Category Archives: Mountain Biking

Back Roads, California Rivers, California Waterfalls, Campgrounds, Campsites, Campspots, Mountain Biking, Off Road, Picnic Areas, Sightseeing, Trailheads, Wilderness, Wildflowers

California Camping Maps

California Campground Maps

Maps are the key to finding your very own slice of heaven in the Wilderness. Online map sources can barely get you to your city destination correctly, much less the remote waterfall you desire. You will need a real map for your adventure. A topographical map, with all the details, dirt roads & hiking trails. If you are seeking to stay away from the touristy crowds, this is the best possible place you can be…. on this site, searching for ways to make it happen – this weekend.

BACKPACKERS BACKPACKING MAPS –

maps of California
Mount Whitney, John Muir & way beyond the High Sierra. DanaMite has all the California Wilderness maps on the new map shop. Various brands and types of maps. Most are printed on waterproof plastic now & are tear-resistant.

CAR CAMPING MAPS –

El Dorado Camping
Planning on camping outside of the developed campgrounds & finding that perfect stream side spot without the reservation & the fees? Then you will need a free fire permit (from a ranger station), plus a good map of the forests & a vehicle capable of handling the rugged the back roads. Much of California is prone to wildfires, so make sure campfires are even allowed on the backroads, before you get out there. Call the “field rangers” for back road advice and current recommendations.

CALIFORNIA OFF ROAD MAPS –

Wanna take that 4×4 vehicle somewhere really special this season? Camp well beyond the masses, way down that dirt road. We have OHV maps for SoCal, the deserts & all the National Forest maps too.

CALIF CAMPGROUND MAPS –

Start your search on the perfect campground or camp site with the destination in mind. Mountains, deserts, coastal. Parks & forests all have their own maps with all nearby camp grounds listed. We feature all the National Forest maps, as well as some State Park & National Park maps

See all California topo, hiking, camping maps

Sierra Nevada maps

coolsprings

  • California A to Z
  • California Camping
  • California Elevations
  • Camp Firewood
  • Camp Potty

    • RV camping deep in the Sierra
    RV camping at it's best in the Sierra; This rig found themselves deep in the alpine lush meadows with towering trees and a view and a very private camp site.
    Big Bend CA
    Big Bend Ranger Station, off I-80
    4x4 Routes, Back Roads, Backpacking, California Maps, Equestrian, Fishing, Hiking, Lakes & Reservoirs, Marinas, Mountain Biking, Off Road, Off-Road Trail, Rock Climbing, Sightseeing, Ski Resorts, Ski XC, Snow, Snowmobiling, Trailheads, Wilderness, XC Ski Areas

    Tahoe Lake Map

    Tahoe Maps: trail maps

    lake camp, hike, mountain bike, off-road, ski, snowmobile

    Tahoe Trail Maps / Tahoe National Forest

    tahoe hiking maps

    Numerous State Parks dot the shoreline at Tahoe, while the National Forest lands and Wilderness Areas span most of the peaks above. Camping, backpacking, boating, kayaking, fishing, climbing, mountaineering, mountain biking, snow skiing, snowmobiling are all popular recreation in this Sierra region. US Highway 50 and Interstate 80 are the main western access routes to Lake Tahoe. US Hwy 395 leads to Tahoe, up from the Eastern Sierra and Southern California.

    Wanna find every waterfall or every creek to fish? This is the place that will help you find them. Easily, with good old fashion printed maps. Hard copies, some waterproof & tear resistant, most with topographical data and all roads, trails, campgrounds and parks. Whether or not you water ski or cross country ski, these maps will save your ass – when you are way back there in the boonies.

    Tahoe’s Rubicon Trail connects the historic Gold Country to the alpine lake via granite wilderness sky ways above 7000′ elevation, but a real 4×4 and overnights are required. The back roads and trails are endless in these parts of the Central Sierra Nevada mountains.tahoe maps

    keep tahoe blue

    Nearby attractions surrounding Lake Tahoe –

    Tahoe National Forest
    Tahoe Rim Trail
    Rubicon 4×4 Trail
    Lakes Basin Recreation Area
    Sierra Buttes
    Desolation Wilderness
    Grover Hot Springs
    Blue Lakes
    Hope Valley

    cabin rentals

    California Deserts, Hiking, March, Mountain Biking, Off Road, Picnic Areas, Sightseeing, Washes, Wilderness, Wildflowers

    Anza Borrego Wildflowers


    Desert Wildflowers / Anza Borrego SP

    Anza Borrego Flowers / Borrego Springs CA

    Wild Flowers of Box Canyon, Mecca
    East San Diego County, Borrego Springs CA

    San Diego Backcountry
    600,000 acres of SoCal desert

    BLOOM: February thru MaySan Diego desert maps
    Anza Park elevations range from low to high. Lowest near eastern border of park (next to the Salton Sea) to the upper reaches of the western slopes @ 4000′ of the Laguna mountains. Lower elevations sprout up first; Micro flowers, Easter-egg-color splendor in the dry washes. Higher elevations bloom later (along w/ areas on San Diego County Rd S-2, the Great Overland Stage Route)

    Drive from Temecula to Warner Springs, and then proceed east – out to the Salton Sea via Back Road Highway #S22 (Montezuma Grade). A great route to take thru the Borrego State Park – for the full gamut in vegetation & altitude. Grapevine Canyon is an alternate off road route down a scenic canyon. Culp Valley has a small campground, plus lots of boulders and decent views to the Borrego Valley. Off the highway, on dirt, one-lane side roads lead to many primitive spots. Perfect for private picnics, stargazing or overnight camping.

    anza wildflowers include – Arizona Lupine, Barrel cacti, Brittlebush, California Primrose, Cheesebush, Creosote, Desert Chicory, Desert Apricot, Desert Hibiscus, Desert Lavender, Desert Pincushion, Fiesta Flower, Fishhook Cactus, Gold-Poppy, Ghost Flowers, Ground Cherry, Fagonia, Prickly Pear, Monkey Flower, Ocotillo, Rigid Fiddleneck, Rock Daisy, Sahara Mustard, Sand Verbena, Short-Wing Deerweed, Spanish Needles, Spectacle Pod, Trailing Windmills, Turpentine Broom, Whispering Bells, Wishbone Bush

    Anza Borrego Camping: Palm Canyon and RV Resortscamp

     

    BORREGO MAPS

    Wilderness Anza Borrego Map
    Wilderness Press Anza Borrego Map

     

    Hot Springs of the Southwest
    Hot Springs of the Southwest

    Anza Borrego Flora

    __________________________________________________

    Annual California Wildflower Reports

     

    anza flower links:

    Anza-Borrego National History Association
    Anza Borrego Desert
     Anza Borrego Desert State Park
    Borrego Campfire Restrictions
     Desert USA Reports

    blurflwr

    nearby towns:

    Borrego Valley Flora

    4x4 Camps OHV, 4x4 Routes, Back Roads, Backpacking, California Deserts, Camping, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Off Road, Off-Road Trail, Picnic Areas, Trailheads, Viewpoints, Washes

    Horse Canyon

    Horse Canyon Mojave

    Horse Canyon California

    Southern Sierra / Mojave Road SC 65

    Mojave Desert meets the Sierra Nevada Mountains
    North Highway 14

    North of Mojave, CA
    North of Red Rock State Park
    North of Jawbone Canyon

    South of south of US Hwy 395, south of jct Hwy 178

    backroads BLM camping desert roads hiking PCT mountain bike jeep roads primitive camp

    elevation: 3000′-7000′

    Horse Canyon is a dirt road up a high desert canyon, with joshua trees and wash outs. 7000′ elevation pinyon pine ridges above w/ PCT.

    Most would say the see a whole-lotta-nothingness out here in these deserts…. when they zoom by at 70 mph on the blacktop highway.

    at Total Escape, we beg to differ.

    Solo Driver SUV

    Intersection on Hwy 14 @ SC 65, dirt route will travel west into the mountains. Initial desert road follows Little Dixie Wash, but veers north up to Horse Canyon and the higher forested ridges.

    Horse Cyn is a scenic, desert, dirt road that becomes a rugged 4×4 trail the higher it climbs in the canyon. The route traverses a ridge line and dead ends at the old cabin; No through route, no loop. The PCT continues on to the Walker Pass @ the 178.

    The lower Horse Canyon is area quite accessible by standard truck or SUV. High clearance is recommended out on these kinda roads. Vegetation is quite sparse at first, but improves with the miles traveled. Wildflowers can be awesome, usually April-June. Picnic spots everywhere; primitive camping sites can be found out here, off the main dirt road. Please reuse existing camp sites when possible.

    wheelin pals

    Passenger cars may attempt this, but should watch for unexpected deep dips and rocks, washed out in the road. (No tow service in the middle of nowhere). Road conditions do change with the seasons out in the boonies. Cell phone reception could be spotty back in the deepest of canyons.

    PCT
    PCT trail access: Pacific Crest Trail follows this ridge road for miles. They call this range the SCODIE Mountains; Old cabin at the end of the road.

    cabin mcivers

    Sage Canyon and Cow Heaven Canyon are both to the north, along with Freeman Canyon (CA SR 178). Bird Spring and Dove Spring Canyons are both to the south, along with the most popular regions of Red Rock State Park and the Jawbone OHV area.

    nearby towns:

    INYOKERN, CA
    LAKE ISABELLA, CA
    MOJAVE, CA
    RANDSBURG, CA
    RIDGECREST, CA

    joshuacanyons

    4x4 Camps OHV, Back Roads, Backpacking, Camping, Campsites, Creeks, Fishing, Hiking, Lakes & Reservoirs, Mountain Biking, Off Road, Off-Road Trail, Picnic Areas, Sightseeing, Trailheads, Wilderness

    Sawmill Lake Sierra

    primitive camp spots

    Sawmill Lake, California


    N of Donner Pass, Sierra Nevada

    elevation 5800′ – Canyon Creek connects Lake Faucherie, Sawmill Lake and Bowman Reservoir in the Sierra, Tahoe National Forest. 20+ miles of backroad travel, off I-80.

    While many consider Faucherie to be the most beautiful scenic lake, Sawmill Lake just downstream a couple of miles is still quite attractive – with dense forests and a granite mountain backdrop. Sawmill is especially nice for those who like to primitive camp, ouside of developed campgrounds. Way off the interstate @ Hwy 20, tucked in way back behind Bowman Lake a few miles, you can find Sawmill Lake.

    Sawmill Lake California

    Fishing and camping, kayaking and canoeing are all popular recreation around this lake. A trailhead on the northend of the lake leads out to even more alpine lakes (a day hike “lake loop” or backpacking option). The Pacific Crest Trail is also routed nearby.

    No motorized boats or watercraft allowed. No boat ramps, no pavement, no picnic tables, no bathrooms, no fees.

    4×4 Lake
    Fishing Lake
    Free Camping Lake

    The north shoreline is abundant with dispersed campsites: metal fire rings and a clearing only; no picnic tables, no toilets. Self sufficient campers only. Campfire permits, a water bucket and a shovel are required. During extreme fire restrictions campfires may not be allowed. Check with local rangers for up to date info.

    Tahoe National Forest
    Truckee Ranger Station
    530-587-3558

    National Forest Lake & Forest Lake Fishing Kayak lake hiking lake

    Most campsites are drive up and park, while others closer to the shoreline have only walk-in access. Hauling your gear down hill won’t seem unthinkable once you’ve seen the lakeside views. There is even a camp below the dam, next to the waterfall.

    waterfallfromdam

    The main access Road #843-037 is very rocky and 4x4s love to frequent the area. The backroads here are best suite for truck travel, high clearance vehicles, off-roaders and SUVs. No small RVs or trailers. Passenger cars are not recommended. The access roads around the lake and up to the lake are dusty and rugged. The road below the dam is quite rough w/ rocks.

    For more driving details, please see entry on Canyon Creek Campground.

    road at dam
    The water at Sawmill Lake is crystal clear snowmelt. The lakes around here are managed by Nevada Irrigation District, so this is why there are no engines allowed on the lake. This canyon area closes to public entry during winter months (NOV-APRIL), due to deep snow.

    clear water

    4x4 Camps OHV, 4x4 Routes, Back Roads, California Deserts, California Maps, California Rivers, Campsites, Campspots, Creeks, Mountain Biking, Off Road, Off-Road Trail, OHV Parks & SVRA, Palm Oasis, Slot Canyons, Trailheads, Washes, Wilderness, Wind Caves

    SUV Trail

    Baker Creek
    Baker Creek, Inyo NF

    Since sport utility vehicles were invented for California yuppies, it makes perfect sense that this California market also has the awesome terrain to use these rugged rigs. After the first shopping cart door ding or windshield crack, most folks are open to taking their utilitarian vehicles on dirt roads, but some will only dream about it.

    big bear joshua trees

    Here at Total Escape, we are here to change all that. The fear of outdoors, the unknown, the capability, the driving skill. Your SUV is a good reason to be outdoors in the golden state, at bare minimum. No excuses. Enjoy the California you never knew – and sometimes that means getting off the pavement. Yes, more than 2 miles.

    SUV trail – any path, dirt road or route that can be driven on; high clearance vehicle are often necessary, 4×4 needed on occasion. National Forests, canyons, deserts, mountains, country lane style drives, some classic routes skirt the wilderness boundaries. We have it all for ya here. Rock crawling Rubicon adventures, all the way down to the leisurely ‘Sunday drive’ thru a forest to a meadow for a picnic. 

    Jeep trails, forest roads, graded roads, gravel roads, back roads, dirt roads, 4×4 routes, OHV (off highway vehicle) trails.

    MAPS will get you out there!
    suv road trip
    Dust, dirt, mud, snow. Beyond the county line, way back there, where you can discover ghost towns, old mines in the desert, hot springs, historic lodges, petroglyphs, river gorges, fire lookouts, waterfalls, and so much more.

    Get motivated and travel in your SUV:

    cattle roads

    SUV camping

    sierra roads

    Campgrounds, Campsites, Creeks, Mountain Biking

    Cold Creek Campground

    Cold Creek Camp

    Truckee Campgrounds, Tahoe NF

    Cold Creek Campground: N of Truckee, CA

    DSCN0046

    A small developed campground along forested Highway 89, with raging creek, fishing spots, and hiking trails and mountain biking trails nearby. Paved, level camp sites, small RVs okay w/ access to the numerous Sierra Nevada destinations with several lakes and reservoirs nearby.

    This is a popular overnight stop “in route” for many campers and bikers traveling further on to the Northern Sierra Nevada mountains. You can exit off Interstate 80 @ Truckee, and be at this camp in minutes. Car camp, tent camping, a few spaces for small motorhomes. Plenty hiking and mountain biking trails.

    Cold Creek Campground, California

    on the Cold Stream;
    Campground open May-October
    (depending on snow)

    High Sierra / Tahoe Truckee Camping

    13 camp sites on Cold Stream @ 5800′ elevation; vault toilets, river and piped water, bear boxes; first come, first served camping

    Max Camper Length: 22′

    Rangers Office: 530-265-4531

    The highway traffic noise makes this place a ‘short and sweet’ one nighter top pick, great for those camping in route to another destination. Another developed camp is on the opposite side of the highway, less than a mile north called Cottonwood Campground.

    Free Camping nearby.
    If you are seeking primitive camping near this area, start with Little Truckee Summit at the lakes turn off road on SR 89 – about 2 miles south of the Cold Creek Campground.

    Tahioe USDA MapTake Tahoe Forest Road #5, a major paved road, approximately 12 miles back to the big meadows. Look for the unsigned dirt roads on left side of road nearing Webber Lake. The largest lake in the region, Independence Lake, is a paved side route off to the south. Further back on Road #5 the pavement ends at Jackson Meadows Reservoir. Very rough rocky road out to Bowman Lake w/ several developed campgrounds in the vicinity.

     

    Tahoe trailheads lead out to –
    alpine fishing lakes
    mountain peaks
    Treasure Mountain 7085′
    Tahoe National Forest 
    OHV Area @ Prosser Reservoir

    NEARBY TOWNS:

    ROAD CONDITIONS:

    Tahoe and Truckee are known for their brutal winters and deep snows pack. Call CalTrans ahead of your departure if you are even slightly expecting any kind of precipitation. Truckee – winter road conditions

     


    View Larger Map

    California Rivers, Fishing, Gardens, Hiking, Hot Springs, Indian Site, Mountain Biking, Primitive Hot Springs, Trailheads, Wildflowers

    Kern River Hot Springs

    Kern Hot Springs

    Kern River Hot Tub

    From Lake Isabella down to Bako, along Hwy 178, numerous natural hot springs can be found in this lower Kern river canyon. Old Kern Canyon Road has plenty of primitive spots to camp along the road, way above the Kern River. This Southern Sierra Nevada scenic route, a 20 mi winding narrow paved road, is the old highway that leads up to Bodfish CA.

    At least a dozen dispersed camp sites can be found along the Old Kern Cyn Rd, some spots with views over canyon, some hidden & shady, many spots are level & large – suitable for RVs. No facilities, no fees, just a flat, dispersed site. Campfire permits are required for fires outside of developed Campgrounds & fire restrictions are often high, so no fires are allowed much of the year. Most of the gates on the Lower Kern are now locked & only accessible by Forest Service personnel, ranchers or local rafting companies with permits.

    2 developed Lower Kern Campgrounds are located on the Old Kern Canyon Road, which parallels the 4 lane portion of the highway: Hobo Campground & Sandy Flat Campgrounds, if you really need a picnic table & bathroom. You can reserve camps by clicking the links.

    Miracle Hot Springs – next to Hobo Campground. This hot tub park is closed for good. A few portable bathrooms, picnic tables & trash bins, the hiking trails clear; 2 shallow pools partially filled. Maybe enough room to soak your butt, but not fully submerse yourself. Someone really needs to renovate this place! Update 2012 – the signs for Miracle are now completely gone.

    Remington Hot Springs

    This one is by far the most popular now that Miracle is gone. The hike-in only access doesn’t deter people much and many choose to set camp overnight close by. The local authorities are always making the rounds to double check on the area – which is good for security and bad for the 2 AM party animals.

    Kern recreation

    Democrat Hot Springs

    private resort now open? Heck, I dunno. (2017, democrathotsprings.com is down. They might be trying to promote a River Festival held in May.)

    The hotel and cottages were constructed to accommodate guests that came in stage coaches to dine and relax during the early 1900’s. Five springs on the property flow at 115 degrees into large soaking tubs and a swimming pool. Closed to the public for more than thirty years, the resort is once again ready to be brought to life for groups and private events only.

    Kern recreation

    The hot springs listed below are Private Property, so don’t get caught – and don’t get shot:

    Delonegha Hot Springs

    Concrete tubs were built by homesteaders, later a hotel and boarding house were constructed. Stage coaches from the San Joaquin Valley took 2 days to get visitors to this area. The hotel closed in 1912, when more accessible areas of Democrat and Hobo were built. Remaining cement tubs run along a rock peninsula overlooking the Kern River; water temperatures average 112 degrees. This private property is fenced.

    Scovern Hot Springs

    Also known as the Hot Springs House. 1902 mud baths were being offered and the wooden tubs were replaced by galvanized tubs. A swimming pool and bath houses were added when the Scoverns bought the property in 1929. Bath house burned to the ground in 1971 and only a vacant lot remains. Steam can still be seen in the fields across from the springs, where water runs at 140 gallons a minute @ 115 degrees.


    NEARBY TOWNS –

    ALTA SIERRA CA

    KERNVILLE CA

    LAKE ISABELLA CA

    WOFFORD HEIGHTS CA

    MAP OF THE KERN RIVER –

    Sequoia National Forest Map

    Kern Hot Springs

    4x4 Camps OHV, 4x4 Routes, Back Roads, Backpacking, California Motorcycle, Equestrian, Fishing, Golf Courses, Hiking, Indian Site, Mountain Biking, Native American, Off Road, Off-Road Trail, OHV Parks & SVRA, Petroglyphs, Picnic Areas, Sightseeing, Ski XC, Trailheads, Viewpoints, Washes, Wilderness, Wildflowers, Wildlife Refuge, XC Ski Areas

    West Kern

    festivals kern

    CA Kern / western Kern county

    Kern County is known for its oil, its agriculture, and outdoor recreation. The Kern River is the highlight of the region with lush, green and grey granite canyons, a big reservoir & the Sequoia trees just up the road. On the western side of Kern County are small towns like Frazier Park, the golfing cabin community of Pine Mountain Club, plus the oil meccas of Maricopa and Taft. Expansive Lockwood Valley enters into Ventura County. Cuyama River borders Santa Barbara & SLO counties.

    Much of the western Kern area is rural ranch land, desert or forest. Los Padres National Forest, Chumash Wilderness, Bittercreek Wildlife Refuge, Wind Wolves Preserve, Buena Vista Reservoir, Ballinger Canyon, Hungry Valley and Fort Tejon State Park all call this region home, right on the mighty tangent of the San Andreas fault line. The San Emigdio range and the surrounding mountains of Mt Pinos and Mount Able design a perpendicular range to the Central Cali coastline, connecting the huge Mojave desert to the ocean. Cerro Noroeste is a very scenic drive.

    The 17 mile long Quatal Canyon, where the indian camp of Mahu Tasen hosts a Bear Dance every summer is also a wild place of bird watching, camping and hunting. The indian word for Mount Pinos is “Iwihinmu” – a sacred spot for Chumash Indians, as well as others; Chumash call it the ‘center of the world’. Locals respond regularly with music, hikes, star gazing, drum circles (seasonally) and local festivals (annually) .

    PHOTOS: Los Padres Photos | Miller Jeep Trail Off Roading Photos

    Drum Camp Pinos | Drumming Cerro Noroeste

    Tecuya Ridge

    Tecuya Ridge, Cuddy Valley 4×4 trails can keep you busy for a whole weekend of back road exploring.

    boating, camping, dirt biking, fishing, hiking, horseback, hunting, mountain biking, off roading, skydiving, xc skiing

    DSCN0029

    Quatal Canyon

    Backpacking, Equestrian, Hiking, Indian Site, Mountain Biking, Off Road, Trailheads, Washes, Wilderness

    Chumash Wilderness

    Chumash Wilderness
    Los Padres National Forest

    38,150 acres
    Mount Pinos – 8831′ elevation
    Cerro Noroeste – 8286′ elevation
    Los Padres National Forest

    Terrain consists of high mountain peaks, badlands of Quatal Canyon Wash & Lockwood Valley; Steep slopes of forests, rock outcroppings, sparse forest areas, on border of Kern County & Ventura County. This area is sacred to the native California Chumash tribe.

    Quatal Canyon Rd #9N09

    DSCN0042Mount Pinos, Mount Abel, Cerro Noroeste, Westside Park, Hudson Ranch Road, Mil Potrero Highway, Lockwood Valley Road, East Dry Canyon, Apache Canyon, Cuyama River

    campgrounds nearby –

    The Peak to Peak Hike is a 7 mile, high elevation, ridge line day hike that traversed 2 of the tallest peaks in Kern County – Mt Pinos (elevation 8831′) and Mt Abel (8286′). Day hikes, equestrian trails, backpacking, mountain biking areas nearby. Steep, granite, chaparral, lightly forested w/ ponderosa and Jeffrey pines. From this ridge trail you have a 360 degree view over the entire region. The cabin community of Pine Mountain Club is to the north side (and IF the skies are really clear, you can see the Sierra Nevada mountain range too); Lockwood Valley & Ozena Valley are located to the south; Cuyama Valley to the west and the Tejon Pass w/ Frazier Park to the east.

    Off road use 4×4, dirt bikes, ATVs, and quads are common in Quatal Canyon, Apache Canyon, East Dry Canyon leading up to the wilderness edge. Rangers will ticket if they find you on the Chumash side of Quatal wash. The secluded yet inviting, wide, white sandy washes are just too tempting for some bad boys.

    Chumash trailheads are located –

    • about a mile before Camp-O-Alto Campground (Mount Abel)
    • along lower end of Quatal Canyon Wash (OHV areas parallel)

    nearby towns –

     

    DSCN0060


    View Chumash Wilderness Area in a larger map

    4x4 Camps OHV, 4x4 Routes, Back Roads, Backpacking, California Rivers, Equestrian, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Off Road, Off-Road Trail, Trailheads, Wilderness, Wildflowers

    Garcia Wilderness

    Garcia Wilderness, Los Padres NF

    14,100 acres
    Garcia Peak – 3146′ elevation
    Los Padres National Forest
    Huasna River
    Pozo Creek

    himtncampgroundcampgrounds nearby –

    American Canyon Campground
    Hi Mountain Campground
    La Panza Campground
    Lake Lopez Campground
    Navajo Campground

    trailheads for Garcia Wilderness

    • Hi Mtn
    • Santa Lucia
    • Garcia OHV

    POZO ROAD is also known as

    • Pozo La Panza Rd
    • Hi Mountain Rd
    • Pozo Arroyo Grande Rd

    San Luis Obispo’s Los Padres Pozo Rd is a 4×4 route that accesses the Garcia Wilderness; the dirt route connects Lake Lopez to Pozo Saloon, out near Santa Margarita. Los Padres National Forest 

    Located inland from the Pismo Coast in south San Luis Obispo county.
    Garcia Peak OHV Route, off Pozo Road behind Lake Lopez, Arroyo Grande, CA

    • backpackingLupine on Pozo Rd
    • camping
    • hiking
    • mountain biking
    • off roading
    • waterfalls
    • wildflowers

    Steep lush coastal mountains, rugged, remote landscapes close to Central Coast San Luis Obispo.

    Garcia Ridge Road #30S18

    Garcia Ridge Trail #15E11

    Hi Mountain Road #30S11

     

    DSCN5297

    also nearby – Machesna Mountains Wilderness and Santa Lucia Wilderness

    4x4 Camps OHV, 4x4 Routes, Back Roads, Campgrounds, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Off Road, Off-Road Trail, Trailheads, Washes, Wilderness, Wildflowers

    Nettle Springs Campground

    Nettle Springs

    Apache Canyon Campsites

    Cuyama Camping near Highway 33

    Los Padres National Forest 

    Way back off there beyond the boonies, 10 miles on a bumpy dirt road #8N06, and far from the pavement. Seclusion, peace and quiet, plus privacy is what this canyon can offer. This small campground is rarely busy, unless a huge family or hunting group has taken over camp. Most of the time it’s so quiet you can hear the wind in the trees, birds chirping and bugs buzzing.

    N of Ojai (about an hour), scenic drive Highway 33 N of Ozena @ Lockwood is a little-known signed route called Apache Canyon. Los Padres Road #8N06 leads from the south end of Cuyama River Valley east to the dead end badlands canyon w/ Nettle Springs Camp. OHV trails and Chumash Wilderness access.

    • Elevation: 4,400′
    • Number of Sites: 8
    • Camping Reservations: No
    • Sites Available: First come, First serve
    • Vehicle Accessibility: small RV ok
    • Length of Stay: 14 Days
    • Water: No Piped; seasonal creek iffy
    • Toilet: Vault
    • Season: Open all year
    • Fee: No
    • Operated By: National Forest Service
    • Closest Towns: Frazier Park, CA & Ojai, CA

    Los Padres National Forest
    Lockwood Ranger Station
    661-245-3731

    Secluded Campground and Spacious Camp Sites

     

     

     

    California Maps, Mountain Biking, Sightseeing, Trailheads

    OC

    the OC: SoCal culture – beaches, surf, mountains

    Orange County. North of San Diego & south of L.A.

    surfergirl

    OC hikes

    A wonderful resource for Orange County outdoors is
    ocparks.com

    maps for local weekends, local hikes:

    oretga highway 74
    oretga highway 74
    Back Roads, Backpacking, Campgrounds, Equestrian, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Sightseeing, Snow, Trailheads

    Mount Charleston Vegas

    Mt Charleston Las Vegas NV

    Mount Charleston Las Vegas NV

    Mount Charleston Resort
    Mount Charleston Resort

    Mt Charleston cabin rentals, vacation homes and 2 mountain lodges are located near the Spring Mountain Recreation Area, just outside of the Sin City limits. The tall alpine mountains behind RedRock SP, NW of Las Vegas, Nevada are virtually unknown by many non-locals. Great hiking, mountain biking, camping and waterfalls, plus a small seasonal ski and snowboard resort are some of the highlights. Imagine snowboarding Vegas!

    Mt Charleston Hikes
    Red Rock Canyon Map

    Las Vegas Forest Hikes

    Vegas means “the meadows”, but it sure seems more like desert these days. The forest is just up the hill, past the red rock and tract homes, well past the Joshua Trees. Conifer forests, snow and high elevation, less than an hours drive from the Vegas strip. Toiyabe – Humboldt NF is this public land managed by the US National Forest system. Toiyabe also covers Eastern Sierra slopes. Get California Toiyabe NF maps. Get the Nevada State Park map here!

    Camping Vegas

    Due to extreme dry conditions and wildfire danger no open camp fires are allowed from mid-April to mid-November in the Mount Charleston region. Several developed campgrounds, plus a primitive (dirt road) camp area off Lee Canyon. Cabin rentals are located at the Charleston Lodge.

    • Vegas trails
    • Hiking in Vegas
    • Mount Charleston skiing
    • Mt Charleston hikes
    4x4 Camps OHV, 4x4 Routes, Back Roads, Campsites, Campspots, Mountain Biking, Off Road, OHV Parks & SVRA, Washes, Wilderness

    9N09 – Los Padres NF

    Quatal Canyon

    Quattale

    Quatal Cyn: Forest Road #9N09 – Los Padres National Forest

    Toad Spring Campground is located at high elevations (5700′) of Quatal Canyon, on a dirt road, half mile off the pavement of Cerro Noroeste Rd. The Chumash Wilderness, the Cuyama River Valley, Apache Saddle, Mount Abel plus the Bittercreek National Wildlife Refuge all surround this region. Los Padres National Forest meets the vineyards, orchards & farmlands, near Ventucopa. This is the badlands – 18 mile scenic dirt road, well signed at Hwy 33 & mostly graded. Quatal Cyn connects Ojai’s Highway 33 to the pinyon pine forest above near Pine Mountain Club (@ nearly a straight line?) Motorcycle dirt bikes & off-roaders dig this place. Street bikes will prefer paved Cerro Noroeste which runs the rim above to the north.

    This major dirt road is not gated at either end, but winter sometimes closes the route due to snow depth. It never stays closed very long, as some beefy 4×4 will break thru the snow berm soon enough. Top elevation @ Cerro Noreste is approximately 5500′.

    Quatal Canyon (possible Chumash word for Snake) is a giant high desert wash, ripping down from Cerro Noroeste (aka Mt Abel). Serious erosion w/ San Andreas fault lines – make it a very interesting canyon to explore on foot, horseback, motorbike, or mountain bike. The lupine & wildflowers here are incredible in late Spring in this red dirt canyon. Both nearby mountain peaks of Mount Abel & Mount Pinos are the tallest in Kern County.

    This rugged primitive canyon gets torn up during a good storm in late summer or a big winter storm. Red dirt gets very slippery – especially on the edges of a cliff. Boulders in the road, flash floods – or no road, river of mud! 2WD passenger cars can take this route in dry months, but high clearance is usually preferred. 4×4 is needed during heavy rain or snow – which could be half the year (Nov-April). Flash flooding is possible all over Los Padres NF, so know the weather forecast in advance.

    Seen small RVs, trucks pulling trailers & even a U-haul moving truck down this way. MapQuest always amazes me where they route you. This is a graded dirt road, some of the time. MapQuest should post a ‘see Total Escape for this route’. Come on folks, if you’re traveling cross-country, while moving your residence, buy a real map to explore the National Forests of California. You may end up sleeping way out here – broken down in the moving van, in the boonies & no cell coverage, cuz you had a one page, wrinkled map in faded ink, wet & smeared. And MapQuest told you it was paved. It’s not paved 90% of the way.

    Primitive camping is also allowed in the canyon wash or on the side routes, in certain seasons. Use an existing camp site when possible. Clean out the rock fire ring of litter & bottles, pull back all dry brush at camps & leave these places better than you found ’em. There are hundreds of dispersed campsites out here. The open wash is especially nice on a full moon hike, just bring friends – cuz it is considered “big cat country”. Camp fire restrictions are in tight control on this SoCal region. You will need a camp fire permit, a big shovel & lotsa water. Check with the Los Padres rangers to make sure. Recently Zaca Fire (2007) & the month long Day Fire (2006) both came very close to this precious sanctuary.

    The high desert terrain is pinyon forest, with yucca & manzanita. The eroded cliffs of red rock, white & orange hues, glow best during the clearest sunsets. You will almost think your in Utah, until you get up on a ridge & see the smog in the Central Valley of California.

    Mahu Tasen, a Native American camp and sweat lodge, has ceremonial grounds in a canyon off of Quatal. There is also a large rock quarry mining operation, as well as numerous wineries and ranches along this route. Several private residences too.

    Ballinger Canyon OHV Park is close by, 5 miles N on Hwy 33

    Carrizo Plain National Monument is also pretty close, N off Hwy 166

    towns nearby –

    PINE MOUNTAIN CA

    MARICOPA CA

    VENTUCOPA CA

    helpful maps of the region –

    Quatal Chumash Lands

    Back Roads, California Deserts, Creeks, Hiking, Historic Site, Mountain Biking, Native American, Off Road, Petroglyphs, Picnic Areas, Primitive Hot Springs, Sightseeing, Trailheads, Volcano, Wilderness, Wind Caves

    Fish Slough

    On the north end of Bishop CA, running parallel to & on the west side of Hwy 6, is a long dirt road called Fish Slough Rd. Indian petroglyphs can be found out here & also on the ridges along Chalk Bluff Rd (to the south). The entire region is called a volcanic tableland & hot springs are very common in this region. The Owens River Gorge & Lake Crowley are to the west. High clearance vehicles are recommended for traveling these back roads, but 4×4 is rarely needed.

    Read & see more on Fish Slough Petroglyphs

    BISHOP CA

    LAKE CROWLEY

    BENTON HOT SPRINGS

    Visit Hwy 395 Hot Springs

    Indian Art Eastern Sierra

    Fish Slough

    Dave Explains