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New to NorCal and to off roading.

Discussion in 'Northern California' started by ReformedFordOwner, Sep 10, 2017.

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  1. Sep 10, 2017 at 12:42 AM
    #1
    ReformedFordOwner

    #1
    ReformedFordOwner [OP] Active Member

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    Hey everyone. My wife and I moved here from St. Petersburg, FL. 3 months ago. Looks like it was a very good idea right now due to Irma. Anyways, I have a 17 Taco 4x4 Sport. It's bone stock. I took it on some clay trails in FL. once. They were fairly ruff and she did very well considering it has shit stock sport tires and I'm not experienced. I wanted to do more but that was the closest off-road park and it was hours away and was ugly as hell. Nothing to see there. Just trails in a dull FL. forest. I am looking to do some beginner stuff here. Any suggestions? Not really interested in "group" rides. My wife and I want to explore together and overland/camp. Any suggestions?
     
    ReformedFordOwner, Sep 10, 2017
    #1
    Anderson likes this.
  2. Sep 10, 2017 at 1:12 AM
    #2
    Thesandaddict

    #2
    Thesandaddict The dude

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    Harley
    West Covina, CA
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    2010 tundra bro-dozer
    Carnegie hills
    Foresthill ohv trails
    Frank raines park

    Bunch of great trails inland. Dunno where you are exactly but when i was in Grass Valley there were miles of trails up there
     
    Thesandaddict, Sep 10, 2017
    #2
    gargamel05, camdenthekid and ReformedFordOwner[OP] like this.
  3. Sep 10, 2017 at 3:02 AM
    #3
    Anderson

    #3
    Anderson Dudemanbro

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    The overlandbound website has a ton of shared info/maps for getting out there. Good luck and welcome to the better coast.
     
    Anderson, Sep 10, 2017
    #3
    Tac0maSteve and ReformedFordOwner[OP] like this.
  4. Sep 10, 2017 at 7:25 AM
    #4
    physicshammer

    #4
    physicshammer Well-Known Member

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    Jeff
    Santa Clara
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    2012 Baja with 1" extra lift and AAL rear springs
    sliders, larger stock size tires, Baja suspension plus 1" extra
    I would recommend this book:

    $20 Guide to California Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails
    https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Califo...1505053322&sr=8-2&keywords=california+offroad

    This one I don't have but might also be very good:

    California Desert Byways: 68 of California's Best Backcountry Drives
    https://www.amazon.com/California-D...1505053322&sr=8-1&keywords=california+offroad

    It's a little bit of a drive to get to these places - but what I do next is, at least with the first book, type in the GPS coordinates for the trailhead that I want to go to , and then start following the directions. You should be able to do any green trail in the book with ease, and blue trails might be a bit of a stretch on a stock Tacoma - but not too much.. There would be some chance of small damage - little pinstriping or little dings, etc.

    I also downloaded Gaia GPS tracking for my phone and iPad, and then I download a map (Gaia topo maps or USPS forest service) that shows the roads you'll be on. I verify those roads on the downloaded map before going. Gaia can take a little while to learn but it's a good program.
     
    physicshammer, Sep 10, 2017
    #4
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  5. Sep 10, 2017 at 9:52 AM
    #5
    tan4x4

    #5
    tan4x4 Well-Known Member

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    Folsom, CA
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    Bilsteins, OME 881's, 3-leaf AAL, Detroit TruTrac, Tundra brake swap, Michelin LTX AT2, Tranny skidplate, TC skidplate, CBI rear bumper, TG sliders, UltraGauge, PowerTank, Reverse Camera
    There are lots of easy dirt/gravel roads in any national forest, that a Honda Accord would have no trouble with.

    If you want a more challenging experience, try any road that is labeled ''4wd" or "Jeep". Many of those are suitable for a stock rig (except for the real tough trails like Rubicon, Fordyce, Barrett Lake, Deer Valley, etc).
     
    tan4x4, Sep 10, 2017
    #5
    ReformedFordOwner[OP] and Anderson like this.
  6. Sep 10, 2017 at 7:56 PM
    #6
    ironslug22

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    ironslug22 Well-Known Member

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    I got my taco in March and still haven't taken it off road, new to this truck stuff too.
    Gone camping but that's it nothing off road. Still love the truck tho.
     
    ironslug22, Sep 10, 2017
    #6
    ReformedFordOwner[OP] likes this.
  7. Sep 10, 2017 at 9:55 PM
    #7
    wtfpenguin

    #7
    wtfpenguin Well-Known Member

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    Menlo Park, CA
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    2010 + 2013 MGM Taco 4x4 OR
    Gold Lake 4x4 Camp
    Prewitt Ridge

    Both suitable for stock 4x4 with stock tires
     
    wtfpenguin, Sep 10, 2017
    #7
    Tac0maSteve likes this.
  8. Sep 11, 2017 at 5:12 PM
    #8
    CalTacoma09

    #8
    CalTacoma09 Well-Known Member

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    A lot of crap and too much money spent
    Welcome to the west coast. :thumbsup:
    Not sure where you are located in Norcal so kind of hard to point you to locations. if your in the bay you could go to Hollister hills. Or head to the sierra's for trails up in that area, Poker flat is moderate and has a decent place to camp.

    The books physicshammer mentioned is nice you can use the books to explore.
     
    CalTacoma09, Sep 11, 2017
    #8
  9. Nov 9, 2017 at 6:44 PM
    #9
    El Taco Diablo

    #9
    El Taco Diablo Professional Pinstriper

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    Matt - KN6DZP
    Hughson, CA
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    Just 3 tons of fun!!!
    Welcome to Cali... many of us, that are long term residents, will be thinking "Why the hell would you move to this crap State?"

    But you're here, so might as well make the best of it :thumbsup:

    What part of CA are you (re)located in? Location might help narrow down places where we suggest you check out.
     
    El Taco Diablo, Nov 9, 2017
    #9
  10. Nov 10, 2017 at 8:56 AM
    #10
    Anderson

    #10
    Anderson Dudemanbro

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    Speak for yourself...

    Welcome to the greatest state in the union my friend. I love visiting the state of Hawaii. But, glad I live here. We have everything from desert terry rain to rainforests. Mountains to beaches. Explore and have a great time while you are here.
     
    Anderson, Nov 10, 2017
    #10
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  11. Nov 10, 2017 at 9:10 AM
    #11
    otis24

    #11
    otis24 Hard Shell Taco

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    I've lived in 9 states and driven cross country 4x and rode a bicycle mostly across once. I've been to every state except Alaska, South Dakota and Nebraska. I believe CA is one of the best states in the country.

    This^
     
    otis24, Nov 10, 2017
    #11
    Overlanerd, CalTacoma09 and Anderson[QUOTED] like this.
  12. Nov 10, 2017 at 9:19 AM
    #12
    El Taco Diablo

    #12
    El Taco Diablo Professional Pinstriper

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    Just 3 tons of fun!!!
    Apparently some of the natives don't have much of a sense of humor. :crapstorm:
     
    El Taco Diablo, Nov 10, 2017
    #12
    Overlanerd, CalTacoma09, Anderson[QUOTED] and 1 other person like this.
  13. Nov 10, 2017 at 9:50 AM
    #13
    otis24

    #13
    otis24 Hard Shell Taco

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    Lol...that is true.
     
    otis24, Nov 10, 2017
    #13
    Anderson likes this.
  14. Nov 10, 2017 at 10:22 AM
    #14
    Anderson

    #14
    Anderson Dudemanbro

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    I can vouch for that...
     
    Anderson, Nov 10, 2017
    #14
  15. Nov 10, 2017 at 1:10 PM
    #15
    scocar

    #15
    scocar hypotenoper

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    Hey you idiots, the OP is asking about trails in California. Please knock it off.
     
    scocar, Nov 10, 2017
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    Alexely999 and Tee Arghhhhhh Dee like this.
  16. Nov 10, 2017 at 1:10 PM
    #16
    jberry813

    #16
    jberry813 Professional Fluffer Moderator

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    ...too much shit to list.
    Staaaaaaahhhhppp!

    Politics don't belong here.
     
    jberry813, Nov 10, 2017
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  17. Nov 10, 2017 at 1:11 PM
    #17
    scocar

    #17
    scocar hypotenoper

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    Those are both great guides. I have them both.
     
    scocar, Nov 10, 2017
    #17
  18. Nov 10, 2017 at 1:12 PM
    #18
    mjp2

    #18
    mjp2 Living vicariously through myself Moderator

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    Cleaned up so there can actually be an discussion. Weird concept, I know.
     
    mjp2, Nov 10, 2017
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  19. Nov 10, 2017 at 1:13 PM
    #19
    Anderson

    #19
    Anderson Dudemanbro

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    We have The Rubicon Trail( recognized worldwide and immortalized in the Jeep Wangler namesake).

    There is The Dusy Ershime trail, Slickrock, Forbidden Lake, Fordyce... man, so many awesome places to get away to!
     
    Anderson, Nov 10, 2017
    #19
  20. Nov 10, 2017 at 1:21 PM
    #20
    scocar

    #20
    scocar hypotenoper

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    Rubicon? Really?
     
    scocar, Nov 10, 2017
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