Rattlesnake Canyon

March 30th 2019

Description

Best Times: Spring or Fall, Guide Book: BackCountry Adventures Southern California, 2002 edition, SC14

Guide to Southern California Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails

This is day trip. Bring a lunch.

Rattlesnake Canyon is a popular route that heads up the mountains from Johnson Valley and ends up halfway up the East side of Big Bear. The trail is constantly changing but usually stays in the ratings of 2-4. There is a couple rock patches, mud, sand, Joshua Trees, and water along the trail. The trail does drive through a live cattle ranch so please be polite the entire time on the trail and do not honk or mess with the cattle. Trail dead ends into Burns Canyon Road 2N02. Once here, you can go either left or right. Left takes you to Pioneer Town and right takes you up to the east side of Big Bear City.

Rutted and/or rocky road but an easy trail. No shelves but rocks to 9". Water crossings usually less than hub deep. Passable mud. Grades moderate, up to 15 degrees. Side hill moderate up to 15 degrees.

Run Checklist

Always Required

  • HAM Radio on 146.550 MHz
  • Full-Sized Spare Tire
  • Seat Belts
  • First Aid Kit
  • Fire Extinguisher
  • Battery Tiedown
  • Working Brakes
  • Tow Straps
  • Tow Points

Run Requirements

  • 4LO Transfer Case

Trail Rating

Trail Rating 2

Difficulty Level: 2

Trail Rating 1 Graded road; Any 4x4 vehicle or higher clearance 2x4 vehicle with no other modifications
Trail Rating 2 Road rarely maintained; 4x4 with no low bumpers. Anti-sway bar disconnects recommended. Minimum 30" tires and some off-road experience is helpful
Trail Rating 3 Difficult terrain and road rarely maintained; 33" tires, Suspension lift, Off-road driving experience, body armor and Rear locker recommended. Stock vehicles will likely take damage
Trail Rating 4 Very difficult terrain, road never maintained; 33" tires, sway-bar disconnects, Rear locker, and Rock sliders required. 35" tires, front locker, Full cage, and 4:1 transfer-case recommended. Chance of mechanical failure and body damage
Trail Rating 5 Extremely difficult terrain with large obstacles and roll over potential; Full cage required, 37" tires strongly recommended. Good chance of mechanical failure and strong chance of body damage

Location

Rendezvous @ Trailhead/Campsite

Take I-15 to Victorville and exit the freeway at Bear Valley.  Take Bear Valley Road east to Hwy18 .  Continue east to  Hwy 247.Old Woman Springs Road.  Take 247 east and meet at the Trailhead - Rattlesnake Canyon Road and Hwy 247 at 9 AM. It's 42 miles from I-15 to Rattlesnake Canyon Road.

Participants

There are currently 12 of 12 slots filled.

  • TRAIL BOSS
  • HAM: Radio

My Wave

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0 passengers, 0 extra seats

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Buck wild

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1 passengers, 0 extra seats

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Charlie

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Rattlesnake

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  • HAM: KN6HDG

Rogue one

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Sea Dawg

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Slim Jimmy

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Spo Daddy

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Traveler

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Guest

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Guest

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1 passengers, 2 extra seats

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Guest

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