Trails
Johnson Valley Trails |
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Sledgehammer N 34º 24.872' W 116º 28.464' |
The original trail. It is non-stop
technical rockcrawling from beginning to end, with steep
hillclimbs and off-camber sections. The VV4W describes
coming back down the canyon as "an experience all its own."
It can be run in fullsize vehicles. Rating: 5 |
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Jackhammer N 34º 24.872' W 116º 28.464' |
Considered by many to be the toughest
of the Hammers, it is a string of narrow, off-camber
sections that offer no relief until the very top. The rock
formations demand tight turns and a lot of finesse. The
downhill segment is very steep and replete with dropoffs
that score high on the pucker factor. It is not recommended
for fullsize vehicles. Rating: 5+ |
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Aftershock N 34º 25.368' W 116º 26.129' |
A more traditional trail in the sense
that it is not all rock from the beginning to the end; there
are actually sections that run through sand and dirt.
However, the rocks that are there force the trail to twist
constantly back and forth and up and down. It is a difficult
run for fullsize vehicles |
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Sunbonnet Pass N 34º 24.190' W 116º 26.007' |
This is actually two narrow canyons
that are fully equiped with a series of tight squeezes with
names such as "Hell's Gate" and "Devil's Slide." It is not
fullsize friendly. Even short-wheelbase vehicles will find
that the walls quickly close in. Drivers will find a lot of
sharp turns and steep climbs. Rating: 5 |
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Outer Limits N 34º 27.263' W 116º 27.11' |
One of the newest trails, this one is
replete with twisting, rocky ascents and three very tight,
off-camber squeezes that nearly always take their toll in
sheetmetal as drivers snake through. This trail is not for
fullsize vehicles. Rating: 5 |
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Wrecking Ball N 34º 25.355' W 116º 28.328' |
The name says it all. Possibly the
toughest trail in the Johnson Valley OHVA, it is certainly
the tightest and most technical. All rock from the very
start, this trail is unrelenting in its demands of the
driver and the vehicle. Body damage is almost a certainty,
and probably the least of the carnage you can expect. It is
not recomended for fullsize vehicles. Rating: 5++ |
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Clawhammer N 34º 26.233' W 116º 28.473' |
Oops! No description yet. |
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*credit to 4 Wheel Drive & Sport Utility, April 2000 GPS coordinates are from Four Wheeler Magazine, January 2001, page 93 |
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Big Bear TrailsNotes: Adventure Passes are required when stopping in the Forest |
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| Holcomb Creek Trail (3N93-2N06 Loop) | Holcomb Creek trail
offers a variety of terrain from scenic valleys and water crossings
to moguled hill climbs and challenging rock gardens. Although a
locker is not required, it is highly recommended. The rock gardens
and moguled hill climbs can create embarrassing (and dangerous)
moments for the drivers of the unlocked vehicles as they are left
searching for traction when their tires leave the ground. There are
only by-passes for a couple of the hills and no by-passes for the
rocks. Rating: Moderate Requirements: At least one locker, 31" tires |
| Dish Pan Springs Trail (2N26Y to 3N34) | Because the
challenges on this trail vary based on your direction of travel, we
will travel from East to West and then turn around and run from West
to East. Dishpan Springs trail is probably the most difficult trail
on the mountain when run from West to East. More rollovers have been
witnessed on this trail than any other trail in the forest. The real
test is about halfway through the trail at the obstacle officially
known as Devil Slide or more often referred to as the waterfall,
wall or ballbuster. Although open vehicles have been known to make
it up this obstacle with a little effort, in the interest of time
and safety no open vehicles will be allowed on this run. Rating: Difficult Requirements: Minimum 31” tires & a locker. Low ground clearance vehicles are likely to get scraped on the rocks. |
| Rattlesnake Canyon trail: |
The Rattlesnake Canyon Trail offers a
variety of terrain from the scenic drive north of Big Bear Lake to
the hi-desert landscape of Johnson Valley along with water crossings
and challenging rock gardens throughout the canyon itself. The trail
starts at the bottom of Rattlesnake Canyon in Johnson Valley and
will take us along old cattle routes, through the infamous Burns
Canyon and then to Baldwin Lake. Although a locker is not required,
it is highly recommended. Rating: Moderate A full tank of gas will be required for this run. |
| Devil's Hole Trail (3N34D): | This trail is a moderate trail
offering a scenic drive to Devil's Hole swimming area where we have
lunch before moving on to a more challenging trail time permitting.
Rating: Moderate Requirements: Minimum 31” tires & a locker. Low ground clearance vehicles are likely to get scraped on the rocks. |
| White Mtn Trail (3N17) |
This trail is rated most
difficult by the Forest Service. It was closed for several years due
to fire damage. The trail has been re-furbished by local clubs like
the Inland Empire 4 Wheelers and the Forest Service. You will
experience lots of scenery and unique vistas of the San Bernardino
Mountain range and the high desert. Rating: Difficult Requirements: Minimum 31” tires & a locker. Low ground clearance vehicles are likely to get scraped on the rocks. |
| Pilot Rock/Silverwood Lake Trail (2N17X) |
Highway driving
will be required to and from the trail. There will be an opportunity
to air down at the trail head. The 2N17X/Pilot Rock trail can be as
challenging as you want to make it, especially when run from West to
East as we will. Most of the hill climbs have more than one line
with varying degrees of difficulty. The trail consists of steep
rutted hill climbs, off camber sections and a few optional rock
obstacles near Pilot Rock that will challenge even well set-up rigs.
The trail starts at Silverwood Lake and runs along a ridge providing
great views of Silverwood Lake and the high desert. There are
several options for the trip back to camp ranging from pavement to
"most difficult" trails. The trail crew will choose the most
challenging return trip that time allows. Rating: Difficult Requirements: Minimum 31” tires & a locker. Low ground clearance vehicles are likely to get scraped on the rocks. ** FULL TANK OF GAS REQUIRED PRIOR TO DEPARTURE** |
| John Bull Trail (3N69 to 3N10): | Highway driving
required. There will be an opportunity to air down at the trail
head. John Bull, often called the "Mini Rubicon" is one of the most
challenging trails on the mountain. It definitely has some of the
best rocks. The trail has been known to challenge even locked
vehicles. No open (no traction device) vehicles allowed on this
trail. Rating: Difficult Requirements: Minimum 31" tires and a locker. Low ground clearance vehicles are likely to get scraped on the rocks. |
| Onyx Summit Trail (2N61 to 2N70): | The trail consists of
several sluices, rutted hill climbs and great views of the high
desert. Highway driving will be required. There will be an
opportunity to air down at the trail head. Highway driving will also
be required to get back to camp so keep this in mind when airing
down. Because some time will be involved to get from camp to the
trail head and the trail has several obstacles that would require
some time to get open vehicles over, no open vehicles will be
allowed on this trail. Rating: Moderate Requirements: Minimum 31" tires and at least one locker. Low ground clearance vehicles are likely to get scraped on the rocks **FULL TANK OF GAS REQUIRED PRIOR TO DEPARTURE** |
| Gold Mountain Trail: | Some highway driving will be
required. There will be an opportunity to air down at the trailhead.
Although Gold Mountain Trail is rated "Most Difficult" by the Forest
Service, it can be traversed by most stock 4 wheel drives. The views
of the Big Bear valley are incredible! After the Gold Mountain Trail
you'll explore the historic Holcomb Valley. Rating: Easy Requirements: Stock high-clearance 4 wheel drives with low range. Low ground clearance vehicles are likely to get scraped on the rocks. |