Sidewinder Trail

Named for the way rigs snake between house-sized granite boulders, Sidewinder cuts through some of Johnson Valley’s most technical terrain. The trail starts deceptively easy from the staging area near Means Dry Lake, but mile three throws you into the real business — a series of off-camber ledges called the Steps that have claimed more than a few oil pans. The infamous Pinch Point at mile five forces full-size rigs into a slot barely wider than stock fenders.

This is solid intermediate territory requiring high clearance, skid plates, and decent articulation. Rock sliders aren’t just recommended — they’re survival gear. Spring through fall offers the best conditions, though summer heat makes this a dawn-to-dusk affair. No permits needed on this BLM land, but bring recovery gear and a competent spotter. What you get is 12 miles of legitimate rock crawling without the Moab crowds, plus some of the cleanest dispersed camping spots in SoCal.