Bad Idea to go Off-roading this weekend?

With the rain coming this weekend, would it be a bad idea to go off-roading somewhere? or will it be more fun? Not looking to do anything too crazy, I also do not want to get stuck.

 

Depends on where you go, if you plan to go alone, your experience and comfort level etc.

In the rain, even easy trails become a lot harder so I wouldn't go alone no matter what. Same applies if you're going up to where it's snowing.

If you don't have mud/snow wheeling experience then I would wait until it stops raining/snowing and then go out and find some mud/snow to play in, with at least one other truck that has some experience.

Always bring some recovery gear and supplies no matter the conditions or who you're with. If you have to hike out in inclement weather you're going to regret it if you don't have extra clothes, food, water etc. If someone gets stuck, which happens easily in snow or mud, not having a recovery strap, shackles or basic tools can be the difference in getting out vs having to call or hike for help.

 

Yeah that is what I was thinking, last thing I want to do is get stuck on some mountain alone. Thank you for the advice!

 

If I didn’t know better, I would think you were describing my “hard lesson learned”.
That’s almost exactly how experience went.

I don’t “play” in the mud.
I now only drive my truck in the mud IF I HAVE TO.
And I ain’t happy if it have to.

 

As everyone said, be prepared. It also depends on what trails you are running. I might run 1n09 this weekend with some family. That’s considered a Subaru/easy trail 2wd trail normally but even those should be expected to be 4wd minimum in the wet. Other more difficult trails will be much harder with the rain

 

You don’t have a hair on your ass if you don’t go get stuck this weekend

 

Haha getting stuck is one thing, but getting stuck without a means to get out in the Socal mountains(sometimes no cell signal and a good trek to civilization) is another thing. I’d rather overprepare than underprepare

 

There will be other people there. Quit being a puss.

 

Where do you find ratings/lists for trails down here?

 

I usually use a combination of https://www.trailsoffroad.com/ as well as some YouTube searching

 

Getting stuck is half the fun. Getting unstuck is the other. Otherwise, it’s just a pleasant drive in the country.

 

I've done plenty of fire trails when it's raining, makes them fun.

Just pick the easy stuff and you'll be fine. Like theluharlifestyle said, 1N09 and similar is nothing to really worry about.

Make sure you have all weather floor mats though, mud on carpet is the worst.

 

Yeah man, listen to Texas!
Don’t make him drive all the way out here to show us how it’s done!

 

Anyone have any easy trail recommendations that should have some snow on them? I'm thinking about getting up real early tomorrow morning to go for a drive. Not looking for something technical, just some backcountry / fire roads with a few inches of snow that I can go cruise on to see a bit of nature. I always love the forests and wilderness after a fresh snow!

Looks like the local mountains got some snow today and will continue into the evening but clearing in the morning. Should be beautiful out there a bit after sunrise tomorrow. Not sure I want to go as far as Big Bear but maybe Idyllwild or something?

 

Coxey Truck Trail starts outside Hesperia in the high desert and goes all the way up into Big Bear. There will be a good amount of snow probably even a little in the high desert right now.

I hear there's even snow near Silverwood Lake right now which means Pilot Rock trail will be snowy. Its a fire road basically.

You have 4wd right? I would not attempt either of these trails without 4wd while there's snow. When dry they're 2wd friendly.

Lytle Creek has snow right now too

 

I'm not familiar with Idyllwild much but they should definitely have snow. Bee Canyon is an easy trail that goes up there.

 

Thanks!

I've never been on Coxey but that looks a bit further than I was hoping to go, I suppose still an option though. Pilot rock may be a great option as it's a bit closer.

And yeah, I have 4wd. I'm not too experienced with 4x4 and trucks but I have a lot of time in an AWD Subaru and a good amount of snow/ice driving (but mainly on roads rather than off road). I have good tires and I'll bring a shovel and traction boards just to be safe.

I did a run up Bee Canyon a month or so ago with another group from the forum so I was definitely eyeing that one too. Super easy trail, albeit a bit narrow in some spots. That'll probably be my fall back if I don't find anything else more intriguing since I've run it already.

 

If you are inexperienced DO NOT GO ALONE!

 

Agreed, I'm not trying to get myself into trouble. I'm not so inexperienced where I shouldn't go out. I just need to stick to a trail that won't be gnarly in the snow, make sure I don't get more than a few hours walk out of cell range and then use some common sense. I'm not some noob who last year decided overlanding was cool because I saw it on instagram and then spent $50k on a rig and mods that I don't know how to use. I already explained my experience, I feel comfortable with what I'm trying to do and am confident that I can make common sense decisions to keep myself safe and hopefully unstuck. And if I do get stuck the type of roads I'd like to be on are such that I'm confident I could get myself out solo with just a little digging. This is why I'm looking for advice, I want to make sure I find an easy trail as I know the snow will add a complication. I appreciate the warning though as this is good advice for those with no experience.

 

LOL exactly. Experiences like this give you reasons to add mods.