There’s something beautiful and exciting about the human condition that makes us want to explore places we definitely should not go. We’ll look at a big pile of boulders in the middle of an inhospitable desert landscape and think it would be a good idea to build a machine that could get over them. Car dorks are even worse, because we’ll take one of Toledo, Ohio’s best machines and crank the bonkers dial to 11 building an off-road monster that is far more comfortable off-road than on it. Why do we do that? Because we can, that’s why, dammit!
I will be the first to admit that I am relatively inexperienced when it comes to wheeling and rock crawling. I’ve definitely done more off-roading on two wheels than four, and have spent more time in dunes than rock bouncing. With some seriously capable built Jeeps and assistance from the pros at Las Vegas Rock Crawlers I headed out into the desert for an invigorating afternoon of low tire pressure and low gearing. Strap in and hold on, we’re going to the top.
(Full Disclosure: OnX Off Road invited me to Las Vegas for the 2024 SEMA show. After the show ended we rented a set of built-up Jeeps from LVRC and headed for the hills. OnX Off Road covered my travel and hotels for the week and treated me to a couple of nice meals along the way.)
Bright and early, just after sunrise I pulled up to my Jeep for the day. For the sake of standing out in a crowd, I decided to pick the one blue TJ in a group of red. Once we signed our waivers and stowed our luggage, we headed out to the trails about an hour due east of The Sin City near Moapa Valley. Once we’d reached the trailhead we all off-loaded and aired down the tires for ultimate rock-scrabbling grip. Then it was off into the depths of the remote off-road trails.
OnX began as a simple trail navigation app for hikers and outdoorsmen, though it has since added OnX Hunt, OnX Backcountry, and OnX Offroad to its offerings to help specific groups navigate the great outdoors better. Obviously I’m most concerned with OnX Offroad, as I’m not much of a hunter, and while I do enjoy hiking, I generally stick to the well-beaten and clearly marked trails. These apps all use frequently-updated satellite imagery of all 50 U.S. states with plenty of topographic data available. It’s even got Apple CarPlay functionality (below).
The difference between the competition and this is that OnX will actually send off-roaders out to test these trails and take photos and make notes, and the app actually has up-to-date property boundary lines, so you don’t accidentally end up on some unfriendly farmer’s cattle land. Other trail apps are available, but the general consensus seems to be that this one is the best for actual wheelers looking to have a good time. You can sort trails by difficulty and rating, and whether the vehicle you’re using will even accomplish the task of getting through.
I have often found myself in a position of having an off-road capable vehicle in my hands but not knowing where to go for a good trail. A lot of these off-road trails are handed down from old hands in the sport and if you aren’t part of the local community you’ll never find what you’re looking for. OnX makes it easy because you can pick a trail from the map and easily see whether you’re up for it. You may not be a local with local knowledge, but the folks who have that knowledge have ported it into the app for you to learn. Trail reports will often include key information like necessary ground clearance or tire size needed to traverse the passage.
The trail we chose for this little adventure is rated a number seven “difficult” trail. Here’s the description from the app:
Off-camber trail with deep holes and large rocks that may exceed axle height. Expect erosion, loose rocks, sand, washes, shelves, and deep mud holes. Obstacles and ledges up to five feet, and near-vertical grades eight to ten feet tall. Potential for water crossings with strong currents. Caution: Vehicle damage and roll-overs are possible.
Easy, then.
Thankfully all of the Jeeps on this adventure are built with similar spec components, including added height, King shocks, tons, and 40-inch Toyo Open Country tires. There’s more to these builds, but that is really the important stuff. With those modifications these Jeeps will go pretty much anywhere you point them. Like straight up a damn cliff face.
The above photo was taken from my point of view aimed up the intended trail. It looks tall and intimidating in this photo, but it was even taller and more intimidating in person. I sat at the bottom of this obstacle just gobsmacked as the Jeep in front of mine slowly made its way upward and eventually out of sight. The two spotters slowly guided me where to put my tires and what my techniques should be. The first ledge required me to walk the passenger front tire up the side of a rock and then hammer the throttle to jump the back tires up the four-foot face. From there it was a bit of easy throttle until I got to the top, where I needed to lean on the passenger side rock sliders to prevent the truck toppling onto its side.
I definitely would not have done this obstacle on my own, but having watched another similarly-equipped Jeep walk its way up that cliff, I was confident mine could do the same. Having spotters on the hill to help call out tire placement was absolutely clutch, however. Without their help, I would have been significantly less confident.
This one obstacle was the most exhilarating, and gave me a similar feeling to setting down a personal best lap at your favorite race track. Gravity was pulling me down into the back of the Jeep’s seat and my legs felt like they were pointed straight toward the sky as my feet modulated throttle and brake. Just like a truly fast lap, this rock wall required left foot braking to get the most out of it. The feeling was surreal, and I will probably remember that sensation forever.
This was a hell of a trial by fire moment for me, but after a handful of hours behind the wheel I kind of love off-roading now. I’ll have to dig into the OnX Offroad app and see if I can’t find some more moderate trails nearby to take my old diesel Porsche for good old-fashioned rip. No, I don’t have tons and 40s. What do you have that is more in line with a stock German SUV with some Mickey Thompson 33s and beadlocks?
