Looking for a first time day trip in northern california

[rotary]

Hey guys.
My wife finally agreed to a bit of camping this month. She wants to rent a yurt out of yosemite unless I come up with a better idea. I'm looking for a really easy day trail some where. I have no off road experience to speak of and a stock tacoma. I have an axe and a shovel with some basic tools (was a shop mechanic). I just want to take a trail somewhere to learn and get some good pictures with the family, then go back to a camp somewhere. Any ideas would be great. I just watched the lake alpine video but the trail looks a little small for a brand new pickup. We are out of the sacramento area. Thanks in advance guys!

A coworker recommended bear river reservoir also.

 

[Tom K]

I've had good luck at Bowman and ice house, but check road conditions first. There are several fun lakes to stop at on the way up to Bowman from 80, you don't need to drive all the way. Close to sac my friends in Folsom do day trips there.

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[flyinion]

Bowman may still be snowed in, or if it's not, FR-18 the main route there is closed as part of a whole ton of road closures due to storm damage from this winter's crazy amount of weather. You could potentially get in from the north side but it's not as easy of a trail and much more likely to still have snow. The north side route is not on the closure list though so I'm hoping to hit it a little later this summer since it's a nice drive.

Closure notice: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tahoe/alerts-notices/?aid=40292

 

[riffman12]

Last weekend my girlfriend and I went to Prewitt Ridge near Big Sur. Highway 1 is closed down there, but you can get to it from the East (101). It's about 2.5 hours from the bay area to the Fort Hunter Ligett Army base and then another 45 mins - 1 hour on well-maintained dirt roads up to the ridge. There are some very basic camp sites. No restrooms or anything so it's real dispersed camping, but the views are incredible:

Let me know if you're interested and I can send you some more detailed instructions. Highly recommended!

 

[Anders0nic]

^^^ This is a great way to introduce yourself to primitive camping and also a great way to find out what you need/forgot/willmake the trip more pleasant... The advantages of Prewitt Ridge is that you are not very far from civilization. Which means if you forgot something essential, its just a drive down the road.

I also like The Cascade Lakes area off of Hwy 80, but I grew up with a family cabin near there so I am biased ;)

 

[theoutbackdream]

Hey guys.
My wife finally agreed to a bit of camping this month. She wants to rent a yurt out of yosemite unless I come up with a better idea. I'm looking for a really easy day trail some where. I have no off road experience to speak of and a stock tacoma. I have an axe and a shovel with some basic tools (was a shop mechanic). I just want to take a trail somewhere to learn and get some good pictures with the family, then go back to a camp somewhere. Any ideas would be great. I just watched the lake alpine video but the trail looks a little small for a brand new pickup. We are out of the sacramento area. Thanks in advance guys!

A coworker recommended bear river reservoir also.

If you don't mind the drive and it being hot during the day, Alabama Hills is BEAUTIFUL to camp out at. It's a dirt road that a 2wd can access. there are some areas around the trail off movie road that have some obstacles which are easy enough that any stock truck will make it. I'll actually be heading there soon.. haha