Is there any decent way to get to clear lake on a Friday afternoon?

I know leaving Thursday is going to be the only way without traffic but that isn't an option

I want to try and hit some dirt on the way up to the rallycross

Later
John

 

I don't know about dirt, but if you want a fun road, take Hwy 175 from Hopland.

 

Looks like a great road
http://www.pashnit.com/maps4/Highway175.htm

The eventual goal though is to get over to willows

 

Be warned though, that road is narrow and idiots in big suv's and trucks driver over the double lines sometimes. If you drive the road early on Sat, there aren't many people on the road. You won't see any big trucks since they aren't allowed on the road.

 

I love the 175 stretch from Hopland to Lakeport it's ****ing awesome and recently repaved. If you want a bit more of a backroad way you can also check out big canyon rd. it's on that pashnit site somewhere as well, pavement is not as good but it's pretty much deserted, I didnt see a single car on the road when I drove it.

 

There is a dirt road off of Highway 20, Bear Valley Rd, never been on it, looks like it runs into hwy 306 then 162(which goes to willows).

 

Are you trying to get to the town Clearlake, or just to the actual lake? If your going to the actual town of Clear Lake, from Fremont you wont get anywhere near Hopland.

From Fremont I would stay east and head up to Vallejo and take hwy 29 up to napa and then the Silverado Trail up to St Helena and head out on Sage/Pope Valley/Butts canyon up to middle town, then from middle town up Big Canyon Rd to lower lake/Clearlake.

No off road sections there but some nice driving, I took some of the peeps from the 350Z forum this way on a drive a while back, go to AAA and pick up the "Mendocino & Sonoma Coast map, it will show you everything around clear lake.

And if your heading from lower lake to upper lake head up High Valley Rd, it turns to gravel half way up, looks cool but I chickened out

 

Bear valley road north from 20 is fine. Its most flat and well maintained. Goes through farmland at the south end. Haven't done the bit up from the Bartlett springs road junction towards Willows but I imagine its fairly similar.

Walker ridge is supposed to be a more spectacular road (for views anyhow). It parallels Bear valley road from 20 up to Bartlett springs road. Its definately more a forest road though.

Bartlett Springs road over from the north east end of Clear Lake is much more fun but is its more remote, and hilly so take care if you do it. There's a short bit in the middle that tends to ruts since the road is more clay than gravel there but its most smooth gravel. Lots of twisties and elevation and no guardrails

High Valley road is also a nice connector from Clear Lake Oaks to Barlett Springs Rd. It goes up a ridge and then winds through the forest.

I posted some pics once. I'll find the post.

None of these roads are fast - think average 30mph or less for planning.

As far as getting the Clear Lake, Krinkovs suggested route seems fine. Probably a bit smokey right now but where isn't. Hopefully that will have cleared a bit by Friday

 

https://www.i-club.com/forums/showth...6&page=3&pp=20

scroll down to post 50

btw if you are going to explore the dirt roads I recommend getting the Benchmark California Road & Recreation Atlas.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...books&n=507846

and take some food, water and other emergency supplies in case you get stuck for some reason

 

Thanks for the info. I am planning on taking Bartlett Springs

Silverado trail should flow alot better than taking 29 all the way up like I did last time. I think taking 680 to 780 to 80 then maybe cut over on Columbus PKWY.


I'll have to get a better map and see where the other roads are.

Later
John

 

I always go through Napa via 29 when I go mountain biking at Bogg's, which is near Clear Lake. You can drive on dirt roads at Bogg's, but I wouldn't recommend it in a WRX unless you have serious skid plates and rear differential protectors. I've driven the wagon in there a few times, but I have to go really slow. My buddies Outback handles that road much better.

 

Is that the lake where Jason's mom and those campers died?
*shivers*

 

Thanks for the road tip.

I have a skid plate but no one makes a diff protector for the STI yet

 

If you were to take the 101 to Hopland, you could turn right onto Old River Rd., and take it to where the road ends. Nice smooth gravel type road, no barriers, plenty of twisties, and as bushido can attest, a lot of fun!!

 

I'll be making one of those next along with a rear diffuser if your interested