Back way into Fort Hunter Ligget area?

[matty]

Seeking those that know, does anyone know if the dirt road (Indian?) that connects Arroyo Seco campground to Escondido campground is open? Edit: And more importantly, is it gated?

Everything I've read indicates it's closed has been for awhile, but I was just looking at my friend's butler map and it shows it as a complete through road.

From the Fort side, it would be Del Ventui (sp?) Rd>Milpitas Rd>(I think) Indian Rd

Last time I was out that way (on the Fort side) it was open at least as far as Escondido campground, but I had to turn around do to a setting sun.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Cabrito]

The road to Arroyo Seco Campground at the end of "the indians" at the Memorial Park Campground is closed to motorized traffic. I've never tried to come in from the north, but I've been down in that area a few times recently on the Hunter Liggett side. There is some good dispersed camping south of memorial campground.

I looked, but I only have the Northern CA Butler map so that must be on the Southern CA Butler map

Google maps showed that it's doable on a Bicycle though.

https://goo.gl/maps/TBpKvVBmNi3iUiKy5

 

[matty]

This sort of confirms what I've read as well. Last time I was out that way, spring of 2018, I was able to ride a good 5 or 6 miles past Memorial campground, before I turned around. If I remember properly, there was a "road closed ahead" at the beginning of 19S09, but I can't remember if there was a gate.

Guess, I'll have to go investigate:ride and report back.

Edit: Actually, looking at this photo, I guess it was spring of 2017

 

[HadesOmega]

You mean Milpitas Road I've tried to go twice in the past and it is was gated/locked both times. Gotta find the right time to go I guess. According to the Butler Map it spits you out near Carmel Valley Road. If it's a recommended dual sport road you should be able to ride it with an adventure bike. Man the CactusPuncher was so clean back then! I went in the winter time the 2nd time and I had to go through these freakin concrete water crossings. Free camping though! Do some research before you go because you'll be disappointed like I was haha. There a phone number on that sign maybe you can call them and ask if the road is closed. Now I'm realizing I should have checked this out on the way back from the CABDR.

 

[matty]

Yup, that's it and that's the sign I saw, I'll try giving a call tomorrow. I found this map that shows there is a gate near the Arroyo Seco campground: https://caltopo.com/m/T732

And this map makes it look like it's open from May to Nov: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5291362.pdf

If I come from the fort side at least I should be able to carry on for a dozen miles or so because the USFS site shows Escondido campground as being open.

And I won't be disappointed because I already expect to not make it all the way through.:laughing

 

[HadesOmega]

Kewl let us know what you find I've never gotten through the gate '

 

[matty]

I called the Monterey Ranger District this am, definitive answer: Indians/Milpitas is closed between Escondido and Arroyo Seco, permanently.

 

[Cabrito]

Damn,
Was looking forward to some exploration...

 

[dsapsis]

I called the Monterey Ranger District this am, definitive answer: Indians/Milpitas is closed between Escondido and Arroyo Seco, permanently.

My dad used that to connect big loops from Carmel all the way back in the early 50's. Not sure when it originally closed, but it was washed out bad when it was reopened for fire control on the 1999 Kirk Fire. I drove it then doing some scouting missions for the IC team. Was hoping they would leave it open after all the work done to fix it for fire engines, but they closed it that Winter, and I don't think its been open since.

 

[matty]

Yeah, the woman on the phone did say it had been closed for ages, despite this, I had to go check for myself, taken this morning, this is only about a mile or less from Escondido campground:

Too bad, this seems like it would be an awesome way to connect to Carmel Valley.

 

[ratpick]

I used to ride through from Carmel Valley rd to Hunter ligget years ago on my old xl600,it was a lot of fun.
I tried it several months ago on my drz 400 from Arroyo Seco but only got about 5 miles in before it started getting a bit hairy to be riding it solo,lots of slides and overgrown bushes.It was hot and I was low on water so figured save it for another day(cooler and have someone else along).

 

[Tom G]

I used to ride through from Carmel Valley rd to Hunter ligget years ago on my old xl600,it was a lot of fun.
I tried it several months ago on my drz 400 from Arroyo Seco but only got about 5 miles in before it started getting a bit hairy to be riding it solo,lots of slides and overgrown bushes.It was hot and I was low on water so figured save it for another day(cooler and have someone else along).

No Problem,
the Aroyo Secco campground has tap water.

 

[HadesOmega]

Bummer yeah that's the gate that stopped me. Thanks for the recon. I guess it's good for a place to camp if you don't want to camp on Prewitt Ridge.