Apparently my wife wants to get a little dirty this weekend, the fun kind of dirty, not the super fun kind of dirty. Maybe she wants to do that too, but why would I tell you about it?

Anyway, I was thinking about going up Saddleback, leaving from Silverado gate and returning the same way. I have not been up there except on a Mtn bike, but as long as I don't do the off shoots it is just a scenic fire road right? Like I won't even need 4wd.

She is a little apprehensive about the whole thing so I want to ease her into it slowly and without much stress. If I freak her out. this might be the last time she comes out. I know I could take her to Cleghorn, but the view from the top might be enough to draw her into this whole thing, then maybe, by the grace of God, she may be willing to camp without toilets.

 

Yes, it is an easy scenic fireroad and perfect for what you want. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the view from the top. Bill and I used to do that all the time just to "get away" from civilization.

I would have also recommended Indian Truck Trail as another easy scenic fire road, but rangleme told me it's currently closed due to storm damage. But it's a good one to keep in mind for the future. It hooks up with Main Divide right at the gate when you're coming from the Ortega side.

 

When would you being going up Saddlecrack?

 

I saw you on Crown Vally today. The road is nice and graded that would be a good start lol. Im kidding you'll do fine up there and the weather will be great. Enjoy!

 

How do I always miss you? I waved to, like, 6 Jeeps yesterday. I must have been to busy listening to all the rattling and squeaking coming from my door pillars and bumper.

 

I wasnt in the Jeep this time, but I was thinking damn that is a badass looking JK, then I realized oh it's Sully again! You did have an intense look on your face just like last time, do you ever smile when driving your Jeep?

 

I was just doing my Buster Keaton impression. Or I really was pissed at my bumper rattle. All the construction on Crown Valley made it worse.

If it was in the evening we may have just left Eve's grandparents.

 

It was lunchtime, you were probably thinking about food. You were on the graded side so I'm sure it was not a smooth ride with added to the bumper rattle.

 

Mr. Sully,

I took my first off-road ride in my 4dr last Sunday up from Silverado Canyon, was attempting to hook up with the 'backwards' jeep train coming from the east. The trail is very tame, never needed 4wd although I used it just to see if it worked! I took my wife and son. Even saw a Corolla and another car, they must've bottomed out many times...

Anyway, got to within sight of the peak and hit a locked gate. So that was a bummer. Had a nice picnic with some other frustrated folks, fooled around a bit on the main divide trail, then turned around and went home.

So bring a key or an acetylene torch (I had neither).

I'm interested to hear from anyone on the gate mysteries, are there keys? Are there known times these are closed? Do you just go up and hope? How did the Backwards group get through?

Jim

 

X2, I want try and get out of the house this weekend.