Backcountry Discovery Route – California (CABDR)

The California Backcountry Discovery Route is the granddaddy of state BDRs, stretching 1,700+ miles from the Mexican border to Oregon through every conceivable terrain California offers. Starting in the Anza-Borrego Desert, the route climbs through the Sierra Nevada, crosses the Central Valley, and winds through the Cascade Range. Notable sections include the brutal Mengel Pass in Death Valley, the technical Dusy-Ershim connection, and remote stretches through the Modoc Plateau where cell towers don’t exist.

This is a moderate to difficult route requiring serious preparation and a capable 4WD vehicle with skid plates, recovery gear, and spare parts. Summer sections above 8,000 feet may require snow chains even in July. Plan 2-3 weeks minimum for the full route, though it segments nicely for shorter adventures. What makes this special isn’t just the scenery — it’s the variety. Desert one day, alpine the next, volcanic moonscapes after that. The official GPX tracks are solid gold, meticulously researched and maintained by volunteers who actually drive every mile.