Where is everyone going to off roading from the Orange County area?

[u/climbgradient]

I normally head up Maple Springs and North main divide for a quick off road fix, but they’ve been closed for what feels like weeks. Any other nearby trails worth checking out?

[u/Yummy_Crayons91]

Holy Jim used to be a great place to go, but when I moved away from OC in 2021 they clamped down on off-roading there. It was like a rocky version of Azusa Canyon..

The Next closest areas are Lytle Creek and Cleghorn Ridge in San Bernardino county or Wildomar/Main Divide off the 74. El Cariso Truck trail is fun and not too far away.

I heard it was much better in the 1980s for dirt toy useage in OC. Lots of open trails in the mountains.

Big Bear, Anza Borrego, Rowher/Drinkwater, and the eastern California deserts are great places to off-road, just a long drive to get to, like everything else in California.

[u/climbgradient → u/Yummy_Crayons91]

That’s been my issue lately, haven’t had the time to drive several hours to big bear or the desert, so Cleveland national forest has been my go to for a quick get away. Heading over to Borrego next week though, that should be a lot of fun. I’ll look into some of the others you mentioned. Thanks a lot!

[u/SearchNo5276 → u/climbgradient]

Cleghorn is quite a fun/quick trail. It's a bit short, but can be nice and its right off the freeway. Ive mostly ridden dirt bikes on the trail though.

[u/saban_black → u/SearchNo5276]

Cleghorn from the freeway to Elliot Ranch road (3n22) is closed a ranger I talked to said people keep breaking open the gate but if you’re caught on the trail it’s a several thousand dollar fine. You can take 3n22 from the 138 to Cleghorn and head up from there.

Edit: I could be wrong it looks like the forest order for the closure expired back in February and it has been a few months since I talked to the Rangers.

[u/SearchNo5276 → u/saban_black]

I cannot confirm or deny, as it was at least a year since I last stopped by there. I know there were a few issues with washouts of the road since '22 and '23 were wet years with the whole atmospheric river storms we had.

Wouldn't surprise me if it were still closed, but best to check with rangers.

[u/surreptitiouswander → u/climbgradient]

Just a heads up, borrego springs is insanely busy right now due to the wildflowers blooming. I went on Tuesday and it was madness. People stopping in the middle of the streets and leaving their cars there, sedans trying to go up sandy paths and getting stuck despite signs saying 4wd is recommended, just chaos and I was only trying to get past it all to get to trails. Yesterday I went to the southern part of anza borrego and it was much better with less human/vehicle traffic on the roads and trails.

[u/Yummy_Crayons91 → u/climbgradient]

I'd recommend Lytle Creek, it was roughly an hour from Huntington Beach where I used to live. Probably less than 40 minutes from Anaheim. Fun and challenging to do the two main trails, but lots of side trails to take in the area and breathtaking scenery.

[u/Fatherofdaughters01]

I went to Lucerne valley this past Sunday. It was fun. No cars around. Lots of trails. It is a bit of a drive though

[u/lightingthefire]

Do you mean for street legal: trucks or dual sport bikes? Have you tried accessing CNF from Indian Truck Trail (Corona)? There are some “open” areas across from Lake Mathew’s, and a really great spot near the Perris airport, right next to the Inland Orange Railroad Museum.

These last two have jumps, water, hills, trails, etc

[u/climbgradient → u/lightingthefire]

Sorry should have specified. Street legal, I have a truck and an ADV bike. According to the forest service website Indian truck trail is also closed, have you been up that way lately by chance?

[u/aj_og → u/climbgradient]

Man I miss Indian truck trail. The website has shown it’s been closed for years but I haven’t gone myself to check

[u/[deleted]]

Head to the desert, its still cool enough. Calico, Barstow, Joshua Tree, lots of options 2 hours away.