Beginner Of roader Orange County California

Hi, I just bought a 2021Toyota Tacoma TRD Off road 4x4. I am new to off-roading. Looking for a family oriented club or group in North or Central Orange County. eager to get the truck in the dirt but don't want to go out there alone or uneducated.

 

Same here. I’m built for overlanding but haven’t really gone off roading. Santiago peak is close to me and I heard it’s easy.

 

Super easy .

 

So easy, you could do it in 2wd, no lockers

 

Yup, cars like subaru or even a honda fit jazz can get to the top. https://youtu.be/gw6Q08oA7YY

 

Btw. For me off roading is not about going thru difficult trails but enjoying outdoors, scenic views ,camping, spending quality time eith my wifey . A few adrenaline rush is a bonus

 

Thanks for the tip. Hope to get out to Santiago Peak soon!

 

Buy this book. Very useful for beginners.

 

If you go to Santiago I’ll follow you... haha

 

I have an older copy of that somewhere in my garage. @saltndirt4x4+ is welcome to borrow it or have it. I’m in South OC.

 

I’m pretty new myself and just lifted my taco and been a few places off-roading but always looking to meet to off-roaders. Let me know if you’re down to go or know if some meets

 

Go drive up Santiago Peak! I could make it up there in a Prius.

Watch the blind corners. Drive with headlights on, even during the day. Keep speed slow.

Anza Borrego is another amazing place to learn. So is Joshua Tree!

Dont go to Cleghorn.

 

Wow in a Prius?!?? I’ve been to Santiago peaks about a month ago and those climbs weren’t difficult in a truck but I wouldn’t have been able to do it in a car.

why do you say no to Cleghorn? Seen plenty of videos and it doesn’t seem so bad. I know there are more technical parts but you can bypass a lot from what I’ve seen.

 

Because Cleghorn is a shit show of SxS's that wip around the trails like they own the place, and is usually also crowded with other 4x4 group runs. It's just not exactly fun anymore, not sure it ever was actually. Some of the offshoots are but I would recommend Pilot Rock over in that area over Cleghorn any day.

Pilot Rock can get that way too, but the 4x4 part of it draws less people. I wouldn't do that as a first timer unless you went with someone experienced though.

 

Same here! Congrats on your new truck!

 

Yes in a Prius (we made it up in a Prius and Corolla before)!

Cleghorn is a shit show like @eon_blue said. It’s rutted out so if you dont know your lines or how weight transfers, it is pretty easy to tip. Seen it multiple times. Just a lame, overrun spot. Pilot rock was a good recommendation.

 

Oh hell yeah! I am local to and have been dying to take mine off road. I am soooo down if you guys go!

 

Looks like there are about 4 or 5 guys who are down to go. I say let's set something up!

 

You're definitely right about it being super crowded and easy to roll in some spots.

Saw this when I was out there last weekend (right after I broke my passenger CV shaft on one of the offshoots too).

 

I mostly agree with comments about Cleghorn. However, it's not bad on weekdays. I will never go there again on a weekend.
I just moved from Claremont to Hesperia. Lot's of easy little trails around here and the great thing is that you're never far from a paved road. It's not close to OC, but not much farther than Cleghorn.