Hey everyone, it's been a long time since I've posted. I'm recently retired and catching up on a lot of "Life" things but recently I got a notification that it's been 15 Years since the first Endurofest in Gorman Ca. Here's a link to a slide show I put up on Youtube after the Photobucket page went defunct.
The slide show starts with 3 Midwest guys from Illinois loading up and heading to California, quite a few ride pics too.

It's was great Riding with Dave M, Chip, Loren, Rob, Stan, Mainjet, Lefty and all the others. Hope everyone is doing well!

Ctune...  I think it was an article and video you sent to a vintage Yamaha site overseas someplace (VintageYams?) that I came across while rebuilding an old MG1-T.  I was able to track down Dave Meis, I found and fixed up a DT175, and attended the next event Meis and DVM hosted in Gorman.  (It was a weekend event, not a full "Endurofest"). 

That started me back into the Enduros.  About 14 years and many great rides and times with members here have gone by since.  It sure seems like just yesterday.

Mark, yes it was basically the same slideshow, and probably a video of the "Enduro Lineup that Rob put on FB.
I just had a look and found Robs video 

Classic Yams was a project by Ludy who worked for Yamaha Holland if I remember right. I really enjoyed his site.

Yes, Classic Yams.  It was a good site.

Thanks for the posts!

I was able to find the article using the "wayback machine".  

Found a way to link directly to the page:  web.archive.org/web/20110210033656/http:...t-in-california.html


web.archive.org/web/20110209031834/http://yamahaclassics.com/

(Scroll down to find it, and then you can click on it and read the whole thing)

My first Dave Meis/Gorman ride (call it Endurofest lite?) was 2016. Those were great rides.

Anybody remember Dave and Don have never been to Hungry Valley and had me do the recon for the trip?

Well, here is that recon info...

Gorman Recon Mission
August 16, 2010

To answer some of the questions about Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area, My girlfriend, Kathy and I , made the trip heading North up Interstate 5 , to the Smokey Bear exit ( exit # 202 ) at the base of the ramp, turn left and go under the freeway until you see the stop sign. You can either go left or right. The South Entrance to the park is just off to the left, behind the stop sign. Very easy access to the Park..

We turned the opposite direction (right turn) and headed north to the Rangers Headquarters. Less than a mile, we were in the parking lot. After going inside, we were greeted by 3 ladies.( 2 in Park Ranger uniform ) and Lisa, the Park volunteer.
The ladies were all very helpful on certain info, but refrained from a bunch of question regarding, group camping, and mostly the small but, contained swap meet. Hmmm, they said, “you will have to talk to Peter Jones (661-248-7013) he is the,” GO-TO guy.” You may need a permit for a small swap meet “Thanks ladies! And we are off to the MX track, just a little farther up North.

We were greeted by a Ranger at the MX Track gate, nice guy and funny too. Let us in for free, but I told him that we were going to enter the park for more pictures. I paid the 5 bucks. So far, all the Ranger we talked to, like the idea of, EnduroFest. MX Track pictures and we are gone to the South entrance to Hungry Valley SVRA.

The south entrance to the Park is easy to find, and after following the road, we got to the Ranger station at the gate. The Ranger came out to greet us, and WOW …what a BABE!!
Very friendly and informative too. Off to the camping sites, after passing the day camp spots.

ALIKLIK CAMPGROUND
GPS COORDINATES: N 34 (degrees) 43.407’ W 118 (degrees) 51.808’
Aliklik camp is nice, semi flat but very doable. OK for big Toy Haulers, maxed out at around 20 of them. Special thing here is a 4x4 training course and not used much, next door.
PROS: I liked it. Easy on the eyes and equipment, getting there.
CONS: The first overnight camping spot. Could fill up quickly.
AT & T Cell service: 3 bars
RATING: B+

SMITH FORKS CAMPGROUND
GPS COORDINATES: N 34 (degrees) 43.869’ W 118 (degrees) 52.226’
Smith Forks camp is Big, fairly level and the last camping spot on Hungry Valley rd.
Could probably hold 30 Toy Haulers (tightly fit) and not too far from Aliklik.
PROS: Boasts a mini track! And has 2 major trails close by. (Road runner and Jack Rabbit trails. Both are green dots, the easiest and go on for miles. )
CONS: N/A (I could not think of any)
AT & T Cell service: 5 bars

SMITH FORK CAMPGROUND (cont)

RATING: A (my second choice to camp.)

After leaving Smith Forks Campground (turning right (West), out of the camp site on Hungry Valley road, we came to a sign that told us to turn right on Gold Hill Road, to more camp sites. We did.

LOWER SCRUB OAKS CAMPGROUND
GPS COORDINATES: N/A
Lower Scrub Oaks Campground is a tight, long and skinny, not level at all. My least favorite. This camp site also seem to have a yellow jacket (black and yellow wasps) problem.. BIG TIME!
PROS: quiet place… for WASPS!!!! (Well, maybe just maybe, it might fit 12 dead bodies and a Pepsi can.)
CONS: Many to choose from. Real Dinky.
AT & T Cell service: I didn’t bother to check it.
RATING: D- for summer camping. Most likely a great, DAY only, winter camp.

UPPER SCRUB OAKS CAMPGROUNDS
GPS COORDINATES: N/A
Upper and Lower Scrub Oaks Campgrounds are basically the same fair, so see above.
ENUF SAID.

As we headed north on Gold Hill Road, with a bad taste in our mouths, from the sheer agony of the LAST 2 campsites. We come across a nice campground.

COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND
GPS COORDINATES: N/A
Cottonwood Campground is a slow sloping, good size, with good trails all around. Fits maybe 20 Toy Haulers, which can adjust their jack to handle the small slope. Kathy’s Favorite. She called it,” small, intimate and secluded. “
PROS: Shady’er than most places. Boasts a hill climb! Nice place.
CONS: slow slope, and could get noisy, from everybody doing the hill climb.
AT & T Cell service: 5 bars
RATING: A-

After leaving Cottonwood and heading north on Gold Hill Road, We came to the sign for Circle Canyon Campground. And low and behold, behind that sign, was the BIGGEST, CAMPGROUND in the land. The Rangers all talked about this HUGE, Flat and BRAND Spankin’ NEW spot. OUR California Off Highway Vehicle Fee (Green sticker) in ACTION.
WEEEE DOGGIES!!!!!

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I give you…..

(DRUM ROLL PLEASE) MIDDLE CAMPGROUNDGPS COORDINATES: N/AHere you have.....Middle Campground!!!! Brand spanking' new, (although no sign or bathrooms for it yet...) THIS PLACE IS HUGE!!!!!!  Situated, directly across the street, from Sterling Campgrounds, and just down the hill from, Circle Canyon Campgrounds. Need a Bathroom? Look across the street. BINGO! This place could handle 40 + Toy Haulers. Has fire rings and covered picnic table installed, with more to come!PROS: BIG BIG BIG, super flat, a diamond in the rough. As, of the date posted above.CONS: No bathroom yet. (But, there is one across the street at, Sterling Camp.)AT & T Cell service: 5 barsRATING: A+++ (for big crowds) STERLING CAMPGROUNDGPS COORDINATES: N/ASterling is the little sister campground to the much bigger, Middle Campground.Sterling Campground is the, “KEY “to Middle Campgrounds, "IGNITION."
Small, and room for 15 to 18 toy haulers. It has the bathroom that Middle Camp needs and will use; until they are built (they have 2 months for Endurofest.)PROS: his area is my #1 pick for, well everything. Hill climbs, easy trails, it just doesn't get any better for a large crowd. A+++CON: Toilets may fill up quickly, with a big crowd across the street.AT & T Cell service: 5 barsRATING: A+++  I mentioned seeing the sign for, Circle Canyon Campground, and being able to see the actual campground from Middle Campground. We did not travel the road up to, Circle Canyon Camp, as it looked pretty whooped out. The camp itself, Circle Canyon Campground looks like a Cul-de-sac with parking for 7 or 8 UN- hooked Small trailers ( if  you could find a spot! ) Not level. (I wouldn't try it with my neighbor’s trailer.) And I don't like my neighbors at all. NEXT!!After travelling north, leaving the last noted camps, we arrive at…..  EDISON CANYON CAMPGROUNDGPS COORDINATES: N 34 (degrees) 43.869’    W 118 (degrees) 52.728’Edison is our last campground heading North thru the park. Small but, level. 17 - 20 toy haulers. It the first stop from the North entrance of the park. Everybody uses it.PROS: Campground is level and the closest to the to the North entrance.CON: Can’t  seem to think of any, other than it could be crowded, being so close to the North entrance.RATING: A   Exiting Edison Campground North on Gold Hill road, and moving to the North entrance, the road is a lot smoother and had some nice views. This is a much quicker way to the good camping spots, on Gold Hill road. This entrance is close to Frasier Park, and the better city than Gorman to stay at. Only if you decide, to stay at a motel. Frasier Park has a, Holiday Inn Express.

Cottonwood was a perfect location. Only a couple of people actually camped there in the three times I went, but it was a great starting point for some wonderful rides. I have quite a few pictures from my rides; great memories.