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Off-roading is more than just building up the perfect vehicle, it is about going out and exploring the land around you, and about the adventures that happen down the road that is less traveled. For us exploring is one of the highlights of being in the dirt and being able to see things you would not normally be able to see taking the normal route.
For those native to Southern California the drive to Las Vegas, Nevada is one that we dread. With so much open desert on the way, we knew there had to be something to see out there.
The scenery on the way to the trail is incredible. The different textures and landscape made for a very enjoyable drive.
We decided on the way back from this year’s Mint 400 that we would take the road less traveled. Instead of sitting on highway 15 we cut through the desert starting our adventure outside of Baker, California.
Before leaving our hotel room we hit our iPad which had California Trail Maps loaded in LeadNav. After searching around we found the direction we would head to check out a trail 25 miles outside of Baker – Lava Tube Trail.
The dirt road coming into Lava Tube Trail seemed well kept up. The road also brought you by some abandoned horse corralls.
Once off Kelbaker Road, it was a short drive on what appeared to be a maintained dirt road. The trail leading to the Lava Tube takes you by old abandoned horse corrals and cinder cones – a cone formed around a volcanic vent by fragments of lava thrown out during eruptions.
Both the road to the trail and the trail itself were not that extreme. A stock two-wheel-drive truck would have no issues.
The area around the trail is breathe taking, seeing the volcanic rock and the vegetation on the hillsides makes for the perfect landscape. Coming to the Lava Tube Trail trailhead there is a small parking area for those that want to hike and the lava rock covered trail.
Who would have thought that in the middle of nowhere that there would be a ladder to below the surface.
Up less than a quarter-mile off the main part of the trail, there is a Lava Tube that you are able to climb down into. This part of the trail can only be accessed by foot. Walking up to the tube and looking around the area made us wonder how many other places there are like this.
It looked like due to the recent California rain that some of the tunnels and caves collapsed.
After climbing down the ladder into the hole and exploring below it was back to the car to get on our way. This was a great experience and something that broke up the monotony of the drive.
Be sure to keep checking back as we explore more off the beaten path. What areas do you explore? Where should we head next? Tell us in the comments below!
