Somewhere to wheel

[94xjstud]

Me and some guys need a place to wheel on the 21st (girlfriend is having a baby shower for her sis so all the guys are leaving town). Since Hollister is closed and we want to stay semi-close to home because there is an RV going, where could we go?
I would like to be within 100 miles of Santa Cruz or San Jose.

Prairie city is too far, and I don't think they will want to go on a snowrun

 

[honda12]

There are a number of exellent trail guide books you can purchase a book store with great info.Boarders has them as im sure any other major chain would.

 

[Letterman]

Have you been to Frank Raines Park? (I would call to make sure it is open)
http://www.co.stanislaus.ca.us/er/parks/pdf/off-highway-vehicle-regional-parks.pdf

http://4x4trailhunters.com/trails/trail.php?id=42

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/FrankRaines/index.shtml


Or a little closer but not as much to do is Carnegie:
http://www.ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1172
more for motercycles

 

[94xjstud]

Frank Raines seems good, but I just seems like mud pits. Has anyone been there? And how is hwy 130 getting there? I have a locker in the rear and there will also be a RV
And Carnegie seems a little small. Has anyone been there?

Not trying to be picky but just trying to find the better place

 

[Letterman]

There is nothing near San Jose other then the 3 spots, Hollister Hills is the best out of the 3. Frank Raines is a good drive to get there and all 3 parks have more for the bikes then the rigs.

Fraink Raines was a fun spot for a day trip, back when the creek was open, I have heard the creek is closed now days but I don't know for sure. I have been there 6 or 10 times, a few on my bike but mostly with the jeep.

A few years back, 2005 I think, my junk on 36's:

B.C.

Creek was fun, but it is the only rocks at the park:

I don't know if the creek is closed now, I think there was some Frog that they wanted to save down streem and the oil/gas/etc. was killing them. :sure:

Other then the creek there is a few trails, and some really nasty hills to roll over and over on.

 

[Letterman]

Most all of Carnegie is for the bikes, the hills are off limits to the rigs, but there is a "4x4 park" that I hear has been upgraded. It was just a rock pit, a mud hole, some other small obsticles, I have been there 5 or 6 times, 2 or 3 with the bike and only a few times with the Jeep. Today I understand there is new "hill climbs" and other stuff but it is very small still.

Photos from back in 2003, my junk on 33's:

Parking on rocks gets boring fast:

Fun with photos gets dull fast too:

It is about an hour closer to us then Frank Raines. Hollister is still the best park near to San Jose. If you want to drive there are other parks but nothing as close as the three here.

If you go, bring a camera and show us what it looks like today.
:cheers:

 

[Letterman]

One more from FRP of Mudbut:

 

[buzzbombxj]

Carnegie is good for a quick day trip, there are some fun things to drive over in varius areas of the park. In the 4x4 area there are the two new hill climbs, both are made out of cement with rocks stuck in it, one has much larger rocks in it then the other. there is also a ton of rocks in little mini rubicons, some smaller some huge! Now there is a giant u track that goes up and down the hill, its like the squeeze rock at holister but mixed with mini rubicon. There are a bunch of rocks there over 5 feet long, its pretty cool. Last time I went there were giant logs to drive up on and over too.


Another view of the gnarlier hillclimb, with my friends samurai


Its definetly not as cool as holister. But on the other hand its only 45 minutes away from me. In the last year or so they have done a lot with the 4x4 area, it seems that every time I go there there is new stuff too.
I actually was there yesterday

 

[94xjstud]

I just called Frank Raines Park and the Lady said that the creek was open, but she seemed kinda confused about the area so looks like we will just have to see when we go.

 

[Letterman]

The good creek is in the back not the one that runs along the road, you can play on that one but it is not very fun. Once you pay at the gate (bring correct change) you need to drive past the restrooms and the large building, head over the bridge and you will see the creek next to the barn.

Map:

The creek is not too bad, you can play on some of the ugly lines on the sides, at the end it gets ugly and you do have to come out the way you came in. Other parts of the park are just ok, more fun on a bike if you ask me.

Wish I could go, have fun and take pics!

 

[NorCalChris]

prairie city sucks. i would never waste my time going there again. im from salinas and if i was you id go to pismo. itd be way better. seeming how im in sac all i have thats any good is the rubicon, random trails throught the sierras, and fordyce.

 

[johnpatrick]

Any updates regarding the creek bed closure in FR?
I was planning on heading up Sunday or Monday.

 

[jeepme]

Its closed

 

[johnpatrick]

Yeah call this morning and got the confirmation...thanks