Chew's Ridge: currently too much for a 2WD to chew on

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Akarsh Simha

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Feb 22, 2021, 2:49:21 AM2/22/21
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Hi

I haven't stepped out much because of the coronavirus, and it's been getting to me. So I decided to go out and check out places near Chew's ridge, to prospect for observing sites. Even if I didn't succeed, it would be a refreshing change from sitting at my desk all day.

As is typical, I left late at about 4:30 PM, took the "scenic" route via CA-17 and CA-1 to Monterey, and then onto the county roads. After turning onto Tassajara road well into the night with the moonlight, and driving a good amount of time, I came up on a rather large parking lot with many vehicles parked and a line of trash and recycle bins, and several ominous notices saying "Road Closed" along with "Pavement Ends", "Tassajara Zen Center closed to the public until further notice", "Not a through street", "No access to Big Sur", and "2WD vehicles not recommended beyond this point", "Impassable when wet". I had previously looked up the restrictions on the Los Padres N.F. website, but the closure area due to fire restrictions did not cover this region -- so I believe it wasn't illegal to proceed further, plus there was no actual gate or cones or such stuff blocking the road. So I assumed the "Road Closed" was an outdated sign, or perhaps indicated a closure at a point further down the road that could possibly be beyond Chew's Ridge/China Camp and the proceeded to "venture as far as my car would go".

I have a really low-clearance 2WD sedan that has been abused on many dirt and "4WD recommended" roads, and by the standards of the roads that this car has already been on, this seemed to be nothing. The dirt road was really well-graded, so I proceeded slowly and carefully, for several more miles until I entered the Los Padres National Forest boundary. At this point, I noticed that not only had I lost the last sliver of Verizon, but the road was getting wetter. Just a couple hundred feet or so past the NF boundary, 3 miles before Chew's ridge, I saw large puddles of water in the already clay-ey road, and decided to turn back.

Now that I'm back, I just looked at the Los Padres NF website, and it says: "Tassajara Rd is currently impassable due to hazardous conditions."

I did a naked eye assessment of seeing before I turned back: At 30° altitude, Sirius was noticeably twinkling. But stars of Orion and Taurus that were high overhead at 7 PM could be seen to twinkle only rather subtly.

tl;dr: Tassajara Road is currently wet beyond the National Forest boundary, and definitely not a good idea in a 2WD. Might be pushing your luck even with a 4WD; don't know how bad it is further down the road.

Regards
Akarsh

John Pierce

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Feb 22, 2021, 3:24:28 AM2/22/21
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On Sun, Feb 21, 2021 at 11:49 PM Akarsh Simha <akars...@gmail.com> wrote:

tl;dr: Tassajara Road is currently wet beyond the National Forest boundary, and definitely not a good idea in a 2WD. Might be pushing your luck even with a 4WD; don't know how bad it is further down the road.


at that point, its more about your tires than 2WD vs 4WD.     some decent all terrain tires on a high ground clearance SUV or truck, and you'd probably never need 4x4 on that road.   they DID get a lot of rain not that long ago, I'm remembering reading the storm a week or two ago, a hill near Cone Peak recorded 16" in a single day.

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Akarsh Simha

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Feb 22, 2021, 3:31:30 AM2/22/21
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John, I'm thinking more along the lines of "if one of my tires is in a puddle of wet clay and stars spinning, I'm stuck". Yeah, I have heard that e.g. winter tires can give a huge advantage over all-seasons in the snow. My tire is rated M/S all season, but I don't trust it. The car I drive (Volkswagen Jetta) does have traction control in the form of what they call "Electronic Differential Lock" -- the computer applies brakes to prevent the tires from spinning, but I'm not really sure how effective it is. I got stuck recently in a similar fashion with one of my tires on slick ground and EDL did nothing (but I had the added problem that my chassis was scraping on the pavement... so it could have maybe worked if I had more clearance).

If I had 4WD with a locking differential, 3 of my tires could slip and I'd be fine. If I had that and a sat phone, I'd push my luck :D.


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John Pierce

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Feb 22, 2021, 3:49:43 AM2/22/21
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On Mon, Feb 22, 2021 at 12:31 AM Akarsh Simha <akars...@gmail.com> wrote:

John, I'm thinking more along the lines of "if one of my tires is in a puddle of wet clay and stars spinning, I'm stuck". Yeah, I have heard that e.g. winter tires can give a huge advantage over all-seasons in the snow. My tire is rated M/S all season, but I don't trust it. The car I drive (Volkswagen Jetta) does have traction control in the form of what they call "Electronic Differential Lock" -- the computer applies brakes to prevent the tires from spinning, but I'm not really sure how effective it is. I got stuck recently in a similar fashion with one of my tires on slick ground and EDL did nothing (but I had the added problem that my chassis was scraping on the pavement... so it could have maybe worked if I had more clearance).

If I had 4WD with a locking differential, 3 of my tires could slip and I'd be fine. If I had that and a sat phone, I'd push my luck :D.


I used to take my FWD rabbit gen1 and jetta gen 2 over all kinda insane dirt roads.   but a 84 and 89 VW with 14" wheels probably had better ground clearance and was a lot lighter than newer VW stuff.

when I got my first 4x4, my kid suggested,  '2x4 is to get in, 4x4 is to get out.    if you get stuck in 4x4, you're walking'

my Tacoma had old school 4x4 (and a 6 speed stick), with an electronic locker in the rear diff.   I don't believe the front differential could lock, but the center transfer case was 1:1, there was no center differential.  I put new KO2 all terrain tires on it and it was a total jeep on any road I took it on. 

my F250 has old school 4x4 with a 1:1 transfer case and old school 3 speed plus overdrive automatic, but I do not know if I have a locking rear axle, it might be a 'posittraction' locker.       slow and easy in 4L and its not yet gotten stuck, doing slot canyons in Utah.   this is what I was driving in that Panoche Hills video, that was my cellphone in a dashboard holder looking out the windshield, and motion stabilized, look at the truck hood bouncing around while the horizon is stable, and realize the camera was hard attached to the truck.   Its huge and rather heavy, so you have to be very cautious offroading.   It too has like new BFGoodrich AllTerrain KO2 tires, load range 'E'.

our 'new' benz wagon (2016 E350 4Matic that we bought for Christmas) is always in AWD, with a fixed 45% front, 55% rear split, has a center differential and transfer case integrated into the 7 speed automatic, but it has 4 wheel 'ETS' which uses the brakes indepedently to maintain road control over all conditions.   its incredibly smooth and drama free when I've tried to force slides on a wet road, it just wouldn't slide or spin, yet I never felt a wheel jerking.  it easily went faster on wet slippery pavement turns than I felt comfortable with..     but it has /45 profile highway tires and low ground clearance, so its not likely to ever see Chews Ridge.



eeek, that benz has a 5770 lb GVWR, its 4700 lbs curb weight.   thats about 1000 lbs more than our 1994 mercedes e320 wagon that this is replacing.

ngc1...@gmail.com

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Feb 22, 2021, 4:56:51 AM2/22/21
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Akarsh, having camped and observed at Chew's Ridge twice, I want to emphasize how lucky you are to have made it back. Writing this for you and for others who are reading. This other conversation about cars in general is way beside the point.

At best on a dry summer day, Tassajara Rd is rough and slippery along whole lengths of that road. I would never think of driving it in the dark. There are plenty of spots where in the wet you could slide over the edge. The Santa Lucias are real mountains.

>So I assumed the "Road Closed" was an outdated sign ...

That's pretty amazing. Glad to be able to read your post.

Akarsh Simha

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Feb 22, 2021, 5:50:39 AM2/22/21
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On Mon, Feb 22, 2021 at 01:56 ngc1...@gmail.com <ngc1...@gmail.com> wrote:
Akarsh, having camped and observed at Chew's Ridge twice, I want to emphasize how lucky you are to have made it back. Writing this for you and for others who are reading. This other conversation about cars in general is way beside the point.

At best on a dry summer day, Tassajara Rd is rough and slippery along whole lengths of that road. I would never think of driving it in the dark. There are plenty of spots where in the wet you could slide over the edge. The Santa Lucias are real mountains.

You’re right: I should’ve thought a bit more. I was very lucky it was dry all the way up until the forest boundary — that part had steep grades with sharp drop offs in some parts. That part was however dry enough that there was virtually no chance for slippage.

One of the advantages of a VW is that they say it’s designed so you “feel the road”. Whereas this isn’t great if you’re driving the ramp from I-280 to CA-85, it is pretty nice on dirt roads.

I wouldn’t say the segment I did felt too dangerous — although I was nervous doing it — not so much of slipping, but of a burst tyre or a car breakdown. It may have been dangerous and foolish had I driven further on the wet clay. I would’ve pushed my luck further down if I had a sat phone and daylight, but I was underprepared.


>So I assumed the "Road Closed" was an outdated sign ...

That's pretty amazing. Glad to be able to read your post.

I still believe it’s an outdated sign :-)
The road is marked as open but impassable.

Thanks for pointing out that this road carries real risk. I had no idea going in. I have repeatedly heard the good advice “never drive on a dirt road that you haven’t driven on before at night”, but have seldom followed it...

The segment I drove did not feel as risky as outlined in the above article. Perhaps like the article says, the descent towards Tassajara is the scarier part. Anyway, I really do want to observe from Chew’s Ridge some day, and I think that’ll have to wait until I have a 4WD. 


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John Pierce

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Feb 22, 2021, 6:12:57 AM2/22/21
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On Mon, Feb 22, 2021 at 2:50 AM Akarsh Simha <akars...@gmail.com> wrote:

...  Anyway, I really do want to observe from Chew’s Ridge some day, and I think that’ll have to wait until I have a 4WD. 


I should hook you up with the SCAC guys who have the permit and keys to the fire lookout tower, they go there in the summer and spend a night or two.   I've been up there in a 1989 Jetta. 30-ish years ago.

Dan Smiley

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Feb 22, 2021, 10:02:13 AM2/22/21
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Akarsh what do you think the "rather large parking lot with many vehicles parked" was about? Forest service vehicles? 
thanks

Doug Tallman

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Feb 22, 2021, 11:04:49 AM2/22/21
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> "rather large parking lot with many vehicles parked"

Those are likely vehicles of people in residence at the Tassajara Zen Center. The center is closed to the public in winter months, but still has a community of practitioners on site. In the summer open season they have a shuttle that takes people w/o 4WD from the Jamesburg parking area to the center.

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Akarsh Simha

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Feb 22, 2021, 1:59:01 PM2/22/21
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Dan, I have no idea what the parking lot was; Doug’s explanation makes sense to me.

John, that’d be nice! I wouldn’t preclude the possibility of a modern low-clearance Jetta doing the stretch to Chew’s ridge. It was just the conditions. In my assessment the road was wet enough that I’d be pushing my luck, especially given that I wasn’t prepared for it. TBH I’ve done roads that were more wet in the Jetta, where the mud would literally cause me to slide — but that was during daytime and I was way more prepared for it.

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Peter Santangeli

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Feb 22, 2021, 2:13:04 PM2/22/21
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My only response to this is "Be Careful out there"

Many, many years ago we had an observer get hit by TWO flat tires on his pickup truck when trying to get to an observing site we were holding an imagers ball at up in Carmel Valley.

pete


On Sun, Feb 21, 2021 at 11:49 PM Akarsh Simha <akars...@gmail.com> wrote:
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Ivor Barker

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Feb 22, 2021, 2:18:15 PM2/22/21
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That was me!

Peter Santangeli

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Feb 22, 2021, 2:20:35 PM2/22/21
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LOL. I was avoiding being too specific....

pete

On Mon, Feb 22, 2021 at 11:18 AM Ivor Barker <iba...@charter.net> wrote:

That was me!

 

 

Many, many years ago we had an observer get hit by TWO flat tires on his pickup truck when trying to get to an observing site we were holding an imagers ball at up in Carmel Valley.

 

 

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Lumpy Darkness

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Feb 22, 2021, 2:36:45 PM2/22/21
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Oh Jeez.... I'd happily forgotten the phrase "Imager's Ball".  I had to keep scrubbing my mind of images of you guys in Ball Gowns.  Thanks, Pete.

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Christopher Kelly

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Feb 22, 2021, 4:48:15 PM2/22/21
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Akarsh, 

I have been up and over Chews Ridge in all months of the year, but if it is slippery like with snow, you need to stay off.   The road is actually quite well graded for an AWD or a 4x4 and even a 2WD (I used to have a Jeep Gran Cherokee that took me over the top for several years.   The problem is the rather steep spot just before you get to the pass at Chews Ridge.   I have personally seen beefy pickup trucks slipped offroad on that steep section.  But once you are over that, the road actually improves all the way to the fire road observing area past China Camp.  Nevertheless, my wife's old Camry station wagon (she was driving) made it over the the pass on dry roads in April or March.   And I fail to mention that the caretaker years ago (Igor) drove a red Volvo station wagon.

I have also towed a 28 ft Airstream trailer up and over the pass to the pullout past China Grade for a weekend observing at new moon; an old lady in a Subaru got tangled up in the rear quarter of my Durango when she tried to take her half of the road out of the middle  .  Of course, to my detriment when I was only a year or so younger and much more foolish (but emboldened by winter trips to snowy Yosemite) I attempted a snow-covered crossing of the pass with said trailer in tow and got stuck at the steep spot, necessitating several trips home and back for tire for chains, but in the end requiring a tow and several thousand dollars to restore the door to my Airstream.   I don't take the Airstream there anymore!

Bottom line, you made the right choice to turn around with wet conditions.  But once it dries up, I would like to return with a "buddy" until the road has been proven, probably in my 4WD Yukon.

In the meantime, I would suggest a drive through Fort Hunter Ligget to Indians Road, just before Memorial Park, once it reopens from the closure due to the Dolan Fire.

Clears, 

Chris

Christopher Kelly

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Feb 22, 2021, 5:30:21 PM2/22/21
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Here is the Forest Closure Map for Los Padres....


looks like Chews Ridge is as good as Los Padres NF gets through May 21.

Clears

Arvind K

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Feb 22, 2021, 7:33:56 PM2/22/21
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That's a whole new level of determination, Akarsh (and the rest of the gang here). I'd probably be reluctant to drive all this way even on a clear summer night based on the description of the roads & looking at the winding roads on Google Maps.

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Jeff Gortatowsky

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Feb 22, 2021, 11:42:32 PM2/22/21
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Akarsh
You did the right thing! Some people measure their parts like it's a competition!
I've spent lots of time on 'dry' (or not quite so) lake beds doing my rocketry thing with a 4x4. 
Winter and Spring. 

The idea of getting the right tires? Completely wrong. I've watched as they get $400 towing bills. With their $500/tire tires
Getting smart. Completely right. Being careful!  Right! And making sure, just in case, you have some supplies, RIGHT!


Jeff Gortatowsky, Redondo Beach, CA | Twitter: JeffGortatowsky | Yahoo: indanapt
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"Skepticism is a provisional approach to claims. It is the application of reason to any and all ideas — no sacred cows allowed. In other words, (science and) skepticism is a method, not a position." - M. Shermer

Jeff Gortatowsky

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Feb 22, 2021, 11:52:26 PM2/22/21
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BTW: Its a good idea to let someone, somewhere, know you are headed out. Not just an OI. But a "AHO" (Am Headed Out)
You may do that privately which is understandable. But DO let someone know.

ngc1...@gmail.com

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Feb 23, 2021, 12:02:11 AM2/23/21
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Jeff is right. It did sound, Akarsh, as if maybe no one knew where you were headed.
This from an old backpacker, and a currently addicted rower, going out on Elkhorn Slough every week. Someone on your end needs to know where you are.

And the buddy system is important out in the wild. At our state and national parks, there's typically a human within reasonable reach. That's not the case in the national forests. The Ventana where you were is wilderness, with very big areas where no one lives. At Chew's Ridge, just for example, far better to meet a buddy there.

RBA

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Feb 23, 2021, 12:09:06 AM2/23/21
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On Mon, Feb 22, 2021, 20:42 Jeff Gortatowsky <jeff.gor...@gmail.com> wrote:
The idea of getting the right tires? Completely wrong. 

LOL... So should we get the wrong tires then? 😁

John's point is not wrong. Sometimes you don't really need 4x4 but good tires and some clearance. And of course, sometimes even a 4x4 with 35s can get stuck. 

Thing is, if I'm carrying my scopes, I'm not interested in rock climbing LOL! Even moderately bumpy dirt roads aren't very welcome.  I may do that when I'm out for nightscapes (dslr and lenses) but not deep-sky stuff. I happen to like my telescopios 😎

On Chews Ridge... I've been there a few times. No issues driving a 2wd & dry weather all the way to the lookout tower. Not being too familiar with the road under less than ok conditions, it's not road I'd want to do after some heavy rain. Pretty isolated up there at 5000ft, don't go alone unless you're an idiot as I sometimes am. It's mountain lion country, too - more so than other areas we also visit regularly.

Cheers,
RBA

Steve Winston

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Feb 23, 2021, 1:22:49 AM2/23/21
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I've nothing but fond memories of Chews Ridge - haven't been there in a while as I've been going to Plasket Ridge instead as it's darker and there's more space to set-up,  With the current closures might be time to head back to Chews for a visit!

Pics attached of Chews from 2010 and Plasket from 2020 - definitely getting good use out of the Starmaster (and my Bibler tent :))


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chews_ridge_2010.jpg
plasket_ridge_2010.jpg

Akarsh Simha

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Feb 23, 2021, 1:23:00 AM2/23/21
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On Mon, Feb 22, 2021 at 9:02 PM ngc1...@gmail.com <ngc1...@gmail.com> wrote:
Jeff is right. It did sound, Akarsh, as if maybe no one knew where you were headed.

You're sort of right. I did mention to my friend that I would be going to "Chew's Ridge" and the nearest town was Jamesburg, but failed to write it down for him. Anyway, I managed to text him from the point where I turned back saying he should expect to hear from me again in about an hour, and that I had enough warm wear to sleep in my car if I had to. I should've done a better job with more details. In fact, I have a Garmin InReach sitting around without a subscription. It's time to activate that already. I never expected Chew's ridge to be so remote, the roads to be rough dirt roads, and Jamesburg to be pretty much non-existent -- this was underplanning on my part.
 
This from an old backpacker, and a currently addicted rower, going out on Elkhorn Slough every week. Someone on your end needs to know where you are.

And the buddy system is important out in the wild. At our state and national parks, there's typically a human within reasonable reach. That's not the case in the national forests. The Ventana where you were is wilderness, with very big areas where no one lives. At Chew's Ridge, just for example, far better to meet a buddy there.

I still wouldn't mind going alone as long as I was prepared and people knew where I would be, but as general advice, +1.

Regards
Akarsh

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Jeff Gortatowsky

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Feb 23, 2021, 2:00:42 AM2/23/21
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You do it then. You and John have a nut.
I've spent too many muddy boots dealing with people who think they know what they are doing. Until they are trapped. And wondering why they spent all that money and are just sitting there waiting for me and others to pull them out. 

John Pierce

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Feb 23, 2021, 3:11:15 AM2/23/21
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On Mon, Feb 22, 2021 at 11:00 PM Jeff Gortatowsky <jeff.gor...@gmail.com> wrote:
You do it then. You and John have a nut.
I've spent too many muddy boots dealing with people who think they know what they are doing. Until they are trapped. And wondering why they spent all that money and are just sitting there waiting for me and others to pull them out. 

like my kid said, 2WD to get in, 4WD to get out.     I've done all sorts of insane offroading, but always carefully, and in a wide range of vehicles.    haven't got stuck so bad I can't get out yet.  and I'm 66.

a few weeks ago, the saturn/jupiter conjunction, I almost got stuck in my wife's old 1994 Mercedes wagon with RWD and street tires up at my friends winery, oh god.   spun the rear wheels in soft tanbark   took me rocking the throttle and a couple friends pushing to get my back wheels out of the holes I'd dug.   that was actually embarrassing.

really, A/T tires on a suitable vehicle makes a HUGE difference, that and not being stupid.   got my Tacoma up and over Death Valley's North Pass in as much as a foot of snow a few winters ago, great fun.   steady as she goes, watch your tracks...  A friend has a Tundra 4x4 with highway tires, he spins a tire if he even looks at it sideways in the dirt.

John Pierce

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Feb 23, 2021, 3:12:18 AM2/23/21
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p.s.  I carry a proper recovery strap with shackles just in case.  only ever used it to pull someone ELSE out of the mud. 

Dan Smiley

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Feb 23, 2021, 10:40:39 AM2/23/21
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@Steve Where exactly do you observe at Plaskett ridge? I'm not familiar with that site, although I know it's dark, and once drove the Forest service road to Covelo. thanks

Peter Natscher

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Feb 23, 2021, 11:37:06 AM2/23/21
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Well if you are alone and get stuck up there, at least it's a nice downhill hike to civilization. Creepy at night. LOL

Tan usa1

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Feb 23, 2021, 12:00:49 PM2/23/21
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Is this the place?

I used to go here at Prewitt ridge for camping before last summer because the last section was very steep downhill where even AWD cars had to be towed up. You needed a high clearance 4WD. Due to this the crowds were lesser (slightly though)

But Chewy's ridge seems a bit closer and easier to get to. Can you do dispersed camping there?

How does the site compare to williams hill? I do like Laguna mountain campground too, but too many trees around


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John Pierce

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Feb 23, 2021, 2:10:51 PM2/23/21
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On Tue, Feb 23, 2021 at 9:00 AM Tan usa1 <tanveer...@gmail.com> wrote:
Is this the place?

I used to go here at Prewitt ridge for camping before last summer because the last section was very steep downhill where even AWD cars had to be towed up. You needed a high clearance 4WD. Due to this the crowds were lesser (slightly though)


this is prewitt ridge.   for sure, the road is gnarly and while some drivers in some cars can do it, I would suggest high clearance 4x4's only with all terrain tires and only in the summer when its fully dried out.    there's quite often a few parties of ya-hoos up there, and it can get quite windy due to the exposure.

last I heard, NFS closed the whole area due to abuse.

pster...@yahoo.com

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Feb 23, 2021, 3:22:34 PM2/23/21
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I remember the Imager's Ball and I remember Ivor getting those two flats, big bummer.

Other than poor Ivor, it was a fun event!

Paul

Steve Winston

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Feb 23, 2021, 10:59:39 PM2/23/21
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John Pierce

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Feb 23, 2021, 11:16:33 PM2/23/21
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Steve Winston

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Feb 23, 2021, 11:21:47 PM2/23/21
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Yup.   And clear views to the horizon with nothing South of you except the Pacific.

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Dan Smiley

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Feb 23, 2021, 11:59:38 PM2/23/21
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Steve to confirm the photo you posted above was Prewitt Ridge, not Plaskett Ridge (Mendocino national forest)?

Doug Tallman

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Feb 24, 2021, 12:08:47 AM2/24/21
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I was up in that area with a Toyota 4x4 two summers ago for some DSLR astrophotography and can attest to the great dark skies.

We were at the main Prewitt Ridge campsite though. I think the spot in the map above, or other similar sheltered pull out areas would be better. Prior to COVID, Prewitt was getting very popular with the overlanding crowd and was pretty overrun on the weekend I was there. Too many people rolling through at all hours, with bright headlights and dust in their wake, even past midnight. Might be a great option mid-week when fewer people are around.

I found that it's easy to lose your bearings on the unmarked road splits, as sometimes it's hard to know where the "main" road is. There wasn't really any USFS signage the couple times I was up there, so it's good to have decent trail maps or an off-road mapping setup. I did notice a fair amount of little pullout areas scattered about though, so a complete survey of the area might turn up some good sites.

One other thing is that the road conditions can vary widely on these USFS roads. I was on the Tassajara road once with a 4x4, and there were larger rocks in the road, and rough, gullied road areas. A 4WD was pretty much required on that occasion. On a later visit the road was in fairly good condition that probably was fine for a tough 2WD vehicle, and definitely OK for a Subaru. The USFS does maintenance on these roads and depending on which side of that maintenance you land on, and whatever weather was happening recently, conditions can be dramatically different.

I first got interested in the Prewitt Ridge area through a convergence of interesting offroad trails and what appeared to be the closest dark skies I could find.


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Akarsh Simha

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Feb 24, 2021, 12:15:40 AM2/24/21
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On Mon, Feb 22, 2021 at 13:48 Christopher Kelly <tyg...@gmail.com> wrote:
Akarsh, 

I have been up and over Chews Ridge in all months of the year, but if it is slippery like with snow, you need to stay off.   The road is actually quite well graded for an AWD or a 4x4 and even a 2WD (I used to have a Jeep Gran Cherokee that took me over the top for several years.   The problem is the rather steep spot just before you get to the pass at Chews Ridge.   I have personally seen beefy pickup trucks slipped offroad on that steep section.  But once you are over that, the road actually improves all the way to the fire road observing area past China Camp.  Nevertheless, my wife's old Camry station wagon (she was driving) made it over the the pass on dry roads in April or March.   And I fail to mention that the caretaker years ago (Igor) drove a red Volvo station wagon.

I have also towed a 28 ft Airstream trailer up and over the pass to the pullout past China Grade for a weekend observing at new moon; an old lady in a Subaru got tangled up in the rear quarter of my Durango when she tried to take her half of the road out of the middle  .  Of course, to my detriment when I was only a year or so younger and much more foolish (but emboldened by winter trips to snowy Yosemite) I attempted a snow-covered crossing of the pass with said trailer in tow and got stuck at the steep spot, necessitating several trips home and back for tire for chains, but in the end requiring a tow and several thousand dollars to restore the door to my Airstream.   I don't take the Airstream there anymore!

Bottom line, you made the right choice to turn around with wet conditions.  But once it dries up, I would like to return with a "buddy" until the road has been proven, probably in my 4WD Yukon.

In the meantime, I would suggest a drive through Fort Hunter Ligget to Indians Road, just before Memorial Park, once it reopens from the closure due to the Dolan Fire.

Clears, 

Chris


Hey Chris

Very cool report. I agree that the road was well-graded until the Nat’l Forest boundary. After that I hit a 2WD obstacle (puddles of water) so I decided not to venture, like I mentioned. But good to know that people have pulled trailers on this road.

I’m very keen on getting there some day, but my plan to buy the next piece of astronomy equipment — a 4x4 truck — is still in the works and may drag on for many months. Either that, or the vaccine, and I’d be down.

Akarsh Simha

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Feb 24, 2021, 12:19:25 AM2/24/21
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I’ve gotten stuck. Twice. Someone helped me both times; the second time, I had a recovery strap so I could ask for help.

I now carry a recovery strap, but I’m pretty sure nobody would’ve driven through Tassajara road that night.

All this confirms that I’m not a very prudent driver. The more tech I can throw at it, the better.



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Akarsh Simha

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Feb 24, 2021, 12:21:28 AM2/24/21
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On Tue, Feb 23, 2021 at 11:10 John Pierce <jhn.p...@gmail.com> wrote:


On Tue, Feb 23, 2021 at 9:00 AM Tan usa1 <tanveer...@gmail.com> wrote:
Is this the place?

I used to go here at Prewitt ridge for camping before last summer because the last section was very steep downhill where even AWD cars had to be towed up. You needed a high clearance 4WD. Due to this the crowds were lesser (slightly though)


this is prewitt ridge.   for sure, the road is gnarly and while some drivers in some cars can do it, I would suggest high clearance 4x4's only with all terrain tires and only in the summer when its fully dried out.    there's quite often a few parties of ya-hoos up there, and it can get quite windy due to the exposure.

Somehow that link takes me to Chew’s ridge and not Prewitt Ridge

I’m pretty sure Prewitt Ridge is part of the closure area. But doesn’t hurt to check against the map.


last I heard, NFS closed the whole area due to abuse.


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John Pierce

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Feb 24, 2021, 12:42:14 AM2/24/21
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On Tue, Feb 23, 2021 at 9:21 PM Akarsh Simha <akars...@gmail.com> wrote:


On Tue, Feb 23, 2021 at 11:10 John Pierce <jhn.p...@gmail.com> wrote:


On Tue, Feb 23, 2021 at 9:00 AM Tan usa1 <tanveer...@gmail.com> wrote:
Is this the place?

I used to go here at Prewitt ridge for camping before last summer because the last section was very steep downhill where even AWD cars had to be towed up. You needed a high clearance 4WD. Due to this the crowds were lesser (slightly though)


this is prewitt ridge.   for sure, the road is gnarly and while some drivers in some cars can do it, I would suggest high clearance 4x4's only with all terrain tires and only in the summer when its fully dried out.    there's quite often a few parties of ya-hoos up there, and it can get quite windy due to the exposure.

Somehow that link takes me to Chew’s ridge and not Prewitt Ridge

I’m pretty sure Prewitt Ridge is part of the closure area. But doesn’t hurt to check against the map.


Akarsh Simha

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Feb 24, 2021, 3:02:45 AM2/24/21
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Wow, that looks like a fantastic place to be at! Currently, I believe it is in the Dolan fire restriction area. I'm wondering if it is normally open -- y'all said something about it being closed due to overuse/abuse.

Regards
Akarsh



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Steve Winston

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Feb 24, 2021, 3:28:04 AM2/24/21
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>Steve to confirm the photo you posted above was Prewitt Ridge, not Plaskett Ridge (Mendocino national forest)?

Correct.  This was last year just before they shut it down because people were making a mess of the place :<


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Steve Gottlieb

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Feb 25, 2021, 12:53:51 AM2/25/21
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Like some others here, I’ve observed at Chews Ridge several times over the years, the first was in September 1984.  What’s memorable is the vehicle — a first generation Honda Civic CVCC (hatchback) with 52 horsepower, I believe, and 12-inch rims.  Brought along a 13.1” Odyssey I, which barely fit through the rear hatchback with the passenger seat removed!

Another memorable time was in July 1996, when I drove from Berkeley (probably a 3.5 trip one way).  Unloaded and found I had left my struts at home.  Yep.

Steve

Tan usa1

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Feb 25, 2021, 10:52:37 PM2/25/21
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Is it okay to camp at chews ridge. No AT&T coverage I assume?


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ngc1...@gmail.com

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Feb 25, 2021, 11:51:47 PM2/25/21
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Chew's Ridge is behind a gate. Pierce mentioned that on this thread -
> I should hook you up with the SCAC guys who have the permit and keys to the fire lookout tower, they go there in the summer and spend a night or two. 

I have this sense that the Santa Cruz folks who have access behind that gate haven't been up there in a while. Paul Duncan had the keys and hasn't brought it up. Do take note, Chew's Ridge has about the same sky quality as Fremont Peak on a good night, or Pinnacles. It looks down on towns in an arc, from Monterey all the way around to Gonzales. It is not observer's nirvana. That said, to the south the sky is dark, i.e., dark dark, if you set up so as to be looking in that direction.

Also on this thread, you can see where Chris Kelly has mentioned where he's camped, just north of Chew's Ridge.

We might tacitly assume that cell coverage up there would be nil.

Akarsh Simha

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Feb 26, 2021, 12:09:32 AM2/26/21
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Yeah, my understanding from reading everything here is that Chew's Ridge itself is off limits unless you have a key or hang out with folks that have a key.

My thought was -- it's all national forest land, so dispersed camping should be allowed in most places. I was just going to try and find a spot and camp.

Regards
Akarsh

Christopher Kelly

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Feb 26, 2021, 5:24:08 PM2/26/21
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Jamie mentioned I had camped NORTH of Chews Ridge.....

Akarsh, up to the ridge if you don't have access, the parking area would work:


Or else you can set up on the other side of the road behind the locked gate (I have done so, before I moved further SOUTH).

After you make it to the ridge, then continue further SOUTH past China Camp Campground (there are no opportunities here - trees) to a place about 1.5 miles further south.  There are several dispersed opportunities around here, but the golden site is about here where the fire break intersects the forest road


You can drive onto the fire road which is about 25 feet above and shielded by thick brush from the man forest road in elevation with ~340 degree views of the horizon.  There is room for two to four rigs including cars.

This is a very accessible site from late spring through autumn, and you can camp there too.    It is a dry site so you need to bring water etc.   No fires please!  And please do not post on social media!

Clears

Chris
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