My T4R's first real off road adventure...Part 1

[Zmtking]

Part 1...In July of this year I finally took the 4Runner up an OHV trail I've been longing to take for years. I've been camping up in this area for the past 7 years, but only had a car. I've been reading about some other really challenging trails in this area on a 4x4 site, and hope to be able to explore the area more in the coming years.

This first picture is at the bottom of the first real climb that is shown in the second picture.

This picture was taken at the top of this first hill.

A little further up and around the bend was an opening and some serious big rocks to romp on. Some picture later will show what I'm talking about.

These next two pictures don't really show the steepness of this climb. It's not too severe mind you but the pictures don't do it justice. I locked the center diff for this, and never once did a tire spin on this straight up climb.

Here is a picture looking back at a nice rock romper room. Can you see the vehicles in the background. That's where I took that other picture.

Here is another like the last.

 

[Zmtking]

Part 2...Can you see the 4Runner?

More playground.

The top of Bald Mountain in my sights.

Closer look.

Made it to the top. This excursion let me know that this 4Runner is very a capable 4wd vehicle. I'm no expert that's for sure, and I probably take risks I shouldn't when alone but I feel very good about what this vehicle can do.

 

[Zmtking]

Part 3 (last)...Shot of the tower at the top. The view was awesome in all directions.

 

[Thai]

Nice pics!! Great scenery!!

 

[boston_kevin]

Nice narrative and excellent pics! Congrats on your first off-road adventure! My first time off-road was in the mountains of Colorado in a Jeep. Since then, I never looked back, only upgraded to a more capable vehicle (and more comfortable). Unfortunately there aren't as many trails here in New England.

 

[MAC4Runner]

Great job & Great pics! :bigok:

 

[Zmtking]

Thank you all.!

Now that I'm more 4runner savvy from being on the boards here, I will look to take better pictures of the 4runner.

Thai, I've been checking out your videos for a while now, awesome dude! Very fun to watch.

 

[icantsee]

Those pictures are very clear!!

 

[Zmtking]

Hi icantsee,

Thanks for the comment on the pictures. I still have a lot to learn about photography. My camera isn't a DSLR it's a Sony Cybershot H5. At least I don't think it's a DSLR camera.

I was in 4hi most of the time. I went to 4 low with center diff. locked only on the two hills, and maybe on the last climb to the peak. I could have probably done the whole trail in 4hi, I don't know. A good portion I think could be done in 2wd. This trail I think is considered easy, but I don't remember. This type of rock makes for good traction.

There was one section that was tight with a slightly sloped bend, and a couple of trees in the right (wrong) place, I pulled in my mirrors, and for a little spell I thought for sure I was going to slide into a tree but the tires (w/4wd) held in the dirt. Having a companion on the trail would have helped.

I look forward to going back next summer to do it again, and hitting some other trails. If anyone is interested in planning a trip up there, or anywhere let me know I'd be happy to join in.

 

[4reak]

wow...great pics!!! where was that at? i noticed that you are also in socal, and i have been meaning to take a trip with my brothers...they also have 4runners, so we have been thinking about a trip all of us can take together.

 

[Zmtking]

This was in the Shaver Lake area above Fresno/Clovis in the Central Sierra's. Bald Mountain is the spot. I've been going up there for years, it's so good to get away from the city.

 

[4reak]

This was in the Shaver Lake area above Fresno/Clovis in the Central Sierra's. Bald Mountain is the spot. I've been going up there for years, it's so good to get away from the city.

cool, thanks. where about in so cal do you live? how long did it take you to get there? was it a weekend trip?

 

[Zmtking]

I'm in OC, Tustin. It takes me about 4.5 to 5.5 hours to get to my campsite depending on how long it takes to get out of the LA basin past Magic Mountain.

I usually take off early Friday afternoon, and leave to return home on Sunday morning.

There is so much to see now that I have this truck that I will probably plan longer trips now, leaving on Thursday, and come back on Monday.

 

[4reak]

I'm in OC, Tustin. It takes me about 4.5 to 5.5 hours to get to my campsite depending on how long it takes to get out of the LA basin past Magic Mountain.

I usually take off early Friday afternoon, and leave to return home on Sunday morning.

There is so much to see now that I have this truck that I will probably plan longer trips now, leaving on Thursday, and come back on Monday.

thats awesome!!! I live in Garden Grove, so just North of you. It sounds like an amazing trip to take. And I think I would take off on a Thursday as well, that way there would be a couple of days allowed to try some trails. You say that was your first off road trip? How did you like it? Anything happened that surprised you?

 

[Zmtking]

This was my first designated real OHV trail. I've been to Santiago Peak a couple of times already, but that you can probably do in 2wd. I've been out to a lot of desert areas too, both in CA, and AZ. It handled the deep sand with no trouble at all. However I hadn't done anything like this trip here.

What surprised me was the ease in which my 4runner climbed those hills. This wasn't a major trail mind you, but the most challenging I've done so far. Because I'm new to the sport (I guess you can call it that) I really wasn't sure how it would do on a real trail. I have friends with Jeeps, and talk about there Jeeps like it was Gods gift to 4WD. Now after having been out and about, learning more about what this baby can do, I'm almost certain it will keep up with a Jeep in pretty much every situation with the right set up.

I have to think that the 4runner is underrated in the 4WD world.

 

[4reak]

nice!!! i too am super new to the sport. i am very interested in it and cannot wait for some time and funds to hit up some trails. the only time so far that i have been able to use my 4WD is when i went to lake tahoe for spring break, and it was still snowing, so thats so far the only time i have used it. not quite a trail, but i sure did use it.

how were the santiago trails? i have only heard of it on the sites, but never been there. id like to...but like i said, once the time clears up, and the funds are there. what did you like about the santiago trails? where are they? were they worth going to?

 

[Zmtking]

Santiago Peak: You can get there a few ways, first is to go through Silverado Canyon to the end, and up maple Springs Road. This is the best way to get there from Cenral/North OC, and is real close. Silverado Canyon Rd turns into Maple Springs RD at the parking area so just keep going through the gate. Further up the road well after you've left the pavement you will get to a clearing and can go up, or right, you want to go right and that will take you to the Main Divide up to Santaigo Peak. There are markers but it can be confusing the first time you go there. You want to take the Main Divide.

The other way is to go up Hwy 74 (Orgega Hwy) either from Lake Elsinore (turn right on the Main Divide North befroe El Cariso Campground about 5mi, or San Juan Capistrano (turn left on the Main Divide North after El Cariso Campground about 25mi). A few miles up the Main Divide RD there is a turn out (there are a few it's like the 3rd or 4th turnout) which has a gate for the Main Divide trail to the right. Follow this road to Santiago Peak. These are the main ways to get there. You can also get there by taking Indian Truck Trail off the 15 Freeway, which I found by accident.

Leaving the peak to get back down can be tricky. Either way you go you will find a way down as long as you don't follow a route to Harding Canyon. The Harding Canyon gate in Modjeska Canyon is closed. I'm not sure which way to go to get there from the top, but be aware. Be mindful of which road you you came up when you get to the towers, as it looks way different when you go back down that first stretch. My first time up there I was actually heading down the right way back to Silverado, but it seemed like I was going the wrong way. I turned around and went the other way, that's how I found out about the Indian Truck Trail route, lol. You can do this on a little more than half a tank of Gas from nearly anywhere in OC. It would be best to look at a map to get your bearings before you go.

I like going there because of the view at the top, and I just like getting out and doing stuff. This trail is really close to home, and I get my 10 mile minumum a month in 4wd to keep the front gear box in shape (4wdHI all the way). It's mostly uphill or down hill on the main road with a couple of areas that have been made for some off road fun along the way. The road is narrow in some spots too. I haven't been up there in a couple of months, and with the fire and the recent rain, I don't even know if there is access right now. I doubt that there is, but I will be checking on soon.

 

[4reak]

Santiago Peak: You can get there a few ways, first is to go through Silverado Canyon to the end, and up maple Springs Road. This is the best way to get there from Cenral/North OC, and is real close. Silverado Canyon Rd turns into Maple Springs RD at the parking area so just keep going through the gate. Further up the road well after you've left the pavement you will get to a clearing and can go up, or right, you want to go right and that will take you to the Main Divide up to Santaigo Peak. There are markers but it can be confusing the first time you go there. You want to take the Main Divide.

The other way is to go up Hwy 74 (Orgega Hwy) either from Lake Elsinore (turn right on the Main Divide North befroe El Cariso Campground about 5mi, or San Juan Capistrano (turn left on the Main Divide North after El Cariso Campground about 25mi). A few miles up the Main Divide RD there is a turn out (there are a few it's like the 3rd or 4th turnout) which has a gate for the Main Divide trail to the right. Follow this road to Santiago Peak. These are the main ways to get there. You can also get there by taking Indian Truck Trail off the 15 Freeway, which I found by accident.

Leaving the peak to get back down can be tricky. Either way you go you will find a way down as long as you don't follow a route to Harding Canyon. The Harding Canyon gate in Modjeska Canyon is closed. I'm not sure which way to go to get there from the top, but be aware. Be mindful of which road you you came up when you get to the towers, as it looks way different when you go back down that first stretch. My first time up there I was actually heading down the right way back to Silverado, but it seemed like I was going the wrong way. I turned around and went the other way, that's how I found out about the Indian Truck Trail route, lol. You can do this on a little more than half a tank of Gas from nearly anywhere in OC. It would be best to look at a map to get your bearings before you go.

I like going there because of the view at the top, and I just like getting out and doing stuff. This trail is really close to home, and I get my 10 mile minumum a month in 4wd to keep the front gear box in shape (4wdHI all the way). It's mostly uphill or down hill on the main road with a couple of areas that have been made for some off road fun along the way. The road is narrow in some spots too. I haven't been up there in a couple of months, and with the fire and the recent rain, I don't even know if there is access right now. I doubt that there is, but I will be checking on soon.

WOW, thanks for the post!!! It was very thorough. I would love to try out that area sometime soon. Maybe somewhere down the road, we can run around there together sometime.

 

[Zmtking]

Sounds good. I'll let you know the next time I'm going to head up there.

 

[Iron Clad Lou]

wow, I love everything bout those pics! T4R color, tires, and, oh yea, the scenery!