Carrizo Plain ride

[Eric B]

Here are a few from an overnight ride down to the Carrizo Plain, saturday & sunday. The wildflowers & greenery already happened, and it was deserted of people. The route there is still fun, a combination of street & dirt.


Santa Ana Valley road



Browns Valley road



The low point of the Parkfield Grade

 

[Eric B]

Lunch in the shade, at the Parkfield Cafe. They were closed.



At the Parkfield school

 

[Eric B]

Along Bitterwater road. This one was social distancing . . .




. . . These were not

 

[Eric B]

I rode Elkhorn road all the way south, down the Elkhorn Grade, through Maricopa, up to Taft for gas and water. Then up Hurricane road, to look for a camp spot in the Tembler Range. This ridge is on the east side of Carrizo Plain.


The roads up on top are a 2 track playground.



Pick a route up the hill.



That hilltop looks like a nice spot to camp.

 

[Eric B]

The view from the hilltop was fabulous, but it was windy.



Down, off the top, was better. (There was still light wind all night)



I still had time for some Happy Hour beer, from barf's favorite brewer.

 

[Eric B]

Was up before the sun.



Exploring for possible camp spots, on the way out.




Still scenic, even though it's all brown

 

[Eric B]

The route home was a reverse of the ride down. Had a bit of stress as the charging system was not working. Found a spare battery in Coalinga, just in case. Packed that, unplugged the headlight, and headed home. It worked out. I did not need to install the extra battery. (turns out, the VRR is done)



What's a ride on Los Gatos/Coalinga road, without a picture of old #57. :laughing

 

[Johndicezx9]

:thumbup

 

[WoodsChick]

Nice! Thanks for posting up! The Plain is beautiful even when it’s brown. It’s almost better that way, as opposed to having wildflowers and the crush of parking-challenged humanity that they bring.

 

[budman]

Nice. :ride

 

[bmwbob51]

Missed my annual ride to Carrizo plain! Then there HWY 58 on the backside!

 

[SFMCjohn]

The view from the hilltop was fabulous, but it was windy.

yes, ex-posed up there when the wind blows ... :laughing

did you find any other likely camping spots?

great pics, thanks for posting ... :ride

 

[Eric B]

Nice! Thanks for posting up! The Plain is beautiful even when it’s brown. It’s almost better that way, as opposed to having wildflowers and the crush of parking-challenged humanity that they bring.

So true about the crush of people.
I did find a little color -

 

[Eric B]

yes, ex-posed up there when the wind blows ... :laughing

did you find any other likely camping spots?

great pics, thanks for posting ... :ride

I camped a couple hills short of the towers. Just south was another ridge that looked good. I explored it in the morning and it has some promising spots. Dry grass everywhere, so no campfire fire.

 

[Map8]

Thanks for the pics. Glad you had such a good ride. I've only been through there in early spring. The views and big skys are super dramatic. I need to go back.

 

[Cabrito]

Good stuff Eric! Glad you made it home.

It's beautiful out there.

 

[89fj]

very cool, Carrizo is now on the to do list :ride

 

[Eric B]

very cool, Carrizo is now on the to do list :ride

March/April are ideal months. Much more green and beautiful. Avoid it for a bit after rain. The roads can get pretty greasy.

 

[matty]

Thanks for taking us along, i'm jonsing to get out and this is inspiring.

 

[Guoseph]

March/April are ideal months. Much more green and beautiful. Avoid it for a bit after rain. The roads can get pretty greasy.

When will it cool off enough again in the fall to go?