Hammers Scenic Byway - Johnson Valley - California Offroad Trail

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Status:	Open
Typically Open:	Year Round
Length:	5.32 miles
Highest Elevation:	2999 feet
Duration:	About 2 hours
Shape of Trail:	Connector
Best Direction to Travel:	North
Nearest Town:	Yucca Valley
Nearest Town w/ Services:	Yucca Valley
Official Road Name:	N/A
Management Agency:	Bureau of Land Management
District:	Barstow Feild Office

Highlights

At the feet of the famous Jack Hammer, Sledge Hammer, Claw Hammer, Bender Alley, Big Johnson, and many other great trails in Johnson Valley OHV area is this easy to intermediate scenic trail that offers stunning views of some of the most demanding 4x4 trails in America. The Hammers Scenic Byway is a great trail for everyone from new to off-roading to the most extreme rock crawling tube buggies. This delightful 4x4 trail cuts between the hills that all the Hammers sit on and continues north by Chocolate Thunder, Claw Hammer, Sand Hill, Big Johnson, and several others. The trail slaloms in and out of the Johnson Valley OHV area and gives you a great perspective of the extreme trails that are just off the route. Whether you are a Jeep, Toyota, Isuzu, Nissan, extreme buggy, or an overland person, a drive down this trail will certainly bring some excitement to your day

Video

Route Information

Technical Rating

( EASY - MODERATE )

Waypoints

1. Southern Trailhead at Road to the Hammers and Tack Hammer (0 mi)

The trail begins down at Road To The Hammers where it connects with the eastern trailhead for Tack Hammer. The trail then loops around counter clockwise to the trailhead of Jack Hammer and Sledge Hammer.

Directions to Trailhead

Starting Point: Lucerne Valley, California

The trail starts at the eastern most part of Road To The Hammers. To get to the Road To The Hammers, you will need to take Boone Road to Means Dry Lake. Then go to the east most side of Means Dry Lake which is where the Road To The Hammers is at. ***To get to Boone Road from Lucerne Valley*** Take 247 east, roughly 24 miles. You will see a Johnson Valley sign on the right side of the road, and the white lines will be broken on the left side of the road where the dirt road starts. ***To get to Boone Road from Yucca Valley*** From Highway 62 and 247, take the 247 north/west for roughly 20 miles. The turnoff for Boone Road is on the right, just after the highway curves to the left.

Camping

Dispersed

Land Use Issues

The US Government has come to an agreement with the Off-Roaders that use the area, and we will be sharing areas of the land in Johnson Valley with the US Military. During these times which are unknown, civilians will not be allowed in the area. There is no set schedule yet of when it will be closing and reopening. This is a growing concern for many people that enjoy the area for the fear that they will permanently close this area after the first time they use this area for Military training.

More Information

Trail Reviews (10)

Questions & Answers (0)

Writer Information

Josh Noesser

Mapping Crew - California

Joshua Noesser grew up in Southern California but has lived in different parts of the country during his young adult life. Josh was first turned to four wheeling when he road with one of his friends dad up Surprise Canyon in the Panamint Valley at age14. After nearly 3 different roll overs later and a half dozen intense waterfalls, Josh was hooked. At 16 he purchased his first Jeep a CJ 7 and by 17 was putting his first locker in it. Currently, Josh is the owner and CEO of Nybble, an IT Solutions Company based in Orange County, California. Nybble isn't your normal IT company where everyone stays in and plays video games. Nybble's average company trip is out on the trails since a good amount of his staff enjoy wheeling too. As Josh likes to say, he offers the only IT Company with the ability to provide services in extreme locations. "If you want a server at the top of The Hammers, we will take care of that for you." Today you can find Josh out on the trail behind the wheel in one of his three different off-road vehicles. See the vehicles below for more information. If you ever run into Josh, please say high, he is a very friendly person and is always happy to have a new person join the group.

Hammers Scenic Byway - Johnson Valley

Yucca Valley, California (San Bernardino County)