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An earlier picture of the lake |
Andrew's been on my case to write this report for some time, so I decided to put the wenches, I mean wrenches away long enough to write up the report. Jeff, Darren, Jason and myself (Phil) decided to take Friday off and get an early start. Being self employed has its advantages sometimes. We met at 8:30, and after bs'n for a few minutes we were underway. It sure sucked not having my CB on a long road trip as it's kind of hard communicating at 120kmh, yelling out the window almost running into your buddies door, (by the way, if the jerk who stole my cb and winch off my Jeep is reading this, your an asshole). We finally reached the exit for Placer at around 2:30. Two Ford pickups turned off the highway the same time as we did, and were heading up as well. Being the buttholes that we were, or at least I was, I wanted to get there first to get a prime camping spot. Having not been there for a couple of years, I had to pretty much guess which roads to take. We caught up to the two Fords who were deciding which way to go at one of the forks. As they stood there debating, I thought this was my chance to blow by them, well we sure did until the road pretty much went nowhere. After doubling back, we turned where they were sitting, which was the right way. Their trucks were blocking the sign for Placer Lake.
We finally reached the hard(fun) part of the trail. It is a short climb, approx. 1km, but is steep and fairly tuff. Last time I was here I had to winch up but that was due to Andrew's shitty spotting, isn't that right Andy. The one Ford made it up pretty easy, I think he was locked up front and back, his buddy however, had to be winched up. Of our group, only Jeff and myself attempted this route as Jason and Darren opted for the bypass, which can be hell when it's muddy, but fortunately for them was dry. I was up next and was following the Ford guys spotting. The trick is to stay left avoiding the hole which will pretty much lift a tire or leave you spinning without locker which we didn't have. On my first atttempt, I didn't go far enough left and fell into the hole and was just spinning away. I backed up and tried again, and same thing. Now I was pissed off and I hit the line right and the old Bronc climbed the rocks pretty easy. Jeff looked a little worried as he started, and the same thing happened to him as it did to me, falling in the hole. After a few attempts, he got past the hole and revved, and I mean revved it up there, but he did a nice job and was also up. We all met at the lake and I decided I deserved a cold one, and another and....... After throwing the tents up, the majority of us went out in the float tubes and hit the lake. Placer provides good fishing with the fish in the 12-17" range. It's a beautiful place to camp and fish, with high mountain peaks surrounding you and there's usually not many people around.
Chris and Raphael were to meet us sometime on Saturday. I went out looking for them as I told them I would meet them at the turnoff around 11:00 a.m., so Jason and I headed out looking for them. While we were out, we saw some tracks going up a very steep hill which looked like a nice shortcut, so we tried it and it was, what a rush that was especially for Jason who also rode his mtn. bike down it. We found Chris but not Rafael, so we left a few pie plates up and headed back to camp. It didn't take Chris and Kelly long to get the tubes pumped up and hit the lake. Chris also decided to take the girly, I mean alternate route. I went up the rocky section again and this time hit the right line and walked right up. We had pretty much written Rafael off , but as we were coming in from fishing (about 9:30), we saw some really bright lights. I knew from the sound of the engine that it was a Jeep and sure enough it was Rafael and Mel. Apparently he had a problem with his rear end (which is now a locked Currie 9"), and had to turn around and fix it, and he even went up the rocky section in the dark. Most of us got pretty ripped and enjoyed a good drunk sleep.
Darren at the trail head
Jeff climbing the rock face
Jason twisting his stock Cherokee
The next day, we played on a rutted run which provided some fun. Jeff got some good air and almost looked like he might go over, but he pulled out of it, if only I had a picture of his face. This run required throttle, I don't care if your truck ramped 1500, it wouldn't do you much good- lots of loose rocks. Jason decided to give it a go, and after watching Jeff and I battle up it decided to give it some juice and before I could get my camera out he was already up it, pretty good for a stock rig. Jason, Jeff and I decided to play on the rocky section and this time Jeff tried to crawl up it rather than give her. He made it with barely spinning a tire. Jason decided to give it a go and he would of made it right up if he had larger tires as he got hung up on his rear dif. He kept asking us what all the banging sounds were, so we told him "Your just hitting your skidplates" but I don't think he had any at that time. After placing a couple of rocks to lift his rear tires up and over the rock his dif. was rididng on, he too made it which really surprised us for a stock rig. Jason did a real nice job getting up there.
We all packed up Sunday and headed back in the heat. By the time we D.Q.'d in Hope, I could feel the effects of the heat, especially having the roof off, as did my dog Juno who had pretty much crashed in the back. All in all it was a great trip and we'll definetely return next year for another good time.
Phil's Bronco on the way down
"Billy Goat" Cherokee
Jeff's air time
