Off Road trails near Orange County,CA

Looked around the forum a little bit but was not able to find any posts about this topic. I have been looking for somewhere to take my new Tacoma. Holy Jim has been closed and probably will never re-open. I am looking for something moderately easy at first, no 4x4 but I do have a Locker. Any suggestions are helpful.

 

Try using TrailsOffroad or Gaia GPS! TO ranks the trails from Easy - Severe and has waypoint locations, pics, sometimes videos, usually a full write-up so you know what you're getting yourself into. Gaia is great as well because you can use the layers to look for USFS roads and sat maps to check terrain. I've mainly been south and east, about 2-3 hours (from north county SD) you'll find Corral Canyon, Pine Valley, Superstition Mtn, Ocotillo, Lusardi Truck Trail, Upper Santa Ysabel, Orosco Truck Trail... A bit farther north is Nate Harrison Grade near Palomar Mtn. I haven't gone to Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead areas yet but I know there's a crap ton up there. Pilot Rock, Gorman as well. Go to the Southern California regional forums and you'll find meetups and trips to join!

 

Drive a couple hours east and the options are endless...tons of trails around the Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear area. Also Cleghorn, Pilot Rock, Rowher Flats/Drinkwater Flats a bit further north as well as Gorman OHV. Out in the desert you have countless options too, this time of year is best for those trails. Redrock Canyon, Johnson Valley, Ocotillo Wells, etc.

 

^^^what they said. I think TrailsOffraod would be the easiest for you. Just sign up so you get all the info.

 

I will check out TrailsOffroad first. Anyone here local to the South Orange County area?

 

Gorman OHV is great. All trails are listed from easy to hard.

 

Modjeska Canyon/Santiago Peak is open

 

Is Silverado canyon open? I check frequently and its hit or miss for me. Sometimes its open, sometimes not. At least I think its called that... Its I think the second last left before cooks corner on ur way to holy jim. If your coming from irvine lake.

 

It was open 3 weeks ago, it maybe muddy now since it’s been raining and foggy lately.

 

This site is usually up to date on closure status of the local trails: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/cleveland/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5340229

Unless it's raining (or about to rain, or rained less than a week ago) Maple Springs, Bedford Motorway and North Main Divide between Santiago Peak and Sierra Peak are open. Indian Truck Trail and North Main Divide between Santiago Peak and Ortega Hwy will probably be closed for a while still. They were burned in the Holy Fire in 2018 and they're likely waiting for vegetation to grow back before reopening to the public, for fear of people roaming off-trail.

2WD friendly, other than the last bit of trail to the end of Santiago Peak past the antennas. You'll know when you see it...