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Mojave - Jawbone to Lake Isabella

11K views 32 replies 5 participants last post by  jeanshack 
#1 ·
Hello Folks,

We were planning on doing the trail running from Jawbone to Lake Isabella this weekend, the idea is to drive from San Jose and spend night at some place then do the 54 mile trail in a day.

Any recommendations or suggestions would be really helpful. My off road driving experience is limited to two trails, one the easy Old Coast Road at Big Sur and the other one a moderately difficult Garcia Ridge Trail. Was looking to do a trail which is rated somewhere in between these two :)

It would be also great if any of you guys want to join us!
 
#5 ·
If it were me, Id drop the pressure when you hit the trail. If you are going to be off road the whole time, it wont hurt anything...just makes for a smoother ride and better traction where its needed. I typically run about about 9-10psi no matter the terrain. Low PSI in the washes (which is probably the extent of loose sand you will be in thru jawbone) helps you float across the sand a little better rather than spinning tires thru it.
 
#9 ·
jeanshack said:
There are close to 9 trails at Mojave and I think except Freeway Ridge everything else could be managed on a stock Wrangler.
That is one trail that I have actually ran...freeway ridge...that is down passed Isabella. It's a decent little run

On the jawbone side, there is last chance canyon, nightmare gulch, goler gulch, and a few others that are a good time as well.
 
#10 ·
Amazing, do you think Freeway Ridge is passable for a 2012 Stock Wrangler? Also what about the other trails you had mentioned? Are they open throughout the year? Mojave is quite far from San Jose, i was thinking that if I could do one more trail along with this trip then it would be really great!
 
#11 ·
The only trail that I am aware of that goes from Mojave, through Jawbone, up to Lake Isabella is Jawbone Canyon Rd. This is road is next to the ranger station that is located next to the Jawbone Canyon store. It is a paved road, you take this road to the end, it becomes dirt, there is a slight right hand turn and you can miss it because there is a gate and the only way you can go besides back, is right.

On the maps this road becomes County Rd 589. You will go up a very nice grade that you may have to engage the 4wd depending on how much the road has erroded. They only grade in the summer. This road will take you up into the Piute National Forest. Eventually you will reach and intersection in a "town" called Claraville, you make a left at the stop sign. Yep, a stop sign. Follow that road till you hit pavement and make a right and you will end up in Bodfish, stay on that road and you will get to Lake Isabella.

This is the only way through at this time. The forest service has blocked off Piute Mtn road which dumps you off at the top of the hill just to the west of Isabella.

These are fire roads, but with the rain and snow we have been getting up there can be mud and ravine filled. THere will probably be mud and snow on the north facing hillsides which makes those roads a little slick at times.

Another way, but leads to the same place is this:

Jawbone canyon rd to Budderbredt to Kelso Valley rd
Rt on Kelso valley rd
Lft on Piute Mountain rd (great place to stop and look over the valley's from up there)
Piute Mtn rd will take you to 589 and you are back on the same route as stated above.

Don't worry about getting lost, once you are in the pines all alternate routes that don't have homes are blocked by barricades.
 
#12 ·
jeanshack said:
Amazing, do you think Freeway Ridge is passable for a 2012 Stock Wrangler? Also what about the other trails you had mentioned? Are they open throughout the year? Mojave is quite far from San Jose, i was thinking that if I could do one more trail along with this trip then it would be really great!
Freeway ridge may be a little tough for a stocker. Its possible that without the ground clearance, u may end up high centered or gather some body damage.

Last chance canyon, goler gulch and all other trails in that area are open year round. However nightmare gulch is closed about 6 months out of the year for raptor nesting. It is currently closed right now. All of these trails are definitely possible in a stocker tho. Some sections may require a spotter, but it's possible
 
#15 ·
They are pretty popular offroad trails...especially Last Chance Canyon and Nightmare Gulch.

Last Chance Canyon is popular for the V-Notch (there is an easier route if you do not want to conquer it) and the Hill climb.
An overview of the V-notch

Me in the V-Notch



And Nightmare Gulch is a fun run and very scenic.


 
#16 ·
Man! That is pretty narrow, Jeep barely fits in there. Pretty well taken snaps too, looks like that V notch stretch may not be passable for my Wrangler. I just landed in the US four months back, buying the Jeep itself has taken its toll on my bank account, need to wait for some time before I can start working on it and get through that steep narrow V
 
#17 ·
The notch is narrow, but since you drive on the walls of it the whole time its not as small as youd think. Ive seen guys go through with full width axles, no issue. I am aware of one stock guy that we spotted through the notch, and it took a bit of time but they got through. If you do ever want to head out to do last chance canyon, dont let the v-notch discourage you away from making the trip. If you arent feeling up to it, there is a simple bypass around it that stock guys will typically take. Many of the semi difficult obstacles in last chance canyon have an easier bypass around it. Last chance canyon is only as hard as you want to make it.
 
#20 ·
#23 ·
In the El-Paso mountains:

Nightmare is closed right now for Raptor Nesting. Won't open until it is too how to wheel out there.

Last chance is open and is a good challenge. Would advise you stay out of the V-notch till your wheeling skills are up or, you don't mind potential damage to your rig. Have seen people on their side in that thing. There is a bypass.

There is a little known trail called Black Rock that leads from the 14 into Last Chance. No big challenges but is, IMO, scenic as you go through this awesome lava field with off shoots to explore on foot. This bypasses Nightmare but you end up in the same spot where nightmare exits from the 14.

For either Last Chance or Nightmare I would highly recommend rock rails and some belly armor, especially if you are stock. We have a guy that wheels a stock rubicon through there and does a fantastic job. He is always belly scrapin.
 
#24 ·
"Eventually you will reach and intersection in a "town" called Claraville, you make a left at the stop sign. Yep, a stop sign. Follow that road till you hit pavement and make a right and you will end up in Bodfish, stay on that road and you will get to Lake Isabella"

If I understood correctly, you are talking about what I see as Walker basin road on the map right?
 
#27 ·
"Eventually you will reach and intersection in a "town" called Claraville, you make a left at the stop sign. Yep, a stop sign. Follow that road till you hit pavement and make a right and you will end up in Bodfish, stay on that road and you will get to Lake Isabella"

If I understood correctly, you are talking about what I see as Walker basin road on the map right?
You are correct.

Right on this road takes you to Lake Isabella.
 
#29 ·
Below I have the pics which shows the plates, can you tell how much more protection can a belly armor give?





That is standard protection by Jeep. Will post ya up some ROCKHARD skids. in a bit. We went through last chance and night with standard skids but had rock rails. Rock rails run along the bottom of your doors and go from wheel well to wheel well. The black rails on a stock rubicon.

Until you get some rock rails I'd stay out of last chance. There is a rock garden in there that can get pretty nasty.
 
#31 ·
They do look much more reinforced, how much did they cost you? My Jeep already has rock rails, so I guess I could take a chance with Last chance :rolleyes:

BTW: Some of the guys dropped out at the last minute so the trip got cancelled this week, need to plan this again sometime next month.
 
#32 ·
Skid Plates - Sliders

did a quick total in my head, for the 3 skids, close to 1k, plus or minus a bit. They can be put on with hand tools but it is nice to have the jeep lifted so you have more room to work.



Your evap:

Highly suggest if you start rock crawling down these canyons you get a beefier skid or relocate it. If you google jeep evap canister relocation, you will find some articles on how people have relocated them over the rear axle with items out your local home imporovement store. Companies do make kits to do this but I've heard it can be done cheaper with hardware stor parts.

I went this route:

Jeep Evap Skid | Jeep Evap Protection | Jeep Evap Armor | Poison Spyder Customs

And yes I have hit it, even lifted and armored like I am and the skid save my bacon. Good insurance.

Again, not something that has to be done now but definitely for future consideration.

Think I mentioned we have people go down last chance canyon in stock form with stock skids and have had no problems. The above listed items are just good insurance.
 
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