Easy overland trails, Central California National Parks

[tortoiseracing]

My wife wants to take a trip out to the following locations in Central California:

• Sequoia National Park
• Kings Canyon National Park
• Mammoth Lake
• Mono Lake

Can anybody recommend any easy overlanding trails that would make for a fun family activity? We're not planning on camping out there, so something that we can accomplish an out-and-back in 4-6 hours. I'm thinking my kids would enjoy it for half a day before they are ready to mutiny and tie me to the roof rack. I'm going to do some searching on Google and YouTube, but I figured this group might have some good ideas!

If I'm being honest, I'm really just looking to get some dirt and dust on the tires, let my kids tell their friends that they did a mini-adventure, and make myself feel better that the rig has been off the pavement in 2020. So any suggestions for a drive that will accomplish that without putting anybody in peril would be appreciated.

 

[r2m]

Those are all awesome destinations! But out and back in 4-6 hours, may be a bit ambitious depending up where you're starting. Remember that even on the best fire roads (read: ultra easy trails) you'll only be able to do about 30 mph, the more difficult the trail or if really narrow like a single car width you will be slower still.
In all honesty, and not knowing where you live:

• I'd suggest heading out of the house around 0700 to 0800 (earlier is better, we usually leave between 0500 and 0600 from San Clemente to most trails) which should give you 1 or 2 hours to get to the trail head. (including potty stops)
• Then another hour or two on the trail to find a really cool place for lunch. (including potty stops)
• Now you'll spend about hour or two for lunch, hiking/exploring with the kids.
• On the way home either do a loop or head back the way you came. Another hour or so on the trail. (including potty stops)
• On the highway back home. Again, 1 to 2 hours on the road. (including potty stops)
• Maybe as a treat, dinner on the way home? Another hour.

>>>>Total for the day: 10+ hour day. Getting back around 5 or 6 pm with a LOT of adventure and FUN!! (And photos for IH8MUD threads!)

I make a big deal out of potty stops since my entire household is girls (wife, daughter and granddaughter). Heaven forbid I ever leave the potty seat UP!!!

Here is an excellent book we have and use: Amazon product ASIN B01HUDBHOMAs it states on the cover, "easy, moderate, difficult"

If you're new to off road or overlanding, a couple quick tips for a trip like this:

• Plenty of water!!! In the rear 2 doors, there are 2 cup holders in each, I ALWAYS keep 2 bottles of water in each door (the largest that will fit), all the time. Since there are cup holders in the center arm rest, the door cup holders are redundant.
• Bring toilet paper and wipes!!
• Not sure if you know this about GX's but the navigation has a "bread crumb" option that will track your travels. This is great when out of cell service on trails with lots of turnouts. It will leave dots of your path so you always know how to get back home, or at least to pavement and cell service!

Now... go, explore, have fun!!

 

[Otis]

If you are in the Mono Lake area then Bodie ghost town could be a fun family trip that will at least get your tires dusty on the last couple miles or so leading to town...

Bodie State Historic Park

 

[tortoiseracing]

If you're new to off road or overlanding, a couple quick tips for a trip like this:

• Plenty of water!!! In the rear 2 doors, there are 2 cup holders in each, I ALWAYS keep 2 bottles of water in each door (the largest that will fit), all the time. Since there are cup holders in the center arm rest, the door cup holders are redundant.
• Bring toilet paper and wipes!!
• Not sure if you know this about GX's but the navigation has a "bread crumb" option that will track your travels. This is great when out of cell service on trails with lots of turnouts. It will leave dots of your path so you always know how to get back home, or at least to pavement and cell service!

Now... go, explore, have fun!!

r2m, Thanks for all the tips. I had no idea about the bread crumb option on the navigation, and will definitely try that out. We are going to be staying in Visalia while we are exploring the parks, so it's about an hour to each one. We plan to do plenty of hiking and site seeing, but I'm hoping to spend one day just doing some driving.

I, too, am outnumbered in the gender category 3 to 1, so I appreciate your advice regarding bathroom breaks.

And I'll make sure to post some pictures of the trip!

 

[tortoiseracing]

If you are in the Mono Lake area then Bodie ghost town could be a fun family trip that will at least get your tires dusty on the last couple miles or so leading to town...

Bodie State Historic Park

That place looks like a neat place to explore. Thanks for the recommendation! We've added it to our list.

 

[FLATU8ER]

If you are staying in Visalia, see if you can get in touch with the Central Valley Crawlers in the Mud "Clubhouse"
Also look up 4X4Him, a local group not on Mud
Also on Facebook is 559 Yotas, a group of local guys here in the central valley, and on You Tube.

You will be near a lot of trails out of Fresno, and Visalia is not that far from there.

 

[FLATU8ER]

Check out Buck Rock Lookout Trail in the Sequoia Nat'l Park, and
Bald Mtn trail, re: Look up "EPB Adventures" on You Tube. He is one of our own.

 

[tortoiseracing]

Check out Buck Rock Lookout Trail in the Sequoia Nat'l Park, and
Bald Mtn trail, re: Look up "EPB Adventures" on You Tube. He is one of our own.

FLATU8ER, thanks for the recommendations. I'll definitely check out EPB Adventures!

 

[surfpig]

If you are in the Mono Lake area then Bodie ghost town could be a fun family trip that will at least get your tires dusty on the last couple miles or so leading to town...

Bodie State Historic Park

That place looks like a neat place to explore. Thanks for the recommendation! We've added it to our list.

I was going to list that as well. You can make it more of an adventure by taking a road out of Bridgeport that takes you through some scenic backcountry and into Bodie from the north. Can’t recall the name of the road at the moment.

 

[tortoiseracing]

I was going to list that as well. You can make it more of an adventure by taking a road out of Bridgeport that takes you through some scenic backcountry and into Bodie from the north. Can’t recall the name of the road at the moment.

Two mudders can't be wrong. My wife has added Bodie to the list.

@surfpig, if you remember the road out of Bridgeport, can you post it here? Thanks!

 

[surfpig]

Two mudders can't be wrong. My wife has added Bodie to the list.

@surfpig, if you remember the road out of Bridgeport, can you post it here? Thanks!

Here's a quick one, OK description...

Bodie Ghost Town OHV Trail

 

[hatchethead]

The site/service AllTrains.com list OHV trails in Central California.

 

[FLATU8ER]

Well Turdle racer, better head up the east side of the Sierras, cause the west side is burning.

 

[surfpig]

Well Turdle racer, better head up the east side of the Sierras, cause the west side is burning.

But it's all blowing east. I read that Bishop has horrible air quality right now.

Maybe Cape Mendocino...

 

[FLATU8ER]

Cape Mendocino has it's own kind of smoke.

 

[chap79]

@custyota

 

[surfpig]

Cape Mendocino has it's own kind of smoke.

 

[r2m]

If you are in the Mono Lake area then Bodie ghost town could be a fun family trip that will at least get your tires dusty on the last couple miles or so leading to town...

Bodie State Historic Park

Bodie is VERY cool! We really enjoyed checking that out!

 

[peesalot]

All closed now.

 

[surfpig]

All closed now.

I'm not sure about Bodie SP itself, but USFS lands are all closed. BLM land is currently still open.