Valley Dirt Riders Meetup

We'll be camping North of the of S22 at the Truckhaven Trail exit on the right (If coming from the 86), shortly after the 4X4 training area. The turn off is 3.7 miles from the intersection of 86 and 22. Approximate coordnates 33.269594, -116.020391 I'll update with exact coordinates once I've landed in a spot. The camping area is fairly wide open and will accomodate large motorhomes and trailer rigs.

I'll lead rides on Saturday and Sunday, staging from camp. Saturday we'll stage at 8:30, have a quick driver meeting and head out at 9:00. We'll head South and stop at Gas Domes and Artesian Well. From there, we'll head Southeast for a stop at Superstition Mountain, followed by a drive-by of the Airplane Junkyard and a stop at the Blue Inn for lunch. After lunch, we'll visit Blow Sand Hill, Devils Slide, Shell Reef, Little People Rock Formations, Pumpkin Patch and Techtonic Gorge on our way back to camp. I would rate this ride as Intermidiate covering around 100 miles.

Sunday's ride will be on the Truckhaven side. We'll stage at 9:00 and head out by 9:30. Our First stop will be the Palm tree, then head to the Phone Booth, Basketball Hoop, and over to the Arch Trails Notches.
I would rate this ride as intermediate covering around 25 miles.
Bring something creative to add to the Palm Tree!
Best item WINS!
What do you win, you ask?
Bragging rights… until next year!

https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=9.9/-115.9871/33.1220&pubLink=Rle2SG7vaDMBbP4mgM65Ejnv&folderId=b28e4c0ff1db9d447857d7a64cceed8a

☆☆☆Whips and flags now required on all SxS at Ocotillo Wells. Radio comunications, spare tire and spare belt (If your vehicle drive is via a belt) Required!

These organizers are not professional guides or trained leaders and are not medically trained to handle emergencies. Please carry a personal medical emergency kit and any medications you need.

Motorized off-road driving/riding is an inherently dangerous activity that can lead to serious injuries including but not limited to slip and fall injuries, fractures, rattlesnake bites, heat exhaustion, poison oak, ticks and frostbite.
By participating in this event/ride, you agree to not hold these organizers liable for any harm that may come to you, your guests, or your property. Always remember to let the event organizer know if you are leaving the group. Stay on the trail, never drive/ride alone and use your own common sense.

I will be hosting a ride on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday January 9th - 11th 2026 just West of Calico off Copper City Rd. Come for the day or stay for the weekend.

Driving Instructions

Find your way to Barstow and head North on the 15. About 5 miles past the intersection of the 15 & 40 take the Ft. Irwin Rd exit and turn left over the freeway. Stay on Ft. Irwin Rd for about 7.25 miles. You will see a left turn lane at the intersection of Ft. Irwin Rd and Irwin Rd, turn left. I will place a sign pointing the way to the campsite on the right side of the road. Travel down Irwin Rd for about 3.3 miles until you come to the intersection with Cooper City Rd. I will place another sign pointing to the campsite there. Turn right on Cooper City Rd (dirt) and travel about 3.6 miles and look for another sign pointing to the campsite. Turn left at the sign and you will see the campsite (Picture of my RV is below).

We will leave the staging area at around 9AM on Friday & Saturday and 8AM on Sunday. Riders meeting 15 minutes before we head out. All rides are rated as intermediate. There are many long sections of deep sand and some rocky hill climbs and descents.

Friday Ride

We will traverse the mud hills and head over to the Desert Lighthouse. From there we will travel North into Black Canyon. Now it's on to Superior Dry Lakebed. Then it's over to Inscription Canyon and Scott's Cove. We will head back to camp via various trails in the Black Mountains. Around 85 miles.

Saturday Ride.

We will leave our Copper City campsite and head North over to the White Cliffs. Then we will head West into Black Canyon and turn North over to the Husky Memorial. Next we will take the trail through Bird Springs and cruise down the wide sand wash over to the Goldfish Pond. Now we will take a wide dirt road and various trails back into the Black Mountains and over to Tonka Town. From there it's a short ride back to camp. Round trip about 80 miles.

Sunday Ride (Leaving Camp at 8AM)

Leaving camp, we will cross Irwin Rd and drop down into a wide sand wash. We will follow that around until it crosses Ft. Irwin Rd. We will follow the trail along Ghost Town Rd. and head up Phillips Loop and over to the Kramer Arch. Then it's over to Mule Canyon and on to the Bismark Mine. We will head North through the mountains and cross Ft. Irwin Rd. Then onto the Wells Cabin before heading back to camp. Round trip about 60 miles.

I will post the tracks & waypoints as we get closer to the ride date.

These organizers are not professional guides or trained leaders and are not medically trained to handle emergencies. Please carry a personal medical emergency kit and any medications you need.

Motorized off-road driving/riding is an inherently dangerous activity that can lead to serious injuries including but not limited to slip and fall injuries, fractures, rattlesnake bites, heat exhaustion, poison oak, ticks and frostbite.

By participating in this event/ride, you agree to not hold these organizers liable for any harm that may come to you, your guests, or your property. Always remember to let the event organizer know if you are leaving the group. Stay on the trail, never drive/ride alone and use your own common sense.

I will be hosting a Camp-n-Ride at Afton Canyon. Known as "The Grand Canyon of the Mojave" this is the only place where the Mojave River flows above ground year-round.

We will be camping at the Afton Canyon Group Campground which is 3 miles down Afton Road.

The group camping area does not have pre-determined spots. It has two restrooms, 4 large tables under a shade cover, and a large group fire pit. When entering the group campground, please take into consideration that we will have many big rigs parked in this area. Try to setup allowing for other rigs to enter, exit, and park.

I will be camping Wednesday - Sunday but only leading rides on Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday Ride
Sites we will visit include:

• The Mojave Megaphone
• The Triangles
• The Dairy Queen in Ludlow.
• Brodwell Dry Lake

Around 90 miles.

Sunday Ride

Sites we will visit include:

• The Mojave River Water Crossing
• Spooky Canyon
• Slot Canyon
• The Cliffs

I expect the round trip will be about 90 miles.

These organizers are not professional guides or trained leaders and are not medically trained to handle emergencies. Please carry a personal medical emergency kit and any medications you need.

Motorized off-road driving/riding is an inherently dangerous activity that can lead to serious injuries including but not limited to slip and fall injuries, fractures, rattlesnake bites, heat exhaustion, poison oak, ticks and frostbite.

By participating in this event/ride, you agree to not hold these organizers liable for any harm that may come to you, your guests, or your property. Always remember to let the event organizer know if you are leaving the group. Stay on the trail, never drive/ride alone and use your own common sense.