2012 Rockin Rubicon Run Highlights

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
Unlike previous years, summer arrived up in the Sierra's a lot sooner than I've seen it in a really long time and, because of this, we decided to head up and do our annual Rockin Rubicon run a lot sooner than normal too. In fact, in spite of the fact that we ran the Con in June, the trail was surprisingly dry and with wildflowers already starting to wane. Also, while the terrain is typically a lot harder this early in the season, a lot of work has been done to make portions of the trail a lot easier. This is not to say that you can't find a hard line to challenge yourself with, just that the main route is unfortunately looking more and more like a paved road. But, if there's one thing that can be said that was still very much the same, I'd have to say it was the swarms of mosquitos that were out to suck you dry.

Now, I hope you don't get the wrong idea from my intro as we did in fact have an outstanding time with all our friends on one of the most beautiful trails you can run bar none. And for us, that's what wheeling is really all about. Here are some pics from trip, I hope you enjoy.

Here's a couple of shots from a quick pre-run trip we ran up to Genoa Peak...
main.php


main.php


The day before our run, we headed up to the top of Harraha's Casino to take in the view and have some breakfast...
main.php


main.php


As we were packing up for our run, Doug noticed he was having some issues with his rear differential and after taking things apart to do an inspection, he was officially out of the run - or, at least his rig was...
main.php


After making some calls and getting Doug's rig ready to make the drive home, we managed to talk him into still running the trail with us. Here's a shot from our pre-run dinner...
main.php


At the crack of dawn the day of our run and ready to rock!!
main.php


Airing down after a long, cool but nowhere near as cold as years past drive down to the Loon Lake staging area...
main.php


main.php


Time to do this!! Making our way through the Gatekeeper...
main.php


main.php


main.php


main.php


main.php


main.php


Taking in the view at the top of the Granite Bowl...
main.php


main.php


Climbing out of the Granite Bowl...
main.php


main.php


main.php


main.php


Working our way to Ellis Creek...
main.php


main.php


main.php


Stephanie giving Mike a little assist after he gets a bit hung up...
main.php


At Ellis Creek, we came across heavy equipment doing some more road building...
main.php


main.php


Fun ledge just past Ellis Creek...
main.php


main.php


main.php


Taking on a big line down the boulders just before the Soup Bowl...
main.php


main.php


main.php


main.php


You would never guess it but, right here on this very flat and easy stretch of trail, we once had a Jeep tip on it's side - you can never let your guard down as that's when things can go wrong...
main.php


Making a stop over at the Little Sluice to have some lunch, check out the bigass rocks and see what became of the old Cedar tree that had been standing guard for well over 100 years...
main.php


main.php


Really sad to see this once amazing old tree lying on the ground like this...
main.php


Pretty lilly pond near by...
main.php


On the move again, we were surprised to see there were still a few water crossings in spite of the lack of snow this year...
main.php


main.php


main.php


main.php


main.php


main.php


main.php


Being that we were ahead of schedule, we decided to take on the True Sluice or "Old Sluice" as some like to call it as opposed to just dropping down into Buck Island Lake via the slabs...
main.php


Toward the end of this length of trail, the walls become rocky and narrow...
main.php


The real fun comes at the very end with two tricky obstacles...
main.php


main.php


The rest of our group took the bypass and met up with us toward the bottom of the slabs...
main.php


main.php


Unfortunately, the True Sluice ended up eating a lot of our time and so, we decided to make a hard push to Rubicon Springs with the hopes of getting there before sundown. Needless to say, you'll have to wait until we get a video done to see images of our trek from Buck Island Lake to the Rubicon River, sorry. As you can see in these pics of us crossing the Rubicon Bridge, we were able to make it to our destination on time and as planned...
main.php


main.php


main.php


More pics below...
 
Rubicon Springs
Here are a shot of camp at the crack of dawn...
main.php


The cool waters of the Rubicon River cascading down the rocks...
main.php


Further up, the waters get deep and wide...
main.php


Well, aren't you coming in? It's really nice...
main.php


Later on in the day, when things started to warm up, Lori took her new boat out for a spin...
main.php


Jeff, Doug and Mike getting some serious hang time in...
main.php


That evening, Don whips up some killer desert...
main.php


Did I mention that he also used American Honey in it...
main.php


Enjoying good times with good company around an awesome campfire...
484027_10150973042633971_2137594914_n.jpg


Cadillac Hill
Time to head on out and back to Tahoe...
main.php


main.php


main.php


On top of the hill!!..
main.php


Off the trail safe and sound and now, it's time for some Rock Hard Wet Woodies!!
main.php


I realize that there aren't as many pics as we normally would have but, I hope that you can be forgiving being that we were down a photographer. Still, I was able to take a lot more pics than were posted here and if you'd like to see them now, simply click on the link below:

2012 Rockin Rubicon Run Photo Gallery

A BIG THANKS needs to go out everyone who joined us on this awesome and relaxing run. Cindy and I truly had an outstanding time with all of you. Until next time :cool:
 
Epic!

Thanks for adding a bright spot to my day Eddie :thumb: the trip looks like it was amazing! My current location is absolutely the polar opposite of the Rubicon :icon_crazy:
 
Great pictures as always! I'm going to be interested to hear about what appears to be a broken shock shaft near the end of the gallery :)
 
PD534.JPG
I really missed an incredible trip :yup: here is my view at the same time you all were running the Rubicon :eek: little lame.:banghead:
Happy 4th of July :usa:
 
Thanks for adding a bright spot to my day Eddie :thumb: the trip looks like it was amazing! My current location is absolutely the polar opposite of the Rubicon :icon_crazy:

LOL!! well i'm glad that these pics add a bright spot to your day but you know, you'll have to join us and take some of your own pics the next time we go. :yup:

Great photos, thanks again for leading us on this beautiful run!!!

we're so glad that you were able to join us on this run. cindy and i had a great time with you :cool:

Damn that looks like so much fun, hope to make it one of these days :beer:

i hope you can and i hope it's with us :thumb:

Great pictures as always! I'm going to be interested to hear about what appears to be a broken shock shaft near the end of the gallery :)

it was a weird thing, the shock broke near the top of cadillac hill and i don't think moochie even knew when it happend. at least from what don said, he thought the shock hit a pointy rock and just snapped.
 
I'm beginning to think the Con rejects Doug going. Didn't he smoke his front diff on one of the other trips?

From the look of the photos, you guys seemed to have had a great time. Happy to hear everyone made it out on their own power.
 
looks beautiful. I will do this trail some day

well, you really aren't that far from it and if anything, closer than we are so, i hope you can do it sooner than later :yup:

Great pics! Is that a PR60 ring gear that broke?

if you can believe it, yep, it sure it. we've been seeing a rash of these break recently but in all fairness, most were either on jk's with hemi's or on jk's that have been running them for over 2 years like this one had. like anything, if you actually play hard and often like we do, anything can break and will.

Awesome pictures!! Looked like a good time, cant wait for the video. :thumb:

thanks, you'll have to join us someday.

Looks like another amazing experience. Great pics to capture the adventure:thumb:

i know you had wanted to join us on this run and hope you'll be able to someday.
 
That looks like an epic trip! Thanks for the pictures. I'm definitely in for next year's run!

awesome, i hope you'll be able to join us.

View attachment 3368
I really missed an incredible trip :yup: here is my view at the same time you all were running the Rubicon :eek: little lame.:banghead:
Happy 4th of July :usa:

it was a real bummer that you weren't able to join us but, bill have to be paid if you want to play. hopefully you'll be able to join us on some other adventures soon. :yup:

I'm beginning to think the Con rejects Doug going. Didn't he smoke his front diff on one of the other trips?

From the look of the photos, you guys seemed to have had a great time. Happy to hear everyone made it out on their own power.

actually, he broke an axle housing just as we pulled into rubicon springs and in all fairness, better that we caught this in the parking lot than on the trail. :crazyeyes:
 
Crossing the bridge before Rubicon Springs before sundown ??!!
That's un-heard of ... :)

Looks like good time and that Doug make it through.
 
Looks like another great trip...brings back great memories from last year. Looking forward to getting out there again soon. And Don's dessert looks ridiculous! Thanks for sharing.
 
Top Bottom