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WheelMe
I joined Esprit de Four at Hollister Hills SVRA yesterday to do their Offroad Clinic (9/17) pre-run, and it was great wheeling with some really nice people. We pre-ran the trails to be run with students next weekend during the clinic, and had lots of fun on them, in addition to doing a number of non-student-appropriate obstacles and trails ("the gulch" and rock garden). Aside from the two trails, we also tested out the Obstacle Course, Adventure Park, and the Quarry.

I should have access to the club's GPS maps of the two trails (if I have a human navigator, it'd be even easier) sometime soon, so can lead a group of Broncos if some of you decide to come out for a day.

Unfortunately no one shot a video of me going through the "moguled" ravine, which made me quite proud of the Bronco (I'm including a photo with a Jeep going through it), but following are a few photos. The Badsquatch Bronco is simply awesome on the trail - it crawls over anything. Jeepers were again rather impressed yesterday.

Running with a 4x4 club allows for an interesting variety of vehicles - here we have your usual Jeeps, plus a Unimog, and a Suzuki Samurai (hidden behind the two Jeeps).

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The following looks steep with loose dirt - and it WAS! No problem for the school bus - lockers on fore and aft, Rock Crawl mode, one pedal drive, and up we went and over like it's no one's business.

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The "moguls" ravine - I'm not sure what the official name is, but it is what it is:

Moguls.jpg

Dry caked mud on the wheels is no fun - I suffered a horrible vibration all the way home; there was no water at the park to hose off the mud. The mudflap obviously did its job, keeping my rockers clean and knicks-free the entire day.

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Shazamalingo
Shazamalingo
That is awesome. I'm pretty novice at off roading, but will hopefully change that. I'm going to Hollister with a buddy the first week of October. Any suggestions for basic trails we can hit?
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WheelMe
WheelMe
@Shazamalingo Gotta start somewhere! Below's a link to the park's map - you'll be headed to "Upper Ranch". Test your rig and play at both Obstacle Course and Adventure Track. Easy trail to drive is Garner Flat Rd. (green), other green trails are fine too, though possibly too easy as they've recently paved some of the trails for first-response vehicle access. At the southern end of Garner Flat is McCray Rd., which is initially green (weaving through an insane buggy track), then blue, and takes you up to Hector Heights Overlook - a great place to see most of the park from on high. The blue section should be do-able, as I've gone up it multiple times with an open-diff. 4x4 pickup with no problems.

https://ohv.parks.ca.gov/pages/1179/files/Hollister Hills SVRA Map_Upper Ranch (4x4)_ADA.pdf
Shazamalingo
Shazamalingo
@WheelMe Awesome. Really appreciate the tips! We're looking forward to checking the park out.
DC9atnight
I’m up for a group Bronco run when my Bronco gets out of the Richmond holding area. I’m the basic suspension with 32s and no front locker but my nerves will probably be my limiting factor over my Black Diamond!
cburke996
cburke996
I've been itching to get down to Hollister Hills with some other peeps. Have been hesitant to go solo. Would love to join a group soon!
MJBbase22
MJBbase22
Awesome! I am doing the EspiritdeFour this weekend 9/17. Green Bronco 2dr. No previous experience.
Shazamalingo
Shazamalingo
Where is the EspiritdeFour?
WheelMe
WheelMe
@Shazamalingo They're doing a clinic this Saturday (fully-subscribed), and here's their website: http://espritdefour.com/ @MJBbase22 I might see you at the clinic, depending; I was on their pre-run last weekend, but did not sign up in time for the clinic.
Shazamalingo
Shazamalingo
@WheelMe Oh right. I remember checking out their site when I first reserved my Bronco. Then it took 2 years to get my car, so I forgot about them. Will check them out again.
Carbnight
Carbnight
Sounds fun!!!
MJBbase22
MJBbase22
Did the clinic yesterday and highly recommend. Next one is in the Spring but they fill immediately when registration opens so keep checking their website. https://espritdefour.club/ They are running at Hollister on October 1.

All the Bronco drivers found the obstacles pretty easy. I will say trail turn assist is a game changer. No three point turns here!

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