Behind the Ride:
Build for Off Road Adventure Ride Updates
Ride Route Report: Kingman, AZ
We’ve been mapping out some incredible terrain for the Build for Off Road Adventure Ride. Before we look ahead to the final leg, here’s a quick recap of the journey Ian and his crew will undertake:
The adventure will begin in Big Bear, California, serving as the perfect warm-up. This section is designed to ease everyone into the rhythm of the ride, offering a challenging but manageable “nice day in the dirt” before the real test begins.
That test, of course, will come in Johnson Valley, California. This legendary off-road mecca is sure to push participants and their rigs to the limit, living up to its reputation as home to some of the most difficult trails in the United States. With onX Offroad ratings soaring to 9/10 and even 10/10 (yes, we’re looking at you, Backdoor!), Johnson Valley will deliver an unforgettable dose of hardcore rock crawling and remote, challenging terrain.
After conquering those formidable obstacles and battling the Hammers, everyone on the Adventure Ride will undoubtedly be ready for a change of pace. And that’s exactly what will await in the final phase of the journey, set in the unique landscapes around Kingman, Arizona.
Kingman, Arizona: A New Kind of Adventure
After the intense rock-crawling crucible of Johnson Valley, the Adventure Ride will shift gears dramatically as the crew heads into Kingman. This final leg promises a fresh environment, stunning new vistas, and a completely different kind of off-road adventure.
As Ian Johnson explains, this part of the route is designed as a welcome change of pace:
“These trails are just going to be a nice way to come down off the week. There’s going to be some fun time in the dirt, but it’s not going to be the same level of stress that you had trying to run around in Johnson Valley,” he says. Instead of pushing rigs to their absolute breaking point, this segment of the ride will lean into exploration and discovery.
Kingman is steeped in fascinating history, and the off-road trails here offer a unique window into the past. Many of these routes are former or even current mining trails, inviting participants to explore historic landmarks and hidden haunts.
“The cool thing about it is a lot of Arizona off-road trails are all basically former or current mining trails,” Ian points out. “Kingman’s kind of known for that gold mining, silver mining, copper mining history.”
(Photo Source: Library of Congress)
The exact trails for the Kingman area are still being finalized; Ian is set to do a pre-run soon to lock in the perfect routes. But even with a broader range of difficulty levels available in the region, Ian’s competitive spirit ensures he’s still hunting for the most engaging challenges!
“We have four trails to choose from around the Kingman area that are all really hard,” he hints.
Mapping It Out with onX Offroad
Weighing options for possible routes is where onX Offroad becomes Ian’s indispensable planning tool. He uses the app’s intuitive color-coded system to scout potential routes: Green for easy, Blue for moderate, and Black for hard. And for Ian, the choice is clear: “Black is what you really want to be on. So I just look for all the black trails, and that’s where we head for.” While the stress level will be lower, rest assured, Ian is still aiming to deliver some challenging dirt for this leg of the trip!
Here are some of the exciting prime contenders Ian has his eye on:
Moss Wash
onX Rating: 7/10 – Difficult
This popular trail offers a compelling blend of challenge and history, following a mining route through the Arizona landscape.
“Moss Wash is a fairly hard trail,” says Ian. “It has this cool, old, abandoned mansion on it, which is kind of rad.” That’s right, adventurers will get to explore the Gold King Mansion, whose history is tied to the mining activity in this area in the 1920s.
According to onX Offroad, the primary challenges on Moss Wash stem from deep washouts, meaning a turn in the weather could potentially rule this option out for the ride. But for now, it’s on the short list for its blend of off-roading and exploration.
Devil’s Dip Parallel
onX Rating: 7/10 – Difficult
This trail is definitely on Ian’s radar for its technical challenge. As its name suggests, it runs parallel to the infamous Devil’s Dip obstacle and offers its own demanding sections.
Describing it as featuring “steep, rocky climbs, large ledges, and technical maneuvers,” onX Offroad suggests that a driver’s ability to conquer this trail depends largely on their experience and the modifications they’ve made to their rigs.
Sleeping Princess
onX Rating: 8/10 – Difficult
This is another old mining route, offering a challenging and scenic drive through the Black Mountains. Ian has earmarked it for its climbs and descents – including a major hill with a staggering 1000-foot elevation drop.
While Sleeping Princess boasts a solid 8/10 rating, Ian clarifies the nature of the difficulty: these tougher sections are spread out over a scenic 28-mile span, interspersed with what he calls, “meandering, fun, relaxed four-wheeling.” With its mix of intense obstacles and more relaxed driving, Sleeping Princess is a top contender for the Adventure Ride.
Pass Canyon
onX Rating: 7/10 – difficult
“I’ve run this one before,” Ian shares. “It’s not a crazy hard trail, but it’s just kind of a fun trail to get into.” The Pass Canyon trail weaves through historic mining ruins, adding to the explorative appeal of the Kingman area.
Careful tire placement will be the key to navigating narrow obstacles on this trail that leads towards the old gold mining town of Oatman, still home to wild burros descended from beasts of burden from mining days gone by.
From Kingman to the Convention Floor: A Grand Finale at SEMA!
As the Build for Off Road Adventure Ride wraps up its incredible journey in the Kingman area, the excitement won’t end on the trails! From this final leg of the route, many of these incredible, battle-tested rigs that just conquered Big Bear, Johnson Valley, and the Kingman trails will make their way directly to the 2025 SEMA Show!
The Adventure Ride promises to be an unforgettable journey, pushing vehicles and drivers through diverse and demanding landscapes. From the scenic climbs of Big Bear, through the punishing rocks of Johnson Valley, and into the historic trails around Kingman, every mile will be an adventure.
What are your thoughts on this epic route?
Which section are you most excited to see the crew tackle? Let us know in the comments below! And don’t forget to subscribe to our blog for all the latest updates and exclusive behind-the-scenes content!
What are your thoughts on this epic route?
Which section are you most excited to see the crew tackle? Let us know in the comments below! And don’t forget to subscribe to our blog for all the latest updates and exclusive behind-the-scenes content!
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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