Awesome! I'm literally in my hotel room watching this. I was looking for a wide open trail to do some running while in JT. This was the perfect preview of what to expect. Cheers!
Good luck. This is the perfect time of year to trail run in Joshua Tree. There is some old mining equipment on Geology Tour Rd that you can explore as well. It's at the roundabout section. You cannot miss the sign. The mine entrance itself colapse a couple years back, but it you are willing to poke around in the hills behind the mills, you can find a couple more shafts.
Good luck. This is the perfect time of year to trail run in Joshua Tree. There is some old mining equipment on Geology Tour Rd that you can explore as well. It's at the roundabout section. You cannot miss the sign. The mine entrance itself colapse a couple years back, but it you are willing to poke around in the hills behind the mills, you can find a couple more shafts.
I've done the straight section twice... would have done the loop, but chickened out the first time, since I wasn't sure of how bad it was... with 8" of ground clearance on my hybrid family crossover.... this past summer, it was very sandy and deep in a few spots, no issues with the AWD system with the electric motor in the back... and today, hard wash board... had to take it slow for comfort, especially with 20" wheels.
Any idea if I can do this using a AWD sedan? (specifically Acura TLX all-wheel-drive)? Planning to go through it during holidays this year. Thanks in advance.
I have never been in a TLX but based off the photos on Google I think you are going to have a bad time. While the AWD will help with the sandy portions, that car is very low to the ground. Small/medium rocks stick out of the road and these will likely cause issues for you by scraping your rims or even your front bumper or side frame. You may be fine for the straight-away part. But the round-about section could cause damage to your vehicle. For reference, my jeep has almost 1.5 feet of ground clearance and I was using 33" tires on 17" rims. That's why I took it so fast. For any SUV or even most CSUVs should not have any problem with this road as long as they take it slow. Low sedans are pushing it. Across the main road is Desert Queen Mine Rd / Queen Valley road. These are flatter than Geo Tour and have less rocks. It *might* be a better idea than Geo Tour. Also remember during the winter holidays it can snow in Joshua Tree in this very area. It is not uncommon for any amount of precipitation to turn the slightly sandy roads into mud-pits. This would definitely get you stuck. I would highly recommend renting a different car if you want to do any off-roading in the Park. Also, if you do get stuck, these areas are not patrolled frequently and have little cell service. You will have to hike out to get help and a tow service call can cost $1000+ I hope that doesn't put too big of a damper on your holiday spirit, but I cannot in good conscience recommend this. There are a ton of other cool things you can do in the Park without leaving the pavement. Check out Jumbo Rocks, Indian Cove, Keys View and the cholla garden.
Were you in 2 wheel drive the whole time? Just got back from there about an hour ago and got discouraged about 15 minutes in cuz I stopped for a sec and got stuck ,but managed to get out and turned back. Might go back tomorrow and finish it. I have a rear locker but no 4x4
My jeep (WK2) only has 4-Hi and 4-Lo. I know the sandy part you are talking about. I would have stayed in 4-Hi for the entire trip. Did you air down your tires? That sand section does stop after the "straight section". The loop part is fairly hard with mild rocks. The only concern is you will have to go back through the sand on your way out. And it's up-hill. Also, don't take Berdoo Canyon out if you don't have 4x4. On the other side of the main road is Desert Queen's Mine Rd / Big Horn Pass. These don't have the same sand traps and are honestly just as cool as Geology Tour. Once you pass the sandy section on Geo, there is not much out there. There is an abandoned Mine, but the entrance was filled in a couple years ago. All that remains is some old equipment rusting away. I was out there last weekend and it was 120 by 1130am. Even tho it's a bit cooler, people still die out there every year in temps like these. My suggestion would be to either take a easier trail or wait until Fall where getting stuck doesn't mean heat stroke. If you want some suggestions, I have been on pretty much every trail around the Park. Just let me know. Stay safe out there.
@@oc-wk236 after turning back from geology I went through queens ridge and it was awesome. Just don’t want Geology to get the upper hand. Literally been in the air b n b studying your video but that uphill your talking about may be too risky.
@@458237 In the park, 2WD friendly trails are: Lost Horse Mine Rd - Short tail on the way to Keys View Stirrup Tank Rd - Off Pinto Basin Rd by the White Tank Campground. 1.5 miles in (3 total) Lost Horse Rd (I think it is called this). 1.1 miles in (2.2 total), Entrance is in-between the trail head for the Boy Scout Trail and Hidden Valley Camp Ground. This leads to the old Lost Horse / Hidden Valley Visitors Center. I think it is now used for the "Artist in Residency" Program. The Center is closed to the Public, so dont go past the gate, even if it is open. Outside the Park, you have more options. The BLM Area East of 29 Palms and North of The Park has a ton of different Trails. This is also where Old Dale Road (see my other videos) exits The Park. While I wouldn't suggest taking Old Dale Rd over the mountains and into The Park, Gold Crown Rd has a ton of offshoots with varying difficulty. Its kinda like a pick-your-own adventure out there. There are a ton of abandoned mines, mills, etc out there. Because there are so many trails criss-crossing out there, you will need a good map. I recommend the NatGeo Trails Illustrated Map of Joshua Tree. If you have GaiaGPS, it should be included. While this area does have some really hard spots, they are almost totally avoidable. As you get closer to the Pinto Mountains, things will get more rocky. So stay in the flatter areas. That NatGeo map is also a ToPo, so it will help you avoid the mountainous areas. A word of caution. The BLM area is not regularly patrolled and, like The Park, has limited cell signal. So download any maps off line and let someone know where you are going and when you should be back. There is also no water out here, so bring extra. If you do go into the mines, you do so at your own risk. Hope you have fun and stay safe out there!
Probably. As long as it hasn't rained in a couple weeks and you don't turn down Berdoo Canyon Rd. The hardest part for you will be the sandy section in the middle, but as long as you don't stop and have good off-road tires, you should be fine. Right across the main road is the Desert Queen Rd / Queen Valley Rd area. That is super easy and your Taco should make it no problem
No, but there are some deep sandy areas along this trail. During bad weather it might become necessary. In my lifted grand cherokee, I have done every off road trail in JT and never had to air down. Airing down might have made the ride less bumpy, but I have never "had to" to it in the Park.
@@oc-wk236 Thanks...good to know. I'm heading there in a few weeks for a photo expedition...Geology Road looks to be perfect for what I'm looking to do (unfettered access without the need to stay on trails). I have a 3" lifted 1995 4WD Suburban...a bit heavier than most 4WD vehicles.
It's a nice area. While walking off the trails is fine, if you drive off the trails you will probably breakdown and possibly be arrested / heavily fined by the Park Rangers. This is a pretty well patrolled area. If you want to drive off trail, the BLM area to the North East of the park (Old Dale Mining District / off Gold Crown Rd) is a much better option.
Just drove this Sunday. It was great!
Great to hear!
Just drove this trail Sunday thanks for giving me a preview of what to expect!
Awesome! I'm literally in my hotel room watching this. I was looking for a wide open trail to do some running while in JT. This was the perfect preview of what to expect. Cheers!
Good luck.
This is the perfect time of year to trail run in Joshua Tree.
There is some old mining equipment on Geology Tour Rd that you can explore as well.
It's at the roundabout section. You cannot miss the sign.
The mine entrance itself colapse a couple years back, but it you are willing to poke around in the hills behind the mills, you can find a couple more shafts.
Good luck.
This is the perfect time of year to trail run in Joshua Tree.
There is some old mining equipment on Geology Tour Rd that you can explore as well.
It's at the roundabout section. You cannot miss the sign.
The mine entrance itself colapse a couple years back, but it you are willing to poke around in the hills behind the mills, you can find a couple more shafts.
Awesome video!! Amazing trail. Thank for sharing.
I've done the straight section twice... would have done the loop, but chickened out the first time, since I wasn't sure of how bad it was... with 8" of ground clearance on my hybrid family crossover.... this past summer, it was very sandy and deep in a few spots, no issues with the AWD system with the electric motor in the back... and today, hard wash board... had to take it slow for comfort, especially with 20" wheels.
can you ride bikes here?
Any idea if I can do this using a AWD sedan? (specifically Acura TLX all-wheel-drive)? Planning to go through it during holidays this year. Thanks in advance.
I have never been in a TLX but based off the photos on Google I think you are going to have a bad time.
While the AWD will help with the sandy portions, that car is very low to the ground.
Small/medium rocks stick out of the road and these will likely cause issues for you by scraping your rims or even your front bumper or side frame.
You may be fine for the straight-away part. But the round-about section could cause damage to your vehicle.
For reference, my jeep has almost 1.5 feet of ground clearance and I was using 33" tires on 17" rims. That's why I took it so fast. For any SUV or even most CSUVs should not have any problem with this road as long as they take it slow. Low sedans are pushing it.
Across the main road is Desert Queen Mine Rd / Queen Valley road. These are flatter than Geo Tour and have less rocks. It *might* be a better idea than Geo Tour.
Also remember during the winter holidays it can snow in Joshua Tree in this very area. It is not uncommon for any amount of precipitation to turn the slightly sandy roads into mud-pits. This would definitely get you stuck.
I would highly recommend renting a different car if you want to do any off-roading in the Park. Also, if you do get stuck, these areas are not patrolled frequently and have little cell service. You will have to hike out to get help and a tow service call can cost $1000+
I hope that doesn't put too big of a damper on your holiday spirit, but I cannot in good conscience recommend this. There are a ton of other cool things you can do in the Park without leaving the pavement. Check out Jumbo Rocks, Indian Cove, Keys View and the cholla garden.
Were you in 2 wheel drive the whole time? Just got back from there about an hour ago and got discouraged about 15 minutes in cuz I stopped for a sec and got stuck ,but managed to get out and turned back. Might go back tomorrow and finish it. I have a rear locker but no 4x4
My jeep (WK2) only has 4-Hi and 4-Lo.
I know the sandy part you are talking about.
I would have stayed in 4-Hi for the entire trip.
Did you air down your tires?
That sand section does stop after the "straight section". The loop part is fairly hard with mild rocks.
The only concern is you will have to go back through the sand on your way out.
And it's up-hill.
Also, don't take Berdoo Canyon out if you don't have 4x4.
On the other side of the main road is Desert Queen's Mine Rd / Big Horn Pass.
These don't have the same sand traps and are honestly just as cool as Geology Tour. Once you pass the sandy section on Geo, there is not much out there. There is an abandoned Mine, but the entrance was filled in a couple years ago. All that remains is some old equipment rusting away.
I was out there last weekend and it was 120 by 1130am. Even tho it's a bit cooler, people still die out there every year in temps like these. My suggestion would be to either take a easier trail or wait until Fall where getting stuck doesn't mean heat stroke.
If you want some suggestions, I have been on pretty much every trail around the Park. Just let me know.
Stay safe out there.
@@oc-wk236 after turning back from geology I went through queens ridge and it was awesome. Just don’t want Geology to get the upper hand. Literally been in the air b n b studying your video but that uphill your talking about may be too risky.
@@oc-wk236 if you know of any other 2 wheel drive friendly trails let me know I’d much appreciate it.
@@oc-wk236 and no I did not air down my tires
@@458237 In the park, 2WD friendly trails are:
Lost Horse Mine Rd - Short tail on the way to Keys View
Stirrup Tank Rd - Off Pinto Basin Rd by the White Tank Campground. 1.5 miles in (3 total)
Lost Horse Rd (I think it is called this). 1.1 miles in (2.2 total), Entrance is in-between the trail head for the Boy Scout Trail and Hidden Valley Camp Ground.
This leads to the old Lost Horse / Hidden Valley Visitors Center. I think it is now used for the "Artist in Residency" Program.
The Center is closed to the Public, so dont go past the gate, even if it is open.
Outside the Park, you have more options.
The BLM Area East of 29 Palms and North of The Park has a ton of different Trails.
This is also where Old Dale Road (see my other videos) exits The Park.
While I wouldn't suggest taking Old Dale Rd over the mountains and into The Park, Gold Crown Rd has a ton of offshoots with varying difficulty.
Its kinda like a pick-your-own adventure out there.
There are a ton of abandoned mines, mills, etc out there.
Because there are so many trails criss-crossing out there, you will need a good map.
I recommend the NatGeo Trails Illustrated Map of Joshua Tree. If you have GaiaGPS, it should be included.
While this area does have some really hard spots, they are almost totally avoidable.
As you get closer to the Pinto Mountains, things will get more rocky. So stay in the flatter areas. That NatGeo map is also a ToPo, so it will help you avoid the mountainous areas.
A word of caution. The BLM area is not regularly patrolled and, like The Park, has limited cell signal. So download any maps off line and let someone know where you are going and when you should be back. There is also no water out here, so bring extra.
If you do go into the mines, you do so at your own risk.
Hope you have fun and stay safe out there!
Think I can do this in my 4cyl 2wd tacoma?
Probably. As long as it hasn't rained in a couple weeks and you don't turn down Berdoo Canyon Rd.
The hardest part for you will be the sandy section in the middle, but as long as you don't stop and have good off-road tires, you should be fine.
Right across the main road is the Desert Queen Rd / Queen Valley Rd area. That is super easy and your Taco should make it no problem
@@oc-wk236 thanks!
Did you feel the need to air down your tires?
No, but there are some deep sandy areas along this trail. During bad weather it might become necessary.
In my lifted grand cherokee, I have done every off road trail in JT and never had to air down.
Airing down might have made the ride less bumpy, but I have never "had to" to it in the Park.
@@oc-wk236 Thanks...good to know. I'm heading there in a few weeks for a photo expedition...Geology Road looks to be perfect for what I'm looking to do (unfettered access without the need to stay on trails). I have a 3" lifted 1995 4WD Suburban...a bit heavier than most 4WD vehicles.
It's a nice area.
While walking off the trails is fine, if you drive off the trails you will probably breakdown and possibly be arrested / heavily fined by the Park Rangers. This is a pretty well patrolled area.
If you want to drive off trail, the BLM area to the North East of the park (Old Dale Mining District / off Gold Crown Rd) is a much better option.
@@oc-wk236 Yeah, I should have mentioned walking/hiking. No plans to violate park rules. May also take a look at the BLM areas. Thanks again.