Rowher Flats

I am from Santa Clarita and trying to go to Rowher Flats since it's local to me. Does any one know how 2wd friendly is this trail? I have a PreRunner, unfortunately. Anybody from around here willing to go?

 

@eon_blue

 

I live about 45 min away, been to Rowher several times in the last 6 months. It's a big OHV park with a few main "staging" areas and there are many 2wd friendly sections of trails all around them. There are 2 main trails at Rowher, one is Rowher Flats 4x4 trail and the other is Lookout Trail. Both are marked by signs at their entrances and both are 4x4 only, especially in the dark and in the rain. There is a fire road just past the first staging area that takes you all the way around the park and dumps you out on Bouquet Canyon Road on the other side of the valley. That road is 2wd friendly and it's a nice drive during the day

With the rain we've had though it's best to be extra careful and I wouldn't recommend going alone, but if you do make sure others know where you are and when to expect you back. There's usually cell service through most of Rowher but there are some dead zone spots. I'd offer to go but I'm busy tonight, I'd be down to go next weekend though.

 

Back when I had my Prerunner 12 years ago, my friends and I used to go out to Rowher in the dark after the rain and I'd get stuck left and right...that area get's really muddy when it's wet out. If you go, be careful and be prepared!

 

Thanks for the info! Definitely wont try it tonight, especially because I don't know the area.

So from looking at google map. Is the road marked RTE 5N14 to Texas Canyon rd that one that is 2wd friendly? It looked to be the most straight and goes straight to bouquet canyon.

Again, thanks for the info!

 

Id have to look at the map but that sounds right. Do you have the rear e-locker on your truck? If you do, you could probably do the section of Rowher Trail near staging area 3 that goes to the picnic tables at the top of the mountain, but definitely not alone in case you need a pull. But a locker with the right lines could get you up that side of it I'm sure. The back side of Rowher Trail off Bouquet Canyon is definitley 4x4 only as it's super steep.

 

No e-locker. It only has AUTO LSD. I think I see road with picnic table on google, but no E-locker, unfortunately.

I am quite new to off-road as well, so I think it's best for me to stay on the easy roads, especially as you said when I am alone.

 

One other question. Do we have to pay the $5? and where do we pay? I am closer to bouquet canyon, Can I just go in through there?

 

$5? I've never paid or been asked to pay to get into Rowher Flats, there's no ranger station anywhere in the park. I see rangers driving around but they just wave.

Are you referring to the Forest Adventure pass? I think a day pass costs $5, you're supposed to have one at the park but it's technically only necessary if you're parking your vehicle somewhere (like camping, or hiking for the day). I've never had one and I've been there a dozen times, never been bothered by a ranger either.

 

Gorman OHV park off the 5 freeway (up the grapevine) costs $5 to get in, you have to pay at a booth before you get into the park

 

Yeah, the adventure pass, I figured that was for everyone. Good to know it is not.

I am willing to go next time you go! It would be cool to go with someone that knows the area and that has a 4x4.