SoCal Daytrips

[Dorzok]

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=752850

[TK-LA]

Originally Posted by Dorzok

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=752850

Oh, if only I'd seen that before our troubles!!! Hope you had a GREAT holiday season.

[TK-LA]

Been a bit lazy, but here are some pix from a fun 2 day trip back in October. We camped the first night north of Lake Isabella and the second night we tented on the vast expanse of the Carrizo Plain National Monument.

What's great about this loop is you get to see all the different climates and terrains of Southern California all within in a short weekend trip.

As you climb into the hills on Caliente/ Bodfish Road there are lots of great vistas.


We found a great, and FREE, campground north-east of Johnsondale. It was surrounded by tall pines and had a creek running through it. If you head up this way, be sure to stop at the ranger station in Kernville for a free fire permit.



Dinner. A bit simple, but very tasty.


Our simple camp. I'm all about the tent and privacy, but Ben is a big fan of sleeping under the stars. That's his hammock in the upper left. On our 9 day trip through Washington and BC he never once set up his tent.


Getting down to this buccolic spot was quite easy, getting out was a bit tougher, but do-able

[TK-LA]

So we made our way back towards the road...


...and followed the M50 towards Pine Flat. If you're headed this way, look for Pine Flat Drive near California Hot Springs. This relatively smooth dirt road brings you south-west towards Jack Ranch Road. It's a beautiful, pine shaded ride.

A quick rest where Jack Ranch Road meets CA155


Carrizo Plain.

There aren't any photos between Jack Ranch Road and Carrizo because as you near Bakersfield the scenery is less than stellar and riding through Bakersfield is just awful.

As you near Taft, you'll want to stop at the Albertson's for supplies as it's the last decent grocers before The Plain. Also, try to load up some firewood because Carrizo is a treeless expanse and your camp night will be quite boring otherwise.

Getting from Taft to Carrizo is a confusing puzzle of roads through oilfields. Basically you're looking for Crocker Springs Road which will connect you to Hurricane Road and eventually dump you into the Plain.

We are welcomed by one of the residents of Carrizo Plain.


The official start of the Carrizo Plain National Monument


Enjoying the peaceful serenity.


Slicing across the Plain on Soda Lake Road...a straight East / West route.


A BIG patch of soft sand claims another victim


With slightly bruised ribs and minus a directional light, we make it to the KCL campground...


...and after setting up camp we make a "hobo's meal" of hearty soup.


We eat and drink some wine and, as city dwellers, we enjoy the pure serenity of life on the vast plain.

Being an early riser, I get a few pix of the morning;





After the spiders and snakes we saw, I figured hanging up the boots was a good idea


The sun finally gets out of bed.




And THAT is why you have to cart in firewood.


The last remaining structure of the Kern Cattle and Land ranch (KCL)


We stop at the entrance sign on our way back.


Being a native East Coaster, I'm just amazed by the vast expanses out west.



A relic of the Plain


We reach CA166/CA33 and bid goodbye to the Plain.

[TallRob]

you should see the plain in march when everything is in bloom and the lake is filled,,,,,,,,,its awesome!

[TK-LA]

Originally Posted by TallRob

you should see the plain in march when everything is in bloom and the lake is filled,,,,,,,,,its awesome!

When I first researched it all the photos I came across were from that time. I'm certainly headed back!

[TK-LA]

[TK-LA]

[TK-LA]

I finally got a new bike. After getting tossed around on windy highways, especially going over the Grapevine, I went with the VStrom 1000 (Adventure model) for the height and weight and included luggage. Plus, I read and read and this seemed the best value for the money.

July 4th week (July4-8) we headed north to Sequoia and King's Canyon NPs. HIGHLY recommended. More pix later.

[TK-LA]

I got a new bike! Yep, I've moved up in the world and, with some sorrow, bid adieu to my little GS500f

April in Southern California is generally a great time of year. The weather is cool and the hills are green from the winter's rain. So, we decided to do a two night trip and meet up with two other friends, who'd drive up, on the second night.

SURPRISE! A late season storm swooped in and brought rain and wind and snow anywhere over 4,500 feet. As Friday neared we prayed the storm would pass, as some weather people were predicting, but when Friday morning dawned we were still getting hammered and many mountain passes were closed. DRAT! We postponed a day.

Saturday dawned a bit more calm, but rain still spit down on us. Screw it, let's go! We called Ray and Steve, who were driving up, and made plans to meet in Bakersfield and head up rt 178 as a group. All was fine until we neared Gorman and the Grapevine. BAM, we got hit with crosswinds and SNOW! We took a surface road, to avoid the large semis and stopped for gas. After wiping the snow off my visor and adding a layer of gloves we worked our way down the mountains. As we neared rt 99 the winds calmed and temperatures rose and we pressed on with no further problems.

After meeting the truck we headed up 178 and got a preview of what was to come.


The closer we got to our favorite campground the further into the snowline we got.

[TK-LA]

As we rose into the altitudes of the mountains I got the feeling we'd have to adjust our plans.


But, first a group photo; Ben, me and Ray. Guess who's driving in the heated truck.


"Ah, well," we thought, "why not press on and see if the camp is open?"
Ben led the way throught the ruts


But as we neared the turnoff it was pretty clear we'd be heading back down.

[Dorzok]

Originally Posted by TK-LA

I finally got a new bike. ... VStrom 1000 (Adventure model)....

you liking it?? if you plan on trying anything like what got you stuck last year i'd suggest getting a good bash plate and crash bars. I had ALTRider's stuff. best on the market bar none.

[TK-LA]

Originally Posted by Dorzok

you liking it?? if you plan on trying anything like what got you stuck last year i'd suggest getting a good bash plate and crash bars. I had ALTRider's stuff. best on the market bar none.

Yes, I'm loving it. The power, the extra weight in the windy spots...it's all good. Oh, I'm going to take it easy for a while until I get used to it.

This "Adventure Model" actually has a bit of a bash plate. It's plastic, but it's pretty sturdy.

[Dorzok]

nah. that's not a bash plate. it's a chin spoiler that's been on every Vee since its introduction back in '02. it doesn't even really cover the bottom of the motor. when you're ready for serious off road protection the ALT Rider stuff is the only way to go. these bikes handle dirt amazingly well for their street bias. they do not like sand or mud though. put some TKC on them and they handle mud better and loamy stuff nicely.
did i share this with you?
http://www.stromtrooper.com/ride-rep...-cleghorn.html
some of the rocks in the video were dug up by my bash plate and it didn't look like i hit anything. then those rocks banged up my partners "bash" plate pretty good.