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SoCal off road buddys

125K views 1K replies 88 participants last post by  AKACG 
#1 ·
I don't really have any off roading buddys and the 2 that I have are both busy this weekend. I am interested in going out pretty much anywhere in SoCal this Saturday preferably. I am not new to off roading and I know what I'm doing out there if you don't I can show you the ropes a bit or I can learn something from you maybe lol but please someone help me I don't wanna go wheeling by myself this weekend lol pm me or post here and we can exchange numbers and decided on a trail that we would like to hit up.
 
#5 ·
It's a last-minute decision, but I am planning on wheeling in the ElPaso mountains on a quick day trip tomorrow. These are the mountains between 14 and 395 that is home to RedRock State Park, Last Chance Canyon, Garlock Benchmark, and Burro Schmidt's tunnel.

I'm planning on being at the Chevron station in City of Mojave around 9AM to gas up.

Here's a map of a portion of a previous day trip last month. I will likely hit most of the same trails.

If you're not familiar with the area, it's nothing hard-core but there are demanding enough sections for a relative newbie like me to give a sense of accomplishment. I'm stock with KO2s and Ricochet armor, which gets mildly thwacked a few times on the rocky sections of EP26 (MesquiteCynRd) north of the shelf.
 

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#11 ·
Yes we should, and yes you did. :grin

As I recall, your rig at the time was a gorgeous stocker in absolutely mint condition. I didn't even recognize it with all the beautiful mods now! Nice work!
 
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#12 ·
OK, I've pieced together most of the dashcam footage from the EP100/EP26 Mesquite Canyon Road run I did in the ElPaso's a couple of months ago. I've also accelerated it about 8x and edited out all the stops. I think it gives a decent overview of the type of "Advanced Newbie" terrain you'll encounter in a run there.

https://vimeo.com/153734522

It begins with a EP100/EP207/EP204 loop to Garlock Benchmark and the central hills, and a fast side trip up and back the EP15 wash to visit Bickel Camp.

The rockier stuff begins around the 11:00 minute mark after crossing the wash shelf.

As I said, the worst EP26 is nothing hardcore but has some 4-12" rocks in sections. You'll want some decent A/Ts for durability. You'll definitely thwack your skids a few times if you're running stock height like I am.

As you see in the vid, some great views going up and down the hill tops (3:00 to 5:00). You can use the embedded on-screen GPS coordinates to correlate location to Google overhead imagery if you want.

Let me know what you guys think!
 

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#19 ·
OK, I've pieced together most of the dashcam footage from the EP100/EP26 Mesquite Canyon Road run I did in the ElPaso's a couple of months ago. I've also accelerated it about 8x and edited out all the stops. I think it gives a decent overview of the type of "Advanced Newbie" terrain you'll encounter in a run there.



https://vimeo.com/153734522



It begins with a EP100/EP207/EP204 loop to Garlock Benchmark and the central hills, and a fast side trip up and back the EP15 wash to visit Bickel Camp.



The rockier stuff begins around the 11:00 minute mark after crossing the wash shelf.



As I said, the worst EP26 is nothing hardcore but has some 4-12" rocks in sections. You'll want some decent A/Ts for durability. You'll definitely thwack your skids a few times if you're running stock height like I am.



As you see in the vid, some great views going up and down the hill tops (3:00 to 5:00). You can use the embedded on-screen GPS coordinates to correlate location to Google overhead imagery if you want.



Let me know what you guys think!

Did you go to the talc mines? Also there are some abandoned cabins to the west of bikel camp plus Schmidt tunnel etc. tons of stuff. The video isn't working for me, it's a marketing video haha


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#26 ·
I haven't tried the Liebre Trail, but I explored that section of the Old Ridge Route a couple of months ago and saw the trail turnoff. I got dusted by some light snow in the afternoon when rain clouds rolled in.

Can anybody find out trail conditions before Saturday? If primary is a No Go, we can do easy 2WD stuff in ElPasos if you want. (Skipping EP26 Rocks, instead hitting the interesting sites like BurroSchmidts tunnel, Dutch Cleanser mine, Bonanza Gulch, Holly Ash mine, and Garlock Benchmark/Walsh Cabin, etc.)

I'm about 90% sure I'll be there (either location) depending on work.
 
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#30 ·
The only info I could find on the roads in the general area. Is this on the planned route?

Castaic/Lake Hughes: Lake Hughes Rd

Road Closed
From Warm Springs Rd (10 Miles South Of Elizabeth Lake Rd) to Newvale Dr
Begin Date: 01/31/16
Estimated End Date: TBD
 
#31 ·
Its not on the trail but its the way back home

I found this info too:

Los Angeles County Public Works announced that, based on current storm forecasts and potential high intensity rainfall this weekend, the following sections of roadways will be closed beginning Sunday, January 31 at 6:00 am.

• Angeles Forest Highway, between Aliso Canyon Road and Angeles Crest Highway/SR2.

• Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Road, between Angeles Forest Highway and Angeles Crest Highway/SR2.

• Big Tujunga Canyon Road, between Vogel Flats Road and Angeles Forest Highway

• Lake Hughes Road, between Warm Springs (10 miles south of Elizabeth Lake Road) to Newvale Drive in the community of Lake Hughes.

All designated roads will re-open once conditions permit.

Motorists are urged to exercise extreme caution when driving in storm and icy conditions, especially in mountain areas. Residents are advised to monitor news broadcasts or visit the County Public Works website at dpw.lacounty.gov/roadclosures for further road closure updates.

Residents, business owners and persons with access or functional needs may also call 2-1-1 for LA County information and referral services regarding post disaster resources that are available to those affected by the floods and debris and mud flow.

The toll-free 2-1-1 number is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week. 211 LA County Services can also be accessed by visiting www.211la.org.
 
#41 ·
Agreed. I'm really looking forward to getting together with everyone here!

FWIW, its been too long since me and the FJ have touched dirt so I'm heading to the ElPasos this morning. I'm planning on fueling up at Mojave Chevron around 9:30AM if anyone wants meet up.:blue blob:
 

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