Count the Murman Clan as in...

If we met at a group pavilion in a CA state park, or National park, I would be happy to cook brats, dogs, burgers, carne asada for tacos... stuff like that, on a grill.

I used to do stuf like this w/ a group called the Chevy Avalanche Fan Club of North America.

 

Awesome. Any preference on the place we meet?

 

Lake Oroville SRA???

 

Yes, it'll work. It's 100+ miles away from Sac. For those interested see the link below.

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=462

Is there a place where you can off road the Jeeps?

Dixie, there are plenty of places for offroad in CA. Maybe there will be some offroading getting there...who knows.

 

Is there a place where you can off road the Jeeps?

 

very interested, if we're including a challenging trail ride--maybe some go the scenic route, others take a teeth-rattler?

A very very brief googling of Lake Oroville SRA didnt reveal any interesting trail rides, and I usually try to avoid state parks anyway, cuz they're usually the most expensive option, and with RVs and drunk teens, etc. I can think of many places to meet, camp, and ride, and personally know some great spots in Mendocino Natl Forest, which has many 4x4 trails of various difficulty in the southern portion. Personally, I've been wanting to explore more in the Sierras, not necessarily high up, there's plenty of good stuff in the lower elevations.

Regardless, I suggest we take advantage of our vehicles to get us to somewhere we'd be far from the RV folks. Maybe an easy-difficulty to get to the site, and some challenging options once at the site.

JLofferman also has some good knowledge on locations around Travis AFB, i suspect he will chime in to this tread soon. I also have a great new book that identifies NorCal trails (w/ difficulty ratings) & campsites, and if we determine a general region, I can put together some suggestions---and in the meantime I'll go thru the book to come up with some preliminary suggestions anyway.

probably best if we see who is interested, then figure out a central location

Murman, I assume yer around Susanville, yes? MannyR is in San Jose.

 

Count me in

Count me in from San Francisco

 

Phineas Phreek, I was thinking more of a meet & greet rather than trail run. I was planning on bringing my wife and the kid so they can spend some time outdoors. Plus my Patriot isn't a really trail ready: not tow hooks, stock tires, not lifted. I'd hate to break anything on fairly new vehicle especially it's my DD. What do you mean state parks are expensive? It's $8 to enter the park. Just my thoughts but would like to know what other members have to say. No offense in any means just had in mind something different. If I was by myself, the trail run probably would be my choice.

 

If we wind up at a place with campsites, I may get there a day or two ahead and do a little camping...

We picked up this tent last weekend and want to give it a shot.

 

Phineas Phreek, any other location you'd like to explore? Looks like it's four of us so far. Are you OK meeting in October? We should finalize the date and location.

 

JeepNow,

sorry, didn't mean to hijack yer plan, just throwing it out there as something that might increase interest--certainly would increase mine . Probably shouldn't have interjected into the conversation, cuz I have no idea what my October is going to look like, and there's always I chance I flake at the last minute. If you want to stick to your original idea, I wouldn't be offended. I'd almost suggest it! Don't let me drag y'all into somethin' yer not interested in!

Haven't had a chance to considered a location, will be a few days before I can get to it, but still perfectly willing to hear that you want to stick with a meet instead of a ride--so please interject. Heck if you and Murman aren't interested in a ride, its probably easier for MannyR and myself to plan our own ride closer to us.

re: state park costs: the one's I've considered in the past or am familiar with: around Big Sur, or Sinkyone Wilderness for example, are around $25 per day for camping, and I usually don't go unless I'm going for more than a couple days, so it quickly adds up.

Murman, nice tent

 

No worries at all. I want more people to come. I don't mind taking an easy trail if it requires to get to our destination place. I'm open to any time but thought October weather wise will be the best choice. Sorry I didn't think about camping fees you were talking about originally. I was thinking about the entrance fee to the state park which I've never seen more than $10. Please let us know when you're open to see if we end up having enough people for the meet.

 

whoa Lake Oroville SRA is like 2 1/2 hrs from me lol

 

... me too.

 

2 hrs for me too. I'm open to any other suggestions as well if Oroville isn't going to work. Have your suggestions coming as it's already mid September.

 

That will make 5 of us if everyone shows up. I think it'll worth it. Just need to finalize the location and the date.

 

Check out Hollister off road vehicle park--it's 45 min. from San Jose, about the same from Monterey, and hour and a half from the San Joaquin Valley....and it's been known to be rugged!

Check this out: http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1179

 

Jack, it is too far...2.5 hrs from Sac/Vacaville and almost 6 hrs for Murman.

 

We San Joaquin Valley types GLADLY drive 2-1/2 hours (Exeter to Cambria, for example...) to escape the heat and enjoy the fog of the coast! Monday, we did just that--head over the hill to the coast for some cool air, lunch, shop browsing, and back home.

Anyway, "Holly Hills" was just a sugession--and if any of you get headed that way--check it out--We managed to get several Army jeeps stuck there--I was the only one who didn't just venture into that swamp--and I was the only one with a 40' tow strap that rescued the others! Moral: Don't go off roading without your "support staff!"

 

Jack, I'm totally with you on driving to the coast escaping the heat. I don't mind driving there if other people agree meeting there. I like to drive and the distance does't scary me much. That's why this thread is still open as we're still weighing our options where to go. Thanks for the proposal though.

 

Found a few OHV parks in NorCal besides Hollister.

Clay Pit State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA) is located two miles west of the town of Oroville.
http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=25572

Prairie City is situated at the base of the Sierra Nevada foothills, 20 miles east of downtown Sacramento and three miles south of U.S. 50.
http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1221

 

Oroville OHV

 

Lake Berryessa is a nice lake for camping not much for off roading if you want to 4x4 an OHV park like prairie seems to fit in the distance for everybody. I leave like end of this month for 6 haha but when i get back i'd love to hit the trails with you guys hope you find a good spot.

 

For those of you that will be going, which weekend in October you'd prefer?

Oct 8-9
Oct 15-16
Oct 22-23
Oct 29-30

 

OCT 8-9 gets my vote.

Columbus Day weekend is 8-10 OCT. I have that Monday (10th) off... So it is a four day weekend for me... (I work 4-10s)

 

I was thinking along the same lines except I don't get that Monday off. Is Oroville still the place to meet?