White Rim Advice

[skaredshtles]

Couple buddies are heading out this afternoon for WRIAD this weekend. I warned them.

[alpinevibes]

I don't know why anyone would try a FKT right now. The heat, sand, dust, and traffic aren't going to be in your favor....

Yeah, I don't think he had the beta ahead of time. Reading his comments he sounded pretty bummed to run into the sand and delays.

For us, I guess I'll be trying to round up a couple sets of sand ladders and two tow straps, just in case, for the Tacomas.

[Danno]

And.... someone in my group bailed 36 hours before we leave. I hate organizing shit like this.

[Full Trucker]

Couple buddies are heading out this afternoon for WRIAD this weekend. I warned them.

Morans.

[Dee Hubbs]

I'm heading Friday for the first time.
I'm with a big group who have done it many times.
Horsetheif to Candlestick to Shafer to Visitor center.

Is this doable with the impending rain forecasted on Friday? Someone else is making the call, but just curious what inclement weather does to this route.

[EWG]

I'm heading Friday for the first time.
I'm with a big group who have done it many times.
Horsetheif to Candlestick to Shafer to Visitor center.

Is this doable with the impending rain forecasted on Friday? Someone else is making the call, but just curious what inclement weather does to this route.

I've done it many times, but never in serious rain. Light rain isn't too bad, and sometimes it can help the sand set up. Lots of rain could be a significant problem, cause there are some clay sections that could get sticky and cake up. In heavy rain I think you'll put some serious wear on your bikes. In any weather bring lots of lube. In rain bring a way to clean the chains. And extra chains. And more lube. And brake pads. For sure.

Downpours and lots of runoff can make some parts unpassable by vehicle.

[Dee Hubbs]

I've done it many times, but never in serious rain. Light rain isn't too bad, and sometimes it can help the sand set up. Lots of rain could be a significant problem, cause there are some clay sections that could get sticky and cake up. In heavy rain I think you'll put some serious wear on your bikes. In any weather bring lots of lube. In rain bring a way to clean the chains. And extra chains. And more lube. And brake pads. For sure.
Downpours and lots of runoff can make some parts unpassable by vehicle.

The group pulled the plug this morning. The new forecast is for rain Friday and Saturday, with lows around 40. We have a few kids on the trip and the parents don't want to put them through the agony of cold and wet riding followed by trying to warm up at a camping site.
We will try to pull permits for next spring.

[alpinevibes]

Quick follow up: Our trip was pretty great Fri-Sun and the sand wasn't as bad as we'd expected. I think motos had some reallly bad spots, but almost all the sand we encountered (going clockwise) was rideable. But 86-90F during the day was pretty shitty for mid-Oct riding and I got a little overheated mid-day Friday.

I crossed paths with Danno about 35mi in on Friday and said hi - FKNA! I cleaned both Murphy and Hardscrabble for the first time and had a pretty nice ride overall. The start of Murphy's final climb is in better shape than years past. Hardscrabble was about the same and Mineral bottom was fine. A few inches of moon dust on the corners, but otherwise no big deal. My boys rode about 15mi total, including the descent off Murphy for 6mi and through a bunch of sand leaving Labrynth yesterday morning. Proud dad!

[Danno]

Great meeting you, mang! Glad you had a good run.

Our trip was fun but kind of a mess, one person bailed 36 hours before the trip, my GF bailed the day we were leaving because her dad died (she didn't need me for support, but she had to go deal with stuff), then 2 more people had their truck die just a few miles from the start. So we ended up being just 5 people with 2 rigs. Super dry and dusty, and hot! But good times overall.

Murphys was in great shape, Hardscrabble was more challenging but actually not as sandy as in some years (the Labyrinth side of the road from Hardscrabble was crazy sandy).

Got a little northern lights action the first night!



Things got dirty

[Canada1]

The drought has led to alot more sand (moondust). Plan on it taking about an extra hour. With the construction on Schaffers you needed to be through the switch backs before 7:30 or afrter 3:30. That led to the place being deserted. I saw one other dude on a lauf gravel bike. Mad props to him. I was getting bogged down with 2.4's. I can't immagine slogging through that fluff with gravel tires.

[jummo]

How did everyone do in the feeding frenzy that is the permit process on Sunday? We got shut out last year and didn't go for the first time in many years. This year we were fortunate and got our preferred itinerary, even got Murphy A! It is too bad that the whole thing is over in 15 seconds. Forty years ago, you could show up at the Ranger station all packed and ready and pick your sites off a grease board hanging on the wall. Nowadays, not so much. Anyone else book a trip?

[EWG]

Yup. Two different fall weekends with two different groups. As you say, it moves damn quick these days.

2 night trips so no Murphy’s for us.

[evdog]

Yeah the permit sellouts are annoying. If you can be flexible you can sometimes score them last minute as people cancel. Thats how I was able to do WR a couple years back.

Last fall I got a permit for Rae Lakes loop, one of the harder Sierra permits to get. A single one came open when they were completely booked up. When I got to the trailhead to grab permit and start my hike the trailhead was mostly empty. Ranger said tons of people dont show up after Labor Day.

[Name Redacted]

Saw a few groups doing some supported trips around in the Swell last week. If ya can't get a permit for WR that could be a cool backup option. In fact I think it'd probably be cooler. Less rules and BS.

[hick]

Just did WRIAD yesterday. Seems like the best of everything. Easy to get a permit for the day (got one the day before). Rode it Counter clockwise. We would choose to get pavement section and Shafer out of the way early if doing it again. The people were annoying on those sections, otherwise it was a fantastic ride with very few people out there!


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