Need help with a Calico Run...

[CalFireGuy]

Hey all, My coworker's girl friend ask that I set up a Calico Birthday run for her boyfriend and I need some suggestions. I'm looking for a good scenic run but nothing real extreme. There will be some Cherokees,Tacoma,FJ,and my Wrangler. We plan on spending the nite and being as I'm not real familiar with the area I've come to the MJR group for help. If anyone whats to join in please feel free. THANKS, Jason

[RAT]

Hey Jason,
There are plenty of easier, scenic runs around Calico that should fit the bill. You can get to a lot of them through Odessa and Doran, Phillips Loop, with Kramer Arch, Calico Peak, Wallstreet Overlook, all are good choices that aren't too demanding. There are maps available here in the Map Coordinates area.
http://www.myjeeprocks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8898

Kurt

[CalFireGuy]

Thanks RatPatrol

I haven't been up Doran or any others for that matter but I thought Doran was pretty extreme. I have thought about Odessa and back out through Phillips Loop. Thanks again for the info.

[Materdaddy]

I haven't been up Doran or any others for that matter but I thought Doran was pretty extreme. I have thought about Odessa and back out through Phillips Loop. Thanks again for the info.

Doran might be considered extreme if the people you're escorting are new to wheeling. You might want to stay away from it. There's tons of pictures from Doran and Odessa here:

http://www.myjeeprocks.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=10525

There is one section of Odessa that is very washed out right now which is a little 'hairy' if you're not experienced. It's the section that they have the straps on the Jeeps for safety. We did that at new years going downhill. I have videos here:
http://jeep.matandtiff.com/gallery/2...ico-new-years/

[CalFireGuy]

Thanks for the info. I will continue to gather information and try to put together a good run.

Doran might be considered extreme if the people you're escorting are new to wheeling. You might want to stay away from it. There's tons of pictures from Doran and Odessa here:

http://www.myjeeprocks.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=10525

There is one section of Odessa that is very washed out right now which is a little 'hairy' if you're not experienced. It's the section that they have the straps on the Jeeps for safety. We did that at new years going downhill. I have videos here:
http://jeep.matandtiff.com/gallery/2...ico-new-years/

[Mike]

Hey CalFireGuy, I apologize in advance for the long post but I thought that i would just throw in my :2:. If you want to enjoy the best of Calico but want to by-pass Odessa and the tough parts of Doran I recommend:

Start as if you were going to the Doran or Odessa Canyons but just after you get to the tunnels on the left, take the Mule Canyon Cut-Off uphill to the right. It's a great winding path through some roller coaster terrain. Before you get to Mule Canyon road, take the western side of the Phillips Loop north. A side path on the right takes you to Kramer's Arch. It is a neat natural feature that you can drive most vehicle through. Back onto Phillips loop, you'll get some mild rock crawling along a shelf road at one point.

After the rocky point and near the top of the ridge, there is a path off to the left that goes down into Odessa Canyon. The path is steep but not extreme and it drops you into the canyon after all of the hard stuff and near a cool mine up on the hill on the other side of the road.

If you head north from there, it will make a big 'U'-shape and bring you downhill to the Bismark Mine. The mine is well worth exploring.

From the Bismarch mine, you can head Northwest on a trail that leads out of the Calico area. But if you take the first two lefts that present themselves, it will lead to some mild obstacles and a great view of the Wall Street Canyon. There are a couple of mines at the canyon overlook that are cool to explore.

From this area, the best bet is to backtrack to the Bismark Mine. Based on the comfort level of your group at this point, you can decide on taking the southern trail from the mine into Doran Canyon or not. To me, the Doran Canyon is not TOO tough , but definitely has some challenges that will get your heart racing. The downhill run is usually easier.

If you want something slightly tougher than the way that you came, but not as tough as the full Doran Canyon, take the Southwest trail uphill. It leads to an excellent mountaintop view of the Calico dry lake bed and the trail down hill is difficult in spots but not as tough as the Doran canyon. It drops you into the canyon past most of the obstacles and you can take the by-pass at the end to get back to where you started from.

If you are not familiar with the area, it is easy to get onto a wrong trail. The good thing about Calico is MOST of the 'wrong' trails are dead ends. At least you can get to where you want to go by process of elimination.

Regardless, all of the trails that I have been on in the Calico area have something interesting on them. Take a camera, I'd like to see your pics!

Whatever trails that you take, I'm sure that you will have a great time. I hope that you have lots of fun!

[CalFireGuy]

Thanks Malachi, Thats sounds like what were looking for. I'm not sure of the skill level of all the parties and I'm sure we'll make more decisions out on the trail. I'll start to put all info I get on to a map.

[womb raider 940]

Calico is my favorite trail. Have been there four times now. If you ever wanna go let me know. I know the general area and also now have several maps of the area. Also gps is now up on the forum. Anyways I have been going with a 2 inch lift and now have a 4 inch lift.

[CalFireGuy]

Thanks Calduc,
I'm looking forward to going out and seeing what we can find. It sounds like Doran may be to a bit much for the tacoma and the fj. I don't think there looking to damage there vehicles but still looking to have alot of fun. This is open to anyone that whats to run. It's gonna be a birthday run for my buddy. We do plan on spending the night.

[womb raider 940]

well your not gonna get damage. I mean it can happen. The only damage that I have had is a bent tie rod. and was from being stooopid. talking to my friend and not paying attention to a big rock. Anyways is a great place to go.

[Materdaddy]

Thanks Calduc,
I'm looking forward to going out and seeing what we can find. It sounds like Doran may be to a bit much for the tacoma and the fj. I don't think there looking to damage there vehicles but still looking to have alot of fun. This is open to anyone that whats to run. It's gonna be a birthday run for my buddy. We do plan on spending the night.

FJs with a good driver can make it through Doran no problem. In fact, last weekend at the Calico Cleanup, the FJ Cruiser trail crew (or whatever their promo dept. calls them) was out there and you could 'test drive' an FJ on part of Doran. The Tacoma might have trouble with hitting the rear end on rocks when coming down from obstacles, or climbing things if it's stock. Don't even think about it if the Tacoma is 2 wheel drive.

[CalFireGuy]

Cool it sounds like everyone can make it so thats a good thing. This will be my first trek thru the doran area so its new to me.

[OddStops]

Odessa...

We ran Odessa backwards (totally on accident BTW ) in our stock 2WD Xterra SE, it was tough going but we managed to make it to about 1000 feet from the entrance before I was physically too tired to continue - while I doubt going head to head with a group going up would be much fun - down is much easier - we sustained some damage to my step rails and some stupid hi-lift'ing but it's not that tough going down (recent Rains may have changed that, this was in early 07) - we have been both ways in our Jeep and havnt had a problem - I figure a stock FJ may have difficulty going up, but down shouldnt be an issue... Whatever you do, Have fun and be safe - you dont want your rig looking like this! -

Jeff :bonk:

[CalFireGuy]

Thanks OddStops for info and pics. You said you went down Odessa backwards, backing down or direction of travel. which is a better run, going up Odessa canyon coming out Phillips loop or Phillips loop coming down Odessa or is that a no no?