Jon O 0 Posted February 19, 2008 I'm originally from Minnesota, so I've been itching to get a closer look at some of the snow I can see in the hills from my house on the eastern part of Oceanside. So today, I headed up Nate Harrison Grade to see what I could find. There were some signs at the bottom saying the road was closed but they were kinda pushed off to the side, so I thought maybe they were from last week and things were OK now. The road all the way up on the western/sunny side was in great shape and I saw a couple SUVs heading up so I figured why not? It didn't get iffy until I made it almost to the top, to the part of Nate Harrison Grade that is in the shade. There, I ran into all kinds of mud and snow on the road. I'd say I had about a good 300 yard uphill gumbo of mud and snow to slog through before I finally made it to the section of pavement that is all broken up. I don't know how I got the KLR through the mud section, but I did. I'll say that my new Dunlop 606s work way better in mud than hardpack and that KLRs will plow through mud pretty well as long as you keep moving. I was thinking I should snap some snow pics, but I didn't want to stop and lose any forward momentum. The broken up paved part of the road was covered in snow except for the two lanes made by car tracks, so I followed in these and things were good because they were just wet and not icy yet. Ever since the mud section, I'd been thinking that if I could just make it to the top, I'd treat myself to a cookie at Mothers Restaurant (I forgot that they probably weren't open anyway). So just as I'm about to hit the regular two lane road that goes to Mother's, a park ranger pickup approaches, blocks the road, and puts his lights on. He tells me I have to turn around and go back down the way I came (slog through the mud section again which I wasn't sure I wanted to do pointing downhill) even though I was maybe a half mile to the main paved road. I know these guys are there to help and keep people out of trouble, but man I was already home free! Here's a pic from the beginning of Nate Harrison Grade. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sandiegoland 0 Posted February 19, 2008 Wonder if there is a quick place to check on the status of that road... of course where they blocked it off is probably beyond where it is referred to as Nate Harrison... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jon O 0 Posted February 19, 2008 Here's something from the Palomar Mountain State Park website: "Due to the damage caused by the Poomacha Fire, part of the San Diego County 2007 Fire Storm, Palomar Mountain camp ground and day use facilities are closed. No one is allowed to enter the park. We hope to reopen the park by April 1, 2008. Please call the park if you have any questions." So I guess, since Nate Harrison Grade Road goes through the park, no riding it all the way to the top until April. I think the mud section was within the park boundaries. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SnowAviation 0 Posted February 19, 2008 Jon O, I tried Nate Harrison a couple of years ago under similar circumstances, the top of the mountain was covered with clouds and snow and I just had to go up there. That mud changed my mind, I got through it but turned around anyway mostly cause it looked like I would be in for more of the same further along the road AND it was starting to snow. Brrr. I will try again when it's opened up at the top. Ed Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sandiegoland 0 Posted February 19, 2008 That road is full of history. Have done it 2UP a few times to get to Mother's Kitchen "old-skool" Above the clouds at Boucher Point: Some artsy-fartsy snap along the way: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
