsite each?

For clarity, Echo Park's group site can accommodate 6 vehicles and 25 people. I don't know if the rangers will care to count or check but there's 22 campsites in Echo Park so 10 people could grab individual sites to stay legal. The issue is individual sites are first come first serve and cannot be reserved, so it's a bit of a gamble.

But I have been to Echo Park a handful of times and never seen more than a couple of other people. You can't really get an RV in there. Normally just high clearance is nice, although a Subaru might be OK. But if it's wet it'll be a real challenge to access for anyone.

It's not commercial and no electricity. There's a pit toilet, picnic benches, fire grates and water, though. The camping is geared around tents so the group site could be used as home for tents while RTT and such dispersed about other sites.

 

[mikedrom]

I have a conflict that weekend, so I will have to bow out. Pretty bummed—this looks like an awesome trip!

 

[MarkEva]

There's currently no fire ban, so I'll bring some wood.

 

[allen.wrench]

Hey all thanks for the inputs the last few days! The first post is updated. It now has an itinerary with coordinates, updated attendance list, and a few added reminders.

Please read the first post and let me know if you see anything missing, confusing, or anything else worth sharing/asking.

We're less than two weeks away. Get STOKED everyone!!

Allen

 

[DaveInDenver]

FYI, for Caltopo users the map is publicly readable: https://caltopo.com/m/B81KPJB/A0PQAQLQHHVDEMAK

I can make it editable if there's someone else using Caltopo and would like that option.

Allen's original route is broken into day 1 and day 2 using Echo Park as the divider. That was simply an easy delineation, no particular significance. His original route is still there, unchanged.

I also added tracks for Jensen, UT, to camp 1 and a reference route from Echo Park to Elk Springs, which is Yampa Bench Road. Also there's a few key waypoints for reference.

Considering gas, last chance from SLC side is Vernal. I think it's technically the Basin Market Sinclair along US40 east of town (waypoint) but there's plenty of options in Vernal.

For Denver side the last chance for gas is the Conoco in Dinosaur on US40. I would recommend not passing this without topping off.

FWIW @allen.wrench FRS channel 8 isn't an option for people with mobile radios. Normally it's suggested to use channels 1 to 7 or 15 to 22 which are allowed on mobile radios. Mobile radios can usually receive but can't transmit on 8 to 14.

 

[DaveInDenver]

FYI

A PDF of the same map as above but with BLM road numbers and other information turned on.

 

[Trail Bum]

Hey gals & guys, on the 2024 look-ahead thread folks liked the idea of doing a joint Rising Sun and Wasatch Cruisers (WCs) combo club venture. Based on a thread on the Wasatch Cruisers forum, they liked it (link: <https://forum.wasatchcruisers.org/threads/wasatch-cruisers-and-rising-sun-club-ventures.13339/>). I also chatted with our Event Coordinator, @DomOfTheDead, and got his input too.

So... let me start a dedicated thread for planning the event

The basic idea: A Wasatch Cruisers and Rising Sun club combo run adventure. The clubs are neighbors, all the members are cool, and the trucks are even cooler so we should spend some time together. The Vernal, Dino Natl Monument area is awesome and generally approachable from both the Denver & SLC areas. There are a lot of campsites available, beautiful scenery, and needs exploring. It should be a great spot to do a joint club venture.

I wanted to share since I love being part of both clubs, and looking to contribute to making things even better. Of course I expect the same from everyone else too and I'd love to get your inputs as we progress.

August 16-18 are the official dates.

Base itinerary:

• Friday, Aug 16th, meet at Camp #1 by the Green River.
  • Coordinates: 40.40484, -109.24060.
• Saturday, Aug 17th, leave Camp #1 and drive to Camp #2 at the top of Cliff/Stuntz Ridge or Echo Park if we're moving quick (Example: get up to Cliff/Stuntz Ridge by ~1100 MT).
  • Cliff/Stuntz Ridge Coordinates: 40.37431, -109.07379
  • Echo Park Coordinates: 40.52152, -108.99339
    • If we camp at Echo Park we might have to pay for camp spots. I have preemptively reserved one spot that can handle 25 people and 6 vehicles. We might be able to make it work but be aware. The spot I reserved was $15 for the night of Aug 17th.
• Sunday, Aug 18th, drive to Harper's Corner near Dinosaur CO - Say our goodbyes, farewells, and till-next-times
  • Coordinates: 40.24369, -108.97361
• Draft Gaia map is available via post: https://risingsun4x4club.org/xf/thr...sers-club-ventures-planning.35435/post-440199
• A CalTopo version of the Draft Gaia is available via post: https://risingsun4x4club.org/xf/thr...sers-club-ventures-planning.35435/post-440683

Obviously if anything comes up like a trail is closed for whatever reason we will work together and adjust as necessary.

For now plan on FRS Channel 8, and ham frequency 147.540. We'll adjust as needed based on band traffic.

Please let me know if interested. The limit is 16. The following attendee count is:

• Yes interested:
  1. Myself
  2. @Trail Bum
  3. @bh4rnnr
  4. @Corbet
  5. @MtnAddict
  6. @timmbuck2
  7. @J1000
  8. @norserunner
  9. @DaveInDenver
  10. @MarkEva
  11. Dave (WCs)
  12. 4wheelingPedro (WCs)
  13. TheYeti (WCs)
  14. Maxx (WCs)
  15. TacoBoss (WCs)
  16. Crunchy.Taco.Supreme (WCs)
• Maybe?:
  • @LARGEONE
  • TomF (WCs)
  • Aberickson (WCs)
• Waitlist:

Please have your unexpired National Parks Pass or you might be able to buy a pass that weekend at the visitor center if you're early enough.

From the research another member of the party has done it seems like dogs are not allowed in the back country. So no dogs allowed on this trip. Sorry.

Also please be prepared with food, water, first aid, recovery gear, radio, camping gear, etc. I expect everyone knows the general minimums but at the same time if anyone is uncertain please ask. I'm happy to help. Better to ask now than on the trail

I'll keep this top post updated as we go and coordinate with folks on the Wasatch Cruisers forum as well.

Thanks y'allz!
All

I have to travel for work so I won't be able to make the trip. Really bummed about this as I was looking forward to this trip.

Have fun!

 

[allen.wrench]

Sorry to hear @Trail Bum . We'll look forward to next year!

Thanks @DaveInDenver good reminder about FRS and gassing up. We'll use FRS 6, not 8. The first post is updated with radio info, gas reminder, follow up map, and I added my number if anyone needs.

See everyone out there!

Allen

 

[J1000]

I'm still looking forward to this trip! My wife Jasmin is thinking about coming along as well. I'll leave the fancy map overlays to you guy and just follow along

 

[allen.wrench]

Morning All,
I want to get a final head count before Friday so everyone driving out makes it to camp happily and we're not left wondering if Search N Rescue needs mobilizing.

Of folks that have not let me know in the last week, would you mind checking in?

@bh4rnnr
@Corbet
@MtnAddict
@timmbuck2
@norserunner
@LARGEONE

Are you planning on coming out or planning on next year?

Allen

 

[Corbet]

Oh man, this fell off my radar. I cannot make it this time. Next year probably not, we have what I can call an expedition planned to Alaska that will most likely rule me out again

 

[LARGEONE]

Bummer...my 80 series is still torn apart for painting. Next year!

 

[MtnAddict]

Dang, this fell off our radar as well. We actually had another trip planned this weekend near Gunnison. Let me see if we can board dogs and get back, would like to make this happen.

 

[allen.wrench]

Thanks @Corbet , @MtnAddict , and @LARGEONE ! Appreciate the update. We'll see you next year or the years after.

Allen

 

[J1000]

Come on guys!

 

[MtnAddict]

@allen.wrench We got both dogs boarded!!

We’re in, see you guys at camp #1 tomorrow!

 

[allen.wrench]

Awesome!! Glad to hear.

First post updated.

@bh4rnnr , @timmbuck2 , @norserunner how are you doing?

Allen

 

[timmbuck2]

NEXT YEAR!!

My house is still not done getting rebuilt, work has exploded, Robin's house is on the market, and both my boys have birthdays coming up and blah blah blah etc etc etc I SUCK


Sigh