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View Full Version : Last Sunday we went to Hell .............



4.3LXJ
11-13-2013, 12:52 PM
HOLE :D

I was talking to HUM WEE Jr. about a last trip for the year before we put the rigs in the shop and he mentioned the Rubicon and someplace he had heard about called Hell Hole. Well I knew where Hell Hole was. It was on my bucket list. So I suggested we go to Hell Hole and camp by the lake and wheel out, drive a few miles and hit the Rubi before going home. It was a plan, and we both thought it was a good one ................

But ....................

I developed this hammering noise in my Jeep on Tuesday before leaving. It sounded like it was in the front to me, so I started tearing apart. I found a stiff, but intact U joint. So I replaced it and was feeling good about myself when I heard it again. Took it back apart and found the pilot bearing in the disconnect in little pieces. I made one out of steel, Thanks to XJ4life for the use of the lathe. Got it back together and still had it. Took it back apart, nothing wrong. Now it is Friday night. Called Paul and said I had strange noises. Couldn't figure out what it was. Sounded serious, but nothing blew up. So Saturday I had the wife drive the Jeep, then I drove it with her in it and she said: "It is your parking brake". Sure enough, pulled up on the lever and it went away. (I have a disc brake on the rear dirve line)

So .........................

Off we went Sunday instead to Hell Hole. We took the most direct route, which was through Forest Hill. We went across this bridge, tallest of its type in the world. 1,100 feet tall.

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Rubicon%20Trails/Hell%20Hole%20Trail/IMG_0621_zps782b44ef.jpg

Not much forest on the hill here, but this one got some fame in the movie XXX. This is the one Vin Diesel drove the Vette off of. Now they put a rail on it so you can't. Strange how it is highest on the side he drove off of. Those darn copy cats. :smiley-taunt002:

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Rubicon%20Trails/Hell%20Hole%20Trail/IMG_0597_zpse90dd808.jpg

Next was 48 miles of road crooked as a dog's hind leg probably built back in the day by some Coolies smoking too much opium.

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Rubicon%20Trails/Hell%20Hole%20Trail/IMG_0598_zps9d838246.jpg

This is the "shallow" part of the Royal Gorge. Further up it is 2,500 feet deep and steeper. We are on the middle fork of the American River here. Gold was discovered on the South Fork at Sutter's Mill

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Rubicon%20Trails/Hell%20Hole%20Trail/IMG_0600_zpsbf35a04f.jpg

Two hours later we arrived at the trail.

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Rubicon%20Trails/Hell%20Hole%20Trail/101_0620_zpsf3dc941f.jpg

We were in a hurry to do this before it snowed again. One more storm and that would be it. Elevation at 5,500 feet here

Here are some pics, enjoy

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Rubicon%20Trails/Hell%20Hole%20Trail/IMG_0616_zpsfa5be420.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Rubicon%20Trails/Hell%20Hole%20Trail/IMG_0615_zps0e93ce45.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Rubicon%20Trails/Hell%20Hole%20Trail/IMG_0614_zps2cbfd47f.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Rubicon%20Trails/Hell%20Hole%20Trail/IMG_0608_zps6edde924.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Rubicon%20Trails/Hell%20Hole%20Trail/IMG_0607_zpsba6b0758.jpg

Then Paul had to make a small stop and un pucker. He had slid on a rock and fortunately come up almost touching a tree. Doesn't look bad from this anglehttp://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Rubicon%20Trails/Hell%20Hole%20Trail/IMG_0605_zps73e0cf87.jpg

But this one is a little different

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Rubicon%20Trails/Hell%20Hole%20Trail/IMG_0606_zpse1ba2e68.jpg

It is about a thousand feet to the bottom here and not much to stop you till you hit the lake.

We hooked up the winch for a safety line and pulled him through.

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Rubicon%20Trails/Hell%20Hole%20Trail/IMG_0603_zpsf732f3b6.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Rubicon%20Trails/Hell%20Hole%20Trail/IMG_0602_zps95709a86.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Rubicon%20Trails/Hell%20Hole%20Trail/IMG_0601_zps2fd2fd6b.jpg

4.3LXJ
11-13-2013, 01:03 PM
http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Rubicon%20Trails/Hell%20Hole%20Trail/101_0621_zpsc3060140.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Rubicon%20Trails/Hell%20Hole%20Trail/101_0617_zps617890b4.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Rubicon%20Trails/Hell%20Hole%20Trail/101_0616_zps77d7ebdf.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Rubicon%20Trails/Hell%20Hole%20Trail/101_0598_zps1ca601cb.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Rubicon%20Trails/Hell%20Hole%20Trail/101_0596_zps0f1b0bda.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Rubicon%20Trails/Hell%20Hole%20Trail/101_0592_zps49530d06.jpg

Then we came to a difficult portion of the trail. Well, it was all somewhat difficult and not doable without at least one locker. Paul only had a very good limited slip in the rear, which with the 35s was doing better than I expected. But this was going to be a little beyond what he could do. He could winch through, but it was a long section followed by another.

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Rubicon%20Trails/Hell%20Hole%20Trail/101_0613_zps129c4f43.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Rubicon%20Trails/Hell%20Hole%20Trail/101_0612_zps2d69785b.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Rubicon%20Trails/Hell%20Hole%20Trail/101_0609_zps249c49e3.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Rubicon%20Trails/Hell%20Hole%20Trail/101_0606_zps35cfe999.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Rubicon%20Trails/Hell%20Hole%20Trail/101_0616_zps77d7ebdf.jpg

A little souvenir to mark difficulty :D

And lots of fresh oil on the rocks too :D

It was getting late, so we turned around. Two things we learned. If traveling from home, we need to spend the night at the bottom. Two, we need to do this when the daylight hours are longer. I could have made it with having both lockers and a good lift. We just need to upgrade equipment to make this one next time.

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Rubicon%20Trails/Hell%20Hole%20Trail/th_MVI_0620_zpsd92a4b7f.jpg (http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Rubicon%20Trails/Hell%20Hole%20Trail/MVI_0620_zpsd92a4b7f.mp4)

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Rubicon%20Trails/Hell%20Hole%20Trail/th_MVI_0619_zps74df1040.jpg (http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/Rubicon%20Trails/Hell%20Hole%20Trail/MVI_0619_zps74df1040.mp4)

Click images for video

bluedragon436
11-13-2013, 01:14 PM
Looks like a good time right there.. glad to hear it was a good time and all made it through unscathed!!

4.3LXJ
11-13-2013, 03:16 PM
Oh the TJ scathed a bumper end cap :D

And I have to search for it. But I think I scratched a slider :D

Carves
11-13-2013, 04:59 PM
Hahhhh .... you go for a sunday drive ... and end up being 300ft higher - than our biggest hill down here .. :D

Good looking country .. :thumbsup:



....... and btw,

Is your missus replacing you in the tech tip sessions on podcasts ??.

4.3LXJ
11-13-2013, 07:01 PM
Is your missus replacing you in the tech tip sessions on podcasts ??.

Probably so. Better ears for those noises

Brasscatz
11-13-2013, 09:27 PM
Looks like a blast! I would love to go on wheeling trips with my dad.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4 because my microwave couldn't do it

bad luck
11-14-2013, 09:36 AM
Very nice Steve,
I keep thinking that I need to come visit northern California, but time seems to go faster every year, and I just don't have time enough to do all that I wanted.
It sounds like a great trip.

4.3LXJ
11-14-2013, 09:58 AM
Hey Robert, it is all about making time to do the things you like. My son and I do that. It is actually a sacrifice for him for us to get together like this because of his horrendous schedule. But it is good times for us all. The wife didn't go on this trip, but she goes on the others in the summer too.

xj4life2
11-22-2013, 07:11 PM
Looks like a good run Steve , you made it to Hell and back . I don't remember being so rocky through there but it has been a long time since I ran that one . Were gonna call it erosion :) Nice pics man thanks !!!

4.3LXJ
11-22-2013, 07:14 PM
All the trails are getting like that. You either have a very capable rig or you need to be somewhere else