How Difficult is "Extreme"?
It is difficult to write meaningful trail descriptions for the general public or even for most four wheeling enthusiasts. After all, how hard is "hard" and how difficult is "extreme"? A trail considered impassable to one person might elicit a grin and fond memories from someone else. Even trail ratings don't offer a lot of information, as there is no single, uniform method of standardized trail rating. For instance, the 1-10 rating system utilized by the Colorado association probably falls well short of describing the difficulties that can be expected in Johnson Valley.
It can help considerably to know the equipment and experience level of the people writing the trail descriptions so here we go. We were a small group of only three or four vehicles as we ran these trails Thanksgiving 2000 week. Since a group can move as fast as the slowest vehicle, a small group can move much, much faster than a larger group. Please take that into account when looking at the "elapsed time" for each trail. Your results may vary!
Three of the four drivers have had very extensive 'wheeling experience across the western United States, seeking out and enjoying numerous extreme challenge trails. The fourth member of our group was a relative newcomer to the sport but don't under-estimate the level of assistance that can be provided by experienced 'wheelers. All four vehicles were equipped with 35" tires, full locking traction devices on both ends, and transfer case ratios of at least 4:1. Slow, controlled ascent is the key to happiness on the rocks of the 'Hammers!
The group had varying amounts of body armor and aesthetic considerations as we ran the trails and our results varied. Since we had two Jeep Scramblers and an early Bronco, we were perhaps a little more "dimensionally challenged" than some groups and the outcome, to some extent, reflected this. The most "stock" of the vehicles was a '99 Jeep TJ. It managed to run five of the seven trails without sustaining any appreciable body damage in spite of having relatively little body armor and the most inexperienced driver.
With all that being said, the Johnson Valley trails should be considered quite extreme and approached with a keen and honest assessment of driving skills and vehicle capability. The "easier" of the seven will be a severe challenge for all but the most experienced of rock pilots. The more challenging of the trails can be as difficult as any found in the western United States. There are numerous trails that have specific obstacles that are much more difficult than any one spot in Johnson Valley and there are longer trails that provide high challenge. However, there are very few routes that combine the long length of these trails with the absolutely continuous onslaught of rocks that will be encountered in Johnson Valley. Why else would we drive 750 miles, one-way, to play on trails that we have already run several times?
We completed the trails in four days. We disagreed among ourselves somewhat on which trails were the hardest ones, so we won't try to influence you - YOU DECIDE after running them yourselves! All seven trails are rated a Double Diamond according to Extreme 4x4.com's rating system, by the way.
On to the trails! | 
