Clear creek time again?

[Rocketman]

Thinking of trying Clear creek this weekend if the weather holds. Anyone else feeling lucky? Look for the guy in the beige Toyota 4x4.
Ed

 

[copperjohn]

Hey there everyone-

New to the board. Some great postings and stories. Good to see an active community posting.

Im also interested in the area. Thinking of this saturday/sunday and maybe next weekend.

Not too familiar with the area. Ill be driving the silver 4Runner. Would love to meet up and kick a few back and exchange stories.

There will be 2 of us, myself and a fellow hunter Casey.

Cheers,

Jason

 

[Hook]

Welcome aboard, Jason

Good luck on your trip to Clear Creek, let us know how you do when you get back.

 

[Rocketman]

Jason
What side of clear creek are you coming from ( I-5 or hiway 25 )? I am trying to get off work around noon on Fri. and come in from the New Idria side. Maybe meet you guys there somewhere.
Ed

 

[copperjohn]

We will be coming down from south bay san jose area. Looks like the 101 -> CA 25. Is there a better/faster route ? looking at the map it looks like the 25 -> idria would bring us in on the north side.

 

[bigtusker]

If you are coming from the bay area and want to go in on clear creek side, take hy 25 south past the pinnacles and go left on Coalinga Hernandez Rd. Stay on that road till you get to clear creek rd on the left. If you want to go in on the Idria side, take Hy 25 to Panoche Rd, go left on Panoche Rd, follow Panoche Rd to New Idria Rd, take New Idria Rd all the way down to Idria.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

Make sure if you go in the Idria side to stop by the Panoche Inn and have a brew.[/b]

Tell 'em Chopper sent you.

 

[copperjohn]

Will do, thanks for the info.

 

[bigtusker]

The Paicines Store is at the intersection of Hy 25 and Panoche Rd(J1).
They serve a great mexican breakfast! For $6 you can get a plate of Chorizo & Eggs, potatoes and refritos. Great salsa too!!

 

[Rocketman]

Jason
When are you heading down there? And where are you planning to hunt, camp.
Ed

 

[copperjohn]

Hey Ed-

We're planning on leaving saturday morning. We have to make a few stops so we wont arrive till 1-ish. Not sure where to camp. Where would you suggest?

Jason

 

[bubba]

From New Idria side, just keep driving up the mountain, when get on top, stay on that road and you will get into some nice pine trees with some flat areas for camping. You could hunt from camp in that area or drive around and learn the area first. Last time I was there for deer hunting, we seen does and that about it. Look at old post concerning this area, there's a place the locals call Pig Valley which is suppose to be nice. I have never really looked for it, but next time I am out hat way I will.

Good Luck.

 

[Slash]

In general, how successful are you guys in the Clear Creek Area? Over the years, I've gone there a couple of times and have seen lots of motorcycles, but no pigs. One time, the motorcycle camp was so bad with the blasting music, engine gunning, and random gunfire that we didn't even feel safe sleeping under the truck!

 

[Speckmisser]

So, I wanna know how it went? Did anyone make it out there?

Slash, I've always gone beyond Clear Creek to Laguna Mountain and that area. It's no vehicles there, so the dirt bikers aren't an issue. They sure get bad around both ends of the Clear Creek area, though.

You can get away from the worst of them by heading up onto the ridge toward Condon Peak or Spanish Lake. Keep in mind that most of those dirt bikes only carry a gallon or two of fuel, which limits their range. Since most of them come out on trailers or RVs, they don't get too far from the main campgrounds.

I have yet to spend much time afoot in the Clear Creek area itself, but I saw a bit of fresh sign last year not too far off the roads. I think the pigs come and go there, so your success is going to vary from season to season. If I get motivated to go give it another look, I'll probably head back in toward the Spanish Lake area, and drop down into some of those deep canyons. If nothing else, it ought to be a good hike.

 

[Slash]

Thanks, Speckmisser. I haven't tried Condon Peak yet. My brother (Dbeerman) and I are going to try FHL this spring. Clear Creek may be an alternative destination.