Cow Mountain

[Alex E]

Any one wheel or camp there? What's it like? Any good spots to camp for a day or two? Thinking of heading out there for my first shake down camping trip of 2013.

 

[XJensen]

There are some fun obstacle courses and trails to run, mountain top ridge stuff. There are quite a few places to camp but I would stay close to Red Mountain, where the big course is.

Most of the trails are moderate but be prepared for a lot of pin stripping from the dense brush

 

[Mike1331]

when? we'll be just on the other side of clear lake this weekend at indian valley res and your welcome to join. I was just looking at xjensen's 4x4 maps and for some reason its not on there. its halfway between hwy 20 and his stoneyford dot off bartlett springs road.

 

[M1A1TankerTom]

I live in Ukiah and hit cow mountain up at least once a month. There is a camp ground with toilets, but i see a lot of people camping wherever they want. Decent obstacle course and tons of trails. Fun place.

 

[Alex E]

Ok, I'll check out the Red Mountain area for camping. I imagine the terrain is similar to Stonyford, lots of hills and manzanitas that scratch the crap out of everything? Is the "big course" any good? I saw some trails rated from moderate to difficult on 4x4trailmaps, I imagine there are tons more fire roads to explore a long with the dozen or so trails with names?

@mike, I plan on going mid next month. I'd like to check out Indian Valley res I've never been there. I mapped out how to go from highway 20, through Indian Valley and into Stonyford last year but never ended up driving it.

TankerTom-does Cow Mountain get busy on the weekends?

 

[XJensen]

You have the idea. The trails are much more moderate when completely dry.

Although some will test any rig. The big course mentioned is the one at red mtn and is fun.

 

[Alex E]

Sweet, if I understand correctly...is Cow Mountain like Stonyford where its just a designated OHV area with in a National Forest or BLM land? I'm sure there is a lot more to explore then what I find on the internet. Its funny because topo maps don't always have OHV park trails unless its a forest service road and then park maps usually show trails and main county highways but omit other information. Then you get there and realize how many other trails there are. My guess would be a lot of them are decommissioned but still traveled and look open.

 

[XJensen]

It is blm land and the trails are well marked. There are some atv/ moto only trails too as well as a few legal offshoots and connecting roads.

Take a look at the first map link on my site it will show most everything

 

[M1A1TankerTom]

Gets pretty busy on the weekend depending on the weather. Always a lot of dirt bikers. lots to do though...designated shooting range, good trout fishing at the dams on the way in, tons of trails, good obstacle course. Pretty fun place! I have been to Indian valley a few times (used to live in lake county) and don't find it to be half as fun as cow mountain.

 

[Alex E]

It is blm land and the trails are well marked. There are some atv/ moto only trails too as well as a few legal offshoots and connecting roads.

Take a look at the first map link on my site it will show most everything

First off your web site rocks. Second when you say first map are you referring to "America" with all the markers or is there more Cow Mountain OHV info I'm over looking? I noticed some maps have photos and GPS trail markers and others do not. Could be my iPad too, some times certain links don't work properly.

 

[Alex E]

I spoke with my friends and we are planning to go on the 22nd of March. It's not set in stone until we have the days off on the work calendar but if anyone wants to join in any ers are welcome to go. I may start a separate CM wheeling thread once a date is set.

 

[XJensen]

First off your web site rocks. Second when you say first map are you referring to "America" with all the markers or is there more Cow Mountain OHV info I'm over looking? I noticed some maps have photos and GPS trail markers and others do not. Could be my iPad too, some times certain links don't work properly.

Thanks. I was referring to the first map under the "Trail Maps" section on the right column of this page. http://4x4trailmaps.com/OHVA.php?OHVA_ID=3

It is named: [FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]South Cow Mtn OHVA[/FONT] (Bureau of Land Management)

Not sure where your reading "America"? I'm curious how is the site on the iPad? It is a PITA on my phone and I have thought about doing an app for iphone/iPad and Andriod for fun. I just never have the time...

 

[M1A1TankerTom]

I usually work weekends but if at all possible i would love to hit up cow and meet some fellow naxjaers

 

[Alex E]

Sorry for the confusion. First off when I said "America" I was being lazy and should have said the home page North America map where it shows tons of trails before you zoom in and look at specifics. I was referring to this page http://4x4trailmaps.com/Trail_Map_Index.php also the page actually comes up nicely on an iPad, my android phone is a little weird but hey, it's a phone. I just know from using an iPad that some web sites I'm familiar with on a desk top aren't the same. So far on yours it's been flawless, admittedly I don't know 4x4trailmaps good enough to know if my iPad is omitting anything but it seems fine.

What would be REALLY sweet is if we had a way to add or compile actual trail photos and GPS routes to a web site like yours. I know there are places I'd like to share but with all the different grid systems, scales and GPS units it would be hard to keep things consistent IMHO. Last year I used your web site to find some trails by my dads in Nevada. Had my netbook with Mapsource, my Garmin with topo, went to Starbucks for free wifi and your website and I was on my way shortly after. Really awesome.

 

[Alex E]

I usually work weekends but if at all possible i would love to hit up cow and meet some fellow naxjaers

Sounds good. I'm sure I'll post up when we have a date for sure. We might head up on a Thursday after work or take a half day then screw around all day Friday and Saturday then take it easy and head home Sunday some time. I'm sure you could catch us one of those days.