Bee Canyon near Hemet

[Paratus et Vigilans]

Anybody been up Bee Canyon since the wild rains last week? Are the runoff ruts back in the road? If so, how nasty are they?

It was so nice there after they graded the road a coule of months ago! Before that, the road was in really bad shape - - serious ground clearance and 4WD required/recommended, IMHO.

Any recent intel on road status greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[Paratus et Vigilans]

No one's been out there lately?

[retired]

Never even heard of it and I live next door in Winchester (well, actually French Valley, real close to the plane crash this morning).

[Paratus et Vigilans]

Never even heard of it and I live next door in Winchester (well, actually French Valley, real close to the plane crash this morning).

In Google Maps, type in "Bee Canyon, CA" and you'll see where it is - - great place to get in some "free" outdoor shooting. You're supposed to display a USFS Adventure Pass in the vehicle to use it. Follow the dirt road (Bee Canyon Truck Trail) off the 74 (Florida Ave) east of Hemet, go up past the closable gate, and you'll see that most of the draws off to the left of the road are pretty decent places to shoot. Bring paper targets and target stands, and haul out your trash, and the rangers will love you.

The road gets really rutted when it rains, and it recently got graded back to a nice level surface. I was wondering if those weird downpours week before last messed it up again.

Anyone???

[retired]

Thanks for the info. Actually, now that you wrote the directions, I recall a thread about this place a few months back. I just haven't been there.

2 questions:

1. How much is the pass if you know.

2. Is the ground super hard or can paper targets stapled to wood fir strips with a pointed end be pounded in the dirt without breaking. I have bowling pins also.

If I go, I'd rather not go by myself. If you want to go sometime, let me know. I have a Honda Pilot, which is a 4x4, but not in the true sense of one, plus, it doesn't have the clearance a real 4x4 does. Will it make it, or should I use my 4x2 Tundra. Thanks.

[5150Marcelo]

Thanks for the info. Actually, now that you wrote the directions, I recall a thread about this place a few months back. I just haven't been there.

2 questions:

1. How much is the pass if you know. $5

2. Is the ground super hard or can paper targets stapled to wood fir strips with a pointed end be pounded in the dirt without breaking. I have bowling pins also. Not sure

If I go, I'd rather not go by myself. If you want to go sometime, let me know. I have a Honda Pilot, which is a 4x4, but not in the true sense of one, plus, it doesn't have the clearance a real 4x4 does. Will it make it, or should I use my 4x2 Tundra. Thanks.

there you go.

[Paratus et Vigilans]

Thanks for the info. Actually, now that you wrote the directions, I recall a thread about this place a few months back. I just haven't been there.

2 questions:

1. How much is the pass if you know.

2. Is the ground super hard or can paper targets stapled to wood fir strips with a pointed end be pounded in the dirt without breaking. I have bowling pins also.

If I go, I'd rather not go by myself. If you want to go sometime, let me know. I have a Honda Pilot, which is a 4x4, but not in the true sense of one, plus, it doesn't have the clearance a real 4x4 does. Will it make it, or should I use my 4x2 Tundra. Thanks.

Tha Adventure Pass is $5.00 for a day, or $30.00 for a yearly one. The ground conditions vary, but there are plenty of places its soft enough for wooden stakes to be pounded in (or pushed in) to hold paper targets. Bowling pins are a no-no, but lots of them are out there, along with all kinds of other junk, unfortunately. The rules call for paper targets only and to haul out everything you haul in.

Going alone is not a good idea. I think it's generally safe, because you choose a draw from those available and you pretty much have it to yourself. I've never had anyone want to "share." However, you never know when you're going to run across some crazy person, so it's always good to go in pairs so you have the strength of numbers and someone to watch your back (and the hardware) when you're checking your targets.

The best time to go is during the week, if you can get away to do that. I usually go up there with a buddy who works as a roofer and doesn't have work every single day during the week. I'm my own boss, so I get time off when business allows. Next time we are planning a run, I'll shoot you a PM and we can meet up at the edge of Hemet to head out there. You'll want the Tundra if the road is rutty. My buddy brings his 4x2 Tundra with no problems, even when the road is really bad. If you do shotgunning as well, the good news is that my buddy has a double trap chair-style thrower that he likes to bring, so we usually do pistols, rifles and trap when we go. Good times!

[retired]

Thanks for the info. I guess I just have to find a ranger station near me to buy the pass. Do you guys know of one off hand.

Also, since I'm retired, I can pretty much go anytime I want also. I would also rather go during the week to avoid the crowds. Thanks for the invite PEV.

[Paratus et Vigilans]

Thanks for the info. I guess I just have to find a ranger station near me to buy the pass. Do you guys know of one off hand.

Also, since I'm retired, I can pretty much go anytime I want also. I would also rather go during the week to avoid the crowds. Thanks for the invite PEV.

You're welcome!

Got my Adventure Pass at Big 5 when I got my 2008 fishing license. I think you can get them on line, too. Google the USFS and go to their website - they've got an info page all about them. Also, the annual ones are not good only for the year in which you buy them, like a CA fishing license - - the annual AP's are good for a year from date of purchase.