Ensanada to Lazaro Cardenas

The Rubicon is one of the most well-known off-roading trails in all of California and is loved for its amazing scenery and extreme terrain near south Lake Tahoe. The trail is done as a point-to-point route starting from a staging area on the west side of Loon Lake and ending at a staging area on the east side, just a few miles from Lake Tahoe. The challenges along the Rubicon are numerous and include tight boulder fields, rock ledges, open granite tracts, high water crossings, and more. Some of the popular named obstacles include Old Big Sluice, Little Sluice, Big Sluice, and Cadillac Hill. The Rubicon should only be attempted by very experienced drivers and spotters driving modified lifted SUVs outfiitted with lockers and at least 33 inch tires. Completing the entire length of the trail in one day is difficult but camping is available in a few spots starting at Buck Island Lake. ATVs, UTVs, and motorcycles are allowed but will need to arrange the shuttling of vehicles between staging areas if wanting to cover the whole trail in one direction.

Johnson Valley is home to some of the most extreme and exciting off-roading routes in all of California known as the Hammers and includes famous trails like Jack Hammer, Sledge Hammer, Claw Hammer, and more. Sledge Hammer is the southern-most Hammer trail and will challenge even the most experienced drivers. The route is rated as extreme and features large boulders, tall ledges, massive waterfalls, and some tight spots where scraping and body damage is likely. Only experienced drivers and spotters in fully modified vehicles should attempt. Be prepared with spare parts and recovery gear. Also, be sure to attempt with at least a few other vehicles.

Johnson Valley is home to some of the most extreme and exciting off-roading routes in all of California known as the Hammers. Claw Hammer is the shortest and "easiest" of the three main Hammer trails but still provides plenty of extreme rock crawling challenge. Claw Hammer features huge boulders, tall ledges, tricky waterfalls, and tight spots where body damage is likely. Only experienced drivers and spotters operating modified vehicles with armor and sliders should attempt. Also, do not set out alone as vehicle damage and failure is possible.

The trail up to Bronco Peak is the main feature in Corral Canyon OHV Area and offers both amazing scenery as well as very challenging terrain for off-roading. The trail is extremely narrow and steep with lots of large boulders. There is the chance of incurring body damage or rolling so caution is required. The trail should only be attempted by very experienced drivers operating modified vehicles, preferably with front and rear lockers. The trail is often combined with the Sidewinder Trail just to the north for additional challenge.

Jack Hammer is part of the famous "Hammers" in Johnson Valley and is known as possibly one of the most challenging off-roading routes in the world. Jack Hammer is extreme and anyone who attempts it should be fully aware that damage is inevitable and part of the experience. Huge boulders, tall ledges, and tight spots that require scraping on the sides are all part of the adventure. Only the most experienced drivers operating well-built, highly modified machines with roll cages should attempt. Be prepared with recovery gear, spare parts, and other vehicles (no not attempt alone). Despite the short length of the route, be prepared to spend most of the day making your way through.

This challenging and scenic trail is one of the most well-known off-roading routes in all of California and offers an exciting trip between the John Muir and Dinkey Lakes wilderness areas. The majority of this trail is rated as difficult and includes multiple obstacles. Drivers will be required to navigate their way through large boulder fields, muddy bogs, steep rocky climbs, and more. The trip is recommended for modified, high-clearance vehicles being operated by experienced drivers. Street legal vehicles can exit on Kaiser Pass Road and use paved roads to return to Hwy 168 but green sticker vehicles will need to return the way they came.

The Sidewinder trail is a short but very challenging route in the Corral Canyon OHV Area. The route is full of obstacles including large boulders, exposed rock slabs, steep terrain, and narrow sections of scratchy brush. Only experienced drivers and spotters operating modified high-clearance vehicles with lockers should attempt the trail. The route is very hot in the summer and is very rugged so be prepared for the elements.

Mazourka Canyon Road runs parallel to Highway 395 between the towns of Independence and Big Pine and offers a remote and rugged ride along the edge of the Inyo Mountains Wilderness. Sights along the route include historic mining sites and a side trop to Mazourka Peak. The ride is easy-to-moderate in difficulty. The first half is maintained gravel road that is passable by all vehicles but the second half becomes steep, rocky, and narrow in places requiring a high-clearnce 4x4 vehicle. There are also multiple side trip options available that can be used to explore more of the area but make sure to stay on designated routes. SUVs can complete the whole distance in half a day as a through-trip but ATVs, UTVs, and motorcycles that aren't street legal will have to return the way they came for a longer day trip.

Johnson Valley is home to some of the most extreme and exciting off-roading routes in all of California and includes famous trails like Jack Hammer, Sledge Hammer, Claw Hammer, and more. This easier route is a great option as an introduction into the area and provides some great views and access to the challenging trails that the area is known for. The trail is rated as easy-to-moderate and features a variety of riding surfaces. Most stock 4x4s should be fine to make the trip but will need to air down to avoid getting stuck in the sand.