Contributor III
Anyone know of any good spots to head to for a beginner overlander over the weekend? Preferably in the Southern California / central California area
Looking for beginner overland trip in central / southern cali
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Educator I
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Contributor III
Educator I
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Here:
www.mensjournal.com
theadventureportal.com
BE aware of the flooded areas.....
Jim
5 Great Places in California to Get Into Overlanding | Men's Journal
Outdoor and adventure photographer Shawn Rossmiller gives his insights into the wonderful world of overlanding.
www.mensjournal.com
Californian Overland Trails / Off-Road Trails
Looking for California overland trails? Check out our trail write-ups and pictures to get an idea of where you want to go next.
theadventureportal.com
BE aware of the flooded areas.....
Jim
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I noticed you're in Riverside, I'm in Fontana myself and am still pretty new to overlanding. Have you looked at Tool Box Springs/Thomas Mountain in the San Jacinto Mountains? There are yellow post sites and other dispersed camping in the area. Near me in the Lytle Creek area, there is Cold Water Canyon. Also, around Big Bear, there are tons of camping, dispersed or organized. I haven't personally checked any of these out, but am planning on doing a research run around Big Bear or San Jacinto in the coming weeks.
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Thanks for these articles Jim. I recently found notarubicon's site & youtube channel and its best a great resource.Here:
5 Great Places in California to Get Into Overlanding | Men's Journal
Outdoor and adventure photographer Shawn Rossmiller gives his insights into the wonderful world of overlanding.Californian Overland Trails / Off-Road Trails
Looking for California overland trails? Check out our trail write-ups and pictures to get an idea of where you want to go next.
BE aware of the flooded areas.....
Jim
Contributor III
Thanks!!Here:
5 Great Places in California to Get Into Overlanding | Men's Journal
Outdoor and adventure photographer Shawn Rossmiller gives his insights into the wonderful world of overlanding.Californian Overland Trails / Off-Road Trails
Looking for California overland trails? Check out our trail write-ups and pictures to get an idea of where you want to go next.
BE aware of the flooded areas.....
Jim
Contributor III
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If you want to have a great weekend camping trip that will take you up some dirt paths that aren't too terrible, but not fully maintained gravel road per se, near enough to you...go up 243 toward Idyllwild and take black mountain trail up to boulder basin campground. You will love it. Bring water with you just incase.
Contributor III
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There's so much around us that's not difficult. Big Bear has mild to black diamond, Idyllwild is good for some short trips, a bunch towards San Diego. Once it cools off, you can spend weeks in Mojave, Anza Borrego, Death Valley.
How's your vehicle set up?
Grab a map and head to Big Bear for the weekend.
How's your vehicle set up?
Grab a map and head to Big Bear for the weekend.
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Contributor III
Yeah in late fall-early winter im planning on doing a Death Valley trip. I just have a 2wd with a 3inch rough country lift and 265/70R17s with Falken wildpeaks
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Looking at the forest service website I recently found a list of all the yellow post sites. San Bernardino National Forest - Recreation
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Map them out and start early Friday morning. If you go Friday afternoon, odds are they will be filled.
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Thanks for the tip. Luckily my weekends right now are Sunday/Monday so when I go, it'll be a Sunday afternoon. Hopefully, more will be free as long as I avoid Monday holidays.
If you want to go 'overland camping' to get a feel for things, places like Big Bear, Idyllwild, Thomas Mountain, and Anza-Borrego are great places. If you want more of an 'overlanding experience' for a longer trip, consider doing the Mojave Road or one of the many routes in (and around) Death Valley. If you head to Death Valley, the whole of 395 opens up with a lot of great 'beginner' places like Alabama Hills, Monache Meadows, Buttermilks, Coyote Flats, etc, etc.
All of these are easy to moderate, although some of them (e.g., Coyote Flats and Eastern part of Buttermilks) may be more intimidating due to rough terrain and shelf roads.
If you do the Mojave Road, make sure you buy the book (Casebier) - it makes the trip that much more enjoyable. You might want to bypass Watson Wash Drop In and avoid the final (Afton) water crossing.
All of these are easy to moderate, although some of them (e.g., Coyote Flats and Eastern part of Buttermilks) may be more intimidating due to rough terrain and shelf roads.
If you do the Mojave Road, make sure you buy the book (Casebier) - it makes the trip that much more enjoyable. You might want to bypass Watson Wash Drop In and avoid the final (Afton) water crossing.
