Originally published August 7, 2011. This trip report documents a two-day Rubicon Trail adventure with our heavily modified 2011 Kawasaki Teryx, another Teryx and a Polaris RZR XP.
After a quick trip into Little Sluice to test my Kawasaki Teryx with 31-inch light-truck tires, I upgraded the engine to a Muzzys Stage I 916cc V-twin. With little more than a few neighborhood test runs on the new engine, we loaded up for a full weekend on California’s legendary Rubicon Trail.
Joining me were Dave in his Polaris RZR XP and Mike in another Kawasaki Teryx. Dave’s RZR XP was equipped with a Muzzys exhaust, Pro Armor doors, PURE Polaris rocker guards and 30-inch SuperATV Dominator tires. Mike’s Teryx had CST mid-travel suspension, a Muzzys exhaust and Factory UTV 1/2-inch UHMW skid plates.
My 2011 Kawasaki Teryx had undergone extensive modifications during the previous six months, including long-travel suspension, additional protection, 31-inch Pit Bull Growler tires and the new 916cc engine. You can see the complete machine in our 2011 Kawasaki Teryx build.
Our modified 2011 Kawasaki Teryx after a long day on the Rubicon Trail.
Day One: Loon Lake to Cadillac Hill
We left the Loon Lake trailhead at 8:30 a.m. on Friday with a deliberately ambitious goal: travel as far through the Rubicon Trail as possible, turn around and return to Loon Lake before dark.
This was effectively a proof-of-concept run for an idea I called the Rubicon Trail UTV Challenge—covering the primary Rubicon route in both directions during a single day. Attempting that much trail would be considerably easier on a quiet weekday, when oncoming traffic is less likely to slow progress through the major obstacles.
Our early start worked. Traffic had little effect on us until we reached Rubicon Springs and began heading toward Cadillac Hill. At the large switchback, we encountered more than 10 four-wheel-drive vehicles coming down the hill. The group was having difficulty with the descent and ultimately planned to return toward Big Sluice.
Rather than get trapped behind them on our return trip, we turned around and moved ahead of the group. We arrived back at Loon Lake by approximately 4 p.m.—even after I took a side trip through Little Sluice.
Although we did not reach the top of Cadillac Hill, the day demonstrated how much ground a well-prepared UTV could cover on the Rubicon when the machines remained reliable and trail traffic was light.
From Loon Lake to Little Sluice
The trip began at the Loon Lake entrance and crossed the familiar granite terrain near Gatekeeper and the Granite Bowl before continuing through Ellis Creek and toward Little Sluice.
Taking the Kawasaki Teryx Through Little Sluice
Little Sluice was the most technical optional section we attempted during the first day. The Teryx’s 31-inch tires, added ground clearance, underbody protection and controlled low-speed power made it feel much more like a compact rock buggy than a traditional recreation-utility UTV.
The large tires reduced the number of rocks that had to be deliberately driven over and allowed many obstacles to pass underneath the Factory UTV skid plates. Power steering was particularly valuable when trying to position the heavy front tires accurately between rocks.
View the Little Sluice location on Google Maps.
Buck Island Lake
After Little Sluice, we continued toward Buck Island Lake. This section combines exposed granite, ledges and slower technical terrain with one of the Rubicon’s best-known backcountry destinations.
View Buck Island Lake on Google Maps.
Rubicon Springs and Big Sluice
From Buck Island, the route continued toward Rubicon Springs and the bridge across the Rubicon River. Big Sluice provided another sustained technical section as the trail climbed away from the river toward Cadillac Hill.
View the Rubicon Springs bridge on Google Maps.
Day Two: Wentworth Springs and the Post Pile
Our second day was intentionally less ambitious. The Rubicon can be entered from the Loon Lake spillway or by following the historic route through Wentworth Springs. We left Loon Lake, traveled toward Ellis Creek and then turned toward Wentworth Springs Campground.
The major obstacle on this section was the Post Pile. We ran the formation in both directions, giving the Teryx and RZR XP another opportunity to demonstrate their climbing ability, low-speed control and ground clearance.
Going down the Post Pile.
Coming back up the Post Pile.
View Wentworth Springs Campground on Google Maps.
The Original Rubicon Trail UTV Challenge
The challenge I envisioned was to start near Wentworth Springs, travel through the Rubicon to at least Observation Point at the top of Cadillac Hill and then return to the starting point during the same day.
Optional bonus objectives included:
- Taking Little Sluice instead of the bypass.
- Choosing Old Big Sluice instead of the more traditional route across the slabs.
- Starting and finishing at Airport Flat, which also provides a convenient camping location.
- Continuing beyond Observation Point to the Tahoe end of the trail.
This was never an organized or sanctioned event—just an unofficial personal challenge for experienced drivers with properly prepared machines. Anyone attempting the Rubicon should understand that trail obstacles, access rules and conditions can change substantially with weather, maintenance and use.
What the 2011 Teryx Proved
This weekend reinforced what had impressed us throughout the build: the original two-seat Kawasaki Teryx was an exceptionally adaptable technical-trail platform. Its compact dimensions, predictable CVT engagement and V-twin power delivery worked well in the rocks, while the long-travel suspension, 31-inch tires and extensive underbody protection expanded its capabilities considerably.
The 916cc engine provided a major increase in performance, but the Rubicon was not simply a horsepower test. Vehicle placement, steering control, gearing, ground clearance and mechanical durability mattered far more than outright speed.
This project also captures an important period in the history of the Kawasaki Teryx, when enthusiasts were transforming early recreation-utility side-by-sides into increasingly capable rock-crawling and adventure machines.
Important: This article documents trail conditions and obstacles encountered in July 2011. Before planning a trip, verify current access, fire restrictions, seasonal closures and trail conditions through the Rubicon Trail Foundation and the appropriate land-management agencies.
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