My two teenagers want to go off-roading with me in our 2013 LX. It's clearly a case of Covid induced cabin fever. Any suggestions for a risk-free, damage-free trail a beginning off-roader can handle? We live in Carmel Valley but am OK driving up to 45 minutes from here. Any other tips about the specific trail will be appreciated- i.e. need to air down or not, need for 4 Lo or not, etc. Thanks. Happy Thanksgiving.
Off-Roading for Dummies in San Diego
- Thread starter ERC4
- Start date
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Not sure about 45 min from Carmel Valley. Plenty of great areas out in the local desert. Perfect time of year as well.
I used a previous version of this book but focused on Southern California years ago to find my way around the SD backcountry.
Amazon product ASIN 1934838071
I used a previous version of this book but focused on Southern California years ago to find my way around the SD backcountry.
Amazon product ASIN 1934838071
Markuson
SILVER Star
Mud caves area near ocotillo wells...the trail that labeled Cañon sin Nombre from S2 highway.
Visually very interesting slot canyons and weird mud formations...with with easy but interesting hike through mixture of caves and open trail between steeply slotted formations.
You can continue to a nice lookout as you reach the top of Diablo drop-off. i need to drop in as it might look iffy as a new person. Can turn around at that point and make it into mostly a loop back to highway S2.
It’s really quite fun and essentially a sandy, winding loose dirt road with some rocks to easily avoid. If you have any trouble (which you shouldn’t) you will see other vehicles, and most folks out there will help if needed. Very tame but very fun.
Highly recommended.
Visually very interesting slot canyons and weird mud formations...with with easy but interesting hike through mixture of caves and open trail between steeply slotted formations.
You can continue to a nice lookout as you reach the top of Diablo drop-off. i need to drop in as it might look iffy as a new person. Can turn around at that point and make it into mostly a loop back to highway S2.
It’s really quite fun and essentially a sandy, winding loose dirt road with some rocks to easily avoid. If you have any trouble (which you shouldn’t) you will see other vehicles, and most folks out there will help if needed. Very tame but very fun.
Highly recommended.
- Thread starter
- #4
Thank you both. A buddy passed me a website called trailrecon.net. It rates trails in SD county by difficulty and even provides 5 minute videos of each. I'm going to start with Black Mountain Truck Trail out in Ramona. I really appreciate both of your replies. Happy Thanksgiving.
RET2
SILVER Star
It's pretty much a one lane road with occasional opportunities to pass oncoming cars. Great views from the top and on way back down. Would suggest headlights as it makes it easier for opposing traffic to see and plan passing.
Corral Canyon is a good one but not sure it is open after the fires. There are some trails Near Lake Elsinore area. Plenty of safe trails in Anza Borrego/Salton Sea area.
Another good place is Superstition Mountains. Combination of dirt roads and sand hills. Open areas to practice and if your lucky Blue Angels fly over. It makes.for a good full day run.
