We made a quick stop off in Princeton to pick up Garlic & the all important ice to provide that perfect subzero temperature for the beers that would provide the needed quenching from the thirst that would be created by the dust on the road.  We then headed off to the Whipsaw turn off to meet up with the others that would be waiting.  When we got there 7 other trucks would be waiting including –

• Luc (Luc)
• Raymond & his 3 Kids (no user name)
• Kelly(Kranium) & Jessica (Swampbugg)
• Sam (Sam92toy) & his other half
• Nick (86extra-cab) & his dad Rob #3
• Andy (Red Army) &  his other half
• Andy (R031Kona )

With all the Rob’s it felt like I was in an old 3 stooges movie – Hi my name is Rob and these are my buddies, Rob, Rob & Rob.  Everyone that weekend just became Rob, made it much easier.  At 10:45 we gathered up to start the trek into the 18 km mark to meet up with the contingency that had already started their weekend adventures the night before.  Like Ducks in a row we all waddled off towards the great unknown with Jordy in the lead.  We made a few stops on the way in so that Jordy could leave some well intentioned personally made signs for those that would follow .

Jordy’s first sign went on the “sold” sign near the Lamont FSR and was pretty clear in the direction he was suggesting.  The 2^nd sign had an arrow pointing this way but was placed on the right hand side of the Coral Creek FSR which the arrow kind of suggesting that Road.  But of course being his faithful navigator that does not make me a sign pointerer, that required a 2^nd vote of it will confuzzle the next person.  Luckily one of the other woman (takes a good one to lead the men) ran up to Jordy and placed their vote!  I say a personal thank you for backing me up on that one.  Jordy moved the sign to the tree below and we were on our way again.

While on the way up there, if you’re following our tracks, keep in mind that there are many beautiful little spurs that lead down to the streams below and offer up sites that are abandoned mines that you can still see the flicker of gold in the rocks.  The same gold that offered up the fever years ago, the shafts quite often are collapsed, however the babbling brooks that trickle down the stream offer water that is as cool and delicious to the taste buds and feel just as delicious as wrapping your tongue around an ice cream cone and licking at the drops that melt down the sides.  Bring a bottle of wine & lay out a blanket there one day and you won’t be disappointed.