Dec. 23, Sunday, Christmas Palomar Divide OR Rouse Hill Trail Run

Dec. 23 Sunday, Rouse Hill Truck Trail ( Forest Rte 5S15 )

2WD friendly trail: Should be... With the recent rains, it might be more challenging in 2WD, but if the rain water is still up there, there should be some nice puddles to go through.

On Sunday, December 23, a few trucks will be getting together to run this 2WD friendly trail to help unwind before the Christmas festivities.
We will meet will at a Hemet Chevron on Hwy 74 to top off on fuel at 10am.

Forest Rte 5S15 - Rouse Hill Truck Trail
16.1 miles in, one way

10am
Chevron
43510 E Florida Ave, Hemet, CA 92544

From this Chevron Gas Station, it's 3.8 miles to the Ranger Station and the trailhead on the right hand side ( no address ). Once we're on the trail, at roughly 16.1 miles in, we'll come to an intersection that looks like it may have a gate. If we can get past the gate, we can turn left to stay on Rouse Hill for another 10.6 miles to get back to Hwy 74. If not, we should be able to double back. If we head straight, we'll be on Forest Rte 6S18 which I can't find any information on and it doesn't look like it has any intentional exit points onto main roads, but TrailsOffRoad.com says that there's a way.

Information on the trail from TraillsOffRoad.com

5S15 - Rouse Hill
Technical Rating: (2-2) (EASY)
Dirt road. Dry, or less than 3" water crossing depth. Some ruts. Slight grades, up to 10 degrees. 2WD under most conditions. Rain or snow may make 4WD necessary. Usually one and a half to two vehicles wide.

Description
Rouse Hill is a 17 mile trail along a ridge on it's way to Thomas Mountain. You'll travel a mostly sandy trail without challenges of any kind. At the trailhead is the Cranston Ranger Station if you need any information on this trail or any others. The first mile is actually through citrus groves, then the typical low elevation desert scrub. yucca and sage. It changes to Manzanita and scrub oak, and finally fir, pine and cedar at Thomas Mountain.

Seasonal Information
Spring: This trail will be nice after the winter rains
Summer: Usually hot and dusty
Fall: Cooler weather will improve the drive
Winter: Rain can make the trail slippery, but snow will be rare

TrailsOffRoad.com link
https://www.trailsoffroad.com/trails/2057-5s15-rouse-hill

Previous Organized Trail Runs

• 2018, JUL 29 - Pine Valley Road, Long Valley Road Loop, CA ( 11.2 miles )
  
• 2018, AUG 18 - Palomar Divide Road, CA ( 23 miles out/back )
• 2018, NOV 03 - Red Canyon Trail to Eagle Mountain Railroad Trestle, CA ( 25 miles )
• 2018, NOV 24 - Tried Palomar Divide, but it was closes, so we ended up doing Indian Flats
• 2018, DEC 23 - Palomar Divide Road, CA ( 23 miles out/back )

 

I will just be getting back from a Utah trip on 8/15 so it will depend on if I am recovered by then. Also, 8/18 happens to be my birthday so I have to see if my wife has any special plans. If I can make it on this, I will but can't commit to taking the lead.

 

I totally would be down, but I will have a full house that weekend w relatives in town and wont be able to sneak away. This trail wont be too difficult for a group of first timers. Its actually a great first timer experience. Just remember to straddle the ruts, they really arent that bad, and have fun! Slow is fast and enjoy the dirt! The gate at pine valley rd is always open. Keep an eye out for snakes though, its that time of year for san diego. If you got time i need some photoshopping in the photoshop thread hehe

 

I'll take a looksee at the PS thread to see what you need.

 

Cool if you wanna do thetrail this sunday as a prerun to lead your friends I can swing that

 

Let me talk to my wife and I'll get back to you.

 

I’ll be busy that whole weekend. Game to lead another time, but as Tim said it’s very mellow so even not knowing you’ll get through just fine!

Quick tip: download google offline maps of the area ahead of time because it’ll show you the trails so you know where you’re at.

Also you don’t need to, but airing down your tires to 20-24 psi will make the ride more comfortable. Just be aware of how to air back up after. Check for a gas station near by and drive on road carefully or pick up an air compressor.

 

Another option for you that's not that far away would be Palomar Divide Truck Trail. It's a nice 2WD trail with great views at the top when you get to the fire lookout. It will take a few hours to complete it and will give you some off-road experience without risking any damage to your trucks.

Here's the track in blue, if you're interested:

 

We'll put this one on our schedule too!

 

I'm good to go for Sunday. PM on the way.

 

Can’t make it but the trail is a good one to start with. Pretty straight forward. You guys will enjoy it.

 

Bump

 

I might be up for this on Saturday.

 

This sounds awesome! Gotta check what I have going on Saturday but I should be free.

 

is this still going down on Saturday?

 

We probably need to reschedule-I won't be able to come out and play. Be driving up north.

 

Yup.

 

No problem. I'm sure we'll be going again in the next several months.

 

ALCON,

Trail Run to Eagle Mountain Railroad Trestle

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...a-red-canyon-jeep-trail.560529/#post-18330523

 

So... am I reading this correctly that you are rescheduling this trip for 11/3? I could possibly be up for this but I’ll have to see how things develop over the next week or so. Looks like a fun trip.