Fun Trails to do at night?

hey whats up guys. well posted a thread to see if anyone wants to do a night run, but got no replies.
anyone know of a good trail to do at night? im, 2wd with diff lock. im in the so cal area. thanks for ur help

 

It's never a good idea to wheel at night...

 

I don't think night wheeling is bad, it does pose more obstacles but as long as your in a group and your lghts are fine, it should be no different than day. The socal group has done a few night runs At cleghorn and I did maindivide eigh a buddy. As tempted and anxious as you may be to Offroad, NEVER GO ALONE.

That being said, some cool local trails: (not sure how many are open at night)

-Main Divide Road (light fireroad)
-Holy Jim Trail (short but fun)
-Cleghorn (far but a favorite for many. This trail offers tough stuff and light stuff too. This is always ope )
-Big Bear (not exactly close but I've heard it's fun)
-Corral Canyon

 

Lytle Creek is pretty fun, yeah...don't go alone there, or anywhere like Manny has stated.. It's rocky as hell though.

 

Tellico - the EASY trails. At night in Tellico, it's pitch dark and sometimes spooky! Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure Tellico is closed now.

A buddy of ours was at the back of the pack and he kept getting freaked out thinking something was gonna jump out of the woods and attack him. It was hilarious!

 

I would not recommend wheeling at night unless you had no other choice. It increases the risk of something going wrong.

To the OP, there are some good books on 4-wheeling in southern california. I recommend something like this:

$56 Guide to Southern California Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails

http://www.amazon.com/Southern-California-Backroads-4-Wheel-Trails/dp/0966497643

 

I wouldn't necessarily say that.....

If you have an experienced group of people (many rigs), on a known set of trails with an experienced trail guide who knows the trails. Making sure everyone has full communication, full set of tools/recovery/safety gear.....and full cell phone service and/or a short distance from civilization. And of course....lots of lighting.

If you're with an offroad club that sets something like this up.....there's nothing wrong with it. Your 'support' group of rigs/poeple are there to handle any situation. And not to mention - they (trail guides) shouldn't take you anywhere difficult to pose any problems.

 

The last night run I did was at Cleghorn. There was 4 of us, starting at midnight and my gears went out that night. Like he^ said, if you wheel with people who know whats up, there shouldbe no issues. JOHN towed me down the trail as my truck was inoperable and everything worked out thanks to the great group we had. Bottom Line: think about all factors and wheel responsibly.

 

Janster, you paint a perfect picture and under those circumstances you mitigate risk, that is all. But still, would you rather change a CV axle on the trail at 12am or 12pm?

Manny, I regard your story as an epic night time adventure for sure. In the end it all worked out.

 

It can't be argued against: day wheeling is always better. Like you said, it's much easier to change a part In daylight than at night, and much better to be able to see everything that's around you rather than just where your light is pointing. Night wheeling is fun though. And yea I'm glad my situation worke out okay. Definitely one for the books.

 

x1,000,000

 

Any trail you are comfortable with. You have to understand that there will be different challenges at night that might make a trail you drive in the day with no problem more tricky- and I wouldn't try to find new places to take on at night before you see them in the day.

I don't care what time of day it is- I don't ever WANT to change a CV or anything else. With the proper equipment- It doesn't really matter what time of day it is. You plan properly and understand what you are getting into....It's all good.

 

Anywhere you wheel during the day! Just pick the easier trails for night runs, with an experienced group. Its a whole nother game.

 

I just heard that Cleghorn was closed because Manny lost a rear on that trail!!! Okay maybe that wasn't the reason but from what I hear all the bypasses have been blocked!!! Now that sucks - Day or Night. My heart is heavy!

 

Sorry to thread jack a bit, but I found some good intel on the Cleghorn action on this heep forum here: http://www.myjeeprocks.com/forums/showthread.php?p=164496

There is some debate on whether the bypasses were legal cut roads or not...

Here are some pics of the closed bypasses http://s731.photobucket.com/albums/ww319/Flatout/cleghorne shut down/?albumview=slideshow

 

Don't wheel at night, for the first time, alone.

I'll admit it - I wheel at night, solo vehicle/multi-passenger, occasionally. But I don't push it, know how to recover my vehicle and bring the tools to do such, let others know where we're going, and come prepared to walk out.

I won't hit a trail for the first time at night generally, either, unless it's mild.

 

sup guys, so that night i decide to go to Cleghorn, yeah i went by myself, well me and my gf. only took some of the off route trails. i went back through during the day and had a blast, im so proud of my taco. had one sketchy moment during the day, my drive wheel was almost about 2 feet off the ground.[forgot to get a pic of that =/ ] i got some pics, there not very good but i thought id post them.

 

2 more to come, pics arent the best




Gf made me smile..

 

Try Santiago Mountains, I used to do it at night with a few TToRa guys.

That reminds me, Manny, you want to do a santiago run some night?

 

im up for that, if u ever wanna go give me a shout