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COW Mountain

imgoat

imgoat

New member
Joined
Dec 15, 2008
Location
south bay
Moto(s)
euro trash
Name
Kevin
Planning a quick camp trip to COW this weekend. I have never been there so I have a few questions for you experts.

Cell phones work?
North or South Cow for better single track? Solid C rider
I am a van camper which camp site works best?

thanks Kev
 
Att works on the peaks.
You will probably hit the whole thing.
Red mountain is good central location and has nice camping.
Are you solo? If so be careful.
 
Phone reception varies by location, but usually good out on the trails where you would expect it...
There is no OHV use in the North Cow Mtn area, just shooting, hiking and equestrian.
I would not recommend camping at Red Mtn, its a gamble on who your neighbors will be, if any... There is a nice (unofficial) spot right past the Westside staging area on the way to the Oakwood Springs staging area.
Perimeter trails counter clockwise is a good run that will get you a flavor of the place and will have you going down the really nasty stuff.
You would be hard pressed to see the whole place in a day unless you are riding the Sawmill enduro.
Definitely recommend against riding solo until you get to know the place, it can get gnarly.
Great fun and challenging riding, hope you have a good time!
 
thanks guys. doesn't sound like folks like that place much. I am open to someplace different any recommendations?
 
Anyone who doesn't like Cow is welcome to go right back to Hollister :rofl

Cow is a great place, if you want something less challenging you can always drive a bit farther up the road to Middle Creek.
 
Listen to the AngryShawn, for he is wise...
 
Who the hell doesn't like cow mt? Street bikers:twofinger
I've only had one bad experience at red mountain campsites.....at 2 in the morning, drunk Toyota guys and slayer playing at 11.:rolleyes
 
How well marked are the trails? I remember an old post here saying first time is good to have a guide
 
imgoat said:
thanks guys. doesn't sound like folks like that place much. I am open to someplace different any recommendations?
Click to expand...

Cow Mountain is a great place and has fire roads to serious single track. Just don't ride it alone as you should not ride a dirt bike alone anywhere.
 
We need to do a BARF Cow Mtn trip. It is my favorite riding spot. Its BLM, so dont expect the same sort of creature comforts, maintenance, and support you get at say..... Hollister. It also can be considerably more challenging and why those in the know REALLY like it. Blue at Cow is Black at Hollister. There is some AMAZING riding at Cow.

As Shawn said, you might have great neighbors camping... or not so nice. Its Lake County. Try to fit in.

Maps are often not available at the staging spot, so bring one. Even with a map, a lot of riding isnt on the map, sub alphabet trails, volunteer, blah blah blah. Good sense of direction is a plus or bring some one who knows the place.

No way an average rider can hit all the trails in day. Fast rider A rider in summer with more daylight... maybe.

I'm busy the next couple of weekends, otherwise I'd offer to show you around. If you want to come back in Dec, happy to swing over and give you a tour as I am in Lake County much of the time.

And for those that dont like Cow? Metcalf is probably a challenge for them. :rofl
 
I spent a week surveying the streams on Cow Mtn for steelhead. Almost got bit in the cotch by a baby rattler while crossing a log. Also saw a huge fish in a small stream. Cool place but I've never ridden it.
 
Tharkûn said:
How well marked are the trails? I remember an old post here saying first time is good to have a guide
Click to expand...

The trails were marked, at one time, however carsonite posts apparently are desirable targets for irresponsible firearms enthusiasts...
 
AngryShawn said:
+1 for a CowBARF trip!
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For sure.

I need to get back there to exorcise some demons. At the Sawmill I got owned just going out to my checkpoint. It was an intermediate trail that tossed me off the bike a few times and one of the old guys working the checkpoint had to ride my XR4 up a steep section for me.. :afm199


I've camped at the Red Mountain site several times at the Sawmill, but we always get the whole site to ourselves. Sometimes the whole site is a freaking mess and we spend a little time cleaning it up. There is evidence that it's often occupied by yahoo's who tear up the place. I would not camp there myself when its open to the general public.

CowBARF!!!
 
OaklandF4i said:
We need to do a BARF Cow Mtn trip. It is my favorite riding spot. Its BLM, so dont expect the same sort of creature comforts, maintenance, and support you get at say..... Hollister. It also can be considerably more challenging and why those in the know REALLY like it. Blue at Cow is Black at Hollister. There is some AMAZING riding at Cow.
Click to expand...

So down for this! And don't worry, I bring my porta pooper :thumbup
 
I rode a few trails coming back from Ft. Bragg doing the Sheet Iron 300 and the trails were pretty nice but we only hit a few. Seems like 3 or 4 but fun.

I'm totally game for hitting that place. I need more dirt bike buds! I rode alone 98% of the time but not in BLM.
 
Cow mtn is challenging, and if your not familiar you might get down into a canyon you can't get out of.
It is signed ok, and just use common sense. Don't go down anything you can't get back up until you know how steep the other side is! (Mostly trail 23,24,25 known as the Benmore loop). Stay off of any trails marked event only.
I'd camp on the Scott's creek side.(primitive) You will still have some yahoos shooting but they usually go away at dark. You may not get any sleep at red mountain.

the best way to learn the mountain would be to enter the Sawmill in the spring. It's going to be a 2 day qualifier this year. 2 shorter days starting later on Saturday, finishing up with a grass track on Sunday. It will be run as a real ISDE qualifier with impound and everything. Lots of fun and no timekeeping.
 
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