Beginner off-road trails in socal?

Hey brotha man!!!

Yeah, I've done Santiago Peak numerous times and quite a few of them were solo night runs.


HAHAHAHA, I had to QUICKLY get in my truck before the camera timed out!!!


The only spot I can really think of that wreaks havoc with the 2WD guys is the tiny little hill from the overlook (here in the 2x pictures you see) that goes up and right next to the radio towers you see just behind me. It's maybe about 75yds or so in length, but the dirt/rocks can be super loose!!! Most 2WD guys have to get a mad running start and choose the best line they can before starting to "slip" and lose grip!!!

This is me "cheating" in 4lo... HAHAHAHAHA,


But yeah, if you're pretty new to off-roading, even fire roads can be pretty bad. I've been on fire roads that definitely has SOME challenging spots, but definitely doable. For someone that is new, just not advisable until you get some experience, in my humble opinion.

 

What is Maple Springs like at night? Do you see alot of people at night?

 

Pretty damn dark, but no, I don't see "alot of people at night" and if I do, only 1 or 2. But when I do my solo runs, we're talking about 10pm... starting at the trailhead. Stay for an hour or thereabouts once up at the peak taking pictures, and then come back down either on the 5fwy side (i.e. west side of the mountain) or the 15fwy side (i.e. east side of the mountain).

Btw, I'm saying the obvious of "pretty damn dark" meaning that I don't like to speed through there knowing that people walk/hike or take their dogs out for walks and what not. So, I'm pretty careful when especially rounding corners.

 

Is it hard to see where you are going in the dark? Obviously, you have headlights but still.....Ive never done any trail like that in the dark. Can you see the obstacles pretty easily?

 

There aren't really any "obstacles" on the main road up the mountain, aside from the mountain on one side and the drop on the other.

I used to do it at night all the time in high-school (15 yrs ago) with my old ford ranger, visibility was never an issue. Back then you could go during the middle of the day on a weekend and not see another soul. It's crazy to me how popular it has become.

 

15+ years ago offroading wasn't nearly as trendy as it is today. Thats not to say it wasn't popular but definitely not as trendy as it is now. I remember tons of trails from back in ~2005 around the San Gabriel mountains where you could explore for hours or days and not see another person. Forest service access roads/fire roads without gates. These days those trails are all locked off. Pretty much zero offroading in the San Gabriel Forest nowadays except for Azusa OHV which is lame as hell, or Rincon Truck Trail which is nice but basically just an 8 mile dirt road.

Which is a shame but I can understand why, with how many people are out there right now looking to get offroad it would be a constant headache for the Forest Service to have to accommodate and deal with the aftermath of all that traffic. Which is why we're pretty much limited to OHV parks and 4x4 designated trails, unless you get out to the desert or remote areas of the mountains farther away from the big cities.

 

Yeah, I highly agree that there are really "no obstacles" to speak of.

Maple Springs Road is literally a paved road, some potholes to look out for, a bit windy, very narrow road, and growth on either side. Both during the day and night, just be careful to not go stupid fast as there are definitely some "blind spots" and be on the look out for hikers/bikers/motorcycles especially. During the night, almost next to no one, but just always use caution either way. Just my humble opinion.

But yeah, other than that, as soon as you hit dirt going up to the peak, the only thing you will experience from time to time is loose dirt, ruts, and small "potholes"/pits.

Definitely a nice place for a beginner offroader.

I'd be willing to do a run with some of you for a night run, but my truck is having, possibly, tranny related issues as of this past Sunday. So, I will be out for weeks to months until I can afford it to get fixed.

Anyways, hope this helps clear up some things?

 

Azusa for the 8 dollar show

 

I have not been to Azusa OHV in over 20 years. Watching all the big Fords and Chevys mudding was fun! Is it still the same?

 

Its still the same. That's really all there is to do there

 

Up here in the High Desert there's many miles of open trails to explore . Especially the area NE of Lucerne Valley up to the Barstow/ Daggett area

 

Trying to find something close to LA for a day trip. I’ve been to Gorman dirt bike riding a handful of times, but never in the truck. Not looking for anything super technical just want to get out of the city and get the truck dirty. Is Gorman worth it? Looks like they have a bunch of trails but I was wondering what you all think?

 

Gorman is basically all fire roads for trucks, with a couple trails that have one or two 4x4 rated hills. But mostly just a network of fire roads.

If you're in north LA near Gorman, check out Rowher Flats and/or Drinkwater Flats. They are near one another outside of Santa Clarita and have a variety of trails ranging from easy 2wd fire roads to technical 4x4 only trails

 

Not exactly an answer to that question but a group is going out this saturday for a good beginner route that is pretty awesome. Great views, fun ride, not too bad, start in the desert and climb up the backside of a mountain and not too far from LA.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/4-10-21-pioneer-town-to-big-bear.715848/#post-25473075

 

Wow thanks for the info guys. Definitely gonna check that out. Hopefully have time to meet up for Saturday.

 

Anyone done Oriflame canyon trail? Either staring at banning going south or the reverse?

Doable for a 2wd “prerunner” on 35”s?

I don’t have much in terms of skids for dragging rocks or sliders. Down to skinny pedal up shit though.

 

That is a fun trail.

In my humble opinion, I would recommend the 2wd guys start from top to bottom (i.e. the 78fwy then down from there). Going from bottom to top I think would be a little harder as the gravel can get pretty loose, unless conditions have changed? It's been a few years since, but in either case, a really fun trail to do.

Regarding skids, there are SOME spots that you will have to choose a "good line", but it shouldn't be all that difficult... especially on 35's. I did that trail on 235 75-15's.

Finally, be forewarned that it is VERY BUMPY because of all the little rocks!!!

Here's a quick vid I did...
https://youtu.be/YdPmPm_wOkc

 

Ty for the insight - looks/sounds like a fun trail!

One last aspect I forgot to ask, I also have LT.. makes the ride comfy and allows me to hit things with momentum… but also the trail looks pretty narrow, even for stock trucks.

would being about 4” wider at the control arms be a problem ?
Don’t want to be that guy who calls recovery with a truck that’s 2 wheels off the side of a cliff

 

I honestly don't know?

I know Gen 3's "stock" fit just fine on the width of that trail, but if LT'd, you definitely might be pushing it, especially on the switchbacks. It gets a bit narrow in some spots, but definitely wide enough for stock to somewhat modded Gen 3 Tacos.

 

Gives me a good idea - it’ll probably be fine, with maybe a few pucker moments !