Behind the Ride:
Build for Off Road Adventure Ride Updates
Ride Route Report: Johnson Valley, CA
If Big Bear was our off-road appetizer, then buckle up, folks; because we’ve just arrived at the main course: the legendary Johnson Valley! For off-road enthusiasts worldwide, this location is part proving ground, part mecca as the home of the King of the Hammers. Get ready to witness the Build for Off Road Adventure Ride take on some of the most iconic and challenging trails in the United States!
In stark contrast to the scenic mountains and trees of Big Bear, this remote, desert terrain features giant boulders and treacherous climbs in an environment that’s constantly shifting – meaning even seasoned veterans like King of the Hammers Champion Brad Lovell never quite know what conditions they’ll be facing.
“I’ve spent many a day in Johnson Valley,” Brad told us. “I know the place like the back of my hand. And, I’d like to say that, but then, the sand changes or the vegetation changes, and sometimes you can lose your way.”
Or, as Ian Johnson, our fearless Adventure Ride leader puts it, “It’s just tons of fun.”
Thrills and Spills at 1 MPH
Having spent time wheeling with Brad and his son Adam, who are both joining the Adventure Ride, Ian is sure this part of the trail will be “easy-peasy.”
“But for somebody who doesn’t spend their day eating rocks like we do,” says Ian, “it’s going to be kind of shocking when we roll into some of these trails, because some of them are good and nasty. It’s going to be one of those days where you spend eight hours to drive like, two miles.”
Putting into perspective the difference between a fun rock-crawling adventure and King of the Hammers, Ian shared this jaw-dropping comparison: “8.9 miles is our planned route and we’re going to take a day to do it. When they race King of the Hammers in this area, they’ll do 200 miles of these rock trails and desert, and they’ll do it in maybe 10 hours.”
This gives you a sense of the extreme terrain the Adventure Ride will be navigating – though thankfully at a slightly more “leisurely” pace!
So, which legendary Johnson Valley trails are on the Adventure Ride menu? Let’s dive in, with a little help from onX Offroad:
2025 KOH Champions Brad Lovell and son Adam Lovell will join the Adventure Ride. (Photo courtesy of Brad Lovell)
Sledgehammer
onX Rating: 9/10 – Difficult
Ian is excited to help the Adventure Ride crew navigate this bucket list trail, which he describes as “giant boulders, big rocks, nasty climbs.”
According to onX Offroad, one of the challenges of Sledgehammer is the plaque rock ledge, which always seems to be changing its position. Drivers sometimes attempt to climb this obstacle by stacking rocks underneath, but clearing the ledge is just the first part of the challenge, quickly followed by a squeeze of boulders that “eats driveshafts as you try to get past”, as onX Offroad’s trail guide warns us.
Bender Alley
onX Rating: 8/10 – Difficult
Ian expects Sledgehammer to take the better part of the day, which may only leave time for the crew to head back to camp by way of the Jackhammer trail. But a more ambitious plan will take the gang on another part of the King of the Hammers race course, known as Bender Alley.
According to onX Offroad, there’s a great view from the top of Bender Alley, but it comes at a cost – namely, navigating a steep grade of loose rocks. The good news is, while this trail is difficult, it should be manageable for anyone whose rig survives the 9/10 rated Sledgehammer trail.
Chocolate Thunder
onX Rating: 9/10 – Difficult
“This is where the crowds hang out to watch the carnage,” notes the onX Offroad trail guide. With a steep obstacle known to tip plenty of rigs roof-side-down, Chocolate Thunder is a true test of driver skill and vehicle capability. The name definitely hints at the kind of intense action to expect!
Ian is hoping there’s time for this short but challenging trail before the crew makes their way back to the Dometic camp site to decompress after what will no doubt be a thrilling day.
Backdoor
onX Rating: 10/10 – difficult
Ian plans to head to Backdoor the following morning and give everyone a chance to tackle this iconic obstacle which, as Ian puts it, “is nearly impossible to do, but everyone likes to try it.”
This “bucket list” obstacle leads up and over a daunting eight-foot waterfall ledge. Worn down by countless attempts by off-road pilgrims to conquer this rite of passage, the vertical rock wall is slippery, preventing tires from getting much of a grip to crawl up; ultimately, drivers just have to go for it.
“It’s the type of obstacle that you’re either going to make it, or you’re going to end up upside down,” says Ian.
“There’s No Easy Way Out”
While the thrill of conquering these legendary trails is undeniable, it’s crucial for off-roaders to understand that one of the biggest challenges of Johnson Valley is the extreme remoteness of these trails.
“I’ve wheeled all over the United States,” says Ian. “And I would say for a combination of remoteness and difficulty, these are probably the hardest West Coast trails you can find.”
Unlike Big Bear, where dirt roads often provide access to tow rigs when there’s a major breakdown, Johnson Valley presents a different reality.
“If you break here,” Ian warns, “the easiest way out, in all honesty, is to pay the $5,000 to have a helicopter carry your vehicle out.” He emphasizes the self-reliance required: “There’s no help. There’s no easy way to get a vehicle out. There’s no walking back to town or getting a ride back to town to get parts to come back and fix it.”
Illustrating just how difficult and remote these trails are, Ian shares the stories behind some of their colorful names.
“If you drive the trail, you get to name the trail. So, Spooners Canyon is named because someone broke there, and they had to spend the night while somebody went and got parts for them. And it got so cold in the night that when they found them in the morning, it was three guys spooned together underneath a rock trying to stay warm. So you can only imagine where Chocolate Thunder got its name from.”
The good news for the Adventure Ride participants is that if (or when) anyone does encounter a breakdown attempting these formidable trails, they’ll have a day to regroup and make repairs before heading to the final leg of the journey.
From the rugged challenges of Johnson Valley, the Build for Off Road Adventure Ride will next set its sights eastward towards Kingman, Arizona, where a different kind of off-road adventure awaits.
(Stay tuned for more details about the Kingman leg in a future blog post!)
Are you ready for some serious rock crawling action?
What are your thoughts on tackling these legendary trails? Let us know in the comments below! And don’t forget to subscribe for more updates as the adventure continues!
Are you ready for some serious rock crawling action?
What are your thoughts on tackling these legendary trails?
Let us know in the comments below!
And don’t forget to subscribe for more updates as the adventure continues!
onX Offroad is along for the ride. Your brand can be, too.
Reach out to us about becoming an Adventure Ride sponsor!
onX Maps is along for the ride. Your brand can be, too.
Reach out to us about becoming an Adventure Ride sponsor!
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