US West Snowy trails for lightly modified GX's within 3-4 hours of the bay area SFO

[overl4nd]

With the storms rolling in, we are thinking of doing a day trip from the Bay area. The rigs are mildly lifted (mostly GX) and couple of us have Winches too. Looking for some forest trails reachable within 3-4 hours from Bay area where we can off road in not so deep snow.

We earlier thought Nevada, but any good snowy trail head is going to be atleast 6 hours away in Nevada. So looking at places near Bald mountain, Shavers lake, Bear valley, Carson pass national forest area etc.,

Advice on potential trails and details would be really great!

 

[Saints&Sailors]

I haven't been personally but I hear Mormon Emigrant Trail would fit the bill for what you're looking for. In the summertime, I think it is mostly paved but it isn't maintained in the winter so it gets snowed over.

Bring food, water, and blankets to keep warm in case you get stuck out there.

 

[v_man]

Mormon Emigrant Trail is the go-to for a lot of Bay Area sno' runs. It's about 3.5 hrs from me on the Peninsula. It gets crowded and you have to stay on MET and not take side trails, it does get patrolled.

Bowman Lake road near Tahoe is also legal.

Also check out the road to Uncle Tom's Cabin, a funky little bar out in the middle of the Forest near Georgetown. It's off Wentworth springs road.

MET

 

[overl4nd]

Mormon Emigrant Trail is the go-to for a lot of Bay Area sno' runs. It's about 3.5 hrs from me on the Peninsula. It gets crowded and you have to stay on MET and not take side trails, it does get patrolled.

Bowman Lake road near Tahoe is also legal.

Also check out the road to Uncle Tom's Cabin, a funky little bar out in the middle of the Forest near Georgetown. It's off Wentworth springs road.

MET

Thanks
Earlier I saw that MET had chained barriee from sno park side on 50. What is the best entry point

 

[v_man]

You do enter from hwy. 50 off Sly park road, the other side of MET near hwy. 88 is always closed in winter.

 

[VonTrapp]

Located in Oakland, and would love to join in a Bay-Area-Exodus-Snow-Run.

 

[overl4nd]

Located in Oakland, and would love to join in a Bay-Area-Exodus-Snow-Run.

Sure. Join GXOR page. We announce all GX events there.
Planning another one in 3 weeks or so

BTW everyone, MET was a hoot. Lots of lifted trucks around, and everyone getting stuck.

 

[VonTrapp]

Sure. Join GXOR page. We announce all GX events there.
Planning another one in 3 weeks or so

BTW everyone, MET was a hoot. Lots of lifted trucks around, and everyone getting stuck.

I'm in a Grand Cherokee... but I'll take a gander at the GX page. ;-)

You got me curious about the MET... looks fun!

 

[Kent R]

Like mentioned above the MET and the road to Uncle Toms is in its prime right now, our club has had several members up there and the report is awesome.

 

[overl4nd]

Like mentioned above the MET and the road to Uncle Toms is in its prime right now, our club has had several members up there and the report is awesome.

Yes, it was amazing. And please share more detail about "Uncle toms"

 

[Inthewoods]

Don't come to Yosemite. They have closed a lot gates and campgrounds getting ready for this storm and they closed my spot. I'm here now at the south gate its open but getting ready for chain requirements so now I'm looking for a wide spot waiting for the storm. The hwy 140 from Merced is open right now but might close it tonight for possible landslides.