Hi California peeps!

Hello California folk,

I am planning a large road trip this May specifically from Southern Utah to San Diego to Bend, Oregon this spring. I was wondering if you folks would be able to suggest some must see spots in Southern California (Sacramento or south essentially). I will have my mountain bike, pack raft, fly fishing gear, backpacking gear, surfboard/wetsuit, my ski touring/avalanche rescue gear, all of my camping supplies (I plan on camping the entireity of my trip). Also I have a 4x4 tacoma with great tires and a healthy amount of backcountry driving under my belt.

A couple of areas I have some interest in are the Yosemite valley (half dome hike and cathedral traverse) the palisades, death valley, mammoth hot springs, Big Sur, Truckee/Tahoe Area to name a few. I really enjoy day hikes that have a ton of exposure in the <20 mile range, and I enjoy mountain biking that rewards the more downhill orientated folks, any rivers that are class three or less is good my book, small breaks with long sustained rights are my kind of surf, Ill fish anything with fish haha. I also love a good backcountry road that is moderately difficult (im not lifted but have skids and upgraded suspension and good tires) that provides outstanding views or good access to recreation.

I will be speding some time in San Diego with a cousin for about three days and then surfing with a buddy who lives near Carlsbad following that. Then I essentially have a week and half to two weeks to make my way through California to Bend and then to West Glacier, Montana for my job.

If you all have any spots that you think I should definitely allocate some time to visit I would be highly appreciative! Looking forward to exploring a new part of the country further.

 

You need to hook up with Mike @eccracer104 he's Mr. San Diego. He actually very knowledgable and a cool dude.

 

Sounds like an amazing trip, really jealous!

 

@Cuffs will have some advice on Yosemite

 

Thanks for the referral!

@redrock95 let me know what you need for Yosemite area. Just moved from Yosemite to Zion NP last week!

Some food for thought:

Half Dome likely won’t be open in May.
Southern California is south of Kern County. Everything else is NorCal.

 

Yeah I had a feeling that it would be closed due to snow but with how little snowpack the sierra, and the west for that matter, are getting this year the possibility of some alpine ascents could be semi-decent.

Regardless I kind of just want to scope it out. I really want to make my way from carlsbad up Death Valley, do some 'splorin round those parts, make my way to white mountain peak and the ancient bristlecone forest, then to mammoth, and then to yosemite. I have driven through yosemite before but I was very young! Half dome would be awesome, Cathedral peak traverse would be sweet. I really just want to do stuff that will be out of the main valley. Any suggestions in yosemite or the surrounding area that you think are a must?? Like I said I truly am open to anything!

 

Also @Cuffs, if you are ever in need of Southern Utah advice I am more than willing to help you out!

 

Your route describes going north on 395. It’s a fantastic area, we spent nearly every weekend (escaping Yose crowds) in the eastern Sierra.

However... May is still going to be tricky. The snow is yet to come. If you’re going up 395, the entry to Yose is via Tioga Road/Pass. Two years ago it opened Memorial Day weekend. Last year it was in June.

You can hike/ski/snowshoe the 10+ miles to Tuolumne from Lee Vining. Winter rangers are embedded up there and there’s a cabin you can call ahead for.
If Tioga is not open, your only access is to drive all the way around via Tahoe or Bakersfield.

Lots of camping places along 395 in Inyo & Mono Counties. Mostly NF and BLM lands and allow for dispersed camping. Be sure to get the free (and online) California campfire permit. You need it even for your stove.

The only hot springs that might even be accessible are Antelope (near Mammoth Lakes) and Buckeye & Travertine (near Bridgeport.)

Ancient Bristlecone Forest is up at 10k feet. You’ll need to check on that one too, weather dependent. Be sure to have a good spare tire with you, the road up is known for destroying them. (I’ve safely driven it 3 times with no failures).

Bishop to Carson City will be pretty barren for services. Most places close seasonally.

All for now. What else ya got?

 

Damn dude! Thank you so much!

When I was looking at my maps I saw 395 and I figured that would be my primary means of northern travel through this area. Also huge comeup on the campfire permit in California, I had no idea...

yeah I guess snow is going to be a huge if on this segment of my trip. I will have my surfboard so if things go to shit later this winter with big snow I suppose I will just travel the coast and surf my way up! Again thanks again man, its truly appreciated. I will probably bother you again soon once I get some more idea of what I plan to do.

 

@Cuffs really knows her shit!

Not really sure what elevation its at, but Owens Valley is beautiful too, (and heard its great fishing)

 

I would say Joshua tree, there’s a great music festival that happens in May...the weather could be amazing or hot ...so it’s a bit of a dice roll and great wheeling in the area

 

^ I will always vouch for JT, amazing area and fun wheeling

 

395 is a gorgeous drive in any season. I made the full round trip (Yosemite-Auburn-I80-Reno-Bridgeport-Bakersfield-Fresno-Yosemite) March of last year.

Full chain control on 80, it was a white out shitshow. I’d do it again in a heartbeat! Fair and sunny in Reno. Snow in Bridgeport. Hot enough for shorts in Bakersfield.

But the scenery!


And don’t forget to carry chains. Even if you have 4WD, CA state law says you must have them with you. (One pair, and they go on the rear). If chain control ever gets to R3, (which is when even 4WD is required to chain up) you don’t need to be on the road. Just wait a couple hours and all is good again.

 

Yeah on my way down to San Diego from southern utah I am planning on stopping through joshua tree for some bike riding / hiking / bouldering. Any good wheeling trails that are beautiful/fun but not too technical you might advise? or any dispersed camping spots you might be willing to divulge haha

 

Gold crown rd, old Dale or Geology Tour out berdoo canyon to the 10fwy. Those are fun and easy

 

IF the snow level is low enough in May so that you can get up Tioga pass
http://www.saddlebaglakeresort.com/index.html

Be sure to check out 20 lake loop
http://www.saddlebaglakeresort.com/amenities.html

 

Send me a PM when your coming out and I’ll most definitely go bouldering with you ...and i got some sweet local wheeling spots around JT

 

Saddlebag is for sale. They may not open this year. Had some minor snow load damage last year and did not open.
Tioga Pass Resort (which I like better, especially their pies!) imploded last winter under the heavy snow load. They got started on the repairs, but likely won’t open again summer 2018. They are planning for 19.

 

Hmmmm
Going to have to pick up some Lottery tickets

 

Absolutely! By that point I may be getting a little lonely haha, and its always fun to make new friends!
I will be there around the begining of June or the very end of may. Still waiting for permits to finalize in Utah before my plans are set in stone.