new 4x4 owner wants to explore south coast ridge (big sur)

title says it all... new owner of a taco 4x4 trd offroad, would like to get some practice driving it off road, one place I'm thinking of going is the south coast ridge road, prewitt ridge, etc off Naciemento Fergeuson Rd, south end of Big Sur. as a total newb at this I'd feel happier with 1-2 others along for the trip

thinking just a day trip some weekend in may or june. route something like this,
https://goo.gl/snB8eN

 

oh, we could even make it an overnighter, if its a last quarter to new moon weekend, I'll bring a telescope, we can camp at Prewitt Ridge, which I hear has *awesome* night skies.

 

I popped my cherry in Mendocino NF. Others in Hollister hills. I am not sure if you will ever need to put it in 4hi around Big Sur?

 

probably not, but thats OK. I still wanna go explore that area, I've been over N-F road dozens of times in motorcycles, cars, but never gone down the south coast ridge road.

 

California Coastal Byways by Tony Huegel is a great book for short trips that you can mostly do solo. Prewitt Ridge is one of the trips (or to the North, Cone Peak).

 

I've been to Cone Peak a couple times. the Coast Ridge road north of N-F road is currently closed.


I know its all pretty easy, I just figured it would be more fun to do with 2-3 other trucks. head down there on a saturday, drive up to Prewitt Ridge, pitch camp, break out my telescope and do some star gazing, drink some beer, then in the morning break camp and head farther south, maybe explore a couple side roads like Los Burros, and then either head down to 1, or back track to N-F road, to 101 and home...

 

I just joined, this is my first post. I'd be interested in going. I don't do a lot me forums, but I take it you can reach out to me by starting a conversation.

 

I'm heading up that way the weekend of the 20th for my bday camping trip with some buddies, probably gonna camp at prewitt. you really don't need 4x on coast ridge, my pretender handled it just fine..that was of course in dry conditions..not sure how I'd manage if it was muddy

edit: meant to say prerunner but it autocorrected. I think I'll keep it that way.

 

John if funds permit i may be able to join!I'd be coming from Huntington Beach,CA.to join in!Either way i'll eventually meet you someday TW "TBM experience" brotha!

 

may 21st is a full moon. great for late night bonfires and howling at the moon, awful for dark skies and astronomy. also have a play and a benefit concert to go to.

the following weekend (memorial day) I'll be at the Strawberry Music Festival in Grass Valley, so thats out (I'll be the overweight greying shaggy guy in sandals and a tie-dye t-shirt.... oh wait, thats half the crowd, never mind).

lets see, weekend of may 7th, I'll be in Reno. may 13, I have a local star/moon party I'm running (first quarter moon, doesn't set til after midnight).

gads, my calendar is full :-/

 

its some time away but October 7, 8, 9th is Big Sur Jade Fest in plaskett, I'll def. be hitting the ridge that weekend!

 

outta curiosity, where is the local star/moon party?

 

May 13 is at Quail Hollow Ranch County Park, kinda between Felton and Zayante. In fact, I just packed all my astro gear into the Taco to go there tonight too. sunset is about 8pm, so total darkness is about 9:30, we suggest visitors try and arrive by an hour after sunset when its mostly dark, to reduce the amount of inbound headlights later on.

If you've never been to QHR, its a pretty neat low key park, with some nice hiking trails in the 1-3 mile loop range.. In the 1950s/60s it was the summer ranch for the Lane Family, publishers of Sunset Magazine, their house is now the visitors center, quite a little time warp as its all furnished in period pieces.

 

I've always wanted to do some Big Sur camping... Are you guys still planning on doing this?

 

I haven't figured out a date yet. Realized my weekends are already fairly booked up

 

OK, anyone who wants do do this trip or one similar I'm down. I'm free on weekends, except for memorial day.

 

Sub'd..... Been wanting to check out big sur.

 

Is mid/late July a good time to go?

 

I can't see why not.

 

I'm going to try and find a date in June I can work with, but I might just end up going with a couple fellow astronomy club members and bring wives, so it wouldn't be a 4x4 party per se.