Beginner Off Road Trails in SoCal

Hello everyone,

I am a new 4runner owner and have been wanting to take my family on some off-roading fun.

I want to take it slow and just start to get my feet wet all while having fun and getting my family accustomed to driving on non-paved roads and getting to experience some nice views that you wouldn't be able to see otherwise.

Are there any recommendations that you guys can throw my way that I can take my family out to on a half-day trip?

I do have a 2 and 5 year old that will be accompany.

Thanks in advance.

 

The Jawbone Canyon, El Paso Mountains area north of Mojave has lots of trails and dirt roads, plus the town of Randsburg is an Old West style town and a nice place to end your day with a soda the the General Store.

You can get maps and friendly advice from Friends of Jawbone (www.jawbone.org).

 

Burns Canyon (AKA 2N02)

https://www.trailsoffroad.com/trails/801-2n02-burns-canyon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPu96tCglg8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kERCAa-WQgo&t=314s

Also important.......

https://adventure.howstuffworks.com...ff-roading/bring-on-off-roading-adventure.htm

 

Thank you all so very much!

I will be sure to read up about the trails and know what I’m getting myself into.

You guys are all great!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_J1pAGxyaA

 

Question that I am hoping someone could help me answer:

Is airing down your tires for these easy (rated) trails necessary? Or would airing down and tire pressure management only become necessary as you head into more moderate (rated) trails?

Thank you!

 

I have a 3 year old and a 6 year old, we hit many local SoCal trails. I would recommend airing down for the sake of all of those on board. It really helps to cut down on the chatter and harshness that is transferred through the vehicle when off-road. If I'm by myself, I don't bother airing down unless its a really chattery trail. I run P-metric 285/70/17 WildPeak ATW3's at 35 psi and they are pretty cush. When I do air down, I go down to 20 psi.

Where about do you live? We haven't hit dirt in awhile, but might be fun to get a little family group run going.

 

Necessary? Perhaps not. It does smooth out the ride a bit if the road it prone to corrugations and the like. Might keep the family a little happier on the trip.

 

Thank you for the tips!

I live in Yorba Linda! Yes, I am new to the whole off-roading (not even sure I can even call it that with the easy trails I am wanting to hit to get my feet wet).

 

I keep my tires (BFG TA/AT KO2) at about 35 psi for street/dirt and rarely air down.

Some folks will set their tires at 45+psi, then wonder why the off-highway ride is so harsh.

Tire pressure is a parameter that is set by experience. A good, reliable, tire gauge helps, too.

 

Just did coxey truck trail from fawnskin to hesperia. It was a super easy trail I even say an older Buick on the trail, like 2010. Airing down definitely made the ride more plush but was definitely not necessary

 

That is a definitely a fun, and easy one that we really enjoy. We start in Hesperia and head up to Big Bear. Often we will hang a left on 3n16 and head east where it crosses 3n14.

 

Any updates to this thread available? It's Dec 19th... about to run into a few free days... want to my 2018 out for it's maiden off-road trail (at least as far as I know)

 

where would you like to go? What kind of trails are you looking for? There’s a lot out there that’s doable

 

I'm starting at about the 241 and the 5. Looking for a 3-5 hour trip. Watching YouTube videos now to find one with a destination to see something unusual... like a bridge, mine, Area 51, etc. Hoping not to see any corollas or prius on the route.

 

Not sure if you’ve already missed your window, but from there running up and over Cleghorn is a perfect maiden voyage. Mostly very easy fire road, but plenty of off-shoots from moderate to extreme (you can avoid all tricky parts). Other fun route but a little longer drive is pioneer town to Big Bear 2N02 (burns canyon). If you want to stay even closer to home, anything that runs up to Main Divide is easy to moderate and easily accessible from where you are.

The north side of Big Bear has some excellent trails as well.

My next “local” adventure will be out to red canyon Jeep trail to check out the abandoned bridge (Salton Sea area). The videos above are super helpful for more ideas.

 

Hoping to get out this weekend somewhere north of LA Santa Barbara, inland, anywhere. I went up to Idyllwild last week and had to bail after sunset; it dropped to 30 degrees and I wasn't prepared for anything that cold overnight. Ideally an easy to moderate trail with camping options if anyone has any ideas please share!

 

Lots of areas in the Western Mojave, north of the town of Mojave, around Jawbone Canyon and HWY 14. Mostly BLM land (except for Red Rock Canyon State Part). www.jawbone.org for info.

Anza Borrego area is nice this time of year, too, as is Death Valley NP.

 

I second Anza Borrego or Johnson Valley. Not trails per se, but you can drive anywhere you want and easily push your self if you want or keep it simple. I've done the Coxey Truck trail heading into Big Bear a couple of times. It's really easy, but is really busy and sometimes gets annoying because the trail is tight at times and you have to wait. It is nice to end at a lake though.

 

I’ve been out Anza a couple of times and couldn’t agree more! I’ve also done Burns Canyon from pioneer town and love ending at Big Bear. Looks like Coxey goes up to Big Bear from the northwest, is that right (not seeing Coxley)?

I’d like to camp overnight so hoping for warmer temps!

 

Yes, Coxey, not Coxley, I'll fix that error.

 

Another trail (I haven't done it since I lived in Coachella Valley 20 years ago) is Berdoo Canyon Trail out of north Indio area. You drop into Joshua Tree National Park.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/B...!3d33.8117634!4d-116.1738856!16s/g/11b7k23_85

 

At least you guys know what I’m looking for! Just watched a video of Coxey, I think that’s my destination this weekend. Berdoo is awesome! Trail had a few tight spots and some bigger spots but bother the 4r couldn’t handle. If you haven’t done Burns Canyon to Big Bear, I highly recommend it. Trail is easy (a minor steep spot) but tons of offshoots that get much harder if you’re looking. Similar to Coxey in that you start in the desert (basically Joshua Tree) and end in the pines of Big Bear.

Appreciate the tips and recommendations!

 

Well, ended up running rattlesnake canyon to smarts ranch road (via burns canyon). Amazing day on the trails. I’d say both were moderate or at least on the harder side of easy. Couple of large rocks and right turns to maneuver, deep sand and couple of drops. Highly recommended. The whole trip from highway 247 to 18 was just under 4 hours. Saw a silver TRD Off Road from OC - if you’re on here, hello!