Originally Posted by
Bacciagalupe
If you're only going for a weekend, you can easily fit everything into 2 panniers. (Assuming that you have a down sleeping bag and an inflatable pad.)
If they aren't Ortliebs or truly waterproof, I'd line the panniers with garbage bags.
FWIW I'd rather just stick the off-road tires onto the CrossCheck and leave 'em on. They won't slow you down all THAT much, especially since you'll be climbing a lot. I personally wouldn't want to bother changing tires twice in the middle of the trip.
If it rains, I probably won't ride. A least up the hill. Knowing the people I'm camping with, I might be camping alone if it rains.
Changing tires is no biggie if someone brings a floor pump. I'm only bringing the knobbies if others bring their mtb's and want to go offroad on Saturday. And the ride up may be uphill, but back down to San Jose on Sunday might temp me to break some speed limits.