Lake Hawley trail run

******** This post and dates are from 2018. 2019 dates are on page 9 ***********Hey guys, this trip is on again. They had to cancel last year due to the amount of snow up there. This trip is a great time, its not technical or lengthy, but it is awesome. Its kids age 10-17 that are physically disabled. They have a camp at a lake that is only accessible by 4x4. Stock trucks can make it, the first time I went I was in my 1 ton dodge on 35s and had no trouble. Anyhow, last time (2014) I tried to go, I ended up selling my taco and wasn't able to make it. This year barring something catastrophic, I am in. They are always looking for people on the last weekend, so I will volunteer for that. I also want in inbound trip because I haven't got to do one of those yet. I hear the younger kids which is the first trip is tons of fun, but they are all fun. I'll have the 80, so I can either pile tons of people in it, or leave the 3rd row seats out and stack some gear. Hopefully some of you guys can make it. Here is the letter from the guy who runs the transportation. His email is at the bottom.

Dear group leaders and 4×4 drivers,

It’s time to plan for rounding up the rigs and hauling some kids to and from camp.

This is an opportunity to offer your time, talent, and rigs to help put smiles on the faces of those less fortunate than us – some physically challenged kids.

Camp Nejedly is looking for a bunch of 4x4ers that would be willing to transport kids and their wheelchairs and gear plus counselors and their gear on a two hour trek to and/or from camp in the High Sierras. The campsite is a bit remote so you need a capable 4×4 with a little clearance and 4low, a KIA Sportage made it several years ago. Most of the trail is easy with just two really challenging spots. The trail is only 11 miles but we take it really slow to keep them safe, so if you are looking for a thrill, please not with these kids.

The dates for the treks are as follows:

July 28, Saturday at 11:45 am Graeagle Community Church – inbound.

August 4, Saturday at 10 am at Hawley Lake – outbound.

August 5, Sunday at 11:45 am Graeagle Community Church – inbound.

August 11, Saturday at 10 am at Hawley Lake – outbound.

If you would like to participate, please have space available in your rig for at least 1 camper and 1 counselor and maybe some gear. We would like to make sure that everyone that participates has a great time, so we are asking for a little cooperation and a little information beforehand so we can plan. If you really want a camper in your rig, just say so and we will try our hardest to make it happen, especially for the first-timers. If you have been one of the very valued transporters in the past, maybe you can reach back in your memory banks to remember the special feeling from those huge smiles to make sure a newbie has the same experience.

Now for the tough part, group leaders you are an awesome part of this program. We need space for 47 campers and counselors and their stuff on the opening inbound trip, July 28 and the closing outbound trip, August 11. All of the people and gear go in or come out on those days. The middle weekend, August 4 and 5 are a little lighter since some of the counselors will stay in camp over the weekend.

I know it seems like a lot to ask for a commitment for a volunteer outing, but these kids need us and our rigs to get them to and from camp. The payoff is huge. These kids get such a big kick out of being like regular kids on an off-road adventure. The smiles you put on their faces will stay with you forever.

So, leaders and any 4×4 enthusiasts out there, please circulate this information to get the word out to come and help some kids that really need our help.

The first inbound trip is pretty full with Diablo 4 Wheelers and Hills Angels groups. And the middle weekend is covered by Grass Valley 4×4 club and some folks from RV West. The last day of camp has been the FJ Norcal and Tahoe-Donner groups plus some locals. For individuals that email me to sign-up, please be flexible and patient as I need to fill- in large groups first then add you where needed. I am hoping that several locals will participate helping take the kids out of camp. But we still need some folks from down in the valley or beyond just in case the bus is overloaded with gear.

To recap our needs:

July 28 – 30 vehicles

August 4 & 5 – 25 vehicles each day

August 11 – 30 vehicles

We will need a list of the vehicles, color, opened or closed, number of extra passengers, and if there is room for gear.

And a little suggestion/hint – get a cb radio and preferably a ham radio to communicate in the wilderness. Cell phones don’t work and cb’s are spotty.

We also want to make sure we alternate experienced drivers with rookies and keep the driver behind you in your rear-view mirror to make sure nobody gets lost.

See you on the trail,

Jay Fukushima

jfukushima@aol.com

Transportation Coordinator

Camp Nejedly

831-758-8077

P.S. It really won’t hurt my feelings if you don’t respond until after April 17t

Here is the thread from the year we went.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/trail-run-end-of-july-beginning-of-august.281274/

Here is the thread from the year I couldn't make it.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/lake-hawley-trail-run.311149/

 

Fun trip. @EDDO and I did it the year before last. Just watch your speed on 80 getting there. ...

 

@Noahs2015Taco @Porter707 @rob1208
This was a great trip in 2016; helped with the last day outbound then came home by way of Poker Flat. Kids were great and super appreciative.
@skidooman - count me in for August 11

 

Awesome thanks for the tag @EDDO

I can for sure commit to the August 5th run as I've got Sunday-Tuesdays off from work.

Looking forward to this, was bummed it was canceled last year due to all of the snow!

EDIT: @tacomgee @Bentrodder You guys interested?

 

@skidooman Count me in for August 11 also.
@EDDO

 

Good to see we'll be well represented. Coords from last time:
Hawley Lake: Lat: 39.682575 Lon: -120.709641
Staging area for run to lake: Lat: 39.756978 Lon: -120.697688
Graeagle Community Church: Lat: 39.773008 Lon: -120.623295

 

I’m definitely interested but I’ll have to confirm my available date a week or so from
Now.

 

Hey Eddo, thanks for tagging me, I will check my calendar to see if August 11th works and get back to you shortly.

 

I have a pretty capable tacoma. As of right now I could be good for the first inbound and last outbound support.

 

Eddo when do you plan on driving up? Friday August 10th? Or are you driving super early on August 11th. I'm 90% confident I just need to iron out some details.

 

@EDDO

 

I'll be rolling out super early on August 11.

 

Is going through Truckee the fastest route for you guys? I am an hour east of Reno, so about 3 hours from Graeagle, I am contemplating camping up there somewhere the night before if anyone has ideas about that, I would be down.

 

Hey TJ, my preference is to camp over night on August 10th some what near the Saturday staging area. I don't trust myself to get up at 4am and driving 4 hours from the bay area. If you find a camp site close to the staging area let me know. Or even to your suggestion, camping near Truckee works too.

 

Has anyone emailed Jay and heard back from him? I emailed, but did not hear back. I know he's a busy guy, so maybe mine just slipped through the cracks. If no one has, maybe I need to dig a little deeper.

 

Haven't emailed. Please keep us informed here as information develops.

 

I emailed him again, I'll let you guys know if he writes back. I can only do one weekend now, the last one(aug 11) is the one I know they always need help with so I am in for that one. There are quite a few campgrounds up there. There are a few between Truckee and Graeagle. There is also a regular one at Gold Lake, and a 4wd only campground at gold lake. There is also about one at every little lake up there. Or if people want to split the drive up a little and camp closer to Truckee, then meet up in the morning with others that's cool too. If anyone is still planning on camping, is there a preference? Let me know.

 

Let me check my calendar but I think I'd be in.

 

Is it weird to quote myself? I'm concerned about the fact that I have a first gen access cab and they want 2 passengers in every rig. Think someone would fit in the little back seat I have? Or willing to ride in the bed since i have a shell?