Here is the latest update from Mark:

Angels, The Hawley Lake rescue is a GO for August 21-22. We leave Saturday and return Sunday. The meeting place is the gas station (the only one) at the intersection of US 395 north and Cal SR70, hallaluagh junction. (N39.46.51, W120.2.34) This is about 10 miles north of Bordertown casino on US 395 north. Good place to fuel up, get snacks or whatever. Please be there at or before 9 am, and we'll roll approx. 9:15, after the 15 minute courtesy waiting period. Plan ahead.
From there, we will head west on SR 70 past Portola and exit at Blairsden/Graeagle. We'll then head thru Graeagle passing 'last chance gas' and another market. From there we'll take a right turn onto gold lake road and head to gold lake, exiting at the boat launch site. (N39.41.070, W120.6.52) We'll air down and for the old timers, lock in the hubs. We'll proceed along the south shore of gold lake, passing several choice camp sites. Here is where it gets interesting. Depending on the type of 4x4s that attend, our route from here to gold valley may change. Assuming all are trail capable (= not bone stock) we'll take the scenic switch backs up to the gold lake over look and from there intersect with the ridge road and drop into gold valley via the snake lake/little deer lake trail. We expect to camp at or near snake lake (bring ur snake bite kit, HAHA!). fishing is good here, so if ur inclined, bring ur fishing gear. < if a truly bone stock rig attends, we may have to split up and take different trails, but i think we can get all thru the snake lake short cut. We'll just have to alternate rigs w/ and w/out winches, easy!>
Dinner plans are open. Maybe a pot luck of sorts? Depending on the number of attending rigs, we may be slightly dispersed along the lake shore. No stores, 7-11s or gas stations here, this is primitive camping in a
VERY beautiful area. Pack it in/pack it out. I'll have lots of propane and a two burner stove to do a skillet dinner, likely stir-fry for ease of clean up. If ya want BBQ, someone else needs to bring that. (please, gas only, no charcoals) Side dishes are open, but good stuff to share are deli salads, etc. Several old mines in the area and LOTS of challenging trails close by.
We need to roll from camp no later than 8 am sunday morning. We'll be doing a very light 'contenintial' breakfast. From there, we will descend from snake lake into gold valley, hang a right turn and head up hill one mile to Hawley lake. (N39.40.989, W120.42.648) We'll get into the camp ground and meet with the powers that be, get assigned a rider or two and head out to PESP. Be sure to bring ur trail lunch for sunday. I'm told there will be a suburban or two to carry the chairs, but if u have room for one, that's great.
From Hawley Lake, we head north toward the La Porte road, hang a right and we'll soon be in PESP, where we'll say good bye to our guests. From there, its a downhill paved road 6 miles back to Graeagle and this completes the loop. From there, we may disperse or do something else, depending on interest. We'll be passing Joe's 4x4 ranch, so that's possible. Frenchmans? Maybe a back country run past bear valley loop to sardine valley, dog valley and home. That's open to ideas???
We now have approximately 8 rigs committed, so if u want to join thes public service event (we're supposed to get RGJ coverage) there is still time to go. Just email me off list if u can, but in any event, if u can go, follow the above plan or, if u really know the area, find us along the trail or at snake lake. I have a detailed map of the general area i can fax upon demand. Questions not answered? email me direct.
mb