SoCal: Joshua Tree National Park Trail Help

[JB.]

Yeah, the sections of old pavement were interesting.

Occasionally I come across small sections of what must be old pavement in various other places. Berdoo helps give a good picture how roads disappear.

 

[Drunner97]

Joshua Tree is very easy. You probably only need high clearance. If it's first time, try to go w/ another truck.

Just came out of Joshua Tree from this past weekend. I'd suggest not taking Old Dale Mine road without 4wd, it's rocky, steep, and washed out in places. I came from the 29 Palms side (Gold Crown rd) and going downhill it wasn't bad, but I was still in 4lo in some places.

Just there last week.

From your description, Pinkham is a perfect fit, although I took the Thermal Canyon fork near the end and can't vouch for the last part of the trail. No reason to believe it offers any difficulty, though.

Avoid trying to enter the park via dirt from the 29 Palms side. Berdoo Canyon has a few spots you probably wouldn't want to deal with.

Pinkham is absolutely perfect, Old Dale Mine road from the middle of the park up to the loose rocky section is a good fun run too.

I'm up in Joshua tree this weekend. Possibly looking for someone to go or with tomorrow (Sunday) I don't know anybody so hopefully can meet people here!

Wish I had seen this last week, we were camped up on the north end Friday-Sunday and I was hanging around town almost all day Sunday because we had a Tacoma with a bent tie rod.

What doesn't get any easier? Did you read the OP's post?

The Massey SoCA book lists Berdoo as a 4 rated trail (10 scale, book never goes higher than 7). I'd say that's fair. Probably on the mild side of 4 but I'd say 4 is a closer description than 3. Is it gnarly? No. But there are tons of 1s, 2s, and 3s, in the book that are easier. Pinkham Canyon being one of them.

I passed a 4wd Jeep SUV coming down Berdoo (south) who had turned around and tried to warn me against continuing. I'm sure you know the kind of thing I'm talking about. But that's what it can look like to the inexperienced. And he had 4wd.

I had a guy coming up Old Dale while I was going down in a Silverado tell me it was really hairy. It wasn't bad except for a couple spots, but I could tell he didn't really know what he was doing either. I had to back up the road in 4lo because he didn't stop at the switch back that had all the space to pass on (I saw him coming) Kinda annoying.

 

[JB.]

I had a guy coming up Old Dale while I was going down in a Silverado tell me it was really hairy. It wasn't bad except for a couple spots, but I could tell he didn't really know what he was doing either. I had to back up the road in 4lo because he didn't stop at the switch back that had all the space to pass on (I saw him coming) Kinda annoying.

I came through that way at night one time on my way to visit a friend in La Quinta. Having been on Old Dale Rd from the other side, I assumed it would be a fairly quick route. It wasn't hard, just much slower than I had assumed. Under the circumstances I couldn't help but be a little annoyed (totally my fault) since I was, to a small degree, on a time schedule. Was a shame that my faulty assumption turned what should have been a fun run into something a little annoying.

 

[catherinehaataja13]

If I would have seen this post yesterday I would have met up with you and wheeled around JT no problem since its my backyard at the base of the hill down about 15 mins from Berdoo Canyon trail head. Hopefully you made it out there today and had a good time.
And for all the other post about Berdoo Canyon just for the record it's a perfect trail for any beginner to get their feet wet even 2wd lifted rigs and if you can't handle that trail 4wd or 2wd then you have know business getting into off roading outside of fire roads, period.

Next time I'll try to give a little more advance notice when I'm in town. But I hope to go out there a lot more so I'll definitely post up. Trying to go out a lot more often. Not just JT but all of SoCal.

 

[catherinehaataja13]

"Wish I had seen this last week, we were camped up on the north end Friday-Sunday and I was hanging around town almost all day Sunday because we had a Tacoma with a bent tie rod."

I know. I always see things too late too. Next time how was the camping. I think next time I'm going to camp. I have a friend that lives in JT so I stayed there last weekend.

 

[97FR_brad]

This thread needs a few picts! Hope you don't mind some pictures from my trip last December exiting the park!

 

[Oneluv13T4R]

[MENTION=54949]97FR_brad[/MENTION]

Looks like top of Berdoo Canyon Rd/geology tour Rd in pic 1
Middle of Berdoo Canyon Rd in pic 2
And exiting the beginning/entrance area of Berdoo Canyon Rd in pic 3

 

[97FR_brad]

Correct!! Nice work.

[MENTION=54949]97FR_brad[/MENTION]

Looks like top of Berdoo Canyon Rd/geology tour Rd in pic 1
Middle of Berdoo Canyon Rd in pic 2
And exiting the beginning/entrance area of Berdoo Canyon Rd in pic 3

 

[AJay0722]

Not trying to wake a dead thread but after reading this thread prior to checking this trail out last week, I just had to share this pic. While heading down, we bumped into a guy in a vw bus going up into the park. He had already made it pretty far inside, not sure if he finished in one piece but if a bus can make it, a 2wd 4runner shouldn't have a problem.

Sorry, long shot picture.


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[Maadcaap]

Went north on berdoo a few weeks ago in my stock t4r.. there were 2 spots that were a bit rocky and narrow.. but the highlight of the trip was this guy

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[Oneluv13T4R]

Went north on berdoo a few weeks ago in my stock t4r.. there were 2 spots that were a bit rocky and narrow.. but the highlight of the trip was this guy

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Great shot Of a Big Horn Sheep , *****in picture.

 

[Ray Dunakin]

Awesome bighorn pic!!

 

[Da8ron]

Anyone interested in a JT drive in the next month or so?

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