Well they're at it again!  These guys are crazy fourwheeling nuts... just minutes after Thanksgiving dinner has been digested they're off to the High Desert for some family four wheeling!  At last, a relaxing after dinner treat called "Pucker Canyon"?  What better way to spend Quality Time with the family.... take two Tums and start in the morning... mix some rattle roads, washboard and a few woops and you're there!  The Hill's only approach is the wash, and it's an easy two track.  Even the Project XJ can do that!  But the canyon is another story....  No it's this story - so let's start with the line-up...  Frank Hayes our Trail boss is heading this "Rated 4"Run if you are lucky and loving it!

This is one of the best trails in the Stoddard Vally OHV area of Southern California.  This group is composed of some of the best equiped four wheelers we know.  And being well equiped we were able to do the trail in a matter of hours - where some less outfitted vehicles might take all day to do this same loop.  It also takes the finest drivers to maneuver through in so little time, and with so few mechanical delays.

Cal Gordon owner of the Samari, has been fourwheeling for many years.  Cal has been a desert rat all his life driving dirt bikes, ATVs, and sand rails - Cal has been there done that...  Cal exemplifies the spirit of a true four wheeler, independent, resourceful and adventurous.  Cal's the strong silent type, he lets his vehicle do the talking.  And as you can see here he speaks volumes.  To start, Cal's Sami is a custom rig for sure, no store bought lift for him.  Sure he uses some aftermarket parts but he prefers to adapt and build his own.

Warren's FJ-40 went out with us this trip.  Being one of the only Cruisers in the group is sometimes a point for jesting, but he holds his own as you can see in the shots of it 'in action'.  Taking the hard line and stepping on it is some times the way to go when there's no locker in the front.  Warren did really great in some spots, but here we see he needed some careful spotting, and you guessed it, he did great!  On the higher ledges he needed a winch when he got a little sideways on the trail - better to run a line than to chance big time damage.  The CJ-7 let out the spool and in no time Warren was under his own power.

With Frank Hayes you're always on an adventure!  Frank keeps his 43 Willys on the trail as much as he can, leading many runs with the OC4-Play club.  This is just one of their annual events.

Lyle's White Wrangler YJ Jeep had some problems on the Outer Limits trail last time we saw him, but this run we saw it in true form.  After fighting with the ARB system to fully engage the front locker, he tackled the trail with determination!  From ARB Lockers to BFG All-terrains Lyle has a well setup truck.  We see him select some really nice lines.


Location: Take Interstate 15 or Highway 247 (Barstow Road) south of Barstow (CA).Visitors OHV Access east off 15 at the Outlet Center Drive exit (Sidewinder Road) alt. Hodge Road exit.

From 247 (Barstow Road exit) 10 miles south of Barstow, take Stoddard Wells Road 15 miles south of Barstow at the access route behind the Slash X Cafe.