Joshua Tree For National Park Week

We took Gidget to Joshua Tree this past weekend to test out her off road abilities and because it’s National Park Week.

She did great on the easy Geology Tour trail and made it through about 60% of the way through the Berdoo Canyon trail. We had to turn back due to lack of ground clearance.

When we purchased Gidget we had QuadVan convert her to 4 wheel drive so that we could explore, surf, and hike all the places a traditional RV can’t get too. We’re not off-road enthusiast but we do enjoy getting to hard to reach places and being out in nature. So far Gidget is performing very well when not on pavement.

The next big test for Gidget will be driving on beach sand. A trip to Baja or Oceano Dunes where you can drive on the beach is probably in our future.

San Jacinto Mountain

Heading to Joshua Tree you can see the snow capped San Jacinto Mountain.

4 Wheel Drive Sign

During our visit Geology Tour Road was doable with just a 2 wheel drive vehicle. Berdoo Canyon Road definitely requires 4 wheel drive and high ground clearance.

Gidget Entering The Off Road Area

Don’t be scared by the sign. Geology Tour Road isn’t bad.

Geology Tour Sign

Geology Tour Road sign at the entrance.

Gidget Entering The Off Road Area

Entrance to Geology Tour Road.

Gidget in Joshua Tree

Entrance to Geology Tour Road.

Joshua Tree Landscape

Geology Tour Road

Gidget in Joshua Tree

Gidget and rocks along the way on Geology Tour Road.

Joshua Tree Landscape

Geology Tour Road

Joshua Tree Landscape

Rock pile in Joshua Tree.

Joshua Tree Landscape

Geology Tour Road

Gidget on the Geology Tour Road

Geology Tour Road

Gidget and the Joshua Tree Landscape

Most of the Geology Tour Road is narrow and sandy.

Gidget in Joshua Tree

Gidget in front of some rock piles somewhere in Joshua Tree.

Gidget in Berdoo Canyon

Berdoo Canyon is more difficult than Geology Tour Road. This picture is showing an easier section.

Gidget in Berdoo Canyon

Berdoo Canyon

Gidget on the Berdoo Canyon Road

Berdoo Canyon Road

Gidget on the Berdoo Canyon Road

Berdoo Canyon Road

Gidget on theBerdoo Canyon Road

Berdoo Canyon Road

Matt, Tricia, and Gidget in Joshua Tree

Goofing off somewhere in Joshua Tree.

Matt, Tricia, and Gidget in Joshua Tree

Having fun in Joshua Tree.

Matt, Tricia, and Gidget in Joshua Tree

More fun in Joshua Tree.

Clearance Issues For Gidget

Eventually Gidget couldn’t go anymore due to ground clearance.

4 Comments

  1. Reply
    Vivian McAleavey April 20, 2016

    Thanks for the back-road info. I don’t suppose you took some measurements or photos of the obsticles that turned you back due to lack of ground clearance. Did you feel top-heavy on the sideways slopes?

    • Reply
      Matt April 20, 2016

      Rocks turned us away. See this post on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/BESCHgLJVVL/?taken-by=moreysintransit

      I haven’t had a chance to take measurements yet. But the rear differential is the lowest spot and unless you get larger tires that measurement will be the same regardless of if you have 4 wheel drive or not.

      • Reply
        Vivian McAleavey April 20, 2016

        Thanks!

  2. Reply

    […] Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 58 Post(s) Awesome! I'm still getting used to my QuadVan. I would add at least a month if not more onto any estimate John gives you. Great guy, great […]

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