SoCal Broncos

Hi everyone. Need some recommendations. We are brand new to the bronco scene and anything off-roading. We live in the Los Angeles area and wanna dip out toes in some off-roading. Nothing crazy but something we can enjoy as beginners. We own a 2024 black diamond. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

I would recommend two things, look up the bronco off rodeo in Vegas, and if you that is too far, one of the other members just ran the Berdoo canyon trail to Joshua Tree which is also nice.

@KT_bronco

@KT_bronco Thank you!! just saw some info on the Roadeo and it actually looks pretty tempting.

Berdoo is probably too intense for a first time offroad experience, particularly if the impression that the I get from the OP is that this will be a solo try. I suggest looking into the Big Bear area, where there are a ton of beginner trails, for example PioneerTown to Big Bear via Burns Canyon, or Butler Peak. Another option is the SLO area, around Arroyo Grande, where there is some dune stuff. These days there is a YT video for pretty much every trail in SoCal, so the OP can get a sense of what they are up against and whether they want to try it. In terms of gradual skill improvement my recommendations is to watch lots of YT videos to get exposure to techniques and dos and don'ts - not the crazy rock crawling stuff but intermediate trails. And to hook up with a club, SoCal Broncos is both on the web and on FB, and join some runs where they can get exposure to more advance techniques like line picking in the safety of a group that a) helps them not wreck the bronco b) can winch them out if necessary

@GroovyGeek

@GroovyGeek Thank you!! really appreciate the info. Will be looking into the Big bear area trails.

Describing Berdoo as a "nice beginner trail" is, IMO, irresponsible, unless you are referring to the segment inside JTNP. You can get complete newcomers in a serious pickle on some of the sections if they don't understand the basics.

@GroovyGeek

@GroovyGeek there are far less challenging lines than what is shown in the videos. I just did it as a first timer and I had only a handful of areas that I had to really pick my lines. Would be fun to take on some more challenging obstacles next time though. I would not recommend it solo though. I have a badlands if that makes a difference and I have already done the Off-roadeo.

I'm also a beginner to off-roading, though family trips to Death Valley were frequent and often off-road when my parents went rock-hounding. If you want to make a group for somewhere nearby I'd be interested. Most people on here would recommend going in a group for beginners. I wouldn't mind that Pioneer Town trail or something in the desert/mountains near SB County.

Del Sur Ridge near Rowher Flats is a good way to get your feet wet. No real risks especially when it's dry.

I will be up in Big Bear on Thursday, I know all the trails up there easy to hard, this really is the best place to get some dirt as there are good scenic options, most can be done in 2H as well. I am happy to take anyone on some trails up there just hit me up. I’ll get everyone an OHV map for the area as well so you can explore as you excel.

@Gotchaa

@Gotchaa going there over Labor Day weekend with some friends, crowds will be insane. Will Monday be any better than Sunday? Unfortunately I have to do this over the weekend. Was planning on Rattlesnake to Pioneertown, nothing dramatic as my wife does not necessarily enjoy trails once they exceed 3-4 difficulty. Anything else that is scenic and likely to have less crowds?

@Gotchaa

@Gotchaa I offer my rig and cooter up for some schooling up in Big Bear if you dont mind on a post holiday trip up. Not a noob as much as no knowledge of spots in BB that are nice over night.

@GroovyGeek

@GroovyGeek Holcomb Valley , 3N16 is nice and easy, it will be more crowded this weekend for sure, Monday you may get people coming down from BB through pioneertown

just got back from some fishing in Big Bear. Didn't know where to go to try some trails. Definitely plan on heading back up there often. Weather was perfect, unfortunately the fish weren't biting but we had a blast driving around the area. Is there somewhere online to find Big Bear trails, maps or other info?

@G_Money

@G_Money I was looking at alltrails for offroading. It has filters for difficulty, 4x4, hiking, etc.

@G_Money

@G_Money all the information you would ever need can be found with Google Search. And there are videos and trail reports on pretty much every trail in Big Bear on YouTube, so you know exactly what you are getting yourself into. The Bronco Trail app used to have decent information on most trails but it would not let me even log in these days

@G_Money

@G_Money Next time you are up here, go to the Big Bear Discovery Center, we have USFS OHV maps for the entire area here. I carry a bunch with me that I hand out when doing patrols. I am up here through Tuesday, if anyone needs recommendations or wants to go out on a run.

SoCal Broncos

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SoCal Broncos

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