The Rubicon Trail - Checked Off the Bucket List: Day 1
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 10 фев 2025
- After a lot of planning, I finally head out with a few of my good friends to tackle the epic Rubicon Trail. In this day 1 episode, we head out from Loon Lake and make our way to Buck Island Lake. Although it's only about 6 miles, it took us almost all day to get there. The Rubicon threw obstacle after obstacle at us. We had some challenges, we used our winces more than once and our spotter was invaluable!
Rubicon Adventure Day 2: • The Rubicon Trail - Ch...
🌐 TRAILRECON.COM 🌐
trailrecon.com
Check out our website if you’re looking for off-road or overland gear and equipment for your next rig and your next off-the-grid adventure. We have everything you need, including recovery gear, tents, cooking and kitchen gear, sleeping bags, TrailRecon clothes and stickers, and a lot more.
If you’re interested in reading in-depth articles about the places we go, products we use, and our personal insights about overlanding, you’ll want to check out our blog.
trailrecon.com...
********************
📲 SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS 📲
Facebook: trailrecon
Instagram: trailrecon
Video Transcript:
Arriving at the trail head was such an excitement… we finally made it!
We all air downed, did last minute check of our gear and headed out on what would become one of my favorite trail adventures of all time.
Within less than a quarter mile we transitioned from the open granite to the forest and rocks…. The rubicon wastes not time putting you in the thick of it.
Our trail boss Chappy found himself quickly on foot scouting head for the best line. Although, this obstacle got both Chappy and I and were the first to break out our winches
By the end of this trail, everyone in our group will have used their winch at least once… some a few times.
The rubicon trail is technically a road and it was interesting to see these yellow reflectors on the granite slab aong the way… I will say they were very helpful on keep us on course
He had been on the trail for a few hours and no one was really keeping track of how far we’d gone… we were all a little surprised to realize, we had only traveled 1.5 miles so far…. You don’t go anywhere fast on the Rubicon
So the plan was for Chappy to tackle little sluice first and then he was going to help spot everyone on the way up, well he had a little mechanical issue about ¼ of the way up.
Thankfully, it was only shock fluid and nothing serious. He decided he was going to take the bypass, and we all agreed to stick together. Our goal was to make it through the trail and still drive the 600 miles back to san diego.
Now the sign here says that the bypass to little sluice is the “easiest” route…. There were plenty of obstacles and I would not define them as easy!
At long last we finally made it to Buck island lake. Now where we were planning on camping, was only about 100 yards from the dam, but we still had a few obstacles to tackle first…. It took us another hour before we were through it. Man I love this challenges of this trail!
it was really nice to finally be at camp and relax and talk about the days events. The rubicon trail requires you full attention all the way through and it was nice to finally be able to unwind
And man, what an amazing place to camp, the scenery was spectacular.
On the dinner menu was some carne asada, an I have to say it was the best I’ve ever had. What an amazing day 1 on the trail.
I hope you have enjoyed joining me on this adventure. If you would like to find out what’s going on at trailrecon behind the scenes and help support the community we are building, please visit my pateon page.
And if you are visiting the channel for the first time, please hit that subscribe button.
Thanks for watching.
2:14 - Loon Lake Spillway
2:28 - Hot Rock
2:42 - Gatekeeper
7:07 - The Bowl
7:34 - Stair Step
11:32 - Whale Bones
12:22 - Loon Lake / Wentworth Springs (Original Entrance) Intertie
13:29 - Ellis Creek
13:38 - Lower Walker Hill
15:06 - Upper Walker Hill
15:24 - Nobie's Rock
15:42 - Soup Bowl Rock Garden
16:50 - Benchmark (This is actually before Soup Bowl Rock Garden)
16:57 - Winter Camp
17:04 - Soup Bowl (Optional) (This is actually before Winter Camp)
17:52 - Little Sluice Marker
18:37 - Little Sluice Box aka The Box
19:49 - Long Bypass (there is a shorter bypass, but most don't know it)
20:18 - The Office
21:52 - V Notch
23:49 - Arnold's Rock
25:53 - Indian Trail
25:58 - Little Rubicon Creek crossing
26:14 - Buck Island Lake Dam crossing
InstaBlaster...
L
You're welcome for the reflectors. It was over 10 years I was part of those who installed them with FOTR.
Lot's of questions about of the Jeeps in this video. Here are a few rig walk arounds with some details:
- Blue Jeep: ruclips.net/video/CXrLfRPcVg4/видео.html
- Yellow Jeep: ruclips.net/video/5HuCHvxIGok/видео.html
- Red Jeep: ruclips.net/video/8eggZXHqTU0/видео.html
Is there a walk around for the silver Rubi with the color matched top or Chappy's? Great vids.💗
The effort put into and production of these videos is unmatched! Great video Brad, this is definitely on my bucket list.
Wow, thank you! I really appreciate that!
I gotta give a big kudo's to Brad as well. for as much running around i did to check the trail and the line to take Brad probably did 2-3 times as much to get the video and pictures to make these awesome videos. Thanks Brad for all you do.
Nothing compares to the work you put in getting through this trail safely brother! Thank you!!
Chappy, mind to share which roof rack you use? It looks pretty flat and love to see the Rotopac's on it while still being able to remove the freedom tops.
That's a custom rack that i made, I got about 200 into it. I couldn't find anything that i liked or that didn't cost an arm and a leg. Plus i needed something that i could still fit in my garage.
My 3 year old can't get enough of your videos. Thanks!
Being that I reside in NY, the odds of me running the Rubicon are slim to none but documenting & sharing your journey has allowed me to live vicariously through you. Much appreciated.
I'm glad I was able to take you along for the ride!
TrailRecon Thank you for all you do for the Jeep community! Trail Recon is the embodiment of all the positive facets in Jeep culture...from wrenching, wheeling, off-roading, overlanding. I'm glad I could support the cause and just signed up for Patreon $5 tier! Keep doing what you do Brad!
Thanks for sharing, i drove the Rubicon three times with the Jeep and Jeeper Jamborees. once in my bone stock 50 Willy's flat fender, once in buddy's early 70's Land Cruiser and the last time on our Motorcycles. We were lucky, we never broke anything and never needed to be winched out. The only issue we had was when my engine stopped in the Willy's in the middle of one of the water crossings and i used the starter motor to get us out. Unfortunately, not long after our last trip, i was in an accident that left me in a wheelchair. I still go off road on occasion, but the days on the Rubicon were my favorite! Thanks for sharing and enjoy each and every trip!
This trail is definitely on my bucket list! Incredible Jeeps doing incredible things!
While watching the video as you were approaching Buck Island Lake my German Shepard herd the sound of water and perked op and started watching the video. He loves to ride in my jeep and loves even more to find water.
Thank you Brad and the SDJC for taking us along (via video) with you!
You're welcome!
I'm a city guy and blown away by this video. Jeep over Bronco any day, including national holidays 😊🚙🚙🚙
How on earth can one even dare to perform such acts in his wildest dreams. I salute to your spirit, courage, unmatched driving skills and enthusiasm apart from an exceptional film making.
One of the best Jeep videos I have *EVER* seen.
I think I could do the Rubicon trail in my stock JKUR with no winch, of course I'm sitting here on my couch and I think I can climb Mt Everest too.
And your drunk!
With the right spotter and being very careful I actually think you could. I made the trip with a bunch of guys from Northridge 4x4 and a few other local Jeep clubs. I had a 2010 JKU Sport which I planned to park at the hotel, ride with my buddy and pick my Jeep up after the trip. I few of the guys in the group who have made the trip several times asked if I was taking my rig. I said "no way it's my daily, plus there's no way I'd make it." The guys talked about it for a minute and told me if I had a Rubicon I could make it. It would be a technically very challenging trip, but with the spotters that were there I could make it. Probably beat up my Jeep a little in the process. I don't know if these guys were right or not, but getting to know them over the three days we were on the trip, I would not doubt their knowledge and expertise.
Shit watch dirty every day, they did it in a stock Willie's
I’ve done it six times in a stock except for an oil pan skid plate in a 2003 Rubicon. I added the oil pan skid plate after the first trip, since I beat the snot out of the oil pan. If you have an experienced spotter it can be done.
Trevor Heusdens Trevor, you nevea evea wanna underestimate a stock Willies . Those little 4 Bangers were so well made , and proven in war
In conditions that put these trails so shame. I’m sure you weren’t putting the little beast down , but I just had to jump in to support the mother
Of all 4X4s.
I would trade my 2016 Two Door JK in a New York minute for one of those amazing Jeeps still in it’s packing crate!
I did the Rubicon in the mid-80s. This brought back some great memories. Thanks...
Awesome video and your best yet! The music selection is perfect and matches the scenes and trail seamlessly. Anyone who posts a video to RUclips needs to watch this and learn how it’s done!
I did this a few weeks ago in my 2016 4runner on 33s and man did I have a HELL of a time. We went the same route as you guys and I know what you mean about the bypass on Little Sluice, not by any means easy. Winched out many times and bent a tie rod. Winched a couple times on Cadillac hill. I didn't notice my cv axle was shot til after the trail back on the road at a gas station in Tahoe. I guess I did Cadillac hill in three wheel drive looking back at it now. Even my friend with his Rubicon on 41s had trouble in some spots. We ran into two different people on the trail, one did it 20 times and the other 40 times. They both said the condition of the trail was the worst it's been in 5 years. All in all we had a blast. Experience of a lifetime. One thing though, I will never do it again on 33s and stock gearing. I ran 10 psi without beadlocks on the Rubicon with no issue but felt like I lost a lot of clearance though.
Great video, makes me wish we took more video but we just wanted to get the heck out of there. Totally demoralizing trail.
Thank you for sharing your experience, I think it's important for folks to understand that this trail is without a doubt challenging! I had considered running 10 psi in the beginning, but was glad I didn't go that low because you are correct, clearance helps a lot. Hope your 4runner is back in good running order!
TrailRecon Thank you, it's all good now. Just under $200 in parts and about four hours of time thankfully. What psi were you running?
Great video! Loved it! I just got home from doing the Rubicon in my LJ. You are 100% correct about it not giving you much of a break anywhere along the trail. I did have to LOL at the part about the so called "easier" left bypass to little sluice! It is a bit rough also. . Just an FYI, there actually is an easy way around little sluice. About 1/3 into the sluice... at about 18:50 of your vid where the Jeep lost his brakes, you can simply turn up the slab on your right and just shoot up to the flat on top and drive up and around the whole thing. Usually where we all park to watch others go through, and/or take the short hike up to Spider lake and swim.
OMFG I LOVE THIS !!!!! ( SOMEDAY i WILL have the Nerve AND Vehicle ) to run this !!! so for now i can only watch in COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENVY.. THANK YOU BRAD !!!!
Best video I've ever seen of the challenges this trail offers. It is no wonder they say you WILL suffer some body damage on this trail.
Thank you! Except for a broken taillight and a whole lot of scrapes and bangs to our under armor, we were fortunate to make it off the trail without any body damage, but I credit our excellent spotters for keeping us on the best lines.
Great video Brad!! Thanks for sharing...from someone on the east coast.. i may never make it there..but this inspires me to make it a bucket list trip...
Hands down my favorite trail to date... you have to add it to the bucket list! Thanks!
Some guy drove his JKU all the way from NYC to the Jeep Jamboree event this year.
@@TrailRecon I was wonderin it seems the Jeep is the proven vehicle to use. But has anyone ever gone through with a 4x4 truck. Just curious...
Its always fun to watch these Rubicon videos and see how other made it through. I completed the Rubicon the first time in July of 2018 and we made it to Rubicon Springs in 10 hours. it was a long and painful trip with no winching. next time I do it we are going to try to complete it in 1 day. Just two rigs on a Tuesday.Thanks for sharing your adventure!
Watched several times and it's the best, thanks! So interesting, the trail itself, scenery, and best of all is seeing the rigs you have done the walk around in action!!
The scenery was spectacular, I love wheeling up in the mountains. Only one Jeep in the group I haven't done a walk around on... need to schedule a time to knock it out.
Incredible trip, driving, epic scenery...just incredible! Congratulations, guys, for takin on this epic adventure!
Very cool. Some of the rocks were holding up the short wheelbase and some the long wheelbase Jeeps! Definitely on my bucket list. Love these technical trails. Flat belly skid next mod then I'm good to go! 03 Rubi.
This is definitely on my bucket list. What a beautiful place.
Absolutely beautiful country. Another amazing video, and I love that you show the prep and planning and teamwork it takes to conquer a trail like this.
Teamwork is essential. We did see one gentleman and his dog passing in the opposite direction doing the trail by himself... I don't know how he was doing it without a spotter and all I could think about was if he has a major mechanical, he's stuck!
Would love to see a walk around of that 2 door yellow jeep.
You're in luck... it was one of the first walk around videos I did: ruclips.net/video/5HuCHvxIGok/видео.html
The best Rubicon Trail video that I have ever seen.
Bravo Zulu Guys! You all are pros, no doubt.
Nicely done Brad. You have definitely solidified my wants and desires to do the Rubicon.
Thank you! This trail was on my bucket list for while... so thankful I finally got to do it.
OK, I'm ready for part 2
Just came back to re-watch this awesome series of videos, and noticed that a few folks had their sway bars connected! I wonder if disconnecting would have helped.
Anyway, its nice to vicariously live through y'all.
Christopher Michaelson, if they’re Rubicons then they have the push button disconnect. The links stay connected, there is a mechanism under the nose that allows travel. Look it up👍🏻
Great video, wanted to do it but to old now.. My uncle went over this in the 60's about 4 times... Military jeep.
Outstanding video Brad and a job well done on completing the Rubicon trail SDJC 👍🏻
Thank you! Couldn't have asked for a better group to run this trail with.
Fantastic spotter there, clear instructions and good lines
A good spotter on the Rubi is so important!
I am from western australia. I absolutely loved your video. Would love to be able to add this to my bucket list. Interesting to hear a different call style. Here we call "left hand down" or "right hand down" for forward and reversing. I heard the call "goto passenger" "goto driver" do you call the same for reversing.
Another great video. Thank you for sharing your experience on the Rubicon trail . Cant wait for part 2 . Thank you Brad !!!
Great vid. I’ve done that trail many times and you’ve captured how hard and relentless it is. I don’t understand why anyone would give it a thumbs down...unless they’ve actually never wheeled before...
Ahh the days of the stock trimmed fenders haha. NICE!
Fantastic video footage. My wife and I just completed the trail and let me say... if you add to your bucket list, go with a group. This is not something to be done alone. We were and shouldn’t have been. Much more of a trail than I expected, and I’ve run plenty. Lots of carnage along the way, and I should have had more undercarriage armor but now have repairs to be made instead. Lol.
Hi Brad, I'm a new subscriber and i am really enjoying your video's. I have always wanted to four wheel at your level but just never could afford it. I had a 1983 Toyota SR-5 4-wheel drive truck back in the day and lived in Southern Cal. We were in many of the places you have visited. We had a great time in that old kidney busting, back breaking old truck. We live in Montana now and have been retired here for sixteen years. Just bought a 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD of road premium. Great machine and wheel gently now, but what a great machine. Now i just fight snow, ice and mud getting from the highway to home on a dirt road about 1.2 miles long. Keep up the great video's and keep wheeling.
Gary
As I'm laying here in bed with strep throat, this video is making it much more bearable.
Great video as usual. Take care.
LA traffic is an obstacle in itself. As soon as I heard left at 4 am San Diego, I said to myself “Your Screwed.”
Thank you for sharing this awesome time on the Rubicon trail. I can see why Jeep deceided to name their sub-model Rubicon.
Cheers from Sweden 73
BREATHTAKING VIEWS & COLORS ! SLOWLY & SURELY GET ER DONE ! BE SAFE! HAVE FUN! GOD BE WITH YOU ALL ALWAYS! ENJOYED!
That orange 2 door wrangler is my favorite.
Thumbs up Brad! Nicely done with you and your team and glad you guys had an awesome time. This video inspires me to tackle on trails.
I see all these videos of people bringing different stuff and food. I did this trail by myself with my tacoma no problems at all.
Love your videos. They are perfectly shot and edited. Exactly the way I wanna see them! 10/10.
Thank you!
Awesome video for sure !! The trip from Florida would be an excellent adventure. Thanks for sharing !
Just added that to the bucket list. Thanks Brad
A worthy bucket list for sure!
WOW. What an amazing trip so far. Really looking forward to the next chapter. We watched this as a family and all agreed we want to tackle it some day, but we'll need quite a few mods before our JK will be ready!
Thank you! It's an amazing place to spend some time with family and friends. Day 2 episode will be out tonight at 5.
Uma palavra define tudo... INSANO!!!
Vocês têm muita coragem para fazer uma loucura desta...
I am heading to do the Rubicon trail on June 30th leaving loon lake entrance around 9am planning being on the trail till July 3rd or 4th. pack up your gear and come join. Great videos between you and dirtlifestylenate and lightbright best all around content on the web!!!!
Congratulations on checking one off the bucket list. Thoroughly enjoyed the video. New subscriber from central Australia.
Thank you for joining the TrailRecon team.... you all have some amazing trails out there in Australia!
Another great video! Such a beautiful trail. I hope to do it in the next couple years!! THANKS for the awesome footage! OH and your wheels look great Brad!!
Thank you! Love my new wheels!
Some nice driving...and the landscape...
Awesome trail ride Brad, thanks very much. What an incredible trail and views.
Holy crap!!!! What a trail... Video work on this is outstanding!!!
Love seeing what these Toledo built Jeeps can do , thanks for sharing the video . Wish I loved I'm the western states .
i love.... these designed vehicles...... especially... grey one... amazing look.....
Inn-Shaa-Allah...... in future i will buy 3 of them....
Interesting! It always been the goal to run the Rubicon without ever using a winch. Or moving rocks but doing it as it was made by God.
OMG The lake is so owsome.....
I want to see the difficult side too!!!
Fantastic video.
The 2 doors were just killing it!!! Great video man love your content.
Thank so much for sharing your awesome video
Wow / nice work behind the camera!!
13:00 - 13:24 awesome shot
Awesome!! Definitely on my list after I enjoyed Moab.. Thanks again for sharing!! Your rig looks awesome..
Moab is in the near future for me now! Thanks!
Awesome video! I liked how you met as a group before going up, and put a plan together then checked and serviced each vehicle as needed. That surely helped keep the breakage down to a minimum on the trail. Although I feel the hair on the back of my neck go up when I hear those superchargers whistle their way along. They add a lot of complexity and parts, which can cause issues on the Rubicon. Anyway I'm really envious since I haven't been up there this year. And I'm in the SF bay area! Unfortunately my Jeep club is beginning to die as a club. There has been little coordination, planning, and actual trail runs in the past year. It's sad top see a club dying, especially since we were a very active club five to ten years ago. But things change and so I think it's time to find another group of intelligent and skilled off road enthusiasts. But I digress; you guys did a great job helping each other spotting, winching, and supporting each other. That's exactly the way a group should work together, IMHO. It's nice to see such camaraderie and I sure wish I could have been along for the adventure! Can't wait for the next video, day two!
The 2 jeeps with the ripps performed well. My jeep the blue 4 door did have a tune issue where I was not able to use 4 low most of the time. If your ever in San Diego look us up on www.sdjc.rocks and we can run a trail or two together
Preparation for this trail, in my opinion, is essential. With all the obstacles, there is the potential for breaking something along the way. Sorry to hear about your club.
I'm the other one with the SC(silver JK), your right it does throw in some additional mechanical concerns but with RIPP you can bypass the setup and run N/A if need be. Nothing wrong with a little boost on trail...lol.
Amazing content and beautiful trail, unless you have been there you won't quite get the majesty of the area. Keep up the good work and I hope you enjoyed the trip.
That is awesome. This trail is also on my bucket list, didn't make it this year, but definitely going 2018 ..
Nice job on the video!
I did the Rubicon with Jeep Jamboree this year and highly recommend it!
Drove my JK all the way from Missouri and back!
Thank you! I've heard the Jamboree is an awesome experience. That's one heck of a road trip you took!
How are the bugs up there? When do you recommend trying this trail?
Loving the 2dr action
As always Brad - great job. Someday I hope to wheel with ya.
Thank you! Would be great to catch you out on the trail!
Well done. Gotta have skills to navigate and a great guide. Outstanding trip. Thank you for sharing.
Great video! That is an amazing experience. It looked like some of the areas must have been nerve racking to drive on.
Came back see the fun will soon check it off my list thanks for the video
great video. that blue four door sounds boosted. maybe a turbo. well worth the watch.
The orange Jeep has a Magnuson Supercharger and the Blue and Silver(black hood) Jeeps have RIPP Superchargers.
As always, an awesome video. Can't wait for part 2
Great vid. a must watch. Great group of friends and some seriously great drivers and guides
Great friends are what make trips like this so awesome!
Great to other rigs that did well and weren't a JK. Great video. I'm just getting started.
What and epic adventure.
awsome video brad! I am so glad i got to do this with you all. thanks to my brother"SIDE CHICK" bringing me out. it was definitely worth every minute. made me want a jeep.
It was great having you out there and appreciated you taking on the roll of camera man a few times!
Chris. S.999 i liked your brother rig especially those matching fender flares. Any idea what brand they are?
Nemesis Industries
You guys do it right! Regret not having a Jeep in SD! Enjoying the vids. Keep em coming!
Awesome post. I would love to hear you play by play your strategy as you tackle different obstacles. I am new to this and research everything but would love your guidance to take as I start to venture out on tougher trails.
Love it!! Looks like an amazing trip. Thanks for sharing.
You are welcome and thank you!
Really enjoyed joining you on the trail. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for coming along!
Awesome video coverage, your video work outstanding and very much appreciated 👍
I stumbled across this video after subbing. I can't wait for my Rubicon Recon to arrive and start setting up my rig to run the trials like your club. I'm in SD also so I'll be looking to meet up with you guy's real soon sir.
All of your videos are great and fun to watch. A lot of work editing I'm sure!
Brad what a great video from the comfort of my couch I now know I will not be able to ever to that trail, but I'll go to the area of the sign and just take a picture. Thanks for posting this video appreciate your efforts.
Glad you enjoyed it, I hope to go back to the Rubicon someday!
Great video.
My first time on that trail i figured since jeep says their "trail rated" vehicles can make it when stock my TJ with 2 1/2 lift and bfg 33s would make it easy.....winch got a great workout. Next time had lockers front and rear with re-gear and 35s. Still had to winch a few times but was allot easier and more fun.
Btw...next time take 395 or go around city on 405 from OC. ; )
Thanks for posting this! I have a 3.5" lift and 33s and wasn't sure if I would have a hard time or not.
Wow man, what a trail! Seems impossible to run anything but a rubicon without help! Definitely helps with future planning, so thanks for sure a great video!
Brad you are the best person alive
Great Video! Always Enjoy watching them. Excellent footage and commentary. I look forward to the next one. :-)
Thanks you, really glad you enjoyed it!
Awesome video and outstanding job with the footage and editing! This is by far the best in-depth, informative and entertaining video of the Rubicon Trail I've ever seen! Perfect narration too.
The only part that was bad was that it ended! I can't wait for part 2!!!
Kudos to you Brad for all that filming and I think we all would love to have a "Chappy" with us on the trail as a spotter, nice work!
LOL! Will have some shots of Big Sluice and Cadillac Hill in part 2.... hopefully by next weekend. Chappy and Joe were amazing spotters and got us out of a some technical spots more than once. Thanks!!
Nice Videos! We did the Rubicon in 2015 right before the Jeep Jamboree. The three of us had the trail almost to ourselves. We had minor issues, one punctured tire, a few minor mechanical issues and I had to use the winch twice... great trip and look forward to going again one day.. I still have tons of video to sort thru and make a better video.. we spent two nights, and took about 24 hrs to run it.. about 1mph... I do think we spotted each other way more then we needed to and I think that was because we didn't want to break down...
As an avid mountain biker I've left a lot of blood and sweat on that trail one of my favorite places in the world
Bucket list item for me too, Great Video! It looked like a great time with some good people and some great challenges to man and machine!
Nope you can't shake that place Brad. Gotta love LA!