I live in northern san diego county. I have a 4x4 toyota pickup. As of right now, i'm deffinitely inexperienced in off road situations, but it sounds fun, looks fun, and remembering climbing dangerously steep hills with my dad in his jeep when i was a kid, makes me want to do some stuff like that. I have a couple friends with 4x4s, and i deffinitely do plan on going out with them, they have some (probably illegal) places in carlsbad and leucadia to drive. But for me, i really enjoy going off and exploring the wild, by myself. I want to drive up nate harrison grade - a dirt road that goes to the top of palomar mountain. I'd like to head out there sunday morning and have a little adventure on my own. how bad of an idea is this? i'm not talking about doing anything gnarly or rediculous, and from what i've read, the road is pretty mellow and 4 wheel drive might not even be needed. Is this a safe place for me to start, having no off-road driving knowledge? or should i still have somebody with me? i knwo the rule is don't go alone, but i go everywhere alone....i'd really like to smoke a bowl at the top of palomar mountain this weekend

Buy a shovel and an axe! I wheel alone (usually have a passenger but no other truck) more than I'd like to and these two peices of equipment have gotten me out of MANY situations.
Also, get a tow stap and a pair of gloves; I keep a spare pair of crappy shoes too so I dont have to thrash whatever I'm wearing.
Most importantly, use your head.
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This and drinking are two of the stupidest things you can do while wheeling and please do not tell me I do not know what I am talking about. I was smoking pot before you where a gleam in your DaddyÆs eye!!!! Wheeling by yourself is not a good idea.

should have known...
well man drinking and smoking weed are on two opposite sides of the planet. i drive stoned every day. it really does not affect my decision-making process. i know you are going to say 'yes it does' and them i'm going to say 'no it doesn't' so just don't worry about it. the only thing it does well is makes it hard to talk to people. if anything i'll drive slower and use more caution, or if i get really baked i'll wait it out 20 minutes and enjoy the view, because thats about how long it lasts with my tolerance anyways. i'm not telling you you don't know what you're talking about, but i am telling you, that you don't know me, or how much weed i smoke, i honestly don't think it makes a difference. alcohol is another thing but don't worry about me gettin stoned, i'm stoned right now

shovel and an axe eh? yeah man maybe i should wait untill i atleast can bring a passenger with me if the situation gets sticky...its extremely hot and dry right now so i don't think ill encounter any mud...its been like 90 degrees for the last couple weeks. i could totally see myself driving up for 5 minutes and then saying 'this is way too gnarly' and flipping a *****

wheeling by yourself probably is a bad idea, 'm sure, but i tend to think of this more along the lines of driving on a dirt road...then again i haven't seen it yet, only heard about it...people drive on dirt roads every day

well anyways thank you for your responses

What I would say is don't be afraid to get out and stake out the trail a bit on foot if it looks tough. Don't go further than walking distance to civilization if you are going alone. Tell someone where you are going and bring a shovel and a good jack. Try to be heading back a bit before dark. Don't let testosterone ruin your rig.

You're free to do as you please, but please understand this is not the "Grab a bong and go wheeling forum" - so enough about puffing it and driving. And since pot is still illegal, we don't need your rationalization here. You hopefully learned a lesson (if you're not too "baked"): keep the pot ***** off here.

On a personal note, this is likely the stoopidest thread on this forum in years, if not all time. Congratulations. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" />

why? because i mentioned smoking pot in it? whatever, ass

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since you've expressed how inexperienced you are offroading, i would suggest to not alter your mind in an area which you are unfamiliar. I don't know where your talking about wheeling, but where i go theres a mountain to one side and a cliff on the other and if your not careful you could go over. Saftey first. I hope you have a good safe fun experience and enjoy your first wheeling adventure. In addition to the other comments, make sure your truck is in good working condition before you go and bring at least a gallon of water for your truck and/or yourself.

second the admin's request.
hope this helps

come on, please show some respect for the admin. Remember that anyone with an accout [and of any age] is reading this, its not good to encourage STUPID behavior. As you spout about how it doesn't effect you except in a positive way <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />[which is a blatant lie, hope you enjoy the brain damage down the road which is the LEAST of the negative side effects] young readers may take your word as fact. The fact you smoke didn't bring anything to your post, its unneeded and unwanted information which you should have left out.

You sound almost as ignorant as I was...best of luck to you and to those who happen to encounter you!