California Trails

Doran Canyon

5/5 (18 reviews)

Barstow, California (San Bernardino County)

Last Updated: 09/26/2022

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Trail Information

Highlights

Doran Canyon of the Odessa / Doran Loop of the Mojave Desert is one of the most difficult off-road rock crawling trails near Barstow, California next to the Calico Ghost Town. When traveling this area, you will notice that the mostly desert landscape is very different than its counterpart Odessa Canyon. Even though these two off-road trails are near the same in difficulty throughout the main body of the trail. Doran has one big difference when it comes to the trail drive, that is "Doran Gatekeeper". Doran's Gatekeeper is an insanely difficult off-road obstacle with rocks larger than your vehicle. The holes between the rocks are so large that it is common for people to put their vehicle on its side between the rocks. It's a spectacle to watch extreme off-road enthusiasts try this legendary obstacle as the rocks look like they are swallowing the vehicle whole. It is common for a Jeep Wrangler or Toyota to disappear in the gap only to receive massive body damage when trying to recover the vehicle out of the holes. But the rest of the trail is no walk in the park, with several large waterfalls and many off-camber tight areas, Doran Canyon will test your driving skills and vehicle to its limits.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

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Josh Noesser

Official Crew

Trail Navigation

Doran Canyon is a rock crawling trail for the experienced drivers with built rigs. The trail offers a 6-foot waterfall, a narrow off-camber canyon just wider than your Jeep, and the hardest obstacle in the area... Doran Canyon's Gatekeeper. There is no right vehicle for Doran Canyon. Short wheelbase Jeeps will be able to maneuver the tight obstacles better while the longer wheelbase vehicles like JKU's and Toyotas will do better on some of the waterfalls. Either way, there is something on this trail that will be hard for almost any offroad vehicle.

Be careful for flash floods, the area is prone to it and there is very little places to escape it. Also, please do not stack rocks in the gatekeeper, keep this obstacle a challenge for the next. If you can't do it, please take the bypass. The lower rating does not include the gatekeeper at the south end. This is an optional obstacle and should only be done in built vehicles with very experienced drivers.

1. Bypass Around Gatekeeper Trailhead and Mud Caves (0 mi)

Doran Canyon - Waypoint 1: Bypass Around Gatekeeper Trailhead and Mud Caves

If the Gatekeeper isn't for you, then there is an alternate route to Doran Canyon that is much easier. It is easy to miss but can be found right before the Mud Arches on the west hill. The bypass around Doran Canyons Gatekeeper can be found here at Doran Gatekeeper Bypass Trail.

2. Doran Gate Keeper - Optional (Extreme / Hard Alternate Trailhead) (0.12 mi)

Doran Canyon - Waypoint 2: Doran Gate Keeper - Optional (Extreme / Hard Alternate Trailhead)

Doran's Gatekeeper is easily in the top 5 list of the hardest obstacles that a vehicle can do under its own power in the United States. With rocks and holes larger than Jeeps, it is easy to see why the only way up is to put the vehicle on its side a few times. If you have a built rig, a strong roll cage, and don't care about a repair bill, then this obstacle is for you. ***DO NOT MOVE OR STACK ROCKS IN THIS OBSTACLE, IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO MAKE THIS OPTIONAL OBSTACLE UNDER YOUR OWN POWER, TAKE THE BYPASS. DO NOT RUIN THIS SPOT FOR THE NEXT PERSON.*** The bypass around Doran Canyons Gatekeeper can be found here at Doran Gatekeeper Bypass Trail.

3. Off-Camber Area (0.19 mi)

Doran Canyon - Waypoint 3: Off-Camber Area

Once you drop into Doran, you are introduced to your first obstacle right away. This narrow but off-camber and articulated area is a lot of fun but can also be costly on the repairs. Just past the off-camber area on the right is the trail that takes you up to Doran Canyon Flats. This area has some remote dispersed camping for those looking to get away from the crowds.

4. Doran Canyon Flats / Bypass Around Narrow Canyon - Stay West (0.23 mi)

Doran Canyon - Waypoint 4: Doran Canyon Flats / Bypass Around Narrow Canyon - Stay West

The trail heads off to the left and enters a narrow canyon. If you go right you can go up to the flats where you can bypass the narrow canyon. Now, if you are needing to bypass the narrow canyon, it would be best to turn around as the trail only gets harder ahead. If you are looking to camp somewhere unique and away from people, this could be a good spot. But note, there is no soft level ground. The area is a rocky floor meaning no soft surface to rest on.

5. Narrow Canyon (0.4 mi)

Doran Canyon - Waypoint 5: Narrow Canyon

This one section can either be easy or a nightmare. Since there is only enough space for one line, you have to hope there isn't anything you can't clear on the path. Make sure you have good under armor because there is a good chance you will use it here. Just past the obstacle on the right side is the exit of Doran Canyon Flats (Dispersed Camping Area).

6. End of Doran Flats / Bypass Rejoins - Stay West (0.43 mi)

Doran Canyon - Waypoint 6: End of Doran Flats / Bypass Rejoins - Stay West

The end of the bypass, the trail above drops back in right here. Stay to the west to stay on Doran Canyon. The 3rd photo is the way you want to go if heading down the canyon. If you are looking to camp somewhere unique and away from people, this could be a good spot. But note, there is no soft level ground. The area is a rocky floor meaning no soft surface to rest on.

7. 5 Foot Waterfall (0.72 mi)

Doran Canyon - Waypoint 7: 5 Foot Waterfall

Probably the second hardest obstacle on the trail, this 5-foot waterfall is a doozy. Since the wall is near 90 degrees with sand on top, some rock stacking may be required for even the most built rigs.

8. Bismarks Back Door - Stay East (0.75 mi)

Doran Canyon - Waypoint 8: Bismarks Back Door - Stay East

An optional ending to Doran, Bismarcks Back Door splits off and heads up a narrow canyon. The trail is easier than Doran but if you made it this far, you might as well finish Doran Canyon. Now if you are coming down the trail by accident, this is your option to get back up to the top the easier way. Stay to the east to stay on Doran.

9. Hard Spot - Optional Harder Route (0.81 mi)

Doran Canyon - Waypoint 9: Hard Spot - Optional Harder Route

The trail that keeps on giving. This is the 3rd waterfall from the bottom. This obstacle offers two lines - the easy route and the hard route. The hard line requires you to navigate a vertical V notch and then make a hard left over another V notch. Be ready for the body damage because it is on its way.

10. Hard Spot - Easier Route (0.81 mi)

Doran Canyon - Waypoint 10: Hard Spot - Easier Route

The trail that keeps on giving. This is the 3rd waterfall from the bottom. This obstacle offers two lines - the easy route and the hard route. The easy line (if you want to call it that) has many large 36 inch plus boulders in the path and a 4-foot waterfall that is off-camber. If you take your time and have a little help from a spotter, most vehicles can make it through without body damage.

11. Northern Trailhead to Bismarks Backdoor - Stay East (1.55 mi)

Doran Canyon - Waypoint 11: Northern Trailhead to Bismarks Backdoor - Stay East

Bismarks Backdoor rejoins the trail here. From here you head east towards the Bismark Mine.

12. Bismarck Mine (1.72 mi)

Doran Canyon - Waypoint 12: Bismarck Mine

One of the larger mines in the area, the Bismarck Mine was closed (dynamited) to prevent any incidents inside. Even though it was closed, there are still plenty of areas to explore. As always with mines, travel in pairs, make sure people know where you are and have a flashlight.

13. North End of Doran (2.42 mi)

Doran Canyon - Waypoint 13: North End of Doran

On top of the hills above Doran, this spot provides a great 360-degree view of the area.

14. Odessa Canyon Connector (2.74 mi)

Doran Canyon - Waypoint 14: Odessa Canyon Connector

The trail connects to Odessa Canyon.

Trail Reviews

5/5 (18 reviews)

Thaddeus Love

300

Status: Open

Visited: 03/05/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Harder

I think we may have been the first gladiators to attempt this trail, maybe not but definitely a fun trail. More washed out and that waterfall is definitely not 5 feet anymore, I stood at the base of it and I'm just about 6 feet tall. We had a few rigs with 3.5" and 37s but myself and another rig were 2" and 35s, got through everything with alittle skid loving but nothing too bad.

Josh & Christine

500

Status: Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 02/19/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

For a first time or like me this was a challenging Trail thank God I had a good spotter we took the bypass at the beginning. We immediately had to Bob and weave our way through the boulders and up the waterfalls. The main waterfall was very challenging I tried it a couple of times but I ended up windching myself up it wasn’t due to my spotter it was driver error. But the views in the side exploring of the minds and caves that are there was great if you want to get out of your comfort zone and try something challenging I highly recommend this trail

Josh & Christine

500

Status: Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 02/19/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

I’m pretty new to this but I had a good spotter witch I’m sure saved me a time or to . We took the buy pass at the start. But then we had to bob and weave are way throughout the rocks,and up the waterfalls . When we came to the big waterfall, I tried it a couple of times. But i ended up winching myself up . I should’ve listened to my spotter better . I didn’t have a good time on this trail I had a great time . The views and the exploring in the caves were great . If your up to getting out of you comfort zone this is the way to do it.

Taylor Kempkes

12800

Status: Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 12/26/2021

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

We ran Doran Canyon top to bottom after completing Odessa Canyon and this trail was a surprise in a couple of ways. After doing Odessa, this trail seemed pretty tame by comparison. The only really exciting part was going down the waterfall which felt insanely steep for our short wheelbase YJ and TJ Jeeps. I can see how going up the waterfall could easily go bad if you lost traction or picked the wrong line. The other surprise came at the end of the trail when we came upon the gate keeper: After running the whole Odessa Doran loop to this point, we were awestruck by how insane the gatekeeper looked. It was hard to imagine how anyone would make it through! Makes me want to go back on a busy weekend to watch the hardcore buggies attempt it. Anyways, great trail and one that I can't wait to do again soon.

daniel wang

300

Status: Open

Visited: 12/01/2021

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

We entered from the Odessa canyon and came out from the Doran canyon. It's very fun here, it's worth coming again!