Just got back from running the Dusy Ershim trail with a group from the San Diego 4 Wheeler club. The Dusy Ershim trail http://www.dirtopia.com/wiki/Dusy_/_Ershim_Trail runs roughly between Yosemite and Kings Canyon National Parks. We met up in Shaver Lake, CA, which is about 1.5 hours East of Fresno. The plan had been to run the Rubicon Trail, but a large fire in the area caused us to change trails at the last minute. We had seven vehicles in our group (two JK's two TJ's, one YJ, one highly modified Cherokee and one highly modified Toyota truck). It took us three days and 23 hours behind the wheel to complete the 33 mile trail. Along the way we had to take care of some vehicular issues (punctured tires, overheating, leaking break line, leaking power steering unit and a dead battery/bad alternator) that are pretty common for a trail as challenging as the Dusy Ershim. The trail itself is beautiful, intense, and unrelenting. It's not for the timid or inexperienced driver. If you're not crawling over boulders or squeezing between hundreds/thousands of trees, you're picking your way through rock gardens and up steep waterfalls. Thompson Hill is a particularly hard obstacle with loose soil, large boulders and slabs of granite that slide around when you drive over them. The various guides say that rear lockers are a must, but I would add that front lockers are a must as well. I got really good at using the front lockers going up the many steep inclines. The trail starts at around 7,000 feet in elevation, winds up to over 10,000 feet and then back down to 8,000 at the end. In between obstacles, there is incredible High Sierra scenery that includes dense pine forests, Alpine meadows and lakes and glaciated solid granite mountain tops. There where a couple of points in the trip where I wondered why I was doing this, but by the end of the trail, the sense of accomplishment and confidence in my rigs ability led me to conclude that I'd definitely run this trail again. Here is a good video of the trail https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqkxVi2D9Ng and here are some pictures:
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Great pics! I remember Dusy being harder than the Rubicon & Sierra Trek. It's been 25 years or so since I did those trails. Fabulous adventure though!!2012 JK 2 Door 2.5" AEV lift/ Fuel Hostage17 x 9 wheels, with Nitto 295x70 x 17 Tires. Warn Vr8000, Elite Bumper, LOD rear bumper, Teraflex tire carrier. Wife's Jeep!
My Jeep. 2014 JKU, 6.4L Hemi AEV kit, 2.5" AEV lift, 35" Duratrac's. Gen Right aluminum bumpers, Warn VR 8000 winch. Pro Rock 44.
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Originally posted by code3lg View PostGreat pics! The Dusy has been on my radar for a long time.
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Originally posted by Richard M View PostThanks for the reports and pictures. You've put this trail back on my radar. Based on your recent adventure, what would be the recommended lift height for a JKUR?Last edited by Rexjc; 10-26-2014, 05:03 PM.
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Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I thought it would be a stretch taking my 2013 JKUR with only an AEV 2.5" lift. We have another JKUR in the family that has been on the Rubicon and Fordyce trails. 6" lift running 37's armored to the max. Just not sure my nephew is going to sell it or not before we can go next summer.
I really enjoy your trip reports. Keep them comming!
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Rex, cool pics! Looks like a bucket list trip...!
BenBen Hedrick
www.BenHedrick.com
HEDRICK Speedsports
"We are a Small Garage with a Big Jeep Problem"
2007 5.7L HEMI Sahara Unlimited - Sold
2010 6.1L HEMI Rubicon Unlimited - Sold
2011 6.4L (392) HEMI Rubicon Unlimited - Sold
2002 4.0L AEV Brute - Sold
2003 6.4L "Stroker" HEMI AEV Brute - Sold
2005 4.0L SC AEV K9 Brute - Sold
2014 345 HEMI Rubicon Xpo Adventurer
2000 4.0L AEV 112 Long Wheelbase
2006 4.0L AEV Brute Rubicon - Sold
2005 570 AEV TJ Brute Wrangler
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