2 weeks ago the wife and I loaded up the wag and pop-up and headed to Antelope Lake, a few hours north west of us, in CA. We have never taken the jeep up here because the main road is ridiculously steep and twisty. Even in my Dakota pulling the pop-up was a 20mph adventure for the last 10 miles of the trip.
We decided to go a back route that is a paved, but bumpy route. Long story short, we went what we thought was the wrong way, backtracked about 12 miles, then went what was DEFINITELY the wrong way on a narrow twisty dirt road through the mountains. Aside from rattling my jeep and camper to pieces it was okay, but not at all what I intended.
It was about a 170 mile round trip, the truck gets like 10mpg on a decent day. I figure it generally has a 200 mile range. I, for some reason, didnt pack a jerry can on this trip. So, climbing steep mountain roads towing with an additional 20-30 miles of added distance had me nervous for the trip home. I knew there was gas within about 20 miles of the campground, but that gas was at the BOTTOM of the aforementioned super steep and twisty roads. I was POSITIVE we were going to starve the fuel pump when we were pointed down the super steep long hills. Losing brakes and steering when you're pulling a trailer DOWN a grade would be no bueno.
Anyway, it all worked out, we didnt die, the truck ran fine, brakes got a little warm (even though I was in 1st or second).
So, anyway, pics!
We headed out Friday afternoon:
Antelope Lake July 2017 by Andrew M, on Flickr
Antelope Lake July 2017 by Andrew M, on Flickr
Antelope Lake July 2017 by Andrew M, on Flickr
Antelope Lake July 2017 by Andrew M, on Flickr
Road is still paved, as planned....
Antelope Lake July 2017 by Andrew M, on Flickr
Oh shucks, better backtrack and take this crappy dirt road that we somehow thought was the right way to go:
Antelope Lake July 2017 by Andrew M, on Flickr
Antelope Lake July 2017 by Andrew M, on Flickr
about 20 miles of that and this:
Antelope Lake July 2017 by Andrew M, on Flickr
Pause to pray the truck makes it the rest of the way through the forest...
Antelope Lake July 2017 by Andrew M, on Flickr
Eventually we got to the main road (now knowing where we were) and we came out on the north west side of the lake, rather than the south east.
Antelope Lake July 2017 by Andrew M, on Flickr
We made it!
Antelope Lake July 2017 by Andrew M, on Flickr
Antelope Lake July 2017 by Andrew M, on Flickr
Spent some time at the lake on Saturday:
Antelope Lake July 2017 by Andrew M, on Flickr
Antelope Lake July 2017 by Andrew M, on Flickr
Antelope Lake July 2017 by Andrew M, on Flickr
Returned to camp for a thrilling game of giant yahtzee:
Antelope Lake July 2017 by Andrew M, on Flickr
oooooooo snap!
Antelope Lake July 2017 by Andrew M, on Flickr
And then....disaster struck!!!!!! Oh the humanity! thats alcohol abuse right there.
Antelope Lake July 2017 by Andrew M, on Flickr
quickly remedied the situation.
Antelope Lake July 2017 by Andrew M, on Flickr
Even though they are both rickety POS's they look good together:
Antelope Lake July 2017 by Andrew M, on Flickr
Always so serious this one...
Antelope Lake July 2017 by Andrew M, on Flickr
Whipped up some of the best ribs ive ever made thanks to a recipe my wife found:
Antelope Lake July 2017 by Andrew M, on Flickr
Didnt even need a flash light at night.
Antelope Lake July 2017 by Andrew M, on Flickr
Sunday rolled around too soon, as it always does, and we packed up camp to head home down the treacherous steep road.
Antelope Lake July 2017 by Andrew M, on Flickr
but in the end, all was well and we made it back home safe and sound.
Antelope Lake July 2017 by Andrew M, on Flickr