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Carrizo Plain ride

Eric B

Eric B

Know-it-none
Joined
May 15, 2014
Location
san jose
Moto(s)
KLE, KLX, KDX, SRX, Evo
Name
Eric
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.

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Santa Ana Valley road


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Browns Valley road


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The low point of the Parkfield Grade
 
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Lunch in the shade, at the Parkfield Cafe. They were closed.


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At the Parkfield school
 

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



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. . . These were not
 
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.

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The roads up on top are a 2 track playground.


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Pick a route up the hill.


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That hilltop looks like a nice spot to camp.
 
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The view from the hilltop was fabulous, but it was windy.


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


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I still had time for some Happy Hour beer, from barf's favorite brewer.
 
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Was up before the sun.


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Exploring for possible camp spots, on the way out.



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Still scenic, even though it's all brown
 
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)


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What's a ride on Los Gatos/Coalinga road, without a picture of old #57. :laughing
 
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.
 
Missed my annual ride to Carrizo plain! Then there HWY 58 on the backside!
 
WoodsChick said:
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.
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So true about the crush of people.
I did find a little color -
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SFMCjohn said:
yes, ex-posed up there when the wind blows ... :laughing

did you find any other likely camping spots?

great pics, thanks for posting ... :ride
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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.
 
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.
 
Good stuff Eric! Glad you made it home.

It's beautiful out there.
 
89fj said:
very cool, Carrizo is now on the to do list :ride
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March/April are ideal months. Much more green and beautiful. Avoid it for a bit after rain. The roads can get pretty greasy.
 
Thanks for taking us along, i'm jonsing to get out and this is inspiring.
 
Eric B said:
March/April are ideal months. Much more green and beautiful. Avoid it for a bit after rain. The roads can get pretty greasy.
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When will it cool off enough again in the fall to go?
 
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