Angeles National Forrest recs?

Barclay

Local Expert Southern CA
Launch Member
Member

Influencer I

3,325
Los Angeles
First Name
Barclay
Last Name
Osborn
Member #

10140

Ham/GMRS Callsign
K6BDO
Dear lazywebs,

I find myself frequently skipping over Angeles National Forrest, headed for Anza, or the Sequoias or Sierras, or Death Valley and Mojave, despite Angeles being so close. I know it's not BLM land where I can do nigh-as-I-will, but it seems that I should explore it, given that it's a mere 1-2h from my home base, and has things like tall trees and sometimes snow. And yet, I feel compelled to ask people, who may very well be on the opposite side of the world, where I should reconnoiter? Bonus points for:
- Dispersed camping, or at least not-crowded prefab campgrounds
- Occasional 4WD required/rock crawling (~L4-6 C4WDA ratings)
- Day hikes
- Or, you know, just pure awesomeness

Thanks in advance, and willing to trip report,
-B
 
Wow, if its that close I would just go and wing it. There's something pretty exciting about going into an area you know almost nothing about.