Each winter here in Southern California Yosh and i like to get out and enjoy the "white stuff". You know, the stuff everyone else takes for granted and is sick of? Well we intentionally go out in the snow because we get so little of it. I have a buddy that grew up back east and he could care less. For us, its a fun thing to do. Even if some say we're crazy. What little know is if you're well prepared for the elements you can have a pretty good time camping in freezing conditions.
We met up with a friend near Lake Hughes CA at a little old place called the Rock Inn. In the 1920's it was a popular spot for Hollywood celebs to get away and hide out. The Rock Inn was built by Joel Hurd, Sr., in 1927 to 1929. It served as an inn, store, and post office, and it still has gas pumps as evidence of its long history of serving passers-by.
After a breakfast from the Inn, we hit the 7n23 trail head. Our plan was to make it to Sawmill Camp in the Liebre Mountain range.
It didn't take long for the trail to get covered in snow. Most hard packed and icy. At this point the Landcruiser was doing just fine. Open diffs and no chains.
Notice the sand/bridging ladders holding up the side of the canyon walls. Used quite frequently in the Angeles National Forest.
Heading further up the trail.
We started seeing deeper snow. Still hard packed ice though.
At this point we hit a grade where all four wheels spun on the truck. I hit the brakes and the truck and trailer started sliding backwards.
Dixie was looking as if to make sure we were going to make it.
Thank god it only slid a few feet. We ended up getting strapped by Justin in his Tacoma. Once on top of the next grade i decided enough of that nervous sliding. I couldn't get any pictures because i couldn't let off the brake pedal to get out of the rig. Sliding backwards with a single vehicle isn't too bad because you can at least turn the wheels and get it to stop in a drift. You can't do that with a trailer. You'll jackknife or both will do whatever they feel. It's not a good feeling at all.
So needless to say i chained up. Once chained up i drove anywhere i wanted.
Dixie kept watching. She was on bear patrol.
Once up the steep sections we stopped for a break.
Justin fired out a cold one for me (we dont drink on the trail). I needed it. We also called this camp. Reason being was there was a Ford truck blocking the trailer up further. So there was no way for us to get around him. And to top it off, it was abandoned.
So we deployed camp on a lookout point, which was fine because that meant i had a way of turning around in the morning.
Dixie began having fun. She likes the snow, just as long as her paws don't freeze. And yes, that's a snow jacket. Boston Terriers get cold easily.
Yosh was ready to get out of the truck too. She wanted to go sledding. Look at those rosy cheeks!
Yosh had a blast. This was only her second time sledding.
Yes im trying to snowboard on a sled. Not a good idea.
Dixie even got to go for a ride.
Good ol' Landjager! It makes for a perfect trail snack. This photo was for a german friend of ours.
I had to watch out because Justin wanted to eat the whole bag!
Yosh started in on the beef stew. It was perfect for cold weather camping. Easy to prepare too.
Dixie spent most of her time in the truck in her bed. She could see us, but she didn't have to freeze her paws off.
We kept warm and fueled by plenty of Hot Cocoa.
The stew was coming out nicely. We pre-cut everything and put it in ziplocks. Upon arrival we tossed everything and simmered it slowly for about 5 hours. Came out good. Served with some dinner rolls and a chocolate cake desert, i think Yosh was in heaven!
It was time to light the fire pit. As soon as the sun goes down the temps will drop dramatically. So we started a tad early. We had plenty of firewood. Yes, thats a washer tub. Needs a little TLC.
Yosh and i keeping each other warm. We had long underwear and plenty of layers. The best thing to do is keep layering and never give your body a chance to get cold. Once it's cold it takes energy to heat you back up.
The view was spectacular!!!!! Even had a full moon!
Overnight we actually slept quite well. Nice and toasty. Actually so toasty that we were sweating. We took our -5 degree bags and we still had long underwear on. We didn't get cold at all. It probably dropped down to a little under freezing. Maybe 30? 29? Not too bad at all.
The next morning there was frost on the truck and everywhere else.
Yosh learned a lesson. Don't leave your gloves out. They get a little stiff.
Justin started in on breakfast and we lit the fire again. We weren't in a rush to go home.
Breakfast of champions!
Even Dixie came out to enjoy the sun.
After breakfast we walked around. Up from our camp not far were bear tracks. Maybe 3-4 days old. Yosh's foot in comparison.
Tree limbs are always beautiful in the winter. They have a different dramatic element about them in the snow.
I tended to the fire. We were to head home soon, so putting out the coals with snow worked well. Steam anyone?
Yosh got in a couple more runs on her sled. It was awesome to see her fly down the hill. The ice made the hills fast.
Dixie was really ready to go. You could tell. She looked tired. Remember, snow is bright for animals that don't have sunglasses like us. That's part of the reason she was squinting.
Coming back down the mountain i aired down the trailer tires to 8 psi so it would hold its line a little better. I also turned off the trailer brakes because that would cause the tires to lock up and therefore make the trailer slide. We took our time and headed back down slowly.
Once to the dirt i removed the chains.
Just so happen to be there was a weird tree i like to refer to as "Left hand Tree" Pretty cool looking. Must have been from all the wind its seen over the years?
Even ran into a couple of horse back riders. Talk about go anywhere. They had dogs running beside them too. Pretty awesome. Yosh and i talked about how we wouldn't mind having horses one day.
Eventually we came down through the mud and hit pavement. Where we aired up and headed home. It was a good one nighter out in the snow and the weather was just perfect. Last year it was -18 in Arizona and that was no fun. Too cold to think straight. Anyways, i hope you all enjoyed this report and i recommend snow camping at least once. Just make sure you go prepared and your friends and family know exactly where you are headed. Also, never take just one vehicle.