Suggestions for first trail to hit in CA in new (to me) LC200?

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adamb

adamb

Joined
Oct 19, 2019
Threads
11
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58
Location
Virginia Beach, VA
After scouring the country, I finally found the perfect (for me) 200 series down in LA. I live up in northern CA, in Oakland, and now that the PPI came back squeaky clean, I'll be flying one way to pick it up next Saturday. This will be my first Land Cruiser (!!!) and it's so exciting to finally join this community as a participant instead of just readying about all of your awesome builds. For the near future, it will mainly be used for hauling the family around town (I've got two young kids), summer camping trips, and winter ski trips. But then, in 12-18 months, we'll be pointing it south for an extended trip through South America. So I'm sure I'll be reaching out for suggestions on upgrades and how to sequence them over that time frame.

Anyway, I wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions for a first trail to take it out on for my drive back up to northern CA. I'm a fairly experienced 4x4 driver but I'll be solo, the car is bone stock, and I won't have any recovery gear yet, so obviously don't want to take on anything too crazy, but it would be great to be able to get it out in the dirt on its first day!
 
My family and I did burns canyon trail which goes from pioneer town to big Bear. It may be a bit out of the way but for the first trail it was good to get the feel of the LC.
 
www.alltrails.com

Best off road driving trails in California

Explore the most popular ohv / off road driving trails in California with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you.
www.alltrails.com

Hollister Hills SVRA Hollister Hills is a fun off-road park
 
Neither one is a specific trail. The first link is a lot of trails across CA. Something to browse through to see if anything sounds interesting.
Hollister Hills is a 4x4 playground. There is everything from mild trails to crazy trails used in competitions.

There are (were) a lot of trails at the top of the grapevine that could be easily done with stock tires. There is a 4x4 play area called Gorman that has a lot of easy trails as well just North of the Grapevine.
 
adamb said:
After scouring the country, I finally found the perfect (for me) 200 series down in LA. I live up in northern CA, in Oakland, and now that the PPI came back squeaky clean, I'll be flying one way to pick it up next Saturday. This will be my first Land Cruiser (!!!) and it's so exciting to finally join this community as a participant instead of just readying about all of your awesome builds. For the near future, it will mainly be used for hauling the family around town (I've got two young kids), summer camping trips, and winter ski trips. But then, in 12-18 months, we'll be pointing it south for an extended trip through South America. So I'm sure I'll be reaching out for suggestions on upgrades and how to sequence them over that time frame.

Anyway, I wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions for a first trail to take it out on for my drive back up to northern CA. I'm a fairly experienced 4x4 driver but I'll be solo, the car is bone stock, and I won't have any recovery gear yet, so obviously don't want to take on anything too crazy, but it would be great to be able to get it out in the dirt on its first day!
Click to expand...

Paging @ethernectar or @Mogwai for desert stuff...or big bear...
 
Yeah sorry OP saw this earlier and meant to reply, but couldn't think of a whole lot between LA up to the Bay - except endless flat valley. Most of what I know is further east and would be out of the way.

Starting from South heading north:
  • Sierra Pelona Ridge/Rowher OHV: Sierra Pelona Ridge/Rowher OHV - FunTreks
  • Hungry Valley SVRA in Gorman, CA
  • Oceano Dunes (Pismo Beach) if you want to head to the coast then I'd also hit up the next one
  • Old Coast Rd. which is along the coast but further north as you approach Monterey Old Coast Road - FunTreks
  • Hollister Hills as mentioned above is also closer to the 5
 
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Heading north you can cut through Hollywood Hills, then the LA National Forest, route #2 with a bunch of trails there. If you can head inland a bit, up the 14 and visit Red Rock Canyon. It's where they filmed the first Jurassic Park opening scenes. From there you can cut through the Sequoia Forest, Kings Canyon, & Yosmite.. or head back to the coast. The PCH is the route to go with the views, especially around Big Sur. Morro Bay. Plenty of side trails the whole way which ever way you go.


Lived in that area for years.
 
Thank you everyone for the great recommendations! Hadn’t heard of Hollister Hills but it’s right in my backyard! Looking forward to spending more time there in the future.

For the actual drive up, I’m a bit torn between the coastal route and going inland. Will take a look at the weather on Sat and make a game time decision. Either way, stoked to see so many good options.
 
Alright, first trip complete and I think I'm in love! Saturday morning I flew from Oakland to Burbank to meet the dealer and see the '16 Land Cruiser. Everything looked great on paper, and the Carfax and PPI came back clean but there is just something so exciting about actually seeing it in the metal. Anyway, after a quick test drive and signing the paperwork, I was on my way.

First I headed up the 2 through the Angeles National Forrest. Couldn't find any trails but there were nice twisty roads and great views and it was good way to get used to the car. Next stop was Red Rock Canyon (thanks @Fisher23!) which was as an absolute blast. Spent a few hours traversing the dirt trails, weaving between Joshua Trees and crazy rock formations to Garlock. Then I shot up the 395 where I had several hours enjoy the scenery and let it all sink in.

Spent the night near Bishop, then woke up first thing to enjoy some of the nearby natural hotsprings followed by a quick loop around June lake. I had planned to explore Yosemite a bit on the way home, but the 120 pass had just closed so I had to go all the way around. At least I got to test it out on a bit of snow on the way. When I finally got home, my 3 and 4 year old daughters were so excited and they kept asking if I could take them out to drive in the "mud". I'm going to have to take them Hollister Hills soon! Thanks for the recommendation @Ratchey and @Mogwai.

I've been searching for and thinking about this car for so long, it's still kind of hard to believe it's real. I mean, I expected to really like it, but this trip just blew away all my expectations, and I'm just getting started.

First up on the (never ending) list of mods):

1. It looks like the previous owner put on Sequoia wheels. Need to replace those and the factory tires stat. I know they're pricey but I'm going to search for some of the Tundra TRD Pro BBS wheels. I think they look great.

2. I don't really have strong opinions about tires yet. I just want something fairly tame onroad that get can still handle a bit of dirt and snow. Thinking KO2s as a good solid choice.

3. Pretty set on BP51s for suspension

4. Gobi Rack for hauling camp gear in the summer and snow gear in the winter. I think it's the only one with the cutout for the sunroof and that'll be important for the fam.

5. Some kind of cable so I can (hopefully) play videos from my iPhone to the rear screens for the kids. If it turns out that just doesn't work, then I think I'll just rip 'em out.

Anyway, so stoked to be part of this community. Here are some photos from the trip:



LC200_AB-2.jpg

LC200_AB-4.jpg

LC200_AB-6.jpg

LC200_AB-7.jpg
 
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Any dealer can get you the TRD pro wheels, just bring a pile of cash. BFG KO2s are great.

Looks like terrific terrain. I'm jealous.

Out of curiosity, why blur some plate pics and not others?
 
I would consider skids and sliders as much as a lift.
 
Ha. Because I’m dumb. That’s what I get for late night post. Thought that one didn’t upload. I’m not that paranoid about it, just seemed like good internet best practices to blur.
 
HA. You bought the car I was looking at. Called the dealer and they said a guy from Oakland put a deposit and was picking it up last weekend. Good buy. I’m still looking for my LC.
 
CharlieS said:
Out of curiosity, why blur some plate pics and not others?
Click to expand...

-It’s to throw off stalkers like me. :hillbilly:

-Real meaning of my plate is...I “Wandr” around looking up unprotected cruiser plates & then get all creepy own em and stuff... :poof:

3BCD92A8-26F4-4676-9C1E-DD2C35B666ED.webp

So ya...
-Neeeever let the public see your plates!!
:p
 
Markuson said:
-It’s to throw off stalkers like me. :hillbilly:

-Real meaning of my plate is...I “Wandr” around looking up unprotected cruiser plates & then get all creepy own em and stuff... :poof:

View attachment 2145207
So ya...
-Neeeever let the public see your plates!!
:p
Click to expand...

LOL! Love it. Coincidentally, I was stalking your build thread last night. So awesome -- so many great ideas.

Also, about to put in a few orders for my first set of mods today:
* Gobi Stealth rack
* Set of OME BP-51s
* Evo Corse DakarZeros 17x8s -- thinking anthracite color to go with the mag gray paint.
* BFG KO2 285-70-17s
 
82SC said:
HA. You bought the car I was looking at. Called the dealer and they said a guy from Oakland put a deposit and was picking it up last weekend. Good buy. I’m still looking for my LC.
Click to expand...

Oh wow, crazy! The dealer seemed really surprised at all the interest. He told me that he was actually hoping to keep it for himself, but I called him like the day he posted, then he said 5 other people reached out about it.

Hope you find yours soon!
 
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