Curious about Western St. off-roading

[mnofpeace]

I work for a company that has nationwide reach across the lower 48 states. i generally work with, by phone, our Field techs who have to sometimes travel to very remote places to reach some of our sites out in the usual places: Utah, Colo, Tx, Az, ect.

Add to that the knowledge that i have gained from this msg board, how you guys take these glorious trips out west to the wonderful places in the desert, mountains, and where ever...remote locations to explore in our wonderful rigs.

So in mapping some of these places, i have seen interstate highways run past what appear to be simple sand/dirt roads...which also appear meander and glide through some beautiful back country.

Ok, at last my question...

For those who live and travel and Overland in these areas between Cali and Tx, are these open roads truely open? can you just drive along an interstate, see a path, turn to the right, and just start to explore the mountain formations in the distance without limits (other than the abilities of your vehicle)? Have you, or could i, just drive along some paved road, see these openings, and make a day of it testing out the capabilities of our beloved Rnnrs? Are these paths that i see on the many maps and Google earth photos that i see free to whomever wishes to explore them?


Any and all anecdotes are welcome...:yo:

 

[Ray Dunakin]

For those who live and travel and Overland in these areas between Cali and Tx, are these open roads truely open? can you just drive along an interstate, see a path, turn to the right, and just start to explore the mountain formations in the distance without limits (other than the abilities of your vehicle)? Have you, or could i, just drive along some paved road, see these openings, and make a day of it testing out the capabilities of our beloved Rnnrs? Are these paths that i see on the many maps and Google earth photos that i see free to whomever wishes to explore them?

In Nevada and the deserts of southern California, the answer is almost always, yes. That's what I love so much about this area, the wide open spaces that are truly "open". It's mostly public land. Oh, and Google maps/satellite view is great for finding places to explore.

I've spent decades exploring the deserts of Nevada and southern CA, visiting old mines, ghost towns, etc.

The few times I've taken trips in Arizona, there's some open land too, but I found that much of the state is either national parks or Indian reservations, both of which restrict your travel/camping.

 

[STX4Runner]

In Texas almost all the land is privately owned, but generally if a road is not gated or marked with a red sign, its a public road...the land to the side is almost undoubtedly private. There are hundreds of miles of dirt roads in central and West Texas to explore, but none will require 4x4 unless the weather is bad.

 

[Ron4RNevada]

In northern Nevada (except near Reno/Sparks area) 95% is empty BLM Land - You can go anywhere. If there is a fenced are with signs it's a ranchers private little area - He generally owns 640 acres and leases 10,000 acres of BLM land. If you break down somewhere it's usually 30 - 50 miles to get help. No - cell phone do not work out here.

 

[RonJR]

You really have to know whose kingdom you're driving through. If the land is BLM, then it's generally pretty open, although there may be restrictions in popular areas. US Forest Service land (most of the public land in Colorado, for instance) is also pretty flexible, but requires staying on established roads. National park and national monument land is much more restricted. Utah has some huge undeveloped national monuments thanks to Bill Clinton's last gasp executive orders. We'll probably get more of same when Obama exits office.

Inside this public land, there are a lot of private inholdings, old mining claims, etc., which the owners may or may not care about.

Best is to get all the BLM and US Forest service maps you can for the areas of interest. They'll show public land and private land on a section by section basis. There are also free forest service travel maps which give seasonal access status for all of the forest service roads in the area. The National Geographic "Trails Illustrated" maps will also show public/private access.

If I made it sound complicated, that's because it can be. The more popular the area, generally the more you have to be aware of regulations.

 

[mnofpeace]

Hey, thanks to all you guys for your information,.

Here in the good old Washington metropolitan, i am stuck with an old army artillery base with some decent trails for hunters, and then anything i can sneak here or there. i am a few hours from Penn. ORV park, but thats not practical. there are also some decent runs in Va. but its better if you have mod'd some with a lift, tires, ect.

sounds like alot of fun tho...to be able to just see a mountain to the left off in the distance, turn left, and spend an hour or three seeing what you can see. or even better, plan it out, gear, supplies, and just make a day of it...3-5 hours escaping the daily grind...:dance:

 

[STX4Runner]

Utah has some huge undeveloped national monuments thanks to Bill Clinton's last gasp executive orders. We'll probably get more of same when Obama exits office.

It's my nightmare that Obama makes the SUWA's (Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance) dream come true and declares Greater Canyonlands National Monument as one of his last acts.