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| Suzukis and Isuzus on the Rubicon with CALMINI | Short Cuts | ||||
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By: Michael Wood - September 8th-10th 2000
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| Junior played in the Little Sluice. Michael Wood |
The Rubicon Trail is known to 4wheelers worldwide. It is often the proving ground for new vehicles, products, and modifications. The Rubicon Trail originally started as a gravel maintained road that allowed travelers to take the direct route to Lake Tahoe from Highway 50 out of California towns such as Sacramento, Meyers, and Kyburz. I have seen photos of early cars driving along this gravel road to get to the Rubicon Springs Resort, a swank destination resort deep in the Rubicon Valley. Those pictures were taken any years ago; fires have since destroyed the resort and constant erosion has made the trail much more challenging than a typical gravel road. Fortunately, a group of people bought the privately owned land in the Rubicon Valley and still today maintain campgrounds for the off-highway traveler and do what they can to make sure the Rubicon Trail remains open for off highway use. This is no easy task since few vehicles without modification can make it into the valley... even the porta-potties have to be airlifted into the valley! Occasionally the snow can reach 30+ feet deep in the winter, making the Rubicon Valley truly an isolated wilderness. I happily paid the $10 per vehicle per night campground fee in my effort to support the owners of the Rubicon Valley. Without their effort, I'm sure the area would now be closed and a historical trail would be lost forever to the four-wheeling public.
CALMINI invited me to travel with the Suzuki crowd on CALMINI's annual Customer Appreciation Rubicon Run ... I was delighted to do so. I've been meaning to do the Rubicon for over a year now and was anxious to see how my '98 Amigo would fare. The Friday morning of the 8th, I arrived in Lake Tahoe about 8am, a nice hour drive from my home in Carson City. I passed a couple of Suzukis who where busy organizing themselves after breakfast, and thought to myself, "I bet those guys will be on the run." I stopped to get gas just before leaving Lake Tahoe and the Suzuki crowd I passed earlier was driving by. I waved and got a wave back from most of the crowd. I caught up with them a little later since they had pulled to the side of the road to wrap up. Most were door-less and the temperature outside was a little nippy making it downright cold at speed. I introduced myself to those hanging around the back of the pack and proceeded to follow them down to the last gas before the trailhead. Again, I introduced myself to most of the people and started idle conversations. A CHiP (California Highway Patrol) officer pulled up along side while I stood around waiting for gas up and final purchases of foodstuffs. He asked me if one of the vehicles was mine and I pointed out my Amigo. He said, "I need to tell the others that left side mirrors are required." I said ok and the CHiP officer drove away. I told one of the owners in a heavily modified Suzuki, so I guess I did my part.
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| The group gathered at Loon Lake. Michael Wood |
Loon Lake
We drove down to the turn off to Loon Lake. As I followed, I introduced myself over the radio as Michael, the Honorary Suzuki. When we arrived a little late to the slabs at Loon Lake, people began airing down, re-arranging etc, and one guy came up to me and said, "Oh, you're going with us!" I answered yes and started making conversation. Eric is one of the ZUKI WORLD guys. Like all the other people on the run, he turned out to be really great and their company was some of the best for an off-highway run. I am terrible with names, so I won't even try to name everyone but I will say that I didn't meet anyone I wouldn't be willing to run with again. Maybe this stems from the underdog situation most of us imports are in when it comes to the four-wheel drive world.
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| Steve Kramer arrived in CALMINI's Project Sidekick'd. Michael Wood |
Even though we were late, we still were waiting for another half of the vehicles that were participating on the CALMINI Customer Appreciation Rubicon Run. Waiting for those still not present gave me the opportunity to walk around and look around at the vehicles I'd be traveling with. I don't think I have ever seen this many modified Suzukis in one place before. There was even a Geo Tracker that had some good trail modifications and traveled all the way from Minnesota to run the Rubicon. I have to admit that the Suzukis running 31"+ tires and solid axles looked like they could tackle an awful lot of trail before they surrendered. I was beginning to feel out of place with my IFS Isuzu Amigo and limited clearance. About then, Steve Kramer and the CALMINI boys, as well as the rest of the crowd rolled in. Steve was driving CALMINI's Project SideTrack'd sporting a CALMINI lifted IFS. I was glad to see I wasn't the only IFS on the trail. Later I realized that the Tracker also was IFS and this seemed to ease some reservations and concerns I had. Remember this is the Rubicon -- which is sort of like a climber saying, "this is Everest."
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| The vehicles lined up on the slabs. Michael Wood |
Steve led us to a gathering point down the trail. We had a driver's meeting and reviewed our safety gear. Steve proceeded to put us in order with experienced guys leading a group of less experienced followed by another experienced guy, and strategically alternating the vehicles with winches, as well. It was obvious that Steve had done this sort of thing before. This really makes for a good run when the leader is confident and experienced at making a long trail a safe and fun adventure. Finally we were on our way. The first obstacles mostly consisted of slabs and boulders -- something I feel I have some experience at. We got down to a huge section of slabs where Steve had us line up for our group portrait. It was starting to look as though a Japanese tour bus had landed when everyone got out and began clicking pictures and shooting video.
One of the interesting aspects of the Rubicon is that for most, it is run heavy. Most rigs are loaded down with camping gear, spare parts, tools, clothing, food, and water. This is not to say the Rubicon can't be run in a day but most people plan on at least an overnighter just to be safe. The scenery around the Rubicon Trail is Sierra Nevada spectacular and knowing that not everyone will see this is part of the charm.
Spider Lake
Steve led the group to our first nights destination, Spider Lake. Here we set up camp and watched those who wanted a challenge attempt Little Sluice. Out of 15 vehicles, only four attempted the sluice.
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| Junior attempts the Little Sluice in his Suzuki. Yes, this really is the trail. Michael Wood |
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| Jessica made her own run at Little Sluice... OOPS... and ended up on her side. Jessica was A-OK and her Suzuki was easily tipped back upright so she could complete the Little Sluice. Way to go, Jessica! Michael Wood |
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| Here's Brian also took a shot at the Little Sluice. Those are huge rocks! Michael Wood |
Three made it, and one of those laid it over on the side before completing the sluice. I elected not to even try Little Sluice until completing some more modifications. The Little Sluice is the toughest obstacle of the Rubicon and claims many a vehicle and parts each year. It is however an excellent place to sit on the rocks and see some awesome driving and some occasional carnage.
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| Junior laid it over on the side at the early part of the second day. No-one was hurt. Michael Wood |
The next day broke with a chill in the air and an awesome sunrise. Lucky for me, I packed a coffee maker and real coffee -- none of that freeze dried stuff. This has the additional benefit of being real popular with those wanting some real Java to start the day. We broke camp and started towards the Real Sluice, True Sluice, Old Sluice, or Flatfender Alley... the name depends on who you talk to. Just before we got to the sluice one of the Suzukis dropped a downhill tire into a small pocket and tipped over onto its side. Fortunately, no one was injured due to a full cage and everyone being strapped in. This afforded another little break in the action and we were able to discuss who would take the sluice and who would head down the slabs.
Back on the trail again, the group split up into the two different trails. I elected and was encouraged to do the slabs since my ground clearance isn't that great. I however in retrospect would have preferred the sluice since the slabs was about 2 miles of 25% sidehill with drop offs and ledges to traverse. When we got to the bottom where the two trails converged we waited for the sluice crowd to catch up. It was down here that I realized I was in 2wd and not 4wd. No wonder I had some difficulty up top that I had not figured I should be having. I really dislike the push button 4wd since apparently the night before I had disengaged the 4wd while sleeping in the cab.
We all got back in line and proceeded a little further when two mechanical failures prompted lunch. This was an extended lunch and also created a traffic jam with a half dozen vehicles behind us. The trail here was in a tight valley with trees so driving around was impossible. The trees however made for some excellent shade and lunch was cool and relaxing for those not attempting field welds and repairs.
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| This is my favorite little hill. I fly this one about where the person is that's running up out of the way. Michael Wood |
Buck Island
Back on it again and we approached a dam that needed to be crossed. The view was beautiful with a mountain on the left and the lake on the right. This also allowed a larger area for our traffic to get around which we did while the rest did a little looking and chit chatting about the trail ahead. Moving again, we rounded a bend to find a steep uphill with a couple of ledges and a lot of loose gravel to climb. I watched as some picked their lines and moved rather gracefully up the slope. Here was a nice place for lower gearing, a luxury I didn't have. When my turn came I choose my flight path, inched to the bottom and then let 205 ponies out for a stretch. I got to the top with a huge cloud of dust that gave the peanut gallery a reason to bathe at the end of the day. It was almost like I planned it, I came gracefully to a stop at the top and was cheered by those who weren't running for cover from the dust cloud. Steve Kramer dubbed me an animal, and everyone else agreed. I have to admit I really liked that little hill.
We began the descent that led into the Big Sluice and ultimately into the Rubicon Valley. We had few problems and little breakage... until we actually got into the Big Sluice and found a Jeep stuck on one side of the trail with a broken rear axle. There really wasn't much we could do, so we waited until the trail cleared and then drove around the Jeep with everyone wishing them luck and comments of assurance for his tow out of the Rubicon Valley and up Cadillac Hill. Now that's something I wouldn't want to do, be towed up Cadillac Hill.
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| Yes, 205 ponies can kick up a little mud. Michael Wood |
Rubicon Springs
We reached the Rubicon Springs area and I got to release the ponies a couple more times in the Rubicon River, spraying mud all over my Amigo and generally having a darn good time. We camped that night in the Rubicon Springs Campground and a few of us stayed up late around the campfire talking 4-by talk, trails to do, modifications to make etc…
The next day brought a little more chill and a lot bigger morning fires for warming the bones. Again, real coffee is a secret to success in making fast friends on the trail. Camp broke a little later than Steve expected but it seemed no one really wanted to hit pavement in any big rush. Hitting the trail however was another story. Cadillac Hill comes up fast at the end of the Rubicon Springs Camp area and before we knew it we where going up hill. Now for the most part Cadillac Hill isn't tough but it isn't a place to make a mistake. If you blow it up there, you will be having a conversation with your maker -- the downhill side of the drop is virtually straight down with the bottom being 1000 feet or so. There are a few squeezes to negotiate and a one major one where it is so severe that someone poured concrete on the granite to make it a little easier. We all made it up to the top with a few breaks for repairs but nothing major.
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| The parting group shot. Michael Wood |
When we got to the top, Steve had us all line up again and pose for posterity. The group shot at the end has a strange feeling to it. You are glad you did the trail but sad to be leaving it and the friends you made along the way. Fortunately Steve encouraged the larger part of the group to come into Lake Tahoe for a farewell feed, on CALMINI's tab.
In conclusion, I will say that even though I was the odd man out and driving the outsider vehicle, the people of CALMINI and the Suzuki crowd made me feel like I was riding amongst friends. I will have some changes for the next time I travel the Rubicon Trail, but I hope that the company remains the same. I also hope to see a few more Isuzus participating in this event. I would like to thank Steve Kramer and the CALMINI Staff for an excellent run. I don't know about everyone else but this participant can't wait until the next one.
Click HERE for more pictures.
- Michael Wood
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