Bronco Nation

Northern CA off-roading options

Calgecko
Sep 28, 2021

Official unofficial BN Photographer

Sep 28, 2021

Hey there- thought I'd share some of the places I've been going with my truck (not my Bronco - YET) in the Northern CA area. I'm not into rock-climbing, so you won't see any of that - I do enjoy scenic trails that take me to places I can't get in a normal vehicle though. These are all mellow drives - good for a novice or intermediate off-roader. I just got this truck in December of 2020, so I'm still a Novice as far as I'm concerned :) .. just sharing..

  • Prairie City off-road park - great experience for a new off-roader to play around in a safe environment and have plenty of help around in case you need it.
  • Mormon Emigrant Trail (MET) - in the winter, the road is covered in snow and it is NOT cleared, so it's fun for snow-wheeling. In the summer, there are lots of offshoots and trails
  • Slate Mountain Trail - nice mellow trail that ends up at the top of a range with an old radio tower and great views
  • Old Latrobe Rd - just a nice scenic dirt trail/path that goes through some hilly areas just outside El Dorado Hills - great if you wanna just get out of the house and don't want something that's going to take up your whole day.
  • River Bed in Esparta - outside Woodland area - fun place to go drive through a dried up river bed, some water crossings and stuff too.
  • Indian Valley Reservoir - a little bit of a drive to get there, but lots of trails and great views
  • Henness Pass - great drive along some ridges through the mountains - absolutely beautiful views
  • Foresthill Rd - fun trail to the top of a pretty steep hill (I think I hit 29 degrees incline at one point) - some sharp rocks and stumps up there - make sure you air down so you don't puncture your sidewall like I did :(
  • Bowman Lake - this is off of Henness Pass, but makes a nice drive as well.
  • Moon Rocks, NV - this is absolutely amazing... it's a bit more of a drive to get there, but the views are so cool, and there's tons of trails and rock climbing stuff (for those who want it)

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Reservation: 7/20/20 | MY '21 order: 2/1/21 | MY '22 order: 10/22/21 | Blend 8/5, built 8/8, 'built' status 8/27, in my driveway 10/12/22
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Oldhippie, Chief1301
Last edited by a moderator: Sep 28, 2021

Rank III

Sep 28, 2021

#1
Thanks for sharing , I will gave check some of these places out when get my bronco. I’ve been out to Indian valley dirt bike riding, it’s nice out there. Im about about a hour from Indian valley. Cow mountain is another place to explore as well if you ever get a chance.
Calgecko

Rank V

Oct 04, 2021

#2
I want to get a trip to the Coyote Flats before the snow arrives.
2021 Ford Bronco Badlands 4 Door. Delivered on 10/1/2021

Rank V

Oct 04, 2021

#3
RandallLG
I want to get a trip to the Coyote Flats before the snow arrives.
You probably only have about 2-3 weeks left this year, since things can get dicey in October. You’ll need to stay on top of local weather forecasts.

Rank V

Sep 10, 2022

#4
Calgecko
Old Latrobe Rd - just a nice scenic dirt trail/path that goes through some hilly areas just outside El Dorado Hills - great if you wanna just get out of the house and don't want something that's going to take up your whole day.

Still waiting for my Bronco (probably going to get pushed to MY 2023), but a few months ago, @Seanette and I rented a Jeep Compass for about a month, while our car was in the shop. While we had it, we looked for places to go that our 2016 Dodge Dart would not be able to go. That stretch of Latrobe Road was the most significant one. Also, Michigan Bar road, that goes off of that Stretch of Latrobe.

Latrobe almost seems to have been made for 4×4 enthusiasts, at least for beginners. The main road is rougher than you'd want to tackle in a normal car, and every so often, there are little side routes that are much rougher. We'll definitely have to go back there once we finally have the Bronco.

The one other rough stretch we found, by surprise, was a short stretch of Eagles Nest Road/Zinfandel Drive. Most of it is paved, but there's a stretch from Keifer to Woodring that is not, and which is very rough.
May the Ford be with you, always.
On Order: Badlands 4-door 2.7, Lux Package, Velocity Blue, non-Sasquatch
Calgecko

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