NorCal Offroading

I think you're gonna need an app like Gaia. It has the trails and denotes land use so you'll know if it's private, BLM or national forrest. Gaia is not the only app, just one that I'm sorta familiar with. BTW, changing tires is no big deal once you've made a few trail repairs. This weekend we pulled a broken front axle/CV and kept going.

 

Tire was no problem. Just a hassle when we both got blowouts. Idk if I can post videos in here but have a video of one raptor yanking the other out.

came away from that trip with two busted solenoids in the transmission and a busted cv axle as well. Truck wouldn’t go into reverse.

I’m learning slowly! But still looking for the camping spot for this weekend less off road more beer and fire and floating

 

You find that place hit me up! I’ll be there

 

Same

 

Do y’all have any idea if such a place exists? I don’t need the campgrounds lol. Around a lake? On a river? The beach?

 

Usal Rd.

 

I hope someone does a trip report.

 

You can do dispersed camping for free in the national forests. I went dispersed camping near Union Valley Reservoir once and we found a spot that was a short hike to the lake. Most other lake/river access camping I've done has been at campsites and many require reservations. Some don't require reservations which is nice for a short-notice trip, but then they are first-come-first-served and you might not find a spot after a long drive.
Check recreation.gov for campgrounds under the National Parks Service and there are tons of commercial campsites if that's also your style.

 

Decided on Lost Coast this weekend. Hoping there isnt much of an unruly teenage gun shooting crowd which ive read can appear on the weekends. Doing Usal beach and all my buddies have ground tents so figured I can just haul them from their cars on highway 1 down to the beach if the cars can't make Usal road. Hoping to find a nice spot on the beach and not get stuck since it'll be just me with an offroad capable vehicle. Ill just air down a lot and hope for the best!

 

Sounds good man! Lets see some pics when you get back. I am curious about this location too!

 

No doubt. Will try to take a bunch! I bought a cheap Amazon car charger tire inflator to fix my air down too much mistake! Already have maxtrax and a shovel so I think ill be okay. Just prepping for the worst like I always do and hoping I wont face it. Ill take a bunch of pics and throw em up in here.

 

Just a heads up to the NorCal Crew.. I am driving to Arizona just outside of Phoenix the last week of August and then headed up to Sedona. If anyone needs some parts run to Arizona or wants me to pick something up that is along the way just hit me up, I should have a good amount of free space in the bed of the truck.

 

I've been wanting to run Usal for a few years, so I'm looking forward to your report.

 

Not running the whole thing unless there’s an exit on the other side I can hit on my way out. Just running from 1 to usal beach campground which I think is like 6 miles?

 

Well that's too bad, but might provide an indication of the condition of the trail.
If you go all the way through it exits out onto Shelter Cove Road.

 

Can I loop around to highway 1 again?

 

Not really. You would probably head east to Garberville to get on Hwy 101 and then back south to Hwy 1.
Or it might be quicker and more fun to just run the trail backwards to get back to Hwy 1.
https://funtreks.com/off-road-trails/lost-coast-beach/

 

Understood. Either way I’ll take pics and let y’all know! More than happy to always explore with fellow more knowledgeable tundra people

 

I feel like I deserve a prize for having made the winning suggestion. LOL

 

Honestly at first didn’t realize usal and lost coast were same thing lol. Gotta get familiar. But soon we should all do the whole usal!

 

En route!

 

It's cool Sunny. Super easy, basically just a dirt road but, I've seen video with Elk on the beach and I think you can just pitch a tent on the beach?

 

Even I could handle that

 

Thanks Alan, you're the best.

 

Bought an EZ tire deflator to air down to avoid sand troubles. Just watched a YouTube video on how to use it and worried I’m gonna empty my tire lol.

 

Just be sure you carry spare valve cores.

 

Something I can buy at auto zone or something? Leaving Friday. I feel like it’s simple I’m just being over careful and cautious

 

Yep, any parts store, tire shop.

 

they work great! I was definitely confused using it my first time as well. If you have the air compressor I’d play with it one time before hitting the trail or at the gas station real quick next to the air pump.. take 5 minutes and feel confident with your gear