Bucket List of Trails in SoCa?

[bluecollarjock]

Is there generally a bucket list of trails in SoCa one should try to make at some point?

And possibly extending to any trips worth the trek in Northern Ca, New Mexico, Arizona, other possible road trips?

I would like to make a bucket list and try to start hitting worthy trails in the next year. I do not want to hammer and smash my 4runner up, but would like to do mild to challenging trails. But still be able to drive home and enjoy the ride.

Ive had my Jeep to Big Bear about 4 times, really like it. However some folks I see or even in the group I went with, are about trying to break stuff and going super hard...but they are usually mechanics and/or have money and think if you break something it just means "upgrade" time which is cool if you have money and know how to fix things, but if I smash up my vehicles or break major parts it could cripple me financially, so Id like to wheel but be smart about it and go with people who feel the same way.

 

[BobsTrail]

No bucket list, I made my first trail run last weekend. Watch the forum for runs like Cleghorn last Saturday. I went and it was a great run with a good group. They went up some wild stuff, but it was all safe and careful with wives and kids. Check out the photos on page 4 of that post by Kraze.

 

[bluecollarjock]

That sounds great! Yea Id love a nice environment and if people are bringing wives and kids that sounds wonderful. Had a few trips with random groups where folks were rock climbing smoking weed and drinking, did not make me feel too safe and worried about them...plus just not my scene, I want to go wheeling to get away from the noise, partying and chaos and such of the city life.

Would be great to find some trail riding "mentors" as I do not know much a I about West Coast wheeling at all!!!!

Heck I am not even sure if there are things i need to do to make my rig better or trail ready.

 

[Quatre Coureur]

BlueCollarJock when will be a good time for u? Sometime in April? I usually go up around that time and run some of the moderate trails like Clarks Summit, Jacoby Canyon, and Grapevine Canyon. They also link up with some of the 'black diamond' trails like John Bull and Gold Mtn. If you are interested let me know and I can start a separate thread.

 

[mcgyver0302]

Hey all, I've hit nearly all the trails in the Big Bear area over the years, and there are many you can challenge your self on with a stock rig, and not much trail time. It has been a few years since I've been up there, but I just "finished" (is that even possible?) building a new rig and I'm itching to try it out. I have run with many of the So Cal clubs, and there is some good wheelin' to be had up there without tearing things up. Maybe sometime between the 6th and 12th of April? I'll be watching for the thread

 

[bluecollarjock]

Hey guys! Sorry didnt realize you posted, cramming for grad school midterms...

yea April will be good, Im going to visit the parents back east for 10 days and hit WV for some combat and sniper shooting training, should be back April 9th. Schedule will be better then until finals, and then once finals are over next year Im going back to being retired! So once summer hits I should have plenty of time for any trail rides that pop up on here!!

If you hit hard trails I might bring the Jeep...but if there are easy to moderate trails I will not destroy the 4runner, I really want to see how it does. I will need to get my man skills back, driving a 5 speed in the woods ha. My Jeep is auto, I grew up wheeling old Chevy K5 Blazer with 4 speed granny gearbox but its been a while! Wouldnt mind seeing if the locker words in the 4runner in 4low!

 

[Quatre Coureur]

I also have a Jeep Unltd. auto, 2.5" lift, 33s. Its almost too easy to wheel. Had a 72 Blazer with a built 350(380hp at the rear wheels), built TH350, NP205 and 8-lug axles, 35" BFGs. Freakin' unstoppable. Anyway this will be a Toyota run and we'll stick to the 'blue square' trails for now! How do the dates suggested by mcgyver sound? They work for me as of now. Let us know and we'll work with your schedule. :usa2:

 

[bluecollarjock]

Ok so you cant hate me for having a Jeep and Yota, and loving old K5s!

Ill be in WV/PA until 7th, so 12th would be better for me!

 

[Quatre Coureur]

Ok those dates sound good. Theres even a campground open already on the North Shore of Big Bear. Gonna start a thread for this.

 

[MAD]

I'm not too familiar with So Cal trails yet, but I like the idea of a list. I've done John Bull in my buggy, I'd like to do it in the 4Runner, too. I've always wanted to do the Mojave Road as well.

And, though they are not so much trails as areas, I really want to explore Ocotillo Wells, Anza Borrego and Glamis/Buttercup.

The Dusy Ershim trail has always been on my list, but is probably more Central Cal than So Cal. As far as Nor Cal, I've done the Rubicon and Fordyce so I can cross them off.

Time to put in a locker and weld up some sliders!

md

 

[racerunner]

Ok so you cant hate me for having a Jeep and Yota, and loving old K5s!

Ill be in WV/PA until 7th, so 12th would be better for me!

Old K5's are badass

 

[bluecollarjock]

Old K5's are badass

Amen to that..someday, someday Ill get another one....need a driveway and a garage though!