What's going on in SoCal Thread

If anyone is interested, this is going on today

 

So I ended up hitting up Sierra Paloma Ridge thanks to a rec in another thread. It's a really good beginner friendly trail and it is decent length. It terminates at Lake Bouquet reservoir. There are a lot of motocross riders in the area and I saw quite a few ATVs. This worked out nicely as it is only about 1.5 hours from my place so pretty convenient. Here are a few pics.

 

Im going to have to check this trail out. Never heard of it before, but I like trails that have some length to them.

 

According to Gaia I drove 29.75 miles and it took 3.75 hours. I took a few pit stops to take pics and deal with when nature called. I went pretty slowly on the way out and felt more confident so went much faster on the way back. For the record "much faster" topped out around 20ish MPH. I will definitely plan on checking it out again.

 

Its a nice area. The Texas Canyon rock climbing area near the entrance off Sierra Highway has about 160 bolted sport climbs now. The top of the ridge will get snow after a cold storm rolls through making for some fun snow wheeling. I live off Bouquet Canyon so its only about 15 mins away.

 

It's a great area. I saw one offshoot that was a very steep downhill when near the top of the ridge and I could not imagine trying to navigate that path. Is that the main difference between the easy/beginner paths and the advanced ones? I saw a few signs that said "most difficult" so I do wonder what exactly you are getting yourself into with those routes. Thanks again for the suggestion and the link to the FunTreks site.

EDIT:
I somehow missed the sports climbing part of your post. We go to Joshua Tree for rock climbing but it is nice to know there are a lot of options in this area. I have a couple friends I am starting to rock climb with so this is great to know. Are you into rock climbing?

 

The fun trek books are worth the money in my opinion. There are really only two 4x4 trails at Rowher Flats, most are ATV or motorcycle. The Rowher trail is the easier of the two. Here is dirtnation starting from the reservior side. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YwIDTKQjbP8
The one rocky section can cause tip overs if going down it with a bad line, going up it is not too bad. Most beginners crash when they lose brakes going down towards the staging area not using 4WL and 1st gear. When the fluid in the brake caliper boils it all over.

The lookout Trail is scary, it goes straight up to the top. If you dont make it up, good luck backing down. A crash on the Lookout Trail resulted in a vehicle going 1500 ft down with a fatality. Edit - This video like most videos does not really show how steep the road really is. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nz0K2pXj4Sw

Drinkwater Flats off San Francisquito Canyon has more moderate trails. I dont get outside to climb too much anymore but do enjoy staying in shape at Topout climbing gym.

 

Ran up Nate Harrison. Nothing crazy technically speaking, but fun nonetheless. Views are awesome!

 

How are the On-Road manners of the Yokohamas?

 

Great! Balance well, sometimes you do feel a slight wander when you hit a bump in the road, but that’s really any larger MT tire. Noise level is low for being an MT. Does well in rain as well. No complaints really.

 

Nice! How do you like the Kumhos?

 

Not sure if anyone here has heard, but there will be a big Cars & Coffee (Overland Edition) on May 1st by Pit+Paddock in Rancho.

Facebook Event Page:

 

Took my first trip out to Cleghorn today. Just me and the dog so kept away from most of the offshoots. Dry, windy and hot out there. Excited to take another trip with some company and when it’s cooler. Gotta say the 4Runner handled everything like a champ and can’t wait to test it a bit more with a spotter and more experience… some of those side trails are HAIRY.

 

Next time you plan a trip out to cleghorn let me know I’ll be down to join if I’m free

 

Any of you guys do this trail?

 

not yet but I hear it’s a good scenic drive and the trail itself is pretty easy.

 

Yep, did it on Father’s Day. Very easy and some stellar views. In the middle there is a red rock playground that you can get into some more technical stuff. Lots of fun and a few spots to camp.

 

I’m gonna have to check it out probably spend a night maybe when it starts cooling down.

 

Took a trip out to Joshua Tree yesterday. Started in Indio and went out Berdoo Canyon Trail. Really nice trail with a few obstacles in the middle that required proper tire placement and line; went solo with the pup again so I had to set the brake and get out and check my line a few times to be safe. Overall it’s probably an easy to moderate route.

Lots of offshoots and places to shoot (if you’re into that). Definitely worth the trip if you’re in the area especially now that temps are dropping.

 

I took off early morning and did the Pioneer Town to Big Bear trail via Burns Canyon Rd. Burns Canyon Rd was fairly easy looks like some of the folk that live off the grid up there maintain the road. The turnoff into SN02 to Big Bear is not maintained and showed some wear from the rain we had last week. Deep ruts, lots of protruding rocks, the trail gets very narrow when going to the top and turn out are far in between. I was going up and kind of following some guys in newer Chevy’s that had trouble on some steep rocky, rutted inclines. I watched the line they were taking and did the opposite, with 4LO the 4runner ate those inclines up like PacMan. I would rate the trail as Moderate definitely not easy and there are portions that a higher clearance vehicle is preferable. Great scenic drive thru desert than forested area with Snow! There was quite a bit of snow at Big Bear for early November.

 

Hey y 'all,
I'm trying to get a group of people to hit up Anza-Borrego on 01/07/2023 and I want to extend the invite!

Please visit the link below to comment if you're interested in joining:

https://www.4runners.com/threads/new-year-trail-run-socal-anza-borrego-01-07-23.29113/

 

If any of you SoCal guys are interested, I’ve got a group buy going on for a full regear. $1600 parts and labor for a 4wd. Normal price is around $2500

https://www.4runners.com/threads/regear-group-buy-open-to-all-makes-models.30345/

 

Morning, Runners! I am planning on a trip to the Sierra, this week. I am planning on a trip to Fish Creek & Monache Meadows (maybe, as last time up, the jeep trail was closed). I am leaving Wednesday(9AUG23), or as late as Thursday morning. I'm planning on staying through Saturday. Anyone is more than welcome to join me. I'm sure to see some 4Rs up there, although I like going during the week to avoid the crowds.

 

Fish Creek

 

South Fork Kern River @ Kennedy Meadows Bridge.

 

Wild Rose Trail

 

Just back from traveling to the high country. Weather was amazing! I will post some pics, of my trip to Monache Meadows, via the Monache Jeep Trail.

 

close to Granite Knob Trail, cutoff.

 

Large number of big pines, blew across the trail. All clear.