OK, it looks like most of the interest is in a Saturday day-run. So here's the game plan:

Bay-area folks: meet by 7:00am at the McDonald's on Santa Rita Rd. in Pleasanton. We will leave there promptly at 7:00am, so if you're late, just catch up in Jackson.

Those of you who find Pleasanton to be out of your way, but don't want to drive Hwy88 solo can meet the bay area group at the McDonald's on the north side of Hwy88, a couple of blocks east of Hwy99. We'll swing by and pick you up, probably sometime around 8:00. If you're still alone by 8:15, head to Jackson; the bay area caravan has either passed by already or is very behind schedule.

The rest meet at the Safeway parking lot in Jackson at 9:00am. (Jackson is about 2 hours from Pleasanton.) There we will stock up on food and drink for the trail and remove step rails/mud flaps if necessary. If you're among the first to arrive, try to do any shopping before the rest of us get there to minimize delays.

If we leave by about 9:40, we should be able to reach the trailhead at Bear River Reservoir by 10:30am. We will probably spend a few minutes airing down and making sure we all know how to use the transfer case lever. :p

And then we'll be hittin' the dirt! Woohoo! (except it will be very dusty).

Depending on how much progress we make, we'll stop for lunch before or near the turnaround point. We should be off the trail by 6pm, which gives us enough time to go grab some dinner at Mtn. Mike's Pizza in Jackson (for those who are interested) before heading home.

Communication channels will be CB 16 and FRS 8 (no subcode).

$$-saving tip: Gas in Jackson and along Hwy88 is notoriously higher-priced than its neighboring communities. You will probably burn a good 1/2-tank of gas getting from Jackson to the trail and back, so if you want to save a few bucks, top off at the Beacon at the far east end of Lockeford (big orange sign) on your way up, then fill up there on the way home.

edit: As with all off-highway travel in undeveloped areas, this trip is pack-it-in, pack-it-out. Read that as "leave no solid matter behind". I will bring a portable toilet ( click here for more info ) for emergency use.