Report - Anyone want to hit the trails?

I'm free Sunday and Tuesday. Going to hit the Mendo National Forest on at least one of those days. Let me know if anyone wants to join.

I would be down for a Sunday day trip or possibly overnighter on condition of being back in cell range for a 9AM call.  Definitely will be carrying extra water for the heat.   

Right on. Do you have a route in mind?
Not sure if I can swing an overnighter, but definitely have all day to explore.

I just got my rooftop tent today, but still waiting for my roof rack. Once I get both installed I'll be out camping all the time. 

What I've been planning as a solo trip is pretty tame...Upper Lake > Middle Creek > Hull Mtn > 162 into Covelo.  With company I think Middle Creek east to Stonyford (or southeast to IVR) would be fun, with the benefit of having more time to consider side routes / scout dispersed campsites.  I've spent a decent amount of time in Mendo on a dual sport, less so on 4wd. 

Looking at the forest service map now for inspiration...

I was thinking of taking the route in red here. The yellow route is Bartlett Springs. The red loop is Twin Valley (my favorite trail so far) to 17N07 (where there's a cool pond), to 16N18 (which I haven't been on yet), to 17N02, then down M5...parts of M5 are closed, not sure if this stretch of it is.

Definitely down for the Hull Mountain run again, though. I didn't make it to the top two weeks ago. Not sure if there's still snow on the North side.

That route looks great to me - only question would have been on twin valley because of the private land crossings...but it sounds like you've covered it already. 

Otherwise, that looks like a fun trip.  And potential for action on the dock demon rod at the pond. 

Not too far of a trip from Santa Rosa.  I'm down to head out early.  LMK   

That route looks great to me - only question would have been on twin valley because of the private land crossings...but it sounds like you've covered it already. 

Otherwise, that looks like a fun trip.  And potential for action on the dock demon rod at the pond. 

Not too far of a trip from Santa Rosa.  I'm down to head out early.  LMK

Sounds good.

Oh yeah, I'm not sure what kind of rig you have, but I should mention there's a good chance for some minor pinstriping on parts of Twin Valley. My 2022 4Runner already has some zingers on it. Mostly from that trail.

Nobody else wants to come get dirty with us? 

Here's some pics from our trip.

We hit dirt at Bartlett Springs and took it to M5. Our plan was to head west and loop back around to Bartlett Springs, but M5 was closed at 16N06 so we took 16N06 to LoveLady Ridge and down into Goat Mountain Road. It was an awesome route. Cody and I traveled through dirt, dust, sand, mud, clay, gravel, bedrock, an awesome rock garden, and multiple water crossings all in one trip. Check out all of the different terrain in these pics.
 

It didn't take long before we encountered our first obstacle. The pic doesn't do it justice (1st pic), but it was a little sketch going over this off camber section. Like I mentioned to Cody - these little off camber bumps are never on flat ground - there's always a hundred plus foot drop if your vehicle does roll. To which he replied - 'Well those trees right there would probably stop you'...or something to that effect.

We both got over it with no issue and continued on our way.

We hit an awesome rock garden just before Lovelady Ridge.

Some trail views. I think that's Goat Mountain in the background.