Completed: Day trip to High Point and Santa Rosa

[DirtyBacon04]

So after putting my 33s on, I was itching to test them. So i made a day of it. Woke up at the ass crack of dawn and hit High Point truck trail. And the gate to the tower was open and I drove up there and met the ranger and talked to him for a while. He says the gate is always open in the day time between July 23rd and Dec 3. So it was neat going up there and chatting with the ranger. The cloud layer started at about 2100 feet and I popped out of it around 4500 feet. Made for some excellent pictures. Then I heard through the grapevine that Santa Rosa Mt had a significant amount of snow on it. Since I'm a florida boy, my truck has never seen snow. Naturally, I investigate this. The trail was quite mushy due to the recent rains, but it was open. I only encountered 3 other vehicles all trail. The snow started being evident around 4000 ft. and by the time we got to 6000 there was 6-8 in covering the trail. I could see several spots where others had tried and failed to make it through the fresh powder. But for the last 3 miles of the trail, I was making the only tracks through the snow. Obviously showing that I was the first/only one to make it to the top. I stopped by the hidden camping spot that Roadie showed be and it was still perfect for camping. The trees protected the ground from snow cover, but there was plenty on the outskirts of the site to build a snowman, do snowangels, or make yellow snow.

All in all, for my trucks first trip in snow, it was difficult but the TrailBlazer once again made it through with flying colors... and mud. Here are the best pics from that day.

The decent from the lookout tower (appx 5200 ft)








Now on to the Santa Rosa Pics.





This fresh powder was about 8 in deep and tough to get through w/o chains


This is the camping spot i referred to. I smell a overnighter in my future




Made it to the top!!

[The Roadie]

Man, you went down to the camp site with snow on the trail? Gutsy. I'm working every day until Christmas, but then I'll get some time off. We gotta get to Borrego so I can show you some stuff, before you explore all 500 miles of trails without me.

[DirtyBacon04]

Well the descent into the campsite was snow free. But you trained me well, I definatley walked on foot before i thought of driving down there.
And I would never do ALL borrego w/o you. We're like team beavis and butthead, it just wouldnt be right

[That1Guy]

Wow makes me REALLY wish I had the money to register and insure mine. Ive got a real bad dirt itch that needs to be scratched and since my other car couldnt make it down a graded, level, gravel road the itch is getting worse.

[janesy86]

Nice pics man! Love the ones of you above the clouds, so cool looking!

[fishsticks]

That rig has come together quickly.

Good to see more west coast people get out there.

[DirtyBacon04]

Thanks for all the comments guys! Thanks for noticing the quick build, fishsticks! It's my new passion.

[djthumper]

Looks like it was a nice trip. Great pics man.

[Trail X]

Looks great Michael! I love those pictures above the clouds. Fantastic shots! Might even be a calendar shot in there.

Thanks for taking the time to post up the pictures! I know it takes some time.

[DirtyBacon04]

Looks great Michael! I love those pictures above the clouds. Fantastic shots! Might even be a calendar shot in there.

Thanks for taking the time to post up the pictures! I know it takes some time.

Boy oh boy! I hope out makes the cut for the calender! That would be swell.. Did you want me to re post them on the submissions page?

[Trail X]

Please do... otherwise I won't remember them.

[NC_IslandRunner]

Love the pics!

[TBNewbie]

This fresh powder was about 8 in deep and tough to get through w/o chains

I am from Canada and not from the north where we all live in igloos.



When I hear someone in big 4x4 complain about 8 inches of snow it makes me laugh.
For the last 4 years I drove a lowered Cobalt SS and I never let a puny 8 inches of snow stop me and I have never seen anyone use chains only on farm tractors.
Not to be mean I geuss its just what I am used to.

[TBNewbie]

Didnt mean to shit on his parade hence the comical pic of an igloo! I just giggle a bit at things like this because I have lived with snow all my life. I love the pics from above the clouds its like another world. By the way I think 33's make your truck look sweet hoping to get a set with my tax return.

[DirtyBacon04]

Didnt mean to shit on his parade hence the comical pic of an igloo! I just giggle a bit at things like this because I have lived with snow all my life. I love the pics from above the clouds its like another world. By the way I think 33's make your truck look sweet hoping to get a set with my tax return.

Well, im from South Florida... My snow driving experience is limited, to say the least. I guess with the 20degree incline, 8 in of fresh powder, and my noob driving skills, it was tough to make it through on my first try. I'll try not to disappoint you next time.

Oh, and thanks for the compliment! Almost forgot about it. Hope you get some big'ens on there soon, too

[The Roadie]

I got denied a few weeks ago on a trail just above 9000 feet in the Sierra Nevadas with aired down MTR tires, 8-10" of two day old melting snow, over mud. And only a ten degree slope. The combination was like axle grease and traction went to zero. There is NO driving style except insane momentum that can compensate for zero traction. That's the conditions of high altitude trails here in the winter.

But put that same amount of snow on top of flat pavement, and I'd take a Cobalt through it too with street tires.

I started driving in the small mtns (1000-2000) feet of western Massachusetts in the 60's, when they never used salt, and the school buses always chained up. I learned to drive in a Corvair and always got through.

Anticipating your Build Thread, TBN.

[fishsticks]

I got denied a few weeks ago on a trail just above 9000 feet in the Sierra Nevadas with aired down MTR tires, 8-10" of two day old melting snow, over mud. And only a ten degree slope. The combination was like axle grease and traction went to zero. There is NO driving style except insane momentum that can compensate for zero traction. That's the conditions of high altitude trails here in the winter.

But put that same amount of snow on top of flat pavement, and I'd take a Cobalt through it too with street tires.

I started driving in the small mtns (1000-2000) feet of western Massachusetts in the 60's, when they never used salt, and the school buses always chained up. I learned to drive in a Corvair and always got through.

Anticipating your Build Thread, TBN.

I have a near 100% breakage rate in snow trips over 12". You have to beat the truck to get it anywhere.