Trail info. On Los Padres Nat. Forest, CA

[peesalot]

Can you drive on trails through Los Padres National going east from I5 and coming out at the coast along Hwy. 1 somewhere ? In a Landcruiser of course ?

 

[Fast Eddy]

There are lots of roads and a few dirt ones that are accessable, but nothing as grand as what it sounds like you are suggesting.

From where were you thinking? Starting on the grapevine?

This should be in the trails forum...

 

[e9999]

nothing obvious that I know of, as in 1 single trail. But there are a number of smaller ones that one could probably sort of link with some pavement in between.

One possibility would be looking at the back country behind Oceano and Arroyo Grande towards 58, there may be some longer ones there but I'm not sure.

If you're near the grapevine specifically, you could start by going through the Hungry Valley area, down around the Miller Jeep Trail, do some more while moving towards Cuyama, then take in the long trail on the ridge south of 166 then do a few cutting towards Santa Maria. That'd be more than a day though.

 

[Fast Eddy]

That's Sierra Madre Rd south of 166. Never been on it, but if there was a trip arranged, I'd be 100% up for it and the green campers would likely be up for it as well.

Dry Canyon Rd takes off Hwy 33 here: http://goo.gl/maps/f0fkr ('x' the St View to see a map)
Connects to Big Pine Rd here: http://goo.gl/maps/upk85
And finally Sierra Madre Rd a few miles up: http://goo.gl/maps/psLGt
here's the other end at Hwy 166: http://goo.gl/maps/Cdty6

Which is right across the street from Rock Front OHV area: http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lpnf/recreation/recarea/?recid=11150&actid=93

I'm 90% sure that you can connect through to Pozo and the La Panza OHV area from there via forest roads, then drop down to Hwy 101 in Arroyo Grande via the High Mountain Road. On the way down you can wheel Garcia Ridge and explore Upper Lopez Canyon Road.

Looks epic! ...especially if you included Hungry Valley and MJT.

Here's a cool site with some pics and a map of MJT: http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=842711

 

[e9999]

That's Sierra Madre Rd south of 166. Never been on it, but if there was a trip arranged, I'd be 100% up for it and the green campers would likely be up for it as well.

Dry Canyon Rd takes off Hwy 33 here: http://goo.gl/maps/f0fkr ('x' the St View to see a map)
Connects to Big Pine Rd here: http://goo.gl/maps/upk85
And finally Sierra Madre Rd a few miles up: http://goo.gl/maps/psLGt
here's the other end at Hwy 166: http://goo.gl/maps/Cdty6

Which is right across the street from Rock Front OHV area: http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lpnf/recreation/recarea/?recid=11150&actid=93

I'm 90% sure that you can connect through to Pozo and the La Panza OHV area from there via forest roads, then drop down to Hwy 101 in Arroyo Grande via the High Mountain Road. On the way down you can wheel Garcia Ridge and explore Upper Lopez Canyon Road.

Looks epic! ...especially if you included Hungry Valley and MJT.

Here's a cool site with some pics and a map of MJT: http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=842711

yup, that's what I was talking about. One thing is that starting in Hungry Valley you'd go downhill on Miller, which could get interesting if there is traffic in the other direction. There are also some trails around the Lockwood Valley Rd area on the way to Cuyama. Then when you've done what I call the Twin Rock area (your Rock Front area) there are more trails on the other side of 166 towards SMaria and the Santa Ynez Valley. But with all that you're talking a 2 or 3 days trip. Would love to do that all sometime. Have done bits individually but never put it all together... mmm.... food for thought. Lots of wild campgrounds there too.
OTOH, never heard of a way to get from Rock Front to Pozo, but may be possible and I'd love to know.

But anyway, many of these trails may be closed in the winter.

 

[Fast Eddy]

But anyway, many of these trails may be closed in the winter.

Yup. All closed for now. Good time for a mountain bike trip.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/lpnf/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5307963

 

[mazder]

Back 30-40 years ago I heard you used to be able to go from Rock front area to Pozo... But that was before things are the way they are now..... Rock front has a few fun trails, we do a snow run up to Miranda Pines McPherson peak each year to play in the snow.