First Timer Off-Road - Berdoo Canyon Trail in Joshua Tree National Park

[Offroad Newb]

I’ve been wanting to do Berdoo, but this heat has scared me off so far lol. Check out Old Dale road next time, i did it in spring time and it’s a fun one.

Yeah probably a good call. I was monitoring the temps on the gauges pretty close and we were up there in temp. We had been vacationing in Palm Desert is why we chose to run it before heading home. I am rarely out that way during the winter or spring since the hotel rates are twice the price!

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[CartierChiro]

I’m not too far from Joshua tree as well I’d like to do a maiden of road voyage with you peeps!!

 

[Offroad Newb]

I’m not too far from Joshua tree as well I’d like to do a maiden of road voyage with you peeps!!

Awesome! Sounds like theres a few of us out this way. Lets wait for cooler weather and I would be down to head out as a group!

 

[brkdncr]

I'd be up for a trail run this winter/spring. i'm really close to the north end of old dale road although i haven't driven it yet.

 

[murphtron]

Just looked that trail up. Looks like a good one with a lot of off shoots too. I am planning a longer road trip with the family for next year where we plan to camp and off road for a few days. Might be a good option! Thanks for sharing.

Berdoo (before the park) has a bunch of little alternate lines to practice on. Especially short steep ascents and descents. Worth a return if you’re in the area. It is a beautiful drive into the park.

And when in Pioneertown be sure to catch a gig and a meal at Pappy & Harriet’s. The best little club outside of LA.

 

[beetle]

I did a solo trip through Berdoo and JT a month or so ago...I came down the trail. I didn't see another soul until I got down to the shooting/trash dump area. I'd be up for a trail party if you head that way again.

Ditto, I have yet to take mine out and would love to convoy close to home.

 

[ZapMflash]

I'll put together a thread in the California section and see if there's any interest in going out over Labor Day weekend...

 

[roboticsrob]

I'll put together a thread in the California section and see if there's any interest in going out over Labor Day weekend...

Still will be quite warm there for Labor Day. We went last year in October and it was still a hot day through Berdoo though quite comfortable at night.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Took the Bronco out for her maiden voyage on a trail after a family vacation to Palm Springs, CA. Did the Berdoo Canyon Trail South to North then connected with the Geology Road Tour before exiting Joshua Tree National Park. Lots of great views and a good trail to learn on. Only saw one other Jeep the whole trip, which took about 3 hours total. Tons of open space and great scenery. We will be back for sure. Definitely need to get some friends to go with next time though.

https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/california/trails/1128-berdoo-canyon


First photo is from about a mile into the trail. The first portion of the trail starts in a wash that has a BLM free shooting range. Lots of graffiti and trash in this area. Waiting until we entered the canyon to get out for our first photo op. Still see some graffiti here, but it gets much better after.

At checkpoint 7 on the trail guide is a 3 foot waterfall obstacle. Definitely a bit nervous doing this one but the Bronco did it without any issue. My wife snapped a picture of my driving up it but it felt crazier than it looks. There were definitely more challenging sections ahead, but since I was a first timer my wife was a little nervous so we didn't get any photos during the rocky sections. Bronco handled it all like a champ though.

After climbing out of the Berdoo Canyon, you enter Joshua Tree National Park. It was really beautiful here and we stopped at a vantage point for some more quick pictures and a brief hike (105 degrees)

Then we stopped at what the trail guide said was "Joshua Tree Viewing point". A lone Joshua Tree with a turnout around it for a great photo op!

Final photo of the Bronco while we aired up to head back out of the park. Only aired down to about 25 PSI as it was my first time. Used the Morrflate Kit I won during their Reddit giveaway a few months back for the first time as well. Great setup!

These are great pictures of your Bronco, Jeff. Thanks for sharing your off-road adventure with us!

 

[spidydt]

I call this trail the “J Tree back door”
I save money on entrance fees by purchasing a $50K vehicle

 

[Offroad Newb]

I call this trail the “J Tree back door”
I save money on entrance fees by purchasing a $50K vehicle

Yeah, but you have to use the same trail back out without a pass. They were checking them on the way out. We have the adventure pass for our 4th grader so it was free either way for us.

 

[Desertmountains]

Wait until new people realize how far it is to drive out of the park either to I-10 or yucca valley… haha it’s always surprising but I still don’t like to descend Berdoo canyon. Just my preference.

 

[TerryW]

SoCal also and would love to meet up with other newbies for a Joshue Tree jaunt.

 

[Kach Vartan]

I’m thinking of doing Berdoo Canyoon/Geology Trail in the next couple of weeks, followed by Burns Canyon up to a weekend retreat in Big Bear. Plan is to do Berdoo early morning, stop in Pioneertown for lunch, and then takes Burns to BB. For the experienced SoCal folks, does that sound doable in one day?

Also, it sounds like I need some kind of day pass to exit Joshua Tree through one of the northern entrances (Even if I enter from Berdoo)?

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