Pictures may take a while to download for slower connections. Click on pix to see larger versions.

Dale had his yearly "Big Bear weekend" this year over Memorial Weekend. He had booked up Juniper Springs Campground, a very nice, secluded campsite off Highway 38. Far enough to have stopped people using it for target practice anyway, but still with piped water, and a toilet. (A BIG plus for a 4 day camp!)

As we all got there fairly late on Friday, there were no night runs. But Saturday morning, after a good breakfast which everyone contributed to, off we all went to check out some local mining trails around the campsite. Specifically 2N01 and 2N89Y, along with several un-numbered trails. Some challenging little rock gardens, and great little mines. one of which actually had bats sleeping in the ceiling. Unfortunately, there is a sad story about one of the mines. The Forest Service saw fit to weld a grate into the mine entrance to protect the bats from "unwelcome visitors" (yup, humans!). However the fumes from all the welding killed all the bats living there......

After much messing about, and exploring, we headed back down to camp. On the way we met several "latecomers" who had been waiting for us. After Lunch back in camp, we headed out on 2N04 which leads from our camp in a loop back around to highway 38. My kids got very excited as "Camp Oakes", their sleep-over summer camp was visible through the trees! After a brief stop for Gas and supplies, we headed on to Gold Mountain (3N69), where were joined by Mike in his "JGG" (Jolly Green Giant). By this time there were about 12 vehicles! Anyway, Gold mountain was no great challenge to anyone. Unfortunately, Steve Bass' steering box blew its seal near the summit, so it was 2wd, and MANUAL steering all the way down the other side for him. 

After Gold Mountain, we headed over to the base of John Bull, but decided to leave it for tomorrow. So off back to camp. Saturday night, there were about 15-17 vehicles, (including 2wd, and tow vehicles), and about 40 people!! Dale and I were getting quite confused, we were sure this was supposed to be an OC4play run....?! Needless to say, there was TONS of food, and Dale was making blended drinks all night. (Though i think he was using straight alcohol, at least it tasted that way. The fire was burning with blue flames by the end of the night...?) Also the kids got to drive around a little bit...

Sunday morning, after another HUGE breakfast, (its amazing how much FOOD people brought and shared) and waiting for people who never showed up (not just you, Warren!) we were able to take the time to help one of Dale's 2wd friends who went and got stuck in his minivan. A quick strap, and he was on his way. (to the Jeep dealer?)

We went back out to John Bull (3N10). Wow, has this trail gotten roughed up! The last time i went up here was in the snow, i thought that was tough. But more boulders have appeared on the first section "out of nowhere", including a big one in the middle of the trail in a left hand turn.

We all made it over ok, but Armando collected his first "dings" (in his rocker panel), and was awarded his first "Band- Aid" trophies. Also i twisted my front bumper even more than it was before, and all off us cleaned up our underside a little. Also Andy's strapped up his spring hanger as it looked like the weld was going bad.

And the end of John Bull, there is a "play area" with several holes, (3N10/3N43) and large rocks to climb on (3N07). Andy and Dale shook of the last of their Moab dust by climbing up on some ridiculously large rocks.

When we had got it "out of our system", we headed over to the Gold Mine loop behind Holcombe Valley. Some prospectors had tried "marking their territory" by stringing caution tape across the entrances, but that came down pretty D*** quick! The mines were very interesting, one of which even had frogs swimming around in it! And the kids had fun looking for gold.

Monday morning it was mutually decided that we were "wheeled out", and we headed back home.

A great weekend.