Trail Leaders Wanted for the Annual Members Gathering @ Hollister Oct 3-5

[RON CT110]

It's that time to firm this up!

We need volunteer Trail Leaders for our up coming Annual Members Gathering @ Hollister!

This would be great opportunity to step-up the plate & be a trail leader if you have not done so or if you are a pro - be great to have you lead a trial.

We will provide a quick trail leader guide session prior, and will help with logistics, planning, maps.... Just have to lead a group to an easy, or med to diff trails on Hollister, or even lead the group to the new area Chuck pointed out: http://nclrclub.org/forum/showthread.php?t=424

This is also ideal for folks who attend the MORG regularly e.g. estaban, Disco2guy, Chuck and many others since you guys have become familiar with Hollister trails although not limited to only MORG regulars e.g. like Frank D90 who did a great job last year leading a group to difficult trails last year (hint hint).

Anyways, more details on this, but for now we just need volunteers to post here and say they are interested.

Our Annual Event is just around the corner, like to firm this up by end of Aug/first week of September!

Cheers! We'll have a blast!

[RON CT110]

Bueller? Bueller? :D

Anyone?

Bump!

[astateofmike]

Sorry, I had replied to Gary via email.....I am not uber experienced compared to others, but I could help out/manage the new and old obstacle course, maybe even set up for photos at a spedific obstacle for the members...I could spend a good part of the day doing that if needed. If someone more experienced would like to either assist me or at least take some time and give me some pointers, that would be great too.

[RON CT110]

Thanks Mike!

You did well leading the trail on one and probably the only MORG I had attended thus far (as I recall).

You and Wayno did a great job (one was driving and the other was talking/trail commentaries) and would appreciate if you lead one of the trails during our annual gathering (more details on trail schedules, etc...).

Plus we'll have a quick Trail Leader's Guide session prior - we got folks covered as far as refreshers.

This early trail leader recruiting process we're doing will be an improvement from our first annual gathering last year. Last year's annual, most of the trail leaders were recruited on the spot and wasn't as organized as we would have wanted it.

This year we want trail leaders to be indentified early on, and attendees to sign-up (perhaps online polling) on what trails they would be interested in doing (with trail description): easy, med or diff, and on what day! This will allow us to better manage resources and trail schedules.

Plus we have winching and tip over safety tips that need to be part of the overall schedule, and not schedule trail rides over them (I wouldn't want to miss these safety sessions either).

Ok, thanks Mike again for volunteering!

Anyone else; probably need a couple more so we don't burn-out people like Mike leading all the trails rides.

Come-on - opp to for folks and MORG regulars to be trail leaders or share your trail leadership if experienced!

[RON CT110]

Ok, I just realize regulars embers can't post here (visible but can't post); that's ok - just PM if interested and I will update this post!

I have Mike, and now Brenton; Excellent; 2 great guys to lead trails. Anyone else. Please send me a PM!

[PCRover]

I moved the thread Ron, everyone should be able to post.

[RON CT110]

Good deal! Thumbs up! Thanks Gary!

[Jantiz]

I tend to hang out at Hollister a lot, starting to get to know most of the trails fairly well. I guess I can assist someone if not quite lead a trail, perhaps an easy or moderate since my own rig is not set up for extreme trails yet. I'd still be very interested in taking the trail leader's class.

[RON CT110]

I tend to hang out at Hollister a lot, starting to get to know most of the trails fairly well. I guess I can assist someone if not quite lead a trail, perhaps an easy or moderate since my own rig is not set up for extreme trails yet. I'd still be very interested in taking the trail leader's class.

Excellent Luis! Easy to Moderate trail would be great; plus you having an LR3 would encourage other new LR3 owners or even newer rover owners to come, join and follow you!

I'll put you in as a trail leader; more details to follow!

Steve aka esteban just pm me; he'd be interested in being a trail leader as well. Steve has a pretty built-up D2 - perhaps he can lead the med to diff trails. Cool!

In addition, we have Mike aka astateofmike, and Brenton aka discoguy2 who can also lead easy to med to diff trails.

I can also lead an easy trail especially for the newcomers!

Thus far we have:
- Luis
- Steve
- Mike
- Brenton
- Me
Anyone else (perhaps one or two more to run difficult trails)

Brenton created this map overlay of the terrain and Hollister trails/map; it shows all the point of interest e.g. Five Fingers, Truck Hill, Tank Trap plus the color coding Hollister assigned e.g. Blue = Med difficulty, Black Diamond = Difficult... Pretty cool trail guide. I can add the GPS coords!

We can use this as part of your trail leader map/guide plus the trail leadership session will have (Leigh, Gary and couple of others here will help put together) to make both trail leadership, and attendees an a great experience!

Anyone else!

This is turning out to be a good list! :)

Oh side note, anyone has details on the new trail suppose to open up soon; would be great to do a recce prior to the annual event and check out that puppy!

[Disco2Guy]

Funny you mentioned adding the GPS coords to the Hollister map Ron. That was going to be the next addition I was going to make. If you have some already can you send them to me? Otherwise I'll just pull them from Google Maps.

[Disco2Guy]

Back when we had the WFA training Mike (I think) was talking about getting NCLR flags made. Is this something that can be done for the Annual Meeting?

[esteban]

I'll lead on whatever trails you need me to. Sounds like this is going to be bigger than last years! Good times.

Steve

[astateofmike]

Brenton created this map overlay of the terrain and Hollister trails/map; it shows all the point of interest e.g. Five Fingers, Truck Hill, Tank Trap plus the color coding Hollister assigned e.g. Blue = Med difficulty, Black Diamond = Difficult... Pretty cool trail guide. I can add the GPS coords!


I'd like to see that map, and maybe we can offer it to HHSVRA as a gift from NCLR?

[PCRover]

Please share the map!



Brenton created this map overlay of the terrain and Hollister trails/map; it shows all the point of interest e.g. Five Fingers, Truck Hill, Tank Trap plus the color coding Hollister assigned e.g. Blue = Med difficulty, Black Diamond = Difficult... Pretty cool trail guide. I can add the GPS coords!

[Disco2Guy]

Is there a way to upload it? It's about 30MB as a .bmp. Or I can bring it when we meet Gary and maybe you can post it in the Library section. It's setup to be printed on 8.5x11 paper at about 300 dpi I think.

[PCRover]

Try uploading it, I will change the permissions to allow it.

You can bring it on a flash drive if you want.

[Disco2Guy]

I just tried to upload the map but it didn't take. I'll bring it on my flash drive and a print out a copy if you want to pass it around at the BOD meeting.

[PCRover]

I can post it on the forum for all to download. Thanks for trying.

[RON CT110]

Go ahead and just pull them from Google Maps; would be great to have GPS coords for e.g. bottom of Truck Hill, start of Tank Trap.... I can help audit the coords.

Cool! Nice work on the map/great idea Brenton!


Funny you mentioned adding the GPS coords to the Hollister map Ron. That was going to be the next addition I was going to make. If you have some already can you send them to me? Otherwise I'll just pull them from Google Maps.

[Disco2Guy]

Will do Ron. This is something I'm totally open for ideas and suggestions to improve once people have a chance to look at it. I'll see how well the coords fit in the empty areas of the map like the winery and area north of Cienega Rd. If it doesn't work I might just make a second page that can be printed on the other side of the map.

I also tried to overlay to topo map for elevation, but the lines were kinda hard to see. It did give a little more dimension to the map with some shadows however but I have left it out.

edit:
Here's what I have added for GPS coords. Any other locations that should be included please let me know.

A. Obstacle Course 36.758914, -121.407874
B. Tank Traps 36.759568, -121.409354
C. Quarry 36.758399, -121.411049
D. Truck Hill/Jarrell’s Gulch 36.751582, -121.407444
E. Top Of The World 36.744576, -121.419203
F. Five Fingers 36.749261, -121.402681
G. Water Tank 36.748496, -121.409633
H. Sycamore Camp 36.753327, -121.401125
I. Vineyard School 36.758025, -121.397547

[Jantiz]

Hey, Brenton, draggin your bumpers around Hollister until they either break off or wear out doesn't REALLY technically count as a "trimmed F/R bumper" modification. Does it? :eek::rolleyes:

[Phil.]

I just tried to upload the map but it didn't take. I'll bring it on my flash drive and a print out a copy if you want to pass it around at the BOD meeting.

i can give you FTP access to one of my sites for you to upload.

[HMBRover]

Save the .bmp as a .gif (lossless) or .jpg with high quality (85%) and that will cut the size down by at least a factor of 5, maybe 10. Or you can compress the file with WinZip or gzip and get it smaller but not quite as good as the format change.

HTH

[PCRover]

I have the file and will upload it later today. I have server root access so no problems with getting uploaded.

[Desertcrawler]

I have the file and will upload it later today. I have server root access so no problems with getting uploaded.

I'd like to put together an 'advanced only' run for some time where we run that gully where Frank and I made it and the rest didn't one time. Don't know exactly where that is, or if it even shows on a trail guide, but I think that would be a fun crawl.

Someone needs to contact Hollister and see if they are willing to lead us on a private run in the new section like they offered. Also, the new obstacle course is fun to play around at..

[PCRover]

Here is the .gif version of Brenton's file.

[esteban]

Hey, Brenton, draggin your bumpers around Hollister until they either break off or wear out doesn't REALLY technically count as a "trimmed F/R bumper" modification. Does it? :eek::rolleyes:

Doh! LOL!

[Disco2Guy]

Hey, Brenton, draggin your bumpers around Hollister until they either break off or wear out doesn't REALLY technically count as a "trimmed F/R bumper" modification. Does it? :eek::rolleyes:

Haha, nice one Luis. It seems no matter how much I remove from the bumpers and rear quarter panels they still scrape. Tell you what, I'll come over with my die grinder and get your LR3 a little extra clearance too:p

[Jantiz]

Hey, all kiddin aside, that Disco of yours has some new mod done to it everytime I see it. At the rate your going, next year your going to need to ask Gary to give you excess data permission just to post since your modification list at the signature is going to be several pages long!!! Watch out Chuck, hes after you :eek:;)

[astateofmike]

Hey Chuck or someone, there is a great gully along Bonaza Gulch Road. I have tried it going UP (so I could back down if needed) that would require a more advanced guide to help in a cross up situation. My RRC made it up a third, but was stuck as I don't have lockers...big x up....but it is narrow, along a road so people can see from above and not to long, but really cool....going down seems to be the way to do it!

[Disco2Guy]

Hey, all kiddin aside, that Disco of yours has some new mod done to it everytime I see it. At the rate your going, next year your going to need to ask Gary to give you excess data permission just to post since your modification list at the signature is going to be several pages long!!! Watch out Chuck, hes after you :eek:;)


Hee hee, thanks Luis. It's been a total blast for the past 11 months that I've had RovrFlo. There's some stuff that I haven't added to my sig as well like the Tuffy box or roof rail extensions. That's why I have the pics link too. Hope to see you soon Luis!!

[PCRover]

The latest version of Brenton's file is located here (http://nclrclub.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1139&d=1219357005).

[Gotrovr]

I like it

[Jantiz]

Any ideas yet when this trail leader's class is going to happen and where?

[Gotrovr]

Any ideas yet when this trail leader's class is going to happen and where?

Prospective Trail Leaders for the 2nd Annual Gathering are encouraged to attend a "Boot Camp" at the next MORG, September 6th at Hollister Hills

I'll leave it to Ron to take it from here.

[Disco2Guy]

Cool, I'll be there (as usual)!! :p

[esteban]

I'll be there also! Brenton, get ahold of me and we can caravan down again. Maybe hit up the wifes winery for a tasting and a tour/barrel sampling afterwards. Anyone else? Will, it's not to far from Hecker Pass also, Clos La Chance on Watsonville rd.

Steve

[Disco12]

I'll be a tailgater if need be.

this will be good times:)

[Disco2Guy]

I'll be there also! Brenton, get ahold of me and we can caravan down again. Maybe hit up the wifes winery for a tasting and a tour/barrel sampling afterwards. Anyone else? Will, it's not to far from Hecker Pass also, Clos La Chance on Watsonville rd.

Steve

Will do Steve. Was it the 280/85 interchange that we called you last time? I forget where is was right now.

[esteban]

85/17 interchange. I live right in downtown Los Gatos so it only takes me a few minutes to get to that interchange.

[Gotrovr]

I'll be there also! Brenton, get ahold of me and we can caravan down again. Maybe hit up the wifes winery for a tasting and a tour/barrel sampling afterwards. Anyone else? Will, it's not to far from Hecker Pass also, Clos La Chance on Watsonville rd.

Steve

yes, I've driven by several times.

there may also be another winery up Cienega from HH, not sure if open to public vultures

[esteban]

yes, I've driven by several times.

there may also be another winery up Cienega from HH, not sure if open to public vultures

I've tried to go there several times, they're always closed. Leal Vineyards is the place to go in Hollister though, they make tequila there also. Mmm. The cool thing about Clos La Chance is their grounds are awesome and they encourage people to bring food and hang out on their patio overlooking Cor De Val(sp?). A good place for a late afternoon lunch.

Steve

[RON CT110]

Any ideas yet when this trail leader's class is going to happen and where?

Perfect timing, that was one of the topics from our BOD meeting this past Saturday @ Mexxis!



Prospective Trail Leaders for the 2nd Annual Gathering are encouraged to attend a "Boot Camp" at the next MORG, September 6th at Hollister Hills

I'll leave it to Ron to take it from here.

Roger on that!

Luis and the other trail leaders,

We are going to have a blast no doubt! And it can only get better from last year!

Some draft plans including pre-lim trail leader boot camp:

- We will have several runs from easy, difficult and more difficult using Hollister's OHV trail rating: http://www.ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1189; more details on trail routes to come! A placard or a way to identify trail leaders will be provided.

Attendees will be ask to sign up for trail runs, will help manage request/size, and assign trail leaders. This way will we know where to go and who to look for at the start of each trail runs.

- Trail leaders will have an opp to pre-run their assigned trail (easy, difficult, or more difficult) in the next Sept MORG, the Friday of the Annual Gathering or anytime you'd like before the Annual Gathering (Hollister is open daily).

The concept is be one with the trail :) - all kidding set aside, be comfortable and familair with your route after all - you are the trail leader!

- Have Trail Leader "boot camp" in the Sept MORG or Saturday morning before we start the trail runs. Gives you a choice depending on your schedule.

If you think you will need Sat a.m. to commute/get to our annual event @ Hollister and will not have time to attend "boot camp", come to the next MORG.

If you can't make the Sept MORG, camp Friday night and join us for "boot camp" Saturday early morning.

Basically, boot camp will be a Trail Leader Orientation on the what's, how's and when's best practice stuff - Will, Gary, Leigh or myself will be there (Sept MORG or Sat a.m. of the event)! We have some hand-outs also, etc... for the trail leaders to take away. Share Tread Lightly principles. We want our attendees (and trail leaders) to have fun, safe and challenging runs!

- Schedule and coordinate the trail runs to compliment (avoid conflict) the rest of our 2nd Annual Gathering programs e.g. Blind Drive Test, Winch Safety Training, Tip Over Safety Session, etc...

- Make the trail runs in smaller groups so it's manageable and more runs vs one big group trail runs (improvement from last year), and staggered to avoid congestions. And with a trail leader boot camp, promise to be a better experience!

- Will and his Shrek volunteered to patrol the trails, assist trail leaders in case of an emergency, and all around ground patrol support to BASE CAMP (Will can add more to this if he would like....). This reminds me to annouce that trail leaders should ensure their CB is in working order (channel CB7) - this is required!

- As a trail leader, you will get to pick a tail gunner in your group. No formal training needed to be a trail gunner, just need to have a CB and be the rear eyes/ears for the trail leader, and give feed back/account for when the last person made the turn turn, completed hill climb or descent, etc... when asked by the trail leader.

It's 11:46 pm; If I am forgetting something, I will re-read tomorrow.

And my fellow trail leaders, I think the best part out of this experience; ask yourself what mountain/trail do you want to lead and climb in 2009! :)

Ok, easy on the Baileys in my coffee tonight! :cool:

-

[esteban]

Sounds good! I'm ready.:D

[Disco2Guy]

I'm planning to be at Sept. MORG and arrive for the annual meeting sometime on Fri. I will either take off the entire day from work, or at least a half-day to get packed and down to Hollister for another run of my designated trail. Thanks for the info Ron I can't wait.

[Jantiz]

As of now, i believe my schedulle is open to make it for the Sept Hollister Boot Camp. I should also be able to come over on the Friday for the Oct event to re-run my trails. Looking forward to it. Now I have to go and buy that CB :D Not sure I'll be ready to hard wire a real unit to the LR3 by then, but at least I should have a hand held. I have read good reviews on the cobras "Road Trip" using the 12v plug in and the magnetic roof antenna. Should be able to reach front to back of the trail run with no problem according to the reviews.

[RON CT110]

Great guys! Look forward to this!

Luis, phil used a mag mount ant and portable CB connected to the mag ant. The frame inside our vehicles restrict the portable CB but with an external mag antenna, it works better!

Of course, nothing beats a Firestick setup and cb unit inside but something to consider for now if not ready to hard wire a cb!

C yah!

[Phil.]

we should be able to make the sept morg. depending on how much my girls will allow me to pay attention, i'd love to go thru boot camp. same deal with leading a trail at the oct event too with the sisters of mass destruction. maybe i'll have mars drive all day.

[RON CT110]

we should be able to make the sept morg. depending on how much my girls will allow me to pay attention, i'd love to go thru boot camp. same deal with leading a trail at the oct event too with the sisters of mass destruction. maybe i'll have mars drive all day.

Great phil!

[Phil.]

I have read good reviews on the cobras "Road Trip" using the 12v plug in and the magnetic roof antenna. Should be able to reach front to back of the trail run with no problem according to the reviews.

that's exactly what i'm using and it's doing the job for now. haven't really had a situation where range was an issue b/c there's usually someone else with wider coverage that can relay messages if needed. and for hollister, it's definitely adequate. i did replace the lil 6" stubby antenna that comes w/ the road trip with a 2ft antenna from fry's. woulda loved to get a 3 or 4 ft one, but even a 2ft antenna on the roof was hitting branches here and there.

[esteban]

I'll be at the sept. MORG and be there all three days for the annual event. Probably head down in the late morning on Friday to setup camp.


Steve

[PCRover]

Ron, I will be at the Sept Morg to help out with the Trail Leader Training etc. We can talk before then to go over the agenda of items to cover.

See everyone there and I will bring my CB test meter to tune antennas if anyone needs it done.

[esteban]

Ron, I will be at the Sept Morg to help out with the Trail Leader Training etc. We can talk before then to go over the agenda of items to cover.

See everyone there and I will bring my CB test meter to tune antennas if anyone needs it done.
Sweet! I'd like to check mine.

[DiscoChef]

Guys, Put me down as a volunteer on Sat. morning until around 3 pm afetr that I have to wear the caterer's hat.

I'll probably get there Friday nite.

[RON CT110]

Guys, Put me down as a volunteer on Sat. morning until around 3 pm afetr that I have to wear the caterer's hat.

I'll probably get there Friday nite.

Will do Chef!

Side note, I will try to bring the bike trailer to your restaurant this wknd or next week! Let me know best day/time to do this!

[Disco12]

I will be coming down early Saturday morning.

if anyone wants to caravan i'm game for that.:)

[stevenmd]

I will be coming down early Saturday morning.

if anyone wants to caravan i'm game for that.:)
i will be coming early sat morning as well. not sure on the route you will be taking though. let me check mapquest to see how much longer it will be for me to go through Fremont instead of 152.

[Disco12]

i will be coming early sat morning as well. not sure on the route you will be taking though. let me check mapquest to see how much longer it will be for me to go through Fremont instead of 152.

sounds good!:)

[Phil.]

we're coming thru sat morning too so if you want to caravan from our usual spot in fremont, we're in.

[Disco12]

awesome Phil.:)

[stevenmd]

we're coming thru sat morning too so if you want to caravan from our usual spot in fremont, we're in.

what time and where are you guys meeting up? i'd like to get there early enough to take my time setting up camp before heading out on the trail, if it's possible.:)

[Jantiz]

I think I go through Freemont as well. Can you guys give me a time and place so we can join the convoy down?

[Phil.]

there's a citgo gas station on the corner of decoto road and fremont blvd that we usually meet up at. exit decoto road and head east for about a mile and it's on your right.

no set time, but i'm with steven on getting there early enough to setup camp, be social, play "hey what's in your rover?", etc. before hitting the trail. i guess we should find out what time the first trail run heads out and we can take it from there.

[Jantiz]

Great. I think I'd like to meet you guys for coffe at the station and convoy down together. Post back when we have a time to meet and I'll be there.

[wineryrover]

there's a citgo gas station on the corner of decoto road and fremont blvd that we usually meet up at. exit decoto road and head east for about a mile and it's on your right.

no set time, but i'm with steven on getting there early enough to setup camp, be social, play "hey what's in your rover?", etc. before hitting the trail. i guess we should find out what time the first trail run heads out and we can take it from there.

That might work for me, too. Right now it looks like my kids (6 & 8) and my wife are coming. I need to get a trailer hitch on the LR3 and then I can drag down the series.

[Jantiz]

Well, no one gave a time to meet at the gas station in Freemont so I'll plan to be there at 7:30 am. Hope to see the rest of you from the area there!

[Disco12]

Well, no one gave a time to meet at the gas station in Freemont so I'll plan to be there at 7:30 am. Hope to see the rest of you from the area there!

7:30 is good with me!

[stevenmd]

7:30 is good with me!

see you then!

[Disco12]

see you then!

sweet!:)

[Jantiz]

Hey guys, I'd like to be proactive about the trail planning for the runs during Oct Hollister. Are the trail leaders discussing their input here on this tread or should we start one just for that purpose somewhere for members only access?

[Gotrovr]

Hey guys, I'd like to be proactive about the trail planning for the runs during Oct Hollister. Are the trail leaders discussing their input here on this tread or should we start one just for that purpose somewhere for members only access?

I suggest that you PM Ron and work out the details.

[RON CT110]

Ok, back from traveling out of town for work!

Howdie Trail Leaders,

Again, thanks for attending the Orientation this Sat during the MORG.

Task on hand for me/Gary organizing the trial runs are:

- proceed with defining the trail route by levels (to do in this post),

- and then this allows me to setup attendee sign-up/polling method online,

- and then finally determine how many trails we need to run by levels based on the responses

- followed by assigning trail leaders based on the levels you are comfortable leading.

For starters, we talked about 2 levels of trail runs during the Orientation for simplicity sake: "Easy to Difficult", and "Difficult"; we're using the rating based on Hollister's OHV map:

* Green = easier to difficult,Note: trails require NO spotters.

* Blue = more difficult, and
Single black diamond = more difficultNote: Off road experience and trails MAY require spotters/assistance on lines

We all agreed the Land Rovers can pretty much do both trail levels just depends on driver's level of exp/comfort level, and what he/she really wants to run.

I talked it over with some of the BODs and we decided to add a 3rd level "extremely difficult".

This will be a special run (Chuck, Will or Frank can lead) where expect damage and requires spotting. Entails taking on Tank Trap and the gully near Sycamore camp.

Adding this extremely difficult trail run will add a challenging run to our venu for those who who may be leading an easier to difficult, or difficult trail run to build their trail leadership in the morning yet want to join (not lead) an extremely diffucult run in the afternoon :D

With this said, we will have 3 levels of trail runs (time/schedule to be released soon).

Easy to Difficult

We've defined the easier to difficult run (we pretty much used last year's annual route (easier level) w/slight modification adding Fremontia for a lil bit of challenge).

Ideal for someone who has never been off-road or very lil experience or just wants to take a tour of Hollister and not expect any carnage. Here's the route (have the Hollister OHV map handy so you can follow):

The Easy to Difficulttrail entains taking Foothill Road (Easier) from Area 5, then head South on Garner Flat (Easier), head West on McCray Road (More Difficult) or Fremontia (Most Difficult) all the way to the top of Hector Heights aka Top of the World (GPS coordinates: 36.744576, -121.407444). Then return to Area 5 (GPS coordinates: 36.762803, Lat -121.405169) for lunch via back track down on McCray. If time permits head to the the Rock Quarry and then back to Area 5 for lunch!

More Difficult and Most Difficult Trail Run

This is where we need Luis, Steve, and others to define our "More difficult and most difficult" trail route which can include Five Fingers and going down Truck Hill but not necessarily. We can use last year's route but best to suggest a route you'd be more comfortable leading at this level. Report back with suggestions! Thanks!

- Some guidelines for this level: make it about a 2-3 hr route/trip; leave Area 5 at 9am, be back at Area 5 for a noon lunch. Will have a another level run like this Saturday p.m. after lunch (about 2pm) if someone missed the Sat a.m. run. Another run like this is scheduled Sunday a.m.

Extremely Difficult

Our Extremely Difficult trail has been defined by Chuck! Will udpate this post with his route to include Tank Trap and that special gully near Sycamore camp!

Like to get all the trail descriptions done by this weekend so I can start the attendee polling/sign-ups for trail runs.

Cheers! Let's have fun!

[RON CT110]

Hey Luis, just sent you a PM; hope you get it in time before heading out to Hollister today; give you an opp to pre-run your suggestion for more and most difficult trail route! C yah!


Hey guys, I'd like to be proactive about the trail planning for the runs during Oct Hollister. Are the trail leaders discussing their input here on this tread or should we start one just for that purpose somewhere for members only access?

[Jantiz]

We didn't get to go out to Hollister today as planned. I had a surprise waiting on me at the office. It's been a little crazy so far today. I'll get out there as soon as I can to pre-run the pre-run of the trail :D.

Is there any way we can know for sure if five fingers will be open for the event so that I can plan to run a trail that includes it? Or go ahead and plan without it?

[esteban]

I think I'm heading down to hollister on thursday the 25th. I'll probably be leaving the los gatos area around 12/1230pm. Anyone?

Steve

[RON CT110]

I called Bob Rice, Hollister SVRA park/trail maint manager; expecting a call back from him soon re: Five Fingers and other trail status before (for pre-runs) and during our annual gathering. Will post here soon!

[Disco2Guy]

Thanks for the estimate on how long the trail should take. I'll be sure to get there early enough on Friday (I hope by 3pm) to run the whole trail. Is the plan to have each trail (say, easy-difficult) take the same route each time? Maybe the trail leaders for a given trail rating can drive at the same time on Friday so they can better "compare notes".

[esteban]

I'll run trails with you on friday. It'd be good to scout things out with the other trail leaders....

Steve

[Jantiz]

Ditto for me. I'll plan on being there early on Friday to pre-run the trails.

[esteban]

What time are you gonna be there on friday? I'll probably get there between 10-12. Plenty of time for me to setup camp. :D

Steve

[RON CT110]

Thanks guys! Let's have fun with this!

You can even have two different "more difficult and most difficult trail" runs as you leaders define. The "Luis" special or the "Big B" for example :D or just one defined route to make it simple!

We will staggged the trail runs to avoid bunching up, but it can only help with two diff "more and most difficult" trail runs heading diff directions.

Just some thoughts!

Up to you guys! I foresee more people hitting this run vs Easy to Difficult or Extremely difficult so I Look forward to your recommendations!

Easy to Difficult might be too boring for regulars at Hollister, but if my wife comes she might want to hit the run or someone new or a guest.

Or the Extremely Difficult might be pushing it for me, however good to have for folks seeking challenge (or damage :)). I will go perhaps to see/spot and cheer!

Anyways, thanks for taking the time! Let me know what you need e.g. gather maps from Hollister and hand them to attendees...

I will come early Friday for our event - I want to pre-run some of the trails.

And I will most likely not lead a trail or join one till afternoon if all is going well; will be directing attendees or traffic to your staging area, placing placards e.g. trail #1 on your truck and making sure we are on time!

I will have my fun later perhaps attend one of your trail runs if time permits for me, or watch Chuck and Frank go thru the gully.

Cheers!

[astateofmike]

Ron,

Do we have the list of the trail leaders so I can see what is going on a bit more? Am I still doing the "easy" run? If not, since I will not have time to pre run till Sat AM, can I be of assistance some other way? Let me know.

[Desertcrawler]

Let me know who is leading the "extreme" run and I'll be happy to help.

[esteban]

Let me know who is leading the "extreme" run and I'll be happy to help.

I thought you were! LOL!:D

Steve

[Jantiz]

I'm going to plan a trail assuming that 5 fingers won't be opened by October since the rainy season wont be here by then by a long shot. I can always modify later if that is not the case. Here is my sugestion for those wanting to run "more difficult" trails:


More Difficult run

Recomended Equipment:

Stock vehicles to slightly modified ok. All-terrain tires recomended but stock tires will work if the weather stays dry. Sliders not required. Body damage not expected if spoter instructions are followed.


Trail Route:

Leave Area 5 on Foothill rd. heading SE. Turn South on Garner Flat rd. Stop by the new Obstacle course and run the full gauntlet of obstacles. Leave the new "O" Course down Bonanza Gulch road headed to Jarrell's gulch. Run the lenght of the gulch and give participants the option to wait there and watch or join on a run down truck hill. Those going down truck hill will return down Bonanza Gulch rd. Turn left at Hill Climb Return Trl. and follow it up to truck hill for a run down the obstacle and re-join those who chose not to go. We will ALL then leave the gulch following the previous route following Hill climb return trl past Truck hill to connect with McCray rd to Fremontia Rd headed to Hector Heights (top of the world). That will mark the end of the run with return to Area 5 following the West Trl instead of MCCray Rd so we can make a pass down the Quarry for a change of scenery on the way back to Area 5.

I will run this myself hopefully next week to ensure I can fit all that into a 3 hour run max. If not, I'll adjust before the event. I am hoping this will be the kind of run that will attract a good crowd of experienced drivers and experienced spotters because availability of good spotters is what's going to make this run flow smoothly.

[esteban]

That sounds like a good route! Kind of what I had in mind, except for going down truck hill. When are you headed down? I'm planning on Thursday afternoon. Want to meet up?

Steve

[Jantiz]

I'll be there Thursday the 11th all day. I'll have more hummers with me as well to help time the run. I'll probably bring the wife's "new" disco with me to get an idea of how stock vehicles with stock tires will do on the trail.

[astateofmike]

Question: Is 5 fingers closed? I have only seen it closed once and it was open and runnable last year at the event.....

Also, going down truck hill? Interesting.....make sure you have a volunteer at the bottom to advise people (if any) wanting to go up truck hill of what you have planned....

I have never gone up 5 fingers or truck hill and had never thought of going down it...hm.

[esteban]

Last years event was later in the month if I remember correctly. They close it due to dust and the neighboring winery. It also depends on the weather, if we get some rain before the event, then five fingers might be open. It all boils down to Mother Nature.

Steve

[esteban]

I'll be there Thursday the 11th all day. I'll have more hummers with me as well to help time the run. I'll probably bring the wife's "new" disco with me to get an idea of how stock vehicles with stock tires will do on the trail.

Keep us updated on the times, and have fun! I'm not going till Thursday the 18th.

Steve

[Jantiz]

Keep us updated on the times, and have fun! I'm not going till Thursday the 18th.

Steve

I should be there on the 18th as well.

[esteban]

I should be there on the 18th as well.

Sweet! I don't think I'll be down there until 1230/1pm. I'll give you a jingle next thursday on CB7.

Steve

[Disco2Guy]

Hmm, if you guys (Luis and Steve, and anyone else) are going to be there next Thurs. the 18th I'll try and get the day off and meet you down there too.

[esteban]

We'll call MORG II. :D

Steve

[Jantiz]

Question: Is 5 fingers closed? I have only seen it closed once and it was open and runnable last year at the event.....

Also, going down truck hill? Interesting.....make sure you have a volunteer at the bottom to advise people (if any) wanting to go up truck hill of what you have planned....

I have never gone up 5 fingers or truck hill and had never thought of going down it...hm.

The only problem with going up Truck Hill is that the first half of it is deeply rutted powder. So you need very aggressive tread on your tires to do it. Once you get past the bottom half, the rest is fairly easy. Going down on the other hand is scary and challenging only for the drivers. The vehicles are more than capable of doing that. On that note, I would only recomend vehicles with A/T tires go down truck hill. That's not one for street tires!!!

Five fingers is a lot of fun and if it has been recently graded, then it's not even that hard. However, towards the end of the season it gets rutted preety badly and when it does, it becomes a trully black diamond trail :eek: Those with the earlier generation TC have to keep in mind that it takes the early gen vehicles a little longer for the TC to kick in (if not moded with lockers) and in five fingers you simply don't have the time because you get into a "2 wheels in the air" situation at the worst possible angle and if you lose the forward momentum, you're shooting back down hill like a rocket!

All in all, I feel I know the trails in question fairly well and have played with all of them enough to know their quirks. People in my group should have a helluva time ;):cool:


ps.

I hope someone is coming up with a darn sticker for participation of the event. I need more stickies on my window!

[Disco2Guy]

So Luis, are you still going to Hollister today? In a previous post you mentioned taking Hummers there all day on the 11th, which is today.

[Jantiz]

Today turned out to be a bad day to go. I had some of my other responsibilities at work change gears on me this week. The "can't tell you or I'd have to kill you" type responsibilities ;) But I hope to have it all ironed out by next week so I can do the 18th.

[Disco2Guy]

Right on. Let us know what your schedule is and we'll setup times and such.

[RON CT110]

Let me know who is leading the "extreme" run and I'll be happy to help.

You are leading it!

[RON CT110]

Ron,

Do we have the list of the trail leaders so I can see what is going on a bit more? Am I still doing the "easy" run? If not, since I will not have time to pre run till Sat AM, can I be of assistance some other way? Let me know.

I will post the list Mike! Yes, you are still on queue to do an easy run unless you are up to do Most/More Difficult Run. Luis and team are going to help us define this route. Extremely Difficult (Chuck) and Easy to Difficult have been defined!

Ok, gotta run before traffic gets worse here in Palo Alto. Will read the rest of the thread/and reply. I am in the South Bay today on a call and now heading back to the East Bay! Traffic! :eek: