Bad Idea to go Off-roading this weekend?

Going up alone was a non-issue. Mild trail, not very many opportunities to get stuck unless you're being an idiot (or playing around trying to get stuck) and there were plenty other folks around to help if needed.

Absolutely beautiful up around Silverwood lake on Pilot Rock trail yesterday morning. I made it to the trailhead about 7:30a. There was one jeep in the parking area but looked like he and his son were airing up so I assume leaving. I headed up and didn't pass a single person coming or going but I wasn't blazing the trail - I assume the jeep had already been up and back down(?). Eventually I hit fresh snow and started making some fresh tracks. The trail narrowed and I was getting bashed by the brush a decent amount - enough to rip off my antenna. Once it looked like there was a real narrow section up ahead I backed to a turnaround and then headed home. Even hit up Brekkie Car Club cars and coffee in Stanton on my way home. Fantastic morning and made me realize I need to make an effort to get out in the snow as much as possible. Dirt is kinda fun but it pales in comparison to snow.

 

I'm not too sure, it was a piece of cake in 4x4 but I'm not really familiar with how the 2wd trucks do in this kinda situation. If the trail was already blazed by others than you'd probably be OK but I'd want to be prepared with chains, a shovel and hopefully a buddy that could help pull you out. I think the trail itself isn't as big of an issue but if you needed to turn around or pull over you could get stuck pretty quick.

 

trails are more fun when wet

 

Did OP do a snow run? I was camping out in Old Dale area and it rained for 12 hours over night. Snow on all the surrounding hills.

 

I found the one guy of the thread who wants to hoof it 8 miles away from civilization in the rain and mud.

 

Those are the ideal conditions! Snow is soft still and no freezing yet. Looked like a blast.

 

Would not do either pilot rock trail in 2wd with snow or after snowfall. Especially with ice forming with above freezing temps now. Did pilot rock with a couple 2wd and they could not make it.

it’s narrow and cliff edge most of the way.

 

I agree with the others, I would not attempt any trail in 2wd that was covered in snow. Rear lockers don't help with snow/ice, in fact they can make it worse by causing the rear end to fishtail. Rear locker will definitely help a 2wd offroad when it's dry though.

 

Yeah, it was great up there! I may hit this trail again or try out one of the Lytle creek trails this weekend if I can find the time early Saturday morning as it looks like we're going to get another good blast of snow. My only other concern is if any of this first snow will create an ice layer below the snow that's coming as that could make things pretty hairy.

 

I tried doing Sheep Creek off Lytle Creek Rd last Sunday with my wife and daughter, there were easily 100+ trucks and SUVs on that trail that day. It was like the 405 during rush hour but offroad. It was horrible. Turned around as soon as we were able to (wasn't easy) and headed out.

 

I saw on social media a guy with a 2wd 4runner made it all the way up Bee Canyon near Hemet. He had some 4wd buddies with him though.

 

It's fun watching inexperienced drivers in the snow not understanding that while they may have enough traction to speed up, they don't necessarily have traction to stop or remain in control.

Several of these drivers lucked out and saved it at the intersection and escaped.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jcLEkjeCy4

 

What time did you go? I have no interest in dealing with traffic or crowds so it would be my intention to get up there right around sunrise and hopefully be gone before there are crowds.

When I went up Pilot rock I got there just after sunrise at about 7:30a and it was empty. I got back down by about 9:30a and passed at least a dozen trucks coming up as I came down and the parking lot at the bottom was PACKED - at least 20-30 vehicles.

 

It was later in the day, probably got to the trail at around 1pm. I would imagine it would be much better earlier in the morning, I definitely wouldn't want to go late in the afternoon though...with all those vehicles if someone gets stuck it means everyone gets stuck lol. Would be a nightmare

 

Back when I had my Jeep Rock Crawler I always had fun on 3N93 Holcomb Creek trail . It was more fun in the snow

 

I miss Holcomb. In the 80’s it was fun and uncrowded. But like every trail anywhere near L A it got to be like a freeway at rush hour. And there were always newbies that got jammed up and wouldn’t accept help from more experienced and prepared folks.

Fortunately, there are still parts of the desert that haven’t been overrun yet.

 

I did 1n09 on Saturday. Trail was like clay once it started raining. To be honest, I’m not sure if 2wd would have been able to do it

 

Just looking at the pic, I would say no F'in way a 2wd would make it lol. Looks sketchy even for 4wd and mud tires, looks really slick.

 

Yeah, the only saving grace for that trail is that, if running it west to east, it’s not that steep/ more downhill. If running it the other way there’s a couple steep sections that would have been impossible in 2wd. Definitely started sliding around quite a bit once the tires caked up lol