Berdoo Canyon - Joshua Tree Area

Event is Full

January Fri 15-Sun 17, 2021-Joshua Tree

Trail: Berdoo Canyon
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Miles: 24.3 miles
Camping: This is a Single Day trip (Saturday) with the option of camping Fri and/or Sat nights at a private campground. 
Avg temps: 72 high/38 low
Comms: FRS/GMRS Channel 5.0. HAM 147.580
Hosts: Adam Spiker, Jerry Sanfilippo

Registration cutoff is 1/10/21 @ 9:00pm PST

Description: Berdoo Canyon is a 24.3 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Twentynine Palms, California that offers scenic views and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. This is being rated as a difficult desert trail connecting Indio Hills to the backside of Joshua Tree National Park and it is mainly used for off road driving. We will be running it South to North from access off I-10/Dillon Road. Once through Berdoo Canyon it opens up into Paradise Valley where we'll stop for lunch by some magnificent boulders. Shortly after traveling North, we should have access to the bathrooms at the turn to Park Blvd. We'll take that East then South on Pinto Basin and hit the trail again at Cottonwood Visitor Center. Pinkham Canyon Trail (Moderate) to Thermal Canyon Trail, then back to Cottonwood to the I-10. Pinkham Canyon OHV Road is a 19 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Mecca, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. Some very sandy areas so momentum may be key to not getting stuck. Some narrow spots where brush encroaches so pinstriping may be likely. We'll separate there for those not camping with us.

If not camping with us, meet at trail entrance by 9:00am (Dillon Road and Berdoo Canyon). 

If you want to shoot, come around 7:00am. We'll start packing up our gear to be ready for the trail run at 9:00am.

If any LR3/4's end up coming it will be a good opportunity for some training that will be provided, focusing on Rock Crawl and Mud/Ruts. Stock LR3/LR4's will have no expected trouble.

UPDATE: CAMPING

If you want to join us to camp Friday and/or Saturday nights we will be hosted at the private campground at Elliott's Sky Ranch near Berdoo Canon. On this 5-acre desert property there are numerous improved campsites, each with power and water. There is a communal area where we can congregate for a campfire. Adjacent to this area is a fabulous shower and bathroom setup, separated for Men's and Women's. Donation and confirmation required, see below for this awesome opportunity.

One site has a platform for elevated tent camping. The rest are graded dirt:

Camping at Elliott's Sky Ranch Location (Private Property)

Location of Elliott's Sky Ranch is here      33.887547, -116.336198

Photos of the dispersed yet improved camping are here.

STAYING HERE REQUIRES RSVP AND A DONATION OF $15 PER VEHICLE PLUS 2 BUNDLES OF FIREWOOD PER VEHICLE PER NIGHT

Do not show up without prior camping confirmation. If you have a last minute need, call Adam's cell phone at 951-207-2095. Donation is per night. We have Friday and Saturday nights reserved.

If you wish to camp there on either night please let me know who and contact info, how many trucks, how many people, how many sites are needed, if you have a trailer, etc. in an email to Adam at [email protected] . Please pay in cash and firewood upon arrival.

Additional Information

Map and gpx files in forum

History of Camp Berdoo compiled for this trip

Great gallery of SCLR past trip photos of trail and scenery by Nathan Woods

Terrain Types:

Berdoo Shooting Area

Articulation Type 1

Articulation Type 2

Rocky Areas Type 1

Rocky Areas Type 2

General Trail Type 1-Nearing end of trail

Fun Areas Type 1

Easy Areas Type 1

Easy Areas Type 2-Existing Berdoo entering Paradise Valley from South

Pics from pre-run 01.02.21