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Big Bear Retreat

Submitted by John & Wendy Cary on Mon, 06/27/2016 - 22:23
Run: 
Big Bear Mountain Madness

What a great weekend. Weather was in the mid 80's most of the days and cool at night. Several good nights around the fire with great conversation.

If I miss anything, please chime in.

The Cary's arrived on Tuesday and took a tour of the lake on Wednesday with the oldest tour boat on the lake. The history of the valley was very interesting. Thursday we spent the morning on Deep Creek. I went fly fishing while Wendy and Nova enjoyed the scenery. I caught two and lost two.

On Thursday the Wohlers, Dwayne, the Zuki group of John, Dave and Rick, Ric and Lisa arrived.
On Friday Robert and Diane, Kevin and Brandon, and Bob and Judy. As you heard Bob had a brake problem and had to return home. He was able to replace the Master Cyl on the MH and arrive Friday. Keith and Damian arrived Friday evening, spending the night in a motel in BB.

Friday we traveled to Dishpan Springs via Rim of the World Trail(also know as Snow Slide Road or 2N13) to Crab Flats so Zuki John would not have to drive his buggy 44 miles on the pavement. It actually saves about 15 miles and covers a lot of interesting areas. It was a great alternative to pavement. From Crab Flats we went down Deep Creek Road also called Dishpan Springs Trail. We met Kevin and Brandon coming from the beginning of Dishpan. Sadly, they were still having problems with the rear ARB and continued on and back to camp while we continued doing Dishpan backwards. At the bottom of the Gatekeeper, Ric blew out a brake line so we decided to have lunch. Finding no spare brake lines and excellent cell reception Zuki John contacted All Jeeps in BB and they had the replacement lines. A fast credit card and the lines were purchased. Wendy picked them up at the store and they were ready for installation when we returned to camp. In the meantime Ric had a line plug and the problem temporarily was fixed. Considering the time, we decided not to go to the start and returned up the Gatekeeper and headed to Holcombe Road for the Rock Pile. Rick had his open diff Zuki and I am sure he had fun being dragged through the Rock Pile and many others until we exited the trail.
On returning to camp Ric's brake line was replaced. A great evening of food and a few beers.

Saturday morning Keith and Damian arrived around 8:30. We planned to leave around nine, however, were delayed by a broken fan belt.
Our plan was to drive Gold Mountain and then on to John Bull. Rick felt he had been dragged around enough so he ventured the trip with me.

Gold Mountain was uneventful. At John Bull we found a group of three trying to get through and were able to start shortly. While waiting a group of three came in behind us. After several of us made it through, Ric managed to turtle his Jeep and in the process his ARB's stopped working. We pulled him off and Brandon had ARB problems, so both headed back to camp while we moved on. The silt was so fine it was like driving on glass with oil over the rocks. It was interesting trying to maintain a path without sliding off the rocks.

We stopped at the rock section on the top and had lunch. Keith suggested we return just for some more fun. Rich went down and talked to the group who came in after us and was told there were around 25 Rubi's trying to make it through the Gatekeeper with little success. Thinking better of it we finished the trail and headed back to camp for refreshments and snacks.

The amount of food at dinner was overwhelming. Tri Tip, chicken, burgers, hot dogs, salads, deserts, etc. More than we could all eat. Another great evening around the fire. Sunday morning we packed up and headed home.

An excellent trip with friends.

As a final note, Ric came up to AV today and Rich and I rewired his ARB system with a new harness and switches, plus a mod to allow him to engage front or rear as needed. ARB problem solved.

John Cary