The best off-road and overland trails in California — honest guides with difficulty, length, season, and local know-how.
6 trail guides in California
The complete guide to Holcomb Creek (3N93) near Big Bear Lake, CA: the twin boulder fields, the creek crossings, the free play area, the rig you need, and the club that keeps it black-diamond hard.
View TrailThe complete guide to California's Dusy-Ershim Trail: the granite boulder gardens, Thompson Hill, the alpine lake camps, the rig you need, permits, and best season.
View TrailThe complete guide to Mengel Pass and Goler Wash, Death Valley's legendary 4x4 crossing of the Panamint Range: the Goler Wash narrows, the rocky pass and Carl Mengel's grave, Butte Valley's Striped Butte and Geologist's Cabin, the Barker Ranch, plus the rig, permits, and brutal seasonality it actually takes.
View TrailThe complete guide to the Mojave Road, California's legendary 140-mile overland route from the Colorado River to the Mojave River: the historic springs, Fort Piute, the Mojave Mailbox, Soda Lake and the Travelers Monument, plus the rig and prep it actually takes to cross the desert.
View TrailThe complete guide to California's Fordyce Creek Trail: the winch hills, the deadly Fordyce Creek water crossings and CFS safety numbers, the rig you need, and best season.
View TrailThe complete guide to California's Rubicon Trail: the Loon Lake route, named obstacles, the rig you actually need, permits, camping, and best season.
View Trail