So I've let you in on our secret spot, now you let us in on yours. Send suggestions for future Trailheads to atvrider@primedia.com.
InformationPlace visited: Rowher Flat OHV Area, Aqua Dulce, CaliforniaRiding season: Year-round (California red-sticker vehicles from November to March)Maps recommended: Optional. You could get one from the ranger station, but with the park's good visibility and trail markings, it's not really needed.Area information: Santa Clara/Mojave Ranger District, 661/296-9710; http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/recreation/ohv-rowher.shtmlPermits/licenses required: None for registered ATVs (California residents or not); special out-of-state permits. Support vehicles need a National Forest Adventure Pass to park anywhere in the forest (including here), $5 a day or $30/year; they're available at Bill's Place on Sierra Highway about a couple of miles south of the entrance.Critters: Mostly rabbits, lizards and bugs. Coyotes and mountain lions are not unheard of.While you are there: Lots of closed areas in proximity to Parking Lot 1 that are fun to hike.Road-trip CD: Something with short, fast songs, like Green Day's "Dookie," or just keep the dial tuned to your favorite local radio station.Best local beer: Angel City Brewing makes a line of fine locally brewed beers, but this is the big city; you can get any microbrew you want if you look long enough.Digs: Your own (or a relative's or a friend's spare) bed, Travelodge (661/252-1716), Sierra Pelona Motel (661/252-1700)Local ATV club: NopeGood eats: Coco's and In-N-Out Burger at the Sand Canyon Exit off CA-14Useful links: Places to get nonresident permit, ohv.parks.ca.gov/pages/1140/files/nonresident_permit_vendor_list1105.pdf; state OHV page answers most questions about riding in the Golden State, ohv.parks.ca.gov; www.wikimapia.com offers a cool, user-updatable map site, just search for "ohv" and one of the things that comes up is Rowher Flat OHV.
| QUALITY OF RIDING | 8.4 |
| Quite a variety of trails, but there’s not much between mildly challenging and fearing-for-your-life dangerous |
| SCENERY | 8.5 |
| By SoCal standards it’s a 9.5, with year-round green shrubbery, streams, rock formations and a reservoir |
| FOOD | 10.0 |
| Just about anything you want for whatever price you want to pay within 10–50 miles |
| LODGING | 7.5 |
| Locally, there’s a couple of places; a little farther away you have your pick of whatever hotel chain you like |
| CULTURE | 7.0 |
| Venture downtown or to Hollywood to have your pick of world-class entertainment |
| OVERALL RATING | 8.7 |
| We have this undeveloped National Forest basically right here in town; give it a shot sometime |