Party on the Rubicon

by Todd Adams

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You can't get there right now but come the 4th of July this year get ready for a party on the Rubicon. Last year I was talked in to running the Rubicon over Independence Day weekend by members of the Notch Peak Desert Dogs from Delta Utah. The first night we camped at the bottom of Loon Lake dam. As we were setting up camp some of the members of The Pirates of the Rubicon stopped by long enough to make introductions and talk a bit about the trail before heading out, in the dark, to set up their camp at Spider Lake. Tired from our 14 hour trip we opted to stay where we were.

The trail from Loon Lake to Spider Lake was the most difficult section we would encounter during our trip other than Big and Little Sluice and I was glad we were doing it in the daylight after a good nights sleep. The vast expanse of white granite we drove over reminded me of Moab. The tight, twisty trail over huge rocks through the trees did not. We finally made it to Spider Lake. Lining up for a go at the Little Sluice I found a broken spring leaf on the right rear corner of Red YJ. I knew I was not up for optional play, so I pounded the broken piece back in, duck taped it in place and asked directions to the bypass.

Craig made a flawless run up the Little Sluice but Less had to put up with some heckling from the crowd of hundreds that had lined both sides of the sluice. They were there to party and watch the show. I am glad I had an excuse to wimp out. I would not have faired as well as Less, I am sure. "This ain't Moab" I heard more than once in reference to our lowriders. Rubicon built rigs need more lift to clear the huge boulders than our Moab rigs left lower to handle side hills.

After hanging around for a while we decided to set up camp. We followed a trial down from Spider Lake which we later found out was called M.F. Hill. (I will let you speculate as to the meaning) All night we could hear the "Party" continue.

The next morning we broke camp and headed up the hill. When we got to the Little Sluice we found the group had increased in size dramatically. So much so that there were T shirts being sold to commemorate the day which I have seen being worn at many other events since. We stayed long enough to witness one roll over and a couple of vehicles go between the big rock and wall of the Little Sluice. This was a real crowd pleaser since there is no way to do this without some body damage.

We left Spider Lake to continue our trip. Due to mechanical problems, including my stopping to pound the broken leaf back in place, we did not take the side trip to the "True Big Sluice" (reason to go back next year). We did make it down the Big Sluice past 4 or 5 broken rigs and into Rubicon Springs to set up camp for the night.

We hung around with the Pirates the next day before spending almost 5 hours on Cadillac Hill due to a van conversion that had to be winched and strapped over every hard spot.

Thanks goes out to the Pirates of the Rubicon for all the hard work they do each year to keep the trail clean. And thanks to the Notch Peak Desert Dogs who continually show me a good time.

Todd is the Resident Master Mechanic on 4X4EXPERTS
For more of Todd's Extreme 4X4 Trail coverage see his Cat Canyon and Chainsaw stories.

Rubicon Trail Guide
4 Wheelers Guide to the RUBICON TRAIL by William C. Teie

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