Johnson Valley Trails

[kf6zpl]

I have a challenge for the trail gurus....

Rick Russel has published a "trail guide/Sidekick Map" to Johnson Valley. The Hammers and several other trials are listed.

I need to know if Rick's map includes ALL of the 4x4/rockcrawling trails in Johnson Valley.

I present this "challenge" as that is the current information available for the growing discussion of what recreation impact is within the Johnson Valley OHV area.

If Rick's map is not inclusive, I need to have accurate information to update the trails listed (or not listed). Rick's map is being used as the starting point for documentation of recreation use in Johnson Valley. That data needs to be updated ASAP.....

[OTR]

John.

Is there any way to post a scan of his map without infringing on any copyright ?
Can you/we get permission to post it for updating purposes ?

No point in buying one to find out its not inclusive...;)



kris.

[chvyhs]

This is a great map.

http://www.extremewheelers4christ.org/images/map1.jpg

[kf6zpl]

Kris:

Don't know. I will drop a note to Rick to find out his position on that.

chvyhs:

Thanks for the starter.....

[Beat95YJ]

hwy 20 and some thing else near sunbonnet are missing. Something slide?

[Hammer Hog]

Feel free to use whatever info from our maps...

We may soon have an updated version. We'll pass it along as soon as it's completed.

[RE:Todd]

hwy 20 and some thing else near sunbonnet are missing. Something slide?Devils slide, it's part of Sunbonnet. FOH is missing

[tjmark]

Missing hwy 20 hwy 18. Full of Love. Full of Hate. It is also missing all the fry mountians trails. Crowbar,fifle(sp?). I'm shure others.

Do we have a larger map to include the fri Mnts?

Also what is the trail that runs along the top of all the mountian's? It is a driving trail. (easy). I Think it runs from the top of sledge all the way to the (OUT) of HWY 20. There is also a memorial Plaque on that trail for a lost wheeler.

Here is a link to a map. It has hwy 20 hwy 18 and FOL. I do not know where FOH comes out or i would draw it. Also where does FOL come out.

http://www.jeepaholics.com/support/files/mark%20u/20080413084550_hammers.jpg

[D Cuz]

Just saw this thread. I have a much more detailed map of the Extreme Wheelers 4 Christ map that’s full of GPS and more trail info than the one we have on our web site.

I just got in from being with my daughter and son-in-law as she just gave birth to our first grandchild and have only had 1 ½ hours sleep in the last 48 hrs., so I will post it up after some sleep.

By the way we don’t mind anyone reprinting the map, but do have a simple request that you leave our club name/copywriter legible on it. The map I have is similar to the map we have given out free at the last 2 years of Tin Bender Jamborees, but with more info.

[kf6zpl]

Congratulations on the new family addition.

I look forward to the map.

Thanks....

[jopes]

isn't there one called hells gate thats ends right at the start of sonbonnet?

[offroad_joe]

isn't there one called hells gate thats ends right at the start of sonbonnet?

Yes if you come down Sunbonnet you can go up Devils Slide then down Hells Gate. (Hells Gate actually has a different name.) That is how they did it in the KOH race.

Most people go up Hells gate, down Devils Slide, then up Sunbonnet.

[D Cuz]

Here's a couple for Soggy:

http://www.extremewheelers4christ.org/maps/Map%20Soggy%20Lake%201-2.jpg

http://www.extremewheelers4christ.org/maps/Soggy%20Lake%202-2.jpg

I'll have to break the Hammers map up into smaller pieces to be able to read it...

Working on it...

DC

[D Cuz]

http://www.extremewheelers4christ.org/maps/hammer00.jpg

http://www.extremewheelers4christ.org/maps/hammer01.jpg

[D Cuz]

Can some one help me with the name of the trail that heads up to the Big Johnson exit?


http://www.extremewheelers4christ.org/maps/hammer02.jpg

[D Cuz]

http://www.extremewheelers4christ.org/maps/hammer03.jpg

http://www.extremewheelers4christ.org/maps/hammer04.jpg

http://www.extremewheelers4christ.org/maps/hammer05.jpg

Victor Valley has been working on a new ‘wench required’ trail for a couple of years now, but I don’t know the status of it or where it’s located, just a general idea of where its at.

[tjmark]

http://www.extremewheelers4christ.org/maps/hammer03.jpg

http://www.extremewheelers4christ.org/maps/hammer04.jpg

http://www.extremewheelers4christ.org/maps/hammer05.jpg

Victor Valley has been working on a new ‘wench required’ trail for a couple of years now, but I don’t know the status of it or where it’s located, just a general idea of where its at.



I thought that trail was Riffle?

Also east of HWY 20 is HWY 18. THey next canyon east.

[BroadSword]

D Cuz, where did you find those trail maps of JV? I checked your website but didn't see anywhere I could download them.

[JR]

Nice maps! :)

[big red dodge]

Hey guy's just wondering were i should post my experience of wheeling in Johnson Valley .

[D Cuz]

D Cuz, where did you find those trail maps of JV? I checked your website but didn't see anywhere I could download them.

We didn't find the maps, we have spent years researching (:D running the trails, someone has to do it) and countless hours putting it together. The map is not available to download yet but look us up at the Benders Jambo and I'll give you one.

[mschwing82]

I thought that trail was Riffle?

Riffel was built by MIB nothing to do with Victor Valley.

[BroadSword]

We didn't find the maps, we have spent years researching (:D running the trails, someone has to do it) and countless hours putting it together. The map is not available to download yet but look us up at the Benders Jambo and I'll give you one.

Well its definitely the best JV map I've seen. Nice job.

Won't be able to make it up to the Benders Jambo :(. Let me know when it can be downloaded or if there's another way I can get my hands on one.

[desertjewel]

Fisher Mountain Trail incorporates a part of Riffle Canyon. Fisher Mountain was finished and open at Fun In The Desert 2006. The winch trail is still in the works :D Hope this helps guys!

[nuggett]

We didn't find the maps, we have spent years researching (:D running the trails, someone has to do it) and countless hours putting it together. The map is not available to download yet but look us up at the Benders Jambo and I'll give you one.

Done, where will you be camping?

[Jon Bundrant]

Can some one help me with the name of the trail that heads up to the Big Johnson exit?


http://www.extremewheelers4christ.org/maps/hammer02.jpg

That trail is called Boulderdash. The other unknown trail on this map is called Gatekeeper.

JonB

[Jon Bundrant]

Fisher Mountain Trail incorporates a part of Riffle Canyon. Fisher Mountain was finished and open at Fun In The Desert 2006. The winch trail is still in the works :D Hope this helps guys!

I thought the Fissure Mountain trail was the first trail that Victor Valley made, long before Sledgehammer and the rest of the Hammers. I know I first did it over 12 years ago and still do it when I'm taking a group of FJ Cruisers out. I had been told that it was the original 4wd trail in Johnson Valley. Are we talking about the same trail?

JonB

[JeepRecoveryTeam]

Yep, Fisher was the first

[Jon Bundrant]

Yep, Fisher was the first

That's what I thought.

JonB

[D Cuz]

Thanks Jon,

Do you know if there is an exit from Gatekeeper or do you have to come back out the way you go in?

By the way, anyone that hasn't done the Fisher Mt. Trail, Dave :D, is really missing out. The views from up there, in every direction, are incredible.

[caseyray63]

I thought the Fissure Mountain trail was the first trail that Victor Valley made, long before Sledgehammer and the rest of the Hammers. I know I first did it over 12 years ago and still do it when I'm taking a group of FJ Cruisers out. I had been told that it was the original 4wd trail in Johnson Valley. Are we talking about the same trail?

JonB

Fissure Mountain trail and Sledge were done at about the same time Fissure was use as a easy way to work on Sledge, easy acces.

[sierravalley]

Wish I would of had some of these maps last week when we were there. Luckily we had a guy with us that had been there a few times. Great place down there.

[caseyray63]

Fisher Mountain Trail incorporates a part of Riffle Canyon. Fisher Mountain was finished and open at Fun In The Desert 2006. The winch trail is still in the works :D Hope this helps guys!


Correction Steve Riffle died on Fissure mountain and thats where his monument was erected, the Riffle trail is located in the Fry mountains.
Heres a pic of the monument
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg231/caseyray63/close20up.jpg

[caseyray63]

The future winch trail that Victor Valley 4 Wheelers is working on(paused at the moment due to land grab) is shown here in blue.
Hope this helps.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg231/caseyray63/map1.jpg

[Sam]

That is a great set of maps guys. Good job. The last map I had was one hand drawn up by Fuzzy from the VV4W years ago. I need to put that up in a picture frame I think.

If you haven't driven the Fissure Mtn. trail (never knew the name before now), you are missing out on one of JVs best, though easiest, trails. It is long and super scenic. I accidentally found it when I solo'd Sledge. My passenger and I decided to take it and it was mellow all the way up till the drop down into Claw area. The trail got a little sideways and steep, so I may have been on something new at that point.

Anyway, good job again on the maps. I can't wait to wheel there again someday.

-Sam

[RedBullJeep]

There's a fun section of trail for total beginners in green...I have no clue if it has a name, but we take bone stock rigs out there to play and they come home stoked. We're talking EASY, but it's still there and judging by the well worn path, is used by many people.

[samota87]

Doesnt big johnson drop of the back side of this hill?

[Jon Bundrant]

Thanks Jon,

Do you know if there is an exit from Gatekeeper or do you have to come back out the way you go in?

By the way, anyone that hasn't done the Fisher Mt. Trail, Dave :D, is really missing out. The views from up there, in every direction, are incredible.

Gatekeeper is a short loop trail that starts and finishes on the north side of Clawhammer. It was originally biult by Larry McRae and the IE4W gang. The intent was to have it finish on top of the mountain near the Claw exit but it hasn't been worked on in a couple of years. The 1/4 mile or so of trail that's there is pretty good and has potential to be a really badass trail if continued to the top.

JonB

[JR]

When I first drove Sledge Hammer (the only trail there at the time), I thought Fisher Mountain was part of the trail as it just seemed a continuation of the trail. This was a year after the Landers earthquake of June '92.
There was a big 12~15" step where the earth had split and the trail ran right over it! It was amazing to see as the separation continued in both directions for a long ways.
It's still there but you need to look carefully as the years have eroded it somewhat.

[Hammer Hog]

...after the Landers earthquake of June '92.
There was a big 12~15" step where the earth had split and the trail ran right over it!...


Hence the commonly miss-spelled name...including on our map :eek:

"Fissure" Mountain Trail is what needs to be put on all the fresh maps.

[catfish<><]

the beginner trail you speak of we also use, we call it "a rock in the park" that is a great trail for stockers. we also take the newbees in the wash below wreaking ball, it sorts um out pretty quick

bob

www.extremewheelers4christ.org

[Jon Bundrant]

There is another trail that is not on any maps that we did a few years ago. It's called the Matterhorn and it's on the south end of the Mountain range just north of Backdoor, if that makes sence. Pretty good trail with great views from the top.

JonB

[JeepRecoveryTeam]

Gatekeeper is a short loop trail that starts and finishes on the north side of Clawhammer. It was originally biult by Larry McRae and the IE4W gang. The intent was to have it finish on top of the mountain near the Claw exit but it hasn't been worked on in a couple of years. The 1/4 mile or so of trail that's there is pretty good and has potential to be a really badass trail if continued to the top.

JonB

Is that directly across from FOH? There is is canyon there that just looks amazing.

[bus4rox]

Is that directly across from FOH? There is is canyon there that just looks amazing.

That trail across from FOH looks awfully long & sickly.

Think this answers your question & samoyta87's too:
The BJs in blue, Gateeeper in red, sickly in white
http://www.fototime.com/ftweb/bin/ft.dll/standard?pictid={C9D2F02F-320A-412C-99CD-F6247C1DDAB3}&exp=f&moddt=39562.7252741204&ssdyn=1

Paul

[Jon Bundrant]

Is that directly across from FOH? There is is canyon there that just looks amazing.

The canyon your talking about I walked about 5 or more years ago and thought it was makeable but with for sure body damage. Nowadays the body damage doesn't matter because most don't have bodies. This trail I walked was just after the waterfall on Claw shooting off to the left. It comes out on top just to the north of Claw.

JonB

[randii]

With as many miles as we are losing in so many other places, I revel in the freedom that JV has and the rich assortment of trails that have been built there, with open travel allowed.

I was already damn sure that the Hammers were well worth protecting, but if possible, this makes me even more sure.

Thanks go to all who have built trails or developed the recreation area over the years... and an invitation goes out to all who have ever or will ever benefit from their efforts: get informed and stay tuned, this chunk of god-forsaken desert is well-worth the effort invested creating it, and the years spent using it, and OHV will fight hard against any opportunity to restrict access.

Randii

[bus4rox]

The canyon your talking about I walked about 5 or more years ago and thought it was makeable but with for sure body damage. Nowadays the body damage doesn't matter because most don't have bodies. This trail I walked was just after the waterfall on Claw shooting off to the left. It comes out on top just to the north of Claw.

JonB

Here's a couple of photos taken from near the bottom/top of the trail that starts after the waterfall on Claw:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b235/davidgtaylor/jv%20march%2007/DSC_0530.jpg


http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b235/davidgtaylor/jv%20march%2007/DSC_0578.jpg

It's not bad by today's standards, other than a waterfall with an 8' undercut that might be doable with some work.

Paul

[luvrox]

Dave - The trail Jon is talking about was named by the grocery getter gang a year or so ago as Nightmare. Not so much for the difficulty but because the second or third trip lasted into the night because of multiple trips back to camp for parts. There is a waterfall at the top that has a huge undercut that will deny all takers for a long time to come.

Now the trail you are talking about that you see across Claw from half way up FOH is a whole different deal. What ya doing Sunday morning if you’re still running. :grinpimp:

[Goatman]

Is that directly across from FOH? There is is canyon there that just looks amazing.


Gatekeeper is on the out to Lower Big Johnson. After you turn right at the bottom of the sandy wash to exit Lower Big, there is a canyon that goes to the left. We've never run it, but walked it a few years ago and saw that folks had been in it. We never saw an out, I guess there isn't one.

The one Garry said we called Nightmare (sounds good, we were there in the dark after having to go back to camp to get parts) is the last canyon you can go left in before finishing Claw, and it ends north of the saddle at the end of Claw. There's a single track up the side of Claw that turns to a double track a the top of that canyon, and connects to the road coming out from Claw. Decent short trail but it has a nasty waterfall that you have to go around until a bunch of rocks can get dumped into it. Much more interesting than the top of Claw.

[Easy Rick]

Gatekeeper is on the out to Lower Big Johnson. After you turn right at the bottom of the sandy wash to exit Lower Big, there is a canyon that goes to the left. We've never run it, but walked it a few years ago and saw that folks had been in it. We never saw an out, I guess there isn't one.


There isn't a full trail "out" that I know of, but you can run it a ways and then bailout on the right. I seem to remember the climb out to the right as being harder than the trail itself. Just in case someone wanted to run in and look.

Rick.

[schwings]

I thought that trail was Riffle?

Also east of HWY 20 is HWY 18. THey next canyon east.

Riffel was built by the Men in Black (MIB) not Victor Valley.

[WIKD 281]

Has there been any progress in putting together an updated map that shows Full of Hate, Crowbar, and the Riffell canyon trail?
Thanks for any help!
Harold.

[Freshman]

what about full of love? Where is that? When we get done with FOH it looks like you can keep going strait, but havent done it yet. Does it go much futher?

Eric

[WIKD 281]

I think full of love is somewhere near the fry mountains but am not sure. We just ran full of hate over the weekend. Its definately my favorite trail :D
After you exit FOH you end up on top of the hill and theres nothing but a 2 wheel drive trail to continue on. If you follow that trail it will lead you back down to wrecking ball.