Southern California Off Road Explorers

06/17/2024

A small portion of the Angeles National Forest remains temporarily closed after the Bobcat Fire (2020) and subsequent floods--effective June 14, 2024, through October 1, 2024.

This area includes Chantry Flats, a popular recreation area near Sierra Madre, CA, and Arcadia, CA, and trails and access points within/around this vicinity.

The purpose of the closure is to provide for public safety and to facilitate natural recovery of the area affected by the Bobcat Fire.

Additional repairs are still needed in the Chantry Flats area after the Bobcat Fire and post-fire floods. Los Angeles County still continues road work, and the Forest Service is repairing and improving recreational infrastructure. In addition, forest volunteer groups have been working hard to rebuild and repair trails.

The goal is to reopen the area as soon as possible.

For details including a map: visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/angeles/alerts-notices/?aid=80638 or call 626-574-1613 (Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.).

05/30/2024

03/10/2024

03/08/2024

From Billy Creech at East Mojave Heritage Trail……

Listen Up Gang - IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

I just got off the phone with NPS in the Mojave National Preserve and they have just completed a full heavy equipment and structural repair of the erosion cut on Piute Pass. This is both EMHT Segment 1 and The Mojave Road.

This is really excellent news that that they utilized resources to commit and fix this area as just a few years ago, the prevailing thought was that if that area dropped off and became totally impassable, NPS wouldn't fix it - that the alternate route would become the main route. So, for them to invest in this is a really massive win for us.

Please take the time to thank them when you can.

02/19/2024

I haven't been camping for a long time & I had some old Shower Pouch wipes stored for a while, so I thought I'd skip a shower at home & try a Shower Pouch that I found cleaning out my old 4x4. Anyway, I used the Cucumber one that was probably at least 5 years old & it worked great!! It felt like I'd had a regular shower at home, left me clean smelling, feeling fresh & felt great to use. Very strong, big enough to do the job! If you're out in the boonies & want to feel refreshed after hiking, off roading, etc, I highly recommend you carry a few of these on your trip, you'll love the convenience & versatility of these disposable towels.........

02/19/2024

It’s been a while since I last shared an update. My business partner and I recently took a step back to reconnect with the essence of why we embarked on the Shower Pouch journey eight years ago.

Primarily, it was about sharing our skills with the world to address a prevalent consumer challenge lacking optimal solutions at the time - body wipes. Additionally, we harbored a strong desire to be our own bosses when the timing was right. Above all, it was about infusing enjoyment into our entrepreneurial journey and avoiding the metaphorical corporate grind that left people unhappy.

In the pursuit of ambitious revenue and growth goals, it’s easy to lose sight of the initial motivations that fueled the inception of our brand. Moving forward, our focus will be on prioritizing the sharing of our innovative hygiene products with those who appreciate adventure and see value in our American story. We want to emphasize that anyone with dedication and hard work can carve their own path to success in America 🇺🇸. Thank you to each of you for believing in us and sharing us with your friends and family. Happy trails 🏕️!

10/14/2023

https://www.facebook.com/100064756474257/posts/723458963155980/?mibextid=95YSWs

09/13/2023

**Road Closure**🚗🚌
From Friday, September 15-Friday, September 22, the Park road to access Borrego Palm Canyon Campground and the Borrego Palm Canyon Trail will be closed for a road construction project. Visitors may park at the Visitor Center and hike the all-access trail to get to the Borrego Palm Canyon Trailhead. Please call the Visitor Center at 760-767-4205 if you have any questions.

09/12/2023

Oh FFS!!!! 😂😂

09/06/2023

09/03/2023

Redrock Randsburg Road aka Garlock has a little damage, LOL ..... HOWEVER, you can still get to OLD WEST DAYS & to Randsburg ...
SR 14 to US 395 and go south; or
SR 58 to Kramer Junction then north at US 395
See ya'll soon!!!
Randsburg General Store

08/27/2023

A lot of roads & trails are washed out or damaged, be careful out there. Kelbaker Road.................

08/21/2023

08/21/2023

☀️😁 Anza-Borrego Desert State Park will reopen tomorrow, August 21. Keep in mind that the visitor center is still on summer hours and is only open on Saturdays and Sundays from 9a-5p.

⛈ Here are some stats from TC Hilary:

💨 The strongest wind gust was recorded at the Anza-Borrego airport. The gust was 49 mph.

⛈ Rain totals varied with the totals being around 2”. The Borrego airport recorded 2.01” of rain. Borrego Palm Canyon’s total was 1.94” of rain.

Have a great week!

08/20/2023

https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/hurricane-hilary-evacuation-orders-issued-for-areas-san-bernardino-county-warnings-issued-for-oc/

Voluntary evacuation warnings have been issued for residents living in mountain communities and near burn scars due to the potential impact of Hurricane Hilary, a Category 2 storm brewing off the coast of Baja California.

08/18/2023

08/11/2023

This looks pretty cool, I could have used one of these when I was doing a lit of trips. Doesn’t seem to add too much weight to the roof, I’m going to investigate this a bit more……

07/26/2023

Directions for The New Dixie Mine Road trail, from East to West::::::

From I10 follow 29 Palms Highway to Yucca Valley and turn left northward when you reach Highway 247, also known as Old Woman Springs Road. Follow the 247 about ten miles until you reach the small settlement of Landers. Landers has two gas stations and grocery stores at which you can refuel and buy food. One, Hero's, has a small cafe that offers traditional country-style fare. As you pass Reche Road, keep your eyes open for New Dixie Mine Road and take a left turn onto the dirt road when you spot it. The most noticeable landmark is a large, light-green metal workshop on the north side of the street. Follow New Dixie Mine Road westward for about two hundred yards and you will notice the Landers Community Church to your right. I have always been welcomed to use the church's parking lot as my staging spot.
The trail climbs gradually upward for several miles then enters a canyon after which it follows sandy washes lined with cat's claw acacia and desert willow among other floral species. There are beautiful rock formations on both sides of the trail. You will pass several off shooting trails, which mostly enter upon private property.
After about 5 miles, the low desert flora give way to Joshua trees, pines, and chaparral. The trail is challenging in parts (with some steep climbs) but is generally "easy." Sections consisting of switchbacks, loops, climbs, and some occasionally brutal rocky stretches of terrain are punctuated by smooth, steady sections that course their way over plateaus before ascending higher into the mountains. The plateau sections of the trail are perfect for enjoying the scenery.
The Bighorn Mountain Wilderness borders much of the trail to the north and south. Though I have never been lucky enough to have spotted any bighorn sheep, it is said there are small colonies of this mammal scattered throughout these mountains. Branching trails are perfect for hiking and I have found some excellent camping spots along the route. It is important not to drive off the trail as the wilderness is federally protected and the old trails are in various stages of recovery, though I do have to admit I would have loved going further.
This trail has some perfect campsites. The weather though can be unpredictable even during the warmest summer periods so come prepared for possible changes of weather such as downpours, which are not unknown in this part of the state. Also, temperatures can get pretty chilly at night. This particular trail reaches an altitude of over 6,000 ft. so keep that in mind. It is perfect though for summer rides and offers a great escape from the usually torrid temperatures of lower elevations.
After about fifteen miles of westward travel you will come to a cattle-crossing guard and shortly thereafter spot the remains of a stone structure to the left. Continue to the left (south). It is here that New Dixie Mine Road becomes Viscera Springs Road. Continue south about three miles and join Burns Canyon Road. If you head east you will arrive at pavement's end at the settlement of Rimrock. Should you continue west, however, you will rise into the San Bernardino Mountains. Burns Canyon Road soon becomes Smarts Ranch Road, which you can take all the way to Cactus Flats staging area in the SB National Forest.
The New Dixie Mine Road trail is approximately fifteen miles long before it reaches other trails that go south and hook up with Burns Canyon Road that stretches between Pioneer Town and Baldwin Lake. Burns Canyon Road, when from pavement's end through the mountains to Cactus Flats OHV staging area in the San Bernardino National Forest, is open to quads and dirt bikes in both directions. I hear that some locals in Burns Canyon are hostile to travelers and there are signs at the road's entrance stating that any cars parked along the side of the road will be towed. This is only for the first seven miles of Burns Canyon Road before it morphs into public land.

05/02/2023

Mojave Road is now OPEN. The recent warm weather has finally dried out the surface of the lake making it safe and responsible to cross.

Please help spread the word that the Mojave Road is open to all California street legal vehicles. Side-by-sides, ATVs, and UTVs even with green stickers from other states are not allowed anywhere in Mojave National Preserve. Please refer to our neighbors with the BLM for using these kinds of Vehicles.

ALT TEXT: A scene on a dry lake looking through a windshield with a ranger hat on the dashboard. Text reads Mojave ROad News, April 30th 2023, Mojave Road Now Open Across Soda Lake. CA Street Legal Vehicles Only

04/04/2023

Supposedly all forest trails are closed but I've heard that Holcomb Valley campground is open so 2N09/3N16 must be open, can anyone confirm this?

04/04/2023

Another link with easy to read lists of trail closures..................

San Bernardino National Forest - Alerts & Notices

04/04/2023

Big Bear area Trail closures PDF.............

03/21/2023

Heading up the Yellow Grade Road to Cerro Gordo....

03/12/2023

Some more from The Old Woman Mountains trip..............