Classes
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85straight
New member
I know there or some maybe once or twice a year but don’t recall the name. But in all honesty the best way for you to learn is to tag along on some runs with experienced folks. Assuming the group is good you’ll learn more, pay nothing, and maybe forge some friendships and someone will take you under their wing
JKRunner
New member
spartacus
Senior Member
There are few off road camps here in Colorado.
Off Road Classes and Tours - Learn How To Offroad
Off Road Classes and Tours - Learn How To Offroad
2112 R
New member
Before you read the below please know I'm not associated with this club nor have attended one of their events .... yet. But this one looks interesting.
https://www.sd4wheel.com/21st-annual-superstition-mountain-run/
The San Diego 4 Wheel Club is planning a run on Jan 2019 and there will be basic to advanced runs. Usually at these things the runs take longer than usual just because of the massive amounts of vehicles that take the trails, but on the plus side, you will have no worries at all on getting unstuck if something happens. In just a single weekend at one of these events you will gain more information just by chatting than reading this forum. But you'll also get a healthy dose of over confidence with a side of bullsh!t from some idiots as well, so just take everything with a small grain of salt and use best judgement.
Here is a video of one of the more "advanced runs" they have listed on their web site for the event.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ha8Mf-Iw0E
Just throwing it out there as the registration fee is much cheaper than paying for any specific classes.
I would probably try and hit this event, but we are doing 5 days in Death Valley in early Jan 2019 so 2 events in 2 weeks is a little much on the fam.
Hope this info helps.
https://www.sd4wheel.com/21st-annual-superstition-mountain-run/
The San Diego 4 Wheel Club is planning a run on Jan 2019 and there will be basic to advanced runs. Usually at these things the runs take longer than usual just because of the massive amounts of vehicles that take the trails, but on the plus side, you will have no worries at all on getting unstuck if something happens. In just a single weekend at one of these events you will gain more information just by chatting than reading this forum. But you'll also get a healthy dose of over confidence with a side of bullsh!t from some idiots as well, so just take everything with a small grain of salt and use best judgement.
Here is a video of one of the more "advanced runs" they have listed on their web site for the event.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ha8Mf-Iw0E
Just throwing it out there as the registration fee is much cheaper than paying for any specific classes.
I would probably try and hit this event, but we are doing 5 days in Death Valley in early Jan 2019 so 2 events in 2 weeks is a little much on the fam.
Hope this info helps.
85straight
New member
Used to be lots of runs posted right here in this section but it’s died down a lot. I’ve organized quite a few runs in years past but it’s been a while.
As mentioned check out clubs or if you have FB check out 3g4r and SD ORV they are pretty active.
It’s desert season now so there should be lots of action out there. SD 4wheelers yearly run is a good one that I’ve been meaning to make but the date is a lil too close to KOH to be commited
85straight
New member
What do you drive? Still stock tires and all?
2112 R
New member
Just searching around I found another what looks like easy to mid range fundraiser run with this group that was linked from the SD 4 Wheel club web site and happens next month.
https://cal4wheel.com/events/panamint-valley-days
https://cal4wheel.com/events/panamint-valley-days
85straight
New member
Cal4wheel and CORVA are great organizations that fight to keep these lands open for us to use. All the money generated goes towards lawyer fees etc
JKRunner
New member
2018 SR5 with the Cornfed Spacer Lift 2inch (front) and 1inch (rear). 275 /70/ 17 on Method wheels.
JKRunner
New member
Just checked out the San Diego 4 Wheel Club 21st Annual event on their website and this looks like a strong possibility. Thank you for the link and the info.
Hopefully some SoCal runs will be posted and I can meet some of the people on this forum.
Hopefully some SoCal runs will be posted and I can meet some of the people on this forum.
Wigglepuppy
New member
Just did the Johnson Valley Desert Run event a couple weeks ago and it was great for a beginner. Looks similar to some of the larger events coming up. . .here's a link Home
It was a charity run for Morongo Basin Search and Rescue. Keep it in mind for next year.
I'm stoked to get back up there. . . I'm also thinking about doing the Mojave Road in November and wouldn't mind going through Johnson Valley OHV to get to the beginning. I need to check and see if there is a way to pass all the way through Johnson Valley OHV to exit on the north side to start the Mojave Road. . .
It was a charity run for Morongo Basin Search and Rescue. Keep it in mind for next year.
I'm stoked to get back up there. . . I'm also thinking about doing the Mojave Road in November and wouldn't mind going through Johnson Valley OHV to get to the beginning. I need to check and see if there is a way to pass all the way through Johnson Valley OHV to exit on the north side to start the Mojave Road. . .
85straight
New member
There is, actually there are roads from the 62, through JV and all the way to the 15 east of Barstow
grave
Senior Member
JKRunner
New member
BrianSD_42
New member
The best thing you can do really is get experience and the quickest and best way is to start driving that truck on every back road in SoCal. There are so many green trails and even blue trails where you have near 0 chance of flipping and you can just go drive. I have posted a lot of them over the years.
Have you driven the dirt roads in OC? How about Mohave? What about Anza-Borrego? Big-Bear? Palomar Mountain? Julian? Death Valley? Bishop area? ---> The season is now.
You can drive near ever road in Anza-B without ever running into danger, all the while you get better. Just remember slow down in the desert or you'll flip.
So so many trails that are barely even 4wd at all. That is where you learn to drive. Not doing a group meetup twice a year and Wheeling blue/black trails.
Go drive 500-1000 miles of back country simple "green" dirt trails. Then you can easily go with a group on a meetup for blue trails in Big Bear. Plus these green trails are so easy that yes you gain experience but no you don't need a second truck.
That is how I learned. Start with the easy stuff, drive all the trails then when your way up.
A little understood secret is that these simple backroads with scenic views often make for a much more enjoyable day anyways.
Another closely held secret is that most of the regional areas in SoCal require little experience at all. Of the places I listed above you can easily drive 95% of all Forrest Service roads/trails without a second truck and not have a scary moment at all. JUST GET OUT THERE!
Oh and lastly get an Android device or tablet (better) and download Backcountry Navigator Pro. The Caltopo and US Forrest Service maps are free and this will save your life when you are out there with no cell service. Do a search on it to learn more. There is no IOS equivalent app.
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tay4R
New member
Oh and lastly get an Android device or tablet (better) and download Backcountry Navigator Pro. The Caltopo and US Forrest Service maps are free and this will save your life when you are out there with no cell service. Do a search on it to learn more. There is no IOS equivalent app.
I have Gaia GPS and Topo Maps+ on my iphone and ipad. Both are free apps, but need a subscription to use all the features. I can download Caltopo and Forest Service maps as well. Extremely useful to have these maps that can show your location at the same time.
Barcelona4runner
New member
The best thing you can do really is get experience and the quickest and best way is to start driving that truck on every back road in SoCal. There are so many green trails and even blue trails where you have near 0 chance of flipping and you can just go drive. I have posted a lot of them over the years.
Have you driven the dirt roads in OC? How about Mohave? What about Anza-Borrego? Big-Bear? Palomar Mountain? Julian? Death Valley? Bishop area? ---> The season is now.
You can drive near ever road in Anza-B without ever running into danger, all the while you get better. Just remember slow down in the desert or you'll flip.
So so many trails that are barely even 4wd at all. That is where you learn to drive. Not doing a group meetup twice a year and Wheeling blue/black trails.
Go drive 500-1000 miles of back country simple "green" dirt trails. Then you can easily go with a group on a meetup for blue trails in Big Bear. Plus these green trails are so easy that yes you gain experience but no you don't need a second truck.
That is how I learned. Start with the easy stuff, drive all the trails then when your way up.
A little understood secret is that these simple backroads with scenic views often make for a much more enjoyable day anyways.
Another closely held secret is that most of the regional areas in SoCal require little experience at all. Of the places I listed above you can easily drive 95% of all Forrest Service roads/trails without a second truck and not have a scary moment at all. JUST GET OUT THERE!
Oh and lastly get an Android device or tablet (better) and download Backcountry Navigator Pro. The Caltopo and US Forrest Service maps are free and this will save your life when you are out there with no cell service. Do a search on it to learn more. There is no IOS equivalent app.
Thanks for the helpful information ! I’m going to put that app on my kindle
BrianSD_42
New member
Yes with Backcountry Nav Pro there is a free version and the pro is $9.99 (or was) and once you buy it you get all versions for life or until they make a totally new product. My point is I bought it like 6 years and 5 Android devices ago. The maps I mentioned are completely free (all 16 layers deep) but you can also purchase maps from outside the app and import them.
Backcountry also fully supports gpx import and export.
What I used it for most is downloading the maps for a specifc destination at home over WiFi before I leave and I also add nav points to the map, eg my destination campsite, Cross roads, turnoffs etc.
Last year I tried to find an IOS alternative for my buddy's iPad and after a lot of searching the best we could find cost money and still didn't have the CalTop or IS Forrest Service (specifically) maps included in the app.
.
JKRunner
New member
Thanks Brian...
Just to show you how new I am to this hobby I am unfamiliar with the Green and Blue roads you mentioned. Is there an App, Website, or Book listing these roads and color codes? My wife and I love going for drives and what you have stated looks like the way I should be going for experience.
Thanks in advance for all of the info and your time.
Josh
Just to show you how new I am to this hobby I am unfamiliar with the Green and Blue roads you mentioned. Is there an App, Website, or Book listing these roads and color codes? My wife and I love going for drives and what you have stated looks like the way I should be going for experience.
Thanks in advance for all of the info and your time.
Josh