Hollister Hills

It was fun. I was impressed with the Tacoma on stock very used tires

 

Upper ranch closed September 13 14 15 for special events.

 

I am entered in the Esprit de Four 4X4 Training Course on Saturday. I will be camping at Area 5 Friday and Saturday.

 

That sounds cool what do they teach?

 

Hoping to get some fundamentals out of it, since I know only very little. Also get 2 nights camping and a BBQ on Saturday.

Classroom instruction consists of a narrated slide presentation: Topics such as back roads driving etiquette, how to avoid dangerous situations, and getting your vehicle unstuck are discussed. Students are encouraged to ask questions and participate in classroom discussions. A demonstration related to vehicle recovery basics is also provided.

Trails rated as "easy" to "moderately-difficult" are driven in the park where you will be able to put your newly acquired off-road driving skills to use. Students and their vehicles will be divided into groups and guided by instructors along well marked routes. CB radios are helpful in communicating directly with the trail guides as well as other students.

One-on-one instruction will be provided to guide you and your vehicle through Tire Placement, Stair Steps, Frame Twister, Hill Climb, and Off-camber exercises. While students are encouraged to drive through all of the obstacles in order to get the most from this hands-on clinic, full participation is never mandatory.

Esprit de Four conducts two safety clinics per year: one during the Spring and one during the Fall. Each clinic is approximately eight hours long and is held on a Saturday or Sunday at Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreational Area in Hollister Hills, California.

 

Sounds great I think I ran with you at the Rummy run a few months ago. Have fun I can’t do the 2 days this weekend but maybe another time. Happy trails

 

Yes we did...

 

Out of curiosity, what was the registration cost for this?

 

I know you didn't ask me but I was researching it too.

https://espritdefour.club/clinic-faq

Looks like $70 and they have another one in May 2020.

 

Awesome, thank you.

 

This event was fun and informative.

Saturday started at 9am with a shuttle ride to the Hollister Hills main entrance, where an air conditioned classroom was provided. The slideshow/lecture period lasted about 2.5 hours and ended with a shuttle ride back to Area 5 for a quick lunch. After lunch, your group heads off to the trails, obstacles and courses. There were 4 groups of 10 vehicles. Each lead by an instructor, with a mid-instructor and tail-end instructor. We all communicated by FRS radio.

The event ended around 5pm and a BBQ was provided.

 

I might be going out to HH tomorrow and looking over the map of rated trails, which ones could a stock prerunner do? The only real mod I've done is a high clearance bumper so no lifts, skids, or sliders. I'm guessing the green easy ones will be perfectly fine, but are any of the blue moderates do-able? Just trying to make a plan.

 

I'll probably just tie a loaded cooler next to the tailgate, but unfortunately I dont have the equipment air back up outside of my house. Trip has been moved to sunday though if anyone wants to join.

 

They have free air at the ranger station where you pay to get in and then pass by on your way out. I can’t make it this weekend unfortunately. I think You should be fine with a prerunner on all the blues I went on but you’ll have to rely on speed rather than low gear...

 

Thanks for the tips, sounds like it should be fun as long as I'm careful about when to stomp on it lol. Thanks

 

I'm still planning when I'll get there, trying to coordinate with friends. I'm thinking maybe 10-11ish? I've got work till 2am the night before and Hollister isabout 3.5 hours away. My friends and I are a fairly inexperienced group of ~20 year olds so just a heads up.

 

I maybe down. Where you guys meeting and when?
Inexperienced but been there once and got stuck lol

 

Depending on traffic trying to get there between 10-11. We will likely meet at the ranger station to check out any maps and if the air compressors are working etc.

 

What sliders are those?

 

One will be in a Nissan frontier 4x4, and if the other guy shows, he says he has a 4x4 chevy but I've never seen either of them. This will be my first time going out with them.