SCORCHfest III - The Mojave Road

Ready to tackle one of the most iconic trails in the Southwest? SCORCHfest III is here to push your off-road adventures to new heights as we journey along the historic Mojave Road. This special three-day event is a rare chance to experience the vast beauty, rich history, and remote challenges of the Mojave Desert.

(NOTE: This is a shortened event description. Read the Full Event Description on the SCORCH website.)

​Starting bright and early on Friday, we’ll explore a diverse mix of landscapes. Our journey takes us from vast open desert plains to rocky outcrops, through historical sites like Fort Piute and petroglyphs, and into the heart of the Mojave National Preserve.

​This adventure is more than just a drive – it’s a three-day experience that includes breathtaking vistas during the day combined with nights spent under the desert sky.

As always, we are committed to respecting and preserving the environment, ensuring this beautiful landscape remains unspoiled for future generations. With limited spots available, make sure to secure your place for this unforgettable weekend on the trail!
​We are managing our RSVPs on Meetup. Come on out! Read on for more info.

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

• Two-Days: Spend the day exploring the first half of the trail, join us under the stars on Friday night, then join the group Saturday before bailing toward Baker to catch the 15 freeway home.
• Full Weekend: Stay with the group from the start of the ride by the Nevada border on Friday morning all the way through to Sunday's crossing of the Mojave River.

ROUTE DESCRIPTION

Friday (70-80 miles)
We’ll begin our journey at 7:30 AM sharp with a drivers’ meeting at the Avi Casino parking lot by the Avi Smokeshop. The first leg of our adventure covers stunning desert terrain, with stops at notable landmarks including Camp Rock Spring, Fort Piute, Piute Creek, and more as we roll deeper into the desert. By afternoon, we’ll enter the Mojave National Preserve. We’ll gather up for a lunch stop in the middle of nowhere the head toward our camp with more sightseeing along the way.

Saturday (60-70 miles)
We’ll break camp at 10 AM and continue our trek through the Mojave National Preserve with stops at fascinating sites like lava tubes and the crossing of a picturesque dry lake bed (conditions permitting). Saturday night will be a very primitive camping experience – expect no water or toilets as we camp under the desert sky. For those who prefer more comfort, there will be opportunities during the day to exit the ride and head to nearby Baker to catch the 15 home (or to Vegas) for a return to civilization.

Sunday (15-30 miles)
Our final day will be a short but exciting one tackling the last stretch of the Mojave Road, including a crossing of the Mojave River, which is likely to be no more than 1-2 feet deep.
HOW HARD IS THIS RIDE?
The event is designed to be accessible to a range of off-road enthusiasts. There are some minor challenges along the way such as loose sand, loose grapefruit-sized rocks on the trail, extensive washboarding, and significant moguls that require a slower pace to avoid overheating your shocks (yes that is a real thing) and bottoming out. The route covers a mix of terrain, from wide-open desert flats to rocky trails and sandy washes. We scouted the route back in April, and it was in good condition at that time. However, conditions in the desert can change rapidly due to weather and other factors, so be ready for anything. There is one difficult section that some of us will tackle while the others take a workaround.

No street or bald tires, please. You’ll need off-road tires with good tread to handle the rocky sections and soft sand. A high-clearance vehicle is also helpful. Make sure you have tow points, in case you get stuck.

ABOUT CAMPING
SCORCHfest III offers two distinct camping experiences over the course of our three-day adventure.

Friday Night
Our first night’s campsites are equipped with vault toilets, fire rings, trash receptacles, and picnic tables. At 4,400 feet in elevation, expect a cool evening where overnight temperatures can dip into the low 40s. We’ll have two large side-by-side areas reserved: One for those who want to enjoy a quiet evening and turn in shortly after arrival, and another for those who might want to stay up later and share stories around the bonfire (if fire restrictions permit).

Saturday Night Saturday night’s camp will likely be a true back-to-nature experience in a remote, primitive area of the desert. This means no water, no toilets, no trash, and no services—just you, your rig, and the vast, open desert sky. You can skip this by catching the 15 freeway home earlier in the day.
VERY IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS
Make sure to read the very important disclaimers and supplemental info in the event comments. Better yet, read the full event description on the SCORCH website.