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jiles

Badlands
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Badlands
Clubs
 
First time posting, but just returned from a great trip in Southern California and had to share it with you all.

Some background. Took delivery of my 4dr sasquatch badlands in October. Big thanks to Walnut Creek Ford. Small trips here and there, but this was the inaugural trip with the rig. Pretty much stock. Ford Performance drawers and Baja A-pillar lights.

Started the trip Wednesday 11/24 driving down from the bay area for thanksgiving in Orange County. Camped in Ojai, CA. Thanksgiving in OC, and then Joshua Tree that Friday. The first trail of the trip was Rattlesnake Canyon, from Johnson Valley into Pioneer town. Pictured below. Ran it alongside a 2021 Tacoma. Here occurred the first casualty of the trip; due to user error I let a low hanging tree limb snag, and damaged, the open soft top. Held in place now by a ratchet strap, the latches are unaligned and it can not close. I've already got a Bestop on the way to replace it.


Ford Bronco A week with the Bronco in the desert: Joshua Tree and Death Valley Rattlesnake


The next day hiked around the park and took Berdoo Canyon out. Geology tour road was a blast and absent were the holiday crowds. Berdoo canyon was a blast! My timing was a little off and the ditch lights really made coming through the canyon after sunset a breeze. Although the top down drive back up to Joshua tree after dark was freezing.

Then came the best part of the trip: Death Valley. I was joined by a van-living friend. We'd camp together and hop into the bronco to explore. Hit easier trails, like Hole in the Wall, Echo Canyon, Titus Canyon, and the backroad to Darwin. Apologies for not having a plethora of pictures. I've dropped a few below. I also, despite my better judgement and some unsolicted advise, ran Lippioncott down into Saline Valley. The bronco had no problem on the trail, although I needed a beer after coming down!

Following Death Valley, ran down to the Trona Pinnacles, which were a total blast of a wheeling playground! Then up to the Alabama Hills for one final night of camping, and up 395 the next day to Tahoe for a little more weekend wheeling.

I loved my bronco before the trip, but I've fallen even more in love with it this past week. The suspension is wonderful, being able to throw the top back is great, and I'm so looking forward to being able to hose out all the dust in a few days. Ford really knocked it out of the park with this thing! I had so many people ask about it this past week, and I have not gotten tired of being a bronco ambassador.

Hope to see you guys and gals on the trail!

Ford Bronco A week with the Bronco in the desert: Joshua Tree and Death Valley Hole in the Wall


Ford Bronco A week with the Bronco in the desert: Joshua Tree and Death Valley Lippioncott


Ford Bronco A week with the Bronco in the desert: Joshua Tree and Death Valley Saline Valley


Ford Bronco A week with the Bronco in the desert: Joshua Tree and Death Valley 955b1b19-ab7e-42a5-8a06-f1aa1e1d9f0e


Ford Bronco A week with the Bronco in the desert: Joshua Tree and Death Valley Berdoo Canyon
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IDyeti

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Is your rotpax mount the strap version, if so how's it working out? Staying put?
 

Broncofly

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First time posting, but just returned from a great trip in Southern California and had to share it with you all.

Some background. Took delivery of my 4dr sasquatch badlands in October. Big thanks to Walnut Creek Ford. Small trips here and there, but this was the inaugural trip with the rig. Pretty much stock. Ford Performance drawers and Baja A-pillar lights.

Started the trip Wednesday 11/24 driving down from the bay area for thanksgiving in Orange County. Camped in Ojai, CA. Thanksgiving in OC, and then Joshua Tree that Friday. The first trail of the trip was Rattlesnake Canyon, from Johnson Valley into Pioneer town. Pictured below. Ran it alongside a 2021 Tacoma. Here occurred the first casualty of the trip; due to user error I let a low hanging tree limb snag, and damaged, the open soft top. Held in place now by a ratchet strap, the latches are unaligned and it can not close. I've already got a Bestop on the way to replace it.


Rattlesnake.jpg


The next day hiked around the park and took Berdoo Canyon out. Geology tour road was a blast and absent were the holiday crowds. Berdoo canyon was a blast! My timing was a little off and the ditch lights really made coming through the canyon after sunset a breeze. Although the top down drive back up to Joshua tree after dark was freezing.

Then came the best part of the trip: Death Valley. I was joined by a van-living friend. We'd camp together and hop into the bronco to explore. Hit easier trails, like Hole in the Wall, Echo Canyon, Titus Canyon, and the backroad to Darwin. Apologies for not having a plethora of pictures. I've dropped a few below. I also, despite my better judgement and some unsolicted advise, ran Lippioncott down into Saline Valley. The bronco had no problem on the trail, although I needed a beer after coming down!

Following Death Valley, ran down to the Trona Pinnacles, which were a total blast of a wheeling playground! Then up to the Alabama Hills for one final night of camping, and up 395 the next day to Tahoe for a little more weekend wheeling.

I loved my bronco before the trip, but I've fallen even more in love with it this past week. The suspension is wonderful, being able to throw the top back is great, and I'm so looking forward to being able to hose out all the dust in a few days. Ford really knocked it out of the park with this thing! I had so many people ask about it this past week, and I have not gotten tired of being a bronco ambassador.

Hope to see you guys and gals on the trail!

Hole in the Wall.jpg


Lippioncott.jpg


Saline Valley.jpg


955b1b19-ab7e-42a5-8a06-f1aa1e1d9f0e.jpg


Berdoo Canyon.jpg
DUDE!!!!! I LOVE DV!!! I've been going out there for more than nine years dirt biking, cant wait to drive it a Bronco!

Yeah, which Roto Pack set up are you using?
 
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wally

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Life is Good!!!
 

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VDPHB

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Been to Death Valley over Thanksgiving several times and J Tree a ton over the years.

Lippincott Mine Road is definitely hair raising with the drop-off, but coming up and exiting (or hopefully dropping into) by the Racetrack is fantastic. Were you able to stop and enjoy the Saline Valley hot springs on your way out?

Can't wait to get my Day 1 reservation Bronco... scheduled... someday.

Thanks for sharing your awesome trip!
 
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Scape Goat

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Man, I want my Bronco 😕. Still have a year or so.
 

carrellslake

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How badly were rocks flinging up on to the body?
 

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4avor8ntfair

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DUDE!!!!! I LOVE DV!!! I've been going out there for more than nine years dirt biking, cant wait to drive it a Bronco!

Yeah, which Roto Pack set up are you using?
I’m curious also!
 

Parker

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If you came from Josua Tree to enter Death Valley from the south, you went right by Dumont Dunes (maybe 20 miles before Death Valley) - set a mandatory flag, and scream through miles of sand (you leave no trace as the wind blows in natural again).
That you came out without tire damage is impressive - that is sharp rock central.
 

Villageidit

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Been to Death Valley over Thanksgiving several times and J Tree a ton over the years.

Lippincott Mine Road is definitely hair raising with the drop-off, but coming up and exiting (or hopefully dropping into) by the Racetrack is fantastic. Were you able to stop and enjoy the Saline Valley hot springs on your way out?

Can't wait to get my Day 1 reservation Bronco... scheduled... someday.

Thanks for sharing your awesome trip!
Love Death Valley. I've spent a few Thanksgivings at the hot springs myself.
 
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jiles

jiles

Badlands
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Badlands
Clubs
 
Is your rotpax mount the strap version, if so how's it working out? Staying put?
Yup. Mostly okay. Was worried about putting extra weight on the spare, but didn't seem to be an issue. Did move around a little when running on some washboard. Realized today the rotopax was rubbing pretty good against the swing gate. A little paint has rubbed off, so I'll have to touch that up. I'd just be sure to have the strap further up the tire.

Also wanted to mount them straight on the sides, but that got in the way of the handle. Can't open the swing gate all the way w/o the pack hitting the taillight.

It worked, but not perfect.
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