Dusy-Ershim Trail

tr1200 · Jul 7, 2008

I'm planning to do the Dusy-Ershim trail in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Risky1, who lives in my part of Cali, probably knows of the trail. It's usually visited by specialized 4x4 "rockcrawlers" and is probably better ssuited for a trials bike. It's 30 miles one-way and climbs as high as 9800' altitude.

I was at the Kaiser Pass (north) end several weeks back. Gate was locked, but somehow me and a 95 DR350 got around and did the first 8 miles, then back as I was by myself and it got gnarly. I'd like to gear the Berg way down and get an electric fan and go for it (as soon as it is officially open that is).

Anyone here interested or have experience on this route? Risky1, are you game? If we do it, we should get a helmet-cam. Could be entertaining.

Cheers-
Tom

risky1 · Jul 8, 2008

I am game, however, did you hear the rumors about the guy who went to moab and made the most novice rider look like a pro trials rider...I have a buddy who knows the trail well and would be game to bring his 4x as a support vehicle. how about hitting some of the more mundane stuff in the near future?

ned37 · Jul 8, 2008

how about hitting some of the more mundane stuff in the near future?

ah, jared, 'tis the voice of reason comin' forth :thumb:

tr1200 · Jul 8, 2008

Well, "mundane" works for me too. That silty hiilclimb up to MacKenzie ridge we tried last time (your brother-in-law made it about 1/3 of the way) isn't as hard as we made it. It wasn't easy, but we could link that up with Old Shay Railroad.

But in the meantime- working with your friends schedule for a good chase vehicle and local knowledge would be great. If you hear of the trail opening b4 I do, plz let me know.

Good to hear from you-
Tom

Brendan · Jul 8, 2008

When do you plan on doing this? I hope you like riding rocks, because that is all there is on that route. I went up there once, and the gate was closed, but we just rode around it. A trials bike would be a lot more fun on that route, in my opinion. The scenery is among the best. I have not completed the whole route, but have ridden from the kaiser side with my sister & dad, and also from the Courtwright side. I think the Courtwright side is worse than the Kaiser side. Be prepared to break stuff. It is the most technical route I have yet seen in this part of the sierras. The altitude makes things a little tougher, too.

tr1200 · Jul 8, 2008

Brendan-
I went around the gate on the Kaiser Pass side and rode 8 miles. It wasn't that bad on the north side, but I hear it gets worse. My friend started from the Courtright side last weekend on a DRZ and munched some stuff within 5 miles and said it's very rocky and difficult at that end. Another guy I know has done the whole thing twice; once on a XR500, once on a XL600. He suggests north-to-south being the more doable direction.

As far as when, I was thinking after MotoGP at Laguna Seca. The trail should be open by 2nd weekend in August (?). What do you guys think?

Tom

risky1 · Jul 9, 2008

I feel you need to start north to south as well, one reason is that to walk out you are already headed down hill :lol: but the other is many of the REALLY technical sections are much easier going down rather than up. My buddy has been a rider for his whole life and has done the D-E three times on a MC and swore he would never do it again on a bike. Dusy Ershim is just one giant boulder after another, although you can't get better scenery and the fishing up there is OUTSTANDING! I have done it it a few times in a borrowed land cruiser and my buddy in his Jeep, but hot damn I really can't afford to break the bike to bad right now. even a good 4x can't make the whole 33 miles in one day it is 1-2 miles an hour, if that, on 99% of the trail.

He said he would chase in his jeep though.... if we were willing he is.... he was up there Saturday and said the gate was open?

Jared

tr1200 · Feb 18, 2010

hello all- haven't been on here for awhile. as a preview of dusy-ershim, i went with a group to do the rubicon this past june. broke some ribs and had to ride out the last 8 miles on the back of my buddy's klr650.....that's right, i rode ***** on a klr on the rubicon! anyhow, after enduring the most miserable rock-fest ride of my life, i've decided the entire Dusy trail would be too much. my poor berg will never be the same.

risky1, remember that hillclimb that your bro'-in-law showed us up on? finally made it up and it get's you into some great riding area (Millwood OHV) even when the gate's locked elsewhere.

anyhow-
Cheers-
Tom

Dusy-Ershim Trail

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