Johnson Valley to Lucerne Valley Trail

This desert connector threads between Joshua trees and granite boulders, linking the chaos of Johnson Valley’s OHV playground to the quiet high desert around Lucerne Valley. The route follows forgotten mining roads and natural washes, passing the old Soggy Dry Lake bed and remnants of the Rand Mining District before climbing through Fry Mountains toward the Mojave River valley.

Easy to moderate difficulty with sandy washes and some rocky climbs that’ll test your line choice but won’t break axles. Stock 4WD handles it fine with proper tires and recovery gear for sand. Best run fall through early spring when temps drop below furnace levels. No permits needed, plenty of dispersed camping, and fuel up in Barstow or Apple Valley. You get pure Mojave solitude and a taste of California’s mining history without the crowds.