What's up people? Well me and a couple of buddies are debating on going up to Gorman/Hungry Valley area and I had a couple of questions that hopefully you guys can help me out with (I already tried the search forum for directions with no luck). Obviously by my questions, this will be our first ride out there. Here the questions:

- First off, Gorman and Hungry Valley, these are two seperate places that connect through trails and roads? Or is Gorman just a section within Hungry Valley? (I'm kinda confused with this)

- I guess the answer to my next question determines on what answer I get from my first question. How do you get to these Gorman/Hungry Valley? I'll be coming from the LA area so I know I have to take the 5 FWY. What exit(s) do I get off at and how far past Castaic Lake is Gorman/Hungry Valley?

- I would love to get into some forest trails (but not too sure if my buddies can handle them. I heard they can be difficult. I've only rode with them in Glamis on there dikes), open trails, the tracks etc.. What would be the best place for us to stage at and how would we get there?

- Does it cost anything to ride there? Is the track free to ride?

I guess I'm asking a lot of questions about it, I do appollogize, but I've never been there and I always like to be somewhat educated on the area before going to ride it. We'll also need to get a map of the area. I read in another post to hit up a ranger or the ranger station. The rangers in the truck have the better maps correct? Well hopefully all goes well and we'll be riding up there Saturday early am! Thanks!

Gorman/Hungry Valley are one in the same. Just take the 5 north to the Gorman exit. Turn left at the first street (go under the fwy). Turn right at the next street (McDonalds is on the corner). Go about ¾ of a mile and on the left side (you will be on the access road along the south bound 5) you will see the sign for the OHV area. There will be ranger station there and they charge $5 ( I think) for the day per car/truck load. The Ranger will provide you a decent map for free.

You can also exit the 5 on Smokey the Bear exit. For the first time visitor I would suggest driving the extra seven miles to the main entrance.

The motorcross track is not part of the OHV park. It is a separate area that is located in the boundaries of the park.

Once you are in the park you will see different spots to park and unload.

There is a lot of good riding in and out of the park. You can stay busy all day riding in and around the valley without going up in the hills towards Frazier Park.

The elevation is around 3,500 ft so take some warm gear incase it’s cold.

Have fun and good luck.

Info from the state website

http://ohv.parks.ca....sp?page_id=1192

I noticed that I left out a couple of things:

It's maybe 1o minutes north of Castic. Gorman is the town and Hungry Valley is the OHV park.

The forest trails are fun, single track that will get you out of the valley and away from most of the people. They climb in elevation pretty quick so it's a lot colder.

Thanks fig! So it's only 10 min. past Castaic! Just to get an idea, do you pass Pyramid Lake on the way to Gorman, or is Gorman before Pyramid Lake? I'm just trying to get an idea of how far it is from me and from Castaic Lake. I use to take my boat to Castaic all the time so I'm use to that drive. Plus I can go a lot faster since I won't be pulling a trailer this time! Thanks! - Mike

The first exit from the freeway is Smokey Bear road, and it is the first exit past Pyramid lake. The Gorman exit is approx 7 miles past that.

Its about 15 to 20 min past Lake Paramid. Maybe 30 mins north of Magic Mountain.
Bring your spark arrestor.

I just have to chime in here and say.... make sure your leagal. They are CA Park Police in the park and will ticket you if you are not stickered and 96db. Also stay off the paved road, that's a ticket as well. If you go on the weekend watch out for quads.

fig said:

More like 20 minutes past Castaic.

Quote

Yes, the forest trails are a lot of fun, but they are by no means for beginner riders. They take better than intermediate skills and ba**s to navigate. Very rocky, some steep sections, very technical, and a lot of cliffside singletrack with sheer dropoffs and some tight switchbacks. There are sections where turning around is impossible, so unless you are a skilled, confident rider you should stick to the park or MX track.

kinda long bear with me....As said before Gorman is the town Hungry Valley is the off road park in Gorman..depending on traffic its about 25 minutes give or take from castiac junction....
there are 2 exits to hungry valley from the 5 north, first would be Smokey Bear road (Gorman exit is 8 miles further) if you get off there go left under freeway to stop sign, go left again then right around hay bails.... follow dirt road ranger station about a mile in.. $5 will get you in for the day they will have a map for free..... another few miles in will be first staging area on the right called Lane Ranch about 1/2 mile further down is Aliklik on the left that is also where the 4X4 practice area is, there is also a MX practice track( only one table top jump) but it was closed last time i was there. a little further up the road is Smith Forks this is a big flat area and usually there are alot of people in this area...turn right at the stop sign along this road are other staging areas if you stay on this road it will take you back out of the park.... that is the Gorman exit from the 5 north...at the Gorman exit ( which if this is your first time going i would go there)
turn left under freeway to Mcdonalds go right hungry valley entrance is about 1/2 mile on left (give or take) follow road to ranger station pay your $5 ( make sure you have spark arrestors and are green stickered they do check) follow road in (gold hill road) 1 1/2 mile in or there about is first staging area Edison canyon on left.... just a little further up is Sterling canyon on your right, next one is circle canyon its off to the left up the hill.. next up is cottonwood up the road to your right , next up is upper scrub ( where i usually stage) on your right next up is lower scrub anyway you get the picture, if you want technical riding hit the forest trails some are harder then others plan on pushing your bike.. you can access the forest trails, on the west side of the park off tejon trail,( went entering off Gorman its the trail by the powerlines off to the right can't miss the high tension wires)...if you want to ride the valley then look at your map my favorite rides is gorman trail to powerline road to mesa trail (there is a real cool loop in mesa trail ) then back to power line road to cow trail to pronghorn trail ( from pronghorn trail you can see the MX track--- I5-MX) then to pipe line road back to camp usually takes a few hours riding at an easy pace.. hope this helps have a good time and remember most trails are two way so watch for others coming at you.... its a great place to ride have fun....

oops directions ... if you are anywhere south get to the 5 north then just follow past castiac past pyramid lake past highway 138 to gorman exit....................................... what area are you coming from i will try and get better directions

let me know

Thanks for the help guys! Looks like I'll be heading out there bright & early Saturday morning and I won't be getting lost due to lack of directions! :thumbsup: I'm so F-ing pumped to check this place out. I've heard a lot of good things about Gorman! I'm just pumped too ride! Kinda bummed at the same time though, my buddies are leaving there paddles on there bikes (since there going to Glamis here real soon) and taking their quads instead. I was really looking forward to riding in the forest trails too.

One thing you guys got me concerned about is the "Green Sticker" thing. I read in a couple of posts from this thread that you must be "Green Sticker" to ride there. I have a "Red Sticker" but I thought the season was open for me to ride there. According to the state website, Hungry Valley is open for "Red Sticker" riding from October 1, 2005 - April 30, 2006. Follow the link and it's on the 3rd page:

http://www.ohv.parks...mary%200623.pdf

I just purchased the White Bro's E2 Quite Series slip on muffler a couple of weeks ago. So I'm good to go with the 96 db's & the arrestor! :ride: Can't wait to ride tomorrow! - Mike

It is red sticker season.

Have fun!

Hey stoughty why don't you come out sun? Me and a couple guys are going, would love to ride with you. Or ride sat and then come out again on sun.

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