About the Venue
Hungry Valley SVRA is the third largest unit of California State Park's Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division. Located in the Tejon Pass north of Los Angeles and along the Interstate 5 corridor, Hungry Valley offers 19,000 acres and more than 130 miles of scenic trails for motorcycle, All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV), dune buggies, and 4x4 recreation. All levels of OHV operator skills will be challenged by the wide variety of terrain and trails at Hungry Valley SVRA.
Elevations at Hungry Valley range from 3,000 to nearly 6,000 feet. Occasional snowfalls occur during the winter. Summers are most often hot, dry and dusty. The most pleasant times of the year for OHV fun are during the Spring and Fall months when the temperatures are mild and occasional rain showers make for good traction and reduced dust. Nighttime temperatures often drop below freezing in the Spring and Fall, as well as during the Winter.
The wide variety of trails at Hungry Valley provides excitement for both beginner and experienced off-roaders. For experienced OHVers challenging trails can be found in the hills and sand washes of the back- country section of the SVRA. Beginners can enjoy the scenery and relative ease of the trails in the Native Grasslands Management Area. Trails in the adjoining Los Padres National Forest are recommended for experienced riders only.
Recreational Land Management
Providing long-term, sustained OHV recreation opportunity is a top priority in SVRA Management. Provisions in California law require actions to stabilize soils and to provide for healthy wildlife populations in OHV recreation areas. Projects are ongoing to stabilize soil areas by reshaping slopes, reseeding and replanting bare areas. Vegetation creates wildlife habitat while plant roots help stabilize the soil. Project areas are temporarily closed to OHV use through the use of barriers, such as fences, hay bales, brush piles and signing. Where possible, well-designed OHV trails are provided through project areas. Other project areas may be closed for a number of years before being opened again for OHV use. Your understanding and support in staying out of areas closed for restoration helps ensure OHV recreation opportunities for years to come.
Where to get help
The State Park Rangers who patrol Hungry Valley SVRA are peace officers, who are trained Emergency Medical Responders. Entrance station employees and park maintenance personnel can also summon medical help. If no State Park personnel are available, dial 911 from any telephone. Pay phones are located at many business locations in Gorman. Cellular telephone coverage is intermittent throughout most of the SVRA. There are no emergency medical facilities in Gorman. The nearest hospital to Hungry Valley SVRA is Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital, located approximately 30 miles to the south in Valencia. To drive to the hospital, take Interstate Highway 5 south to the McBean Parkway exit and turn left (east) on McBean Parkway. Henry Mayo Hospital is located approximately one mile from I-5 on the left-hand side at 23845 McBean Parkway.
Upcoming Events
The class does not address vehicle build-up options and issues. This class is a prerequisite for Getting Started Off-Road Driving - Day 2.
The class will answer these questions and many more questions:
How do you avoid damage to an expensive vehicle? What is the critical difference you need to understand about operation of 4WD systems? What do you need to avoid, when descending a steep Hill? What impact does an automatic transmission have on off-road driving? How can you improve your traction by 250%? How deep can you safely cross water? What is the most important safety item you can bring? What are 10 ways to effect vehicle recovery? Each vehicle will receive a copy of Jim Allen's Book "Four-Wheeler's Bible". Retail price on this book is $34.99. This 200 plus page book is chock full of color pictures to illustrate how it works, what to do, and what to avoid.
You need a stock SUV or 4WD vehicle with 4 low range capability. All wheel drive vehicles that do not have a 2 speed transfer case are not appropriate for the class. Two examples of vehicles that are not appropriate for the class include Subaru Forester and the Honda Ridgeline.
The class is about 4 hours of classroom and 4 hours of behind the wheel practice. Hungry Valley has a practice area for 4WD that we will use. Everyone has a lot of fun. It is a great way to learn about your vehicle and build confidence. The class is limited to 10 vehicles.
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