Our wonderful BOD RBDuffer has graciously volunteered to show us the "secret route" from Fallbrook to the El Cariso area at the top of Ortega Highway. 4th of July weekend works good since it's a 3 day weekend for most, and the holiday isn't actually until Monday this year. I picked Sunday with the hope that things won't be as busy in the morning, but we can move it to Saturday if there's an overwhelming majority that want to attend and can't make Sunday.
The plan is to meet up at the Fallbrook Cafe at 8:00 am for breakfast and hit the road at 9:00 am. It's located at 739 E. Mission Road, Fallbrook 92028. There is a Shell gas station across the street where we can top off the tanks as well.
If the Wildomar OHV area is open, then the run should take about 3 to 4 hours, depending on how much time we want to play around. The OHV area could be pretty crowded as well, since it's a holiday weekend, but we'll deal with that when we get there. The OHV area does require a forest adventure pass, as does stopping to recreate pretty much anywhere along the route within the forest. You can pick up a Forest Adventure pass at many local retailers, or you can always just risk it. I've never seen a ranger out and about checking for them, but remember, it is a holiday weekend and this could change things. I'm not sure what the fine is for not having one... maybe someone else knows and can chime in?
More information on the OHV park can be found here:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/cleveland/recarea/?recid=47680More information on Forest Adventure passes can be found here:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/cleveland/passes-permits/recreationThe run will end at Hell's Kitchen restaurant, which is located at 32685 Ortega Highway. We can have lunch here, or just a "pop" (as RBDuffer says). From there, you can either take Highway 74 west into OC and catch I-5 to get home, or you can drop down into Lake Elsinore and catch I-15. If anyone wants to, you can also head out from here and run North Main Divide Road up to Santiago Peak, which would consume your afternoon but is also a very fun drive. As of right now, the Forest Service is listing North Main Divide Road as open, but this could change if the fire danger levels go up.
This run is family friendly, stock friendly, 2 wheel drive friendly, and requires nothing more than basic trail supplies and a good attitude in a group setting. Please have at least CB coms, and bring whatever you need in terms of snacks/food/water to spend a half day or full day out on the trails. I would highly recommend bringing supplies to have lunch on the trail as well, just in case the restaurant isn't open or we get caught up at the OHV park for longer than expected and lunch time sneaks up on us. Don't forget the sunblock if you're prone to burning like me. If you plan to air your tires down for comfort, please have a plan/be prepared to air them back up. There is not a gas station or other service station in El Cariso, and I wouldn't recommend driving Ortega Highway on aired down tires. If you decide to play around in the OHV park, there are many little short trails of varying difficulty that may or may not require 4 wheel drive, or mods like a lift, sliders or skid plates.
Please post up if you're planning to attend this run, and also send me a PM with your phone number (if I don't already have it) so we can be in touch on the morning of, just in case you have to back out at the last minute or something.
