Icecobra
FRF Addict
lol... 10 MPG....
NorCal- Lost Coast Run
- Thread starter Bigg50
- Start date
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iHaveGas
FRF Addict
Must not have been in 4 wheel drive
Icecobra
FRF Addict
he drove uphill, both ways..
OP
OP
Bigg50
FRF Addict
I would love to say the Prerun went off without a hitch, but I can't. I guess that's why we do a prerun.
The story goes:
We got into Willits around 9:30- stopped at Safeway to pick up a some last minute times. We quickly headed out to Sherwood RD. After 20 minutes we finally come to the start and the gate is closed "road closed". However, the gate is not locked. So, we're either thinking it's the locals not wanting people like us to be using it. Or, it's closed for the season (winter). Either way we have a choice- do we just head back and head over to Fort Bragg via the highway or take Sherwood Rd. and risk the road being closed on the other end. Well, as you might of guessed it we decided to take Sherwood.
Sherwood Rd. was an absolute blast. With the rain that past threw on Wednesday all the ruts were filled with water. It was a lot of fun hitting them at speed. We came across a hairy section of road were it was uphill and graded to the right were there was a big rut with a wall. We would try to stay left and then would just slide over into the rut. Took us a while but we made it. We actually ended up digging our own rut to get passed a slick part. Here's a short clip of MB making it up:
IMG_1704 - YouTube
Here's some pics/w of Sherwood Rd and what we encountered:
Apparently, they just burn your car to the ground if you break down and leave it. We saw 2
It became clear by the conditions of the road and the lack of maintenance the road was indeed closed for the season. We're already half way so we figure lets keep on and hope the gate is open at the other end. We finally get there and it's locked and there's no way around. We try a few things that we shouldn't have (join us on the run and you'll get the details) but ultimately decide we have to double back.
At 3pm we are back in Willits and we're concerned because this puts the run in jeopardy. I use my phone to check it if Usal Rd. is closed like Sherwood. Sure enough, Mendocino county lists it as being closed for the season. MB and I figure lets just go check it out and hope the site hasn't been updated. What else have we got to do, right?
Around 7pm we get to the road and as we're pulling up I've got my fingers crossed and saying a prayer. Thank god... it's open. It's perfect timing as the sun is just setting and it's an amazing sight. We get to Sinkyone State Park, mess around on the dunes for a few minutes then back to the trail as we still have a lot of ground to cover. Well, what happens next on as we continue down our route... yep, the road is closed. If that's not enough a tree is down right past the gate. It's now dark and we decide to camp for the night.
Usal Rd pics
Over dinner, we are discussing our options and how we are going to make this run still happen.
Option 1: Assuming it doesn't rain much over the next month. Take Sherwood Rd. and just double back. Then head over to Usal Rd and camp there just like we did on the prerun. We would just skip the Shelter Cove piece of the Run.
Option 2: Skip Sherwood Rd- head straight to Usal Rd. from Willits. After enjoying the Usal Rd. piece head back out to highway 1-drive to Shelter Cover and hit up the route I had researched for possible expansions.
In order for option 2 to even be an option we need to see if the route I found in Shelter Cove is open and suitable. So we hit the Rd at 9am for Shelter Cove. Drum roll.....the route is open and is perfect for us. The trail runs 38 miles and is pretty well maintained. there's lots of off chutes we could explore as well.
Shelter Cove pics
Hey look, it's camouflage!
In closing, we decided it's probably going to be best to go with option 2. Skip Sherwood and just hit up Usal Rd, then get back on the highway to Shelter Cove, and hit up Kings Rd. I'll be posting up more details about the route shortly. If we have half the fun we had on the prerun we will have had a great time. Those who make the run are going to have a great time and see some amazing sights.
Good night...I'm tired!
The story goes:
We got into Willits around 9:30- stopped at Safeway to pick up a some last minute times. We quickly headed out to Sherwood RD. After 20 minutes we finally come to the start and the gate is closed "road closed". However, the gate is not locked. So, we're either thinking it's the locals not wanting people like us to be using it. Or, it's closed for the season (winter). Either way we have a choice- do we just head back and head over to Fort Bragg via the highway or take Sherwood Rd. and risk the road being closed on the other end. Well, as you might of guessed it we decided to take Sherwood.
Sherwood Rd. was an absolute blast. With the rain that past threw on Wednesday all the ruts were filled with water. It was a lot of fun hitting them at speed. We came across a hairy section of road were it was uphill and graded to the right were there was a big rut with a wall. We would try to stay left and then would just slide over into the rut. Took us a while but we made it. We actually ended up digging our own rut to get passed a slick part. Here's a short clip of MB making it up:
IMG_1704 - YouTube
Here's some pics/w of Sherwood Rd and what we encountered:
Apparently, they just burn your car to the ground if you break down and leave it. We saw 2
It became clear by the conditions of the road and the lack of maintenance the road was indeed closed for the season. We're already half way so we figure lets keep on and hope the gate is open at the other end. We finally get there and it's locked and there's no way around. We try a few things that we shouldn't have (join us on the run and you'll get the details) but ultimately decide we have to double back.
At 3pm we are back in Willits and we're concerned because this puts the run in jeopardy. I use my phone to check it if Usal Rd. is closed like Sherwood. Sure enough, Mendocino county lists it as being closed for the season. MB and I figure lets just go check it out and hope the site hasn't been updated. What else have we got to do, right?
Around 7pm we get to the road and as we're pulling up I've got my fingers crossed and saying a prayer. Thank god... it's open. It's perfect timing as the sun is just setting and it's an amazing sight. We get to Sinkyone State Park, mess around on the dunes for a few minutes then back to the trail as we still have a lot of ground to cover. Well, what happens next on as we continue down our route... yep, the road is closed. If that's not enough a tree is down right past the gate. It's now dark and we decide to camp for the night.
Usal Rd pics
Over dinner, we are discussing our options and how we are going to make this run still happen.
Option 1: Assuming it doesn't rain much over the next month. Take Sherwood Rd. and just double back. Then head over to Usal Rd and camp there just like we did on the prerun. We would just skip the Shelter Cove piece of the Run.
Option 2: Skip Sherwood Rd- head straight to Usal Rd. from Willits. After enjoying the Usal Rd. piece head back out to highway 1-drive to Shelter Cover and hit up the route I had researched for possible expansions.
In order for option 2 to even be an option we need to see if the route I found in Shelter Cove is open and suitable. So we hit the Rd at 9am for Shelter Cove. Drum roll.....the route is open and is perfect for us. The trail runs 38 miles and is pretty well maintained. there's lots of off chutes we could explore as well.
Shelter Cove pics
Hey look, it's camouflage!
In closing, we decided it's probably going to be best to go with option 2. Skip Sherwood and just hit up Usal Rd, then get back on the highway to Shelter Cove, and hit up Kings Rd. I'll be posting up more details about the route shortly. If we have half the fun we had on the prerun we will have had a great time. Those who make the run are going to have a great time and see some amazing sights.
Good night...I'm tired!
Last edited:
iHaveGas
FRF Addict
Wow!
Danactive
I'm Back!
Wow great update Bigg and damn Myron you got close as hell to that wall of dirt! Lol now this will be my first raptor run ever and camping as well... Any suggestions on how cold it got, what you brought to eat etc? I want to make sure I'm 100% ready when this run comes up... I already planned on brining a saw and an axe after hearing the fallen tree issue 
iHaveGas
FRF Addict
Still wish I was there for the Prerun. Myron have any scraps on the side bed from the wall of mud?
Last edited:
OP
OP
Bigg50
FRF Addict
I forgot to mention that we'll keep the original run plan if they re-open Sherwood rd in time. However, from the shape the road is in compared to last time I ran it; there's a lot of work to be done. I'm going to figure out who I need to call to find out when it will be open.
It got pretty chilly over night so make sure to bring a warm jacket and sleeping bag (or an extra blanket). I'm planning on adding a saw to my offroad kit as well. I don't think we'll need it on the run since we are skipping Sherwood Rd though.
Wow great update Bigg and damn Myron you got close as hell to that wall of dirt! Lol now this will be my first raptor run ever and camping as well... Any suggestions on how cold it got, what you brought to eat etc? I want to make sure I'm 100% ready when this run comes up... I already planned on brining a saw and an axe after hearing the fallen tree issue
It got pretty chilly over night so make sure to bring a warm jacket and sleeping bag (or an extra blanket). I'm planning on adding a saw to my offroad kit as well. I don't think we'll need it on the run since we are skipping Sherwood Rd though.
ruffstuff
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And bolt cutters. ;-)
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