Bear Valley - Fred Canyon

[Grizzly]

Using Huegel’s book as a guide headed out to do Bear Valley Road/Fred Canyon. Got passed on 8 by a lifted black 2ndGen saw them turn left on pine valley as we headed for the trailhead. Lots of trucks with dirt bikes in tow at trailhead.

Headed up trail got1/4 mile in and found a couple with an older Suzuki 4Wheeler on the side with hood up, we pushed them around to head them back to trailhead, then used strap to tow them out. Not really set up yet so had strap on shackle went nice and slow with consistent tension; my first recovery (newbie simple - just my speed).

All the bikers watched as the X emerged with Suzuki in tow. As we came out there was that black X about to start up, they headed out as we were unhooking and pushing the Suzuki into a resting place. We turned around and headed up the trail, easy to moderate (sure most X’ers would call it easy, hard pack, rock, and choppy with some nice views).

Got about 7 miles up trail and gate down to Buckman Springs was locked, someone had created a bypass that was down the side of the hill, with a tight broadside turn and back up the face looked like 55-60 degrees, not enough balls, beer or insurance for me to try with my basically stock X (kidding about the beer). Wondered if the black X took it, hadn’t seen him coming back.

Turned around stopped at a view point and up rolled black X (PRG 3” with front coilovers and arms) met Jeff and LeeAnne they decided to join us going back and heading for Fred Canyon. Bounced back 7 miles to trailhead and rolled down to Cibbets Flat to get to trail head and found gate closed and locked.

We decided to try and find dirt road we had seen going over mountain when we were on Bear Valley Rd. Found entrance off Buckman Springs and headed up what turned out to be Sheephead Mountain Road. We wound our way to the lookout at the top and then decided to continue on. It looked like the road went out to S1.

We proceeded on the road narrowed significantly and became more extreme. I slid down a couple of faces on my plates and thought I had busted up the stock nerf bars, we hit a large section where the road should have been but was slide/washed out and impassable by our vehicles, we backed up, turned back down the trail, and headed home.

[Paul]

Sounds like a frustrating trip.

[ultrapc40]

Glad to hear you had fun.

I recommend not using the word "rolled down"  Rolling and trucks = bad

[FrankB]

Sounds like fun even with the u-turns Scott. That gate at Fred Canyon has been locked for a couple of years now. I think that the Cleveland Nat'l Forest website lists the various closures.

Did Jeff and LeeAnn happen to have a Great Dane named Bella with them? Or maybe it's not the same Jeff with a black X that I'm thinking of.

[Grizzly]

No Great Dane, said they hadn't done anything with SCCX but I expect they will. I actually had fun and had my daughter with me. She commented on how friendly everybody was compared to general public and it was a good lesson to help someone out, plus never know when it might be me. Looking forward to an SCCX trip soon.

[FrankB]

No Great Dane, said they hadn't done anything with SCCX but I expect they will. I actually had fun and had my daughter with me. She commented on how friendly everybody was compared to general public and it was a good lesson to help someone out, plus never know when it might be me. Looking forward to an SCCX trip soon.

Must not be the same one then, Jeff (screen name BlackX) has been out with us a few times. So we'll maybe have another Jeff in a black X.  This could get confusing at some point.

[Blackx]

Nope not me  .  I do need to get back out with you guys.

[Jeff08X]

Hi im Jeff with the black X.  It was a fun trip a little change from going to Anza Borrego.

[Paul]

Hi Jeffs