Schedule
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Clinic Descriptions
Summer School Off-Road Driving Clinic
(Click here for the Schedule ) and
(Terms and Cancellation Policy)
This classroom experience is 4 hrs in length and is provided in conjunction with the Getting Started clinic at Hungry Valley Vehicle Recreation Area. The aim is to offer instruction in the concepts, equipment, theory and safe operating procedures involved in the art of off-road operations. This class will benefit beginning to intermediate self-taught individuals who’s trail skills are already firmly in place.
(Note: This content is included in the Getting started clinics so you do not need to sign up for both this one and for a Getting Started Class.)
Getting Started Off-Road Driving and Safety Clinic - Day 1
(Click here for the Hungry Valley Schedule ) and
(Terms and Cancellation Policy)
Designed for the novice, this is a one-day session at Hungry Valley State
Vehicle Recreation Area, near Gorman CA.
The session includes classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction. You may also
sign up for the second day to immediately follow or at a later time.
"
The camping was great - A lot of solitude in the most beautiful settings.
The traction on the slick rock was excellent especially with aired down tires-my tires stuck like glue on all the steep parts. I felt like Elephant Hill was straightforward and pretty easy after all my training with you even though it was rated a 7. It was steep, rocky, off camber with narrow switchbacks but nothing that we did not cover in our classes.
I felt confident the whole time and I knew exactly what lines I needed to take. I walked a few portions of the trail like we learned in class and that got me through the toughest portions. Mary spotted in a few sections as well using the hand signals we learned in class. It was great!
Even the 2 Jeepers( 2 lifted Rubicons) from Colorado who followed us from the campsite down the Silver Stairs and up and over Elephant Hill said we drove the trail very smoothly for a first timer. They were impressed. We got to chat in the parking lot after the hill when we were airing up. I told them we had taken classes with you to get prepared for the hill. One of the jeepers had lost the tip of his finger in a winch accident-finger caught in between winchline and roller. (gave him the hint about the loose fitting gloves!) I also told them that I took a class with you about how to use my winch properly. I let them know we did practical applications using the winch for recovery. They both agreed they should have done this first. We were happy to meet them and their families and we were also glad to have their company up and over the hill.
Thanks again Tom!
Charlie Yoon
"I recently took a run at the Rowher Trail.
This trail is rated difficult. As a result of your training, I was able to successfully work my way through the trail without any damage to my jeep and with a high degree of comfort. The benefits of your training were even more apparent. Another jeep owner with a lift kit busted his transmission on the same trail. He had a better equipped jeep than mine but his lack of training caused him to damage his equipment.
Keep up the great classes. Will definitely be taking more of them."
Bruce Krell
Getting Started Off-Road Driving Clinic - Day 2
(Click here for the Schedule ) or (Terms and Cancellation Policy)
The class is an extension of the last 4 hours of the Getting Started Off-Road Clinic - Day 1, to provide more
driving experience. It is designed to meet the needs of novice who has completed
the Getting Started Off-Road Driving - Day 1 Clinic and is looking for more behind the wheel experience.
Getting Started Off-Road - Day 2 is a one-day session at Hungry Valley State Vehicle Recreation Area,
near Gorman CA. The session is all behind-the-wheel instruction. Combining the Getting started
Off-Road Clinic - Day 1 with the Getting Started Off-Road - Day 2 will give you the same experience
as the Getting Started Off-Road Two Day Clinic.
Getting Started - Off-Road Driving and Safety Two Day Clinic
(Click here for the Schedule ) or (Terms and Cancellation Policy)
Designed for the novice, this is a two-day session at Hungry Valley State
Vehicle Recreation Area, near Gorman CA. The session includes classroom and
behind-the-wheel instruction. This is a combination of our Getting Started Off-Road Clinic - Day 1 and our Getting Started Off-Road Clinic -Day 2 but is held during the week when we virturally have the Park to ourselves. The fee is for one or two persons per
vehicle.
Women Only - Off-Road Driving and Safety Clinic (Basic Clinic)
(Click here for the Schedule ) or (Terms and Cancellation Policy)
No Classes are offered for 2008 at this time.
Designed for the novice, this is a one-day session at Hungry Valley State
Vehicle Recreation Area, near Gorman CA. The session includes classroom and
behind-the-wheel instruction. This is a women only class. Prior students attend free when they bring a friend.
Basic
Sand Off Highway Driving (Click here for the
Schedule) or (Terms and Cancellation
Policy)
This is an introductory 4WD session dealing with driving in sand, held at Oceano Dunes north
of Santa Barbara. The session is behind-the-wheel instruction. It is helpful
to have completed the Getting Started Off-Road Driving Clinc - Day 1 above first but is not a requirement.
Ruts and Ridges (Picking Lines) (Click here for the Schedule)
or (Terms and Cancellation Policy)
This 4WD clinic deals with driving on steep hills and ruts in the San
Bernardino National Forest in the Wrightwood area of California. The session
is behind-the-wheel instruction. The primary goal is to learn to pick good "lines" on ruts that are somewhat technical
but do not cause the damage that rocks can. A "line" is the path the vehicle can travel, safely through an off-road obsticle.
This is a good next step and it is helpful to
have completed the Getting Started Off-Road Driving - Day 1 Clinic first.
Advanced Winch & Recovery Clinic
(Click here for the Schedule)
or (Terms and Cancellation Policy)
If you are considering installing a powered winch on your vehicle, or have one
already but need training to learn how to get the best from it and do it safely,
you need to take this class. The one day course covers: safety related issues,
basic operation of the winch, simple and complex riggings, stuck assessment,
winch capability, and minimizing environmental impact. This is a hands on class.
If you do not have a winch on your vehicle, you will be paired up with another
student.
4-Wheel Drive Spotting Clinic
(Click here for the Schedule ) and
(Terms and Cancellation Policy)
The Spotting Clinic provides practical experience and instruction.
You will learn spotting etiquette, hand signals and when to spot.
You will learn what to watch and how to communicate with the driver.
You will learn your role and responsibility.
The clinic allows time to practice and fine tune your spotting skills.
"I can't imagine a smarter investment than taking the Badlands spotting clinic.
The class my husband and I attended was great fun, and nothing could have given me more faith in our communication in tight situations.
If it only saves us a single dent, it's paid for itself!
"
Lori B.
Bread Crumb Trail - A Basic GPS Clinic
(Click here for the Schedule) or (Terms and Cancellation Policy)
We do not have any fomal dates scheduled for 2008.
If you have a group or would like to be put on the waiting list (call or send us an email), we will notify you when a class is scheduled.
Everyone who goes off-road needs some navigation skills. A GPS receiver is a highly useful tool when there are no road signs.
This is a basic, basic hands-on class! You need to bring your own self contained GPS receiver unit. We will be outside all day.
The focus of the class
is how to operate your GPS unit and how to use it for basic navigation in the field.
We will not delve into the details of on road navigation, criteria for purchasing a new GPS,
or interfacing the GPS with laptops and electronic maps.
The clinic will show you how a GPS can answer the questions:
- "where am I"
- "where am I going"
- and "where have I been".
The class is held at Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area which
is located in the Tejon Pass about 50 miles north of Los Angeles, CA just west
of the Interstate 5 corridor.
Field Repair
Clinic (Click here for the Schedule)
or (Terms and Cancellation Policy)
No Classes are offered for 2008 at this time.
If you have a special need, let us know.
Before you hit the hard trails, you need to stock up on some spare parts and
information necessary to replace them in the field. Bring your tools, some old
clothes and learn how to fix the most common drive train problems.
Rubicon Preparation Clinic (Click here for the Schedule)
or (Terms and Cancellation Policy)
If your ultimate goal is to drive the famous Rubicon Trail, you need to prepare your self and your vehicle.
The Rubicon Trail has a way of finding all the weaknesses in your vehicle and your driving skill.
You need to concentrate on improve your driving skill and experience on rocks and
you need to test and assess your
capabilities on the rock.
We have plenty of opportunities in Southern California for practice and for more practice.
The objective of the Rubicon Ready Series of Clinic is to get you ready over a period of time so that you can assimilate
the experience and skills.
The more times you engage rocks, the more comfortable you will be. There is no substitute for practice.
The local rock trails will give you plenty of feedback on how modifications you made work and what other modifications
you might still need to make to your vehicle.
Even if you can't drive the famous Rubicon trail this year, you can benefit from the Rubicon Ready Series of Clinics. Sign up for
the Preparation Clinic and then sign up for several Rock Clinics, the Field Repair Clinic, and the Winch Clinic. Feel free to
pick and chose the ones you want to attend. The more Rock Clinic you do the better!
Rock Clinic
(Click here for the Schedule)
or (Terms and Cancellation Policy)
These Rock Clinics are part of the Rubicon Ready Series of clinics. However, they are open to everyone who wants to practice
driving on rocks. The more times you engage rocks, the more comfortable you will be. There is no substitute for practice.
The local rock trails will give you plenty of feedback on how modifications you made work and what other modifications
you might still need to make to your vehicle.
Even if you can't drive the famous Rubicon trail this year, you can benefit from the Rock Clinics. Sign up for
several Rock Clinic. The more Rock Clinic you do the better!
"Just wanted to thank you again for a fantastic day of wheelin' fun yesterday.
We had a great time with you & Aaron. Your instruction & advice were much appreciated & helped me to learn a lot.
I'm still pumped up from yesterday & can't wait to get back out on the trails to practice more of what you taught. Thanks again. "
Marty Zaritsky
Guided Tour Adventure Descriptions
Death
Valley Adventure (Click here for the Schedule)
or (Terms and Cancellation Policy)
4 Day and 3 night camping tour of Death Valley and Saline Valley.
Mojave
Road Adventure (Click here for the Schedule)
or (Terms and Cancellation Policy)
Traveling the Mojave Road isn't a picnic. It's a 3-day excursion, best made
in convoy with other 4-wheelers. The Mojave Road was a main wagon trail for
settlers coming to California. The trip begins on the bank of the Colorado River.
The terrain is mostly desert; some hills over the various mountain ranges; a
dry lake; water crossings; canyons; and areas of soft sand. Because of the length
of the trail and the isolation, we recommend you bring an extra 5 gallons gas.
The road is 120 miles long. In addition bring a few gallons of water. There
is nowhere to get fresh water. Bring your own food and a means to cook it. You
will need appropriate clothing/shelter/sleeping arrangement. This is the desert.
It gets cold at night. The trail is rated as 2 (out of 10) which requires good
vehicle clearance and use of 4WD with no special driving skill required.
Mojave
Desert Expedition (Click here for the Schedule)
or (Terms and Cancellation Policy)
Are 3 day trips not long enough for you to enjoy the Mojave Desert? Well this trip is 7 day away from
the phone, the internet and work. And of course it is 7 days outside in the magnificent Mojave Desert.
7 days of scenic beauty, old ghost towns, old mines, 4-wheel drive challenges, and camping.
Rubicon Road Trip & Adventure
(Click here for the Schedule) or (Terms and Cancellation Policy)
The Rubicon Trails is the stuff of legends.
It is considered the Grand Daddy of trails.
If your vehicle has a weakness, it will find it.
Any serious four-wheeler needs to "Do the Con" at least once.
There is no guarantee of avoiding vehicle damage.
Even the most skilled driver can succumb to the fatigue of 12 unrelenting miles of rocks.
Just bring a good altitude and the best prepared vehicle you can.
This could be a once in a lifetime trip but a life long of bragging rights.
Vehicle Inspection
(Click here for the Schedule) or (Terms and Cancellation Policy)
Before you embark on any significant off-road adventure, it is a good idea to do a comprehensive inspection of the mechanical shape of your vehicle. This inspection goes way beyond the normal walk around you do before every off-road trip.
In the vehicle inspection clinic you will learn to check 120 plus items.
You will be able to identify the part, its location and how to check it.
You will crawl under and all over your vehicle looking for problems.
Wine Safari Adventure
(Click here for the Schedule)
or (Terms and Cancellation Policy)
This is a weekend trip for adults (21 and up) only.
We will start early Saturday morning in the San Bernardino Mountains for a day
of 4-wheeling. The trails will be challenging. Then plan on camping Saturday
night with a roaring fire while you grill a steak* (or what ever you prefer)
and we perform our own campfire taste test of the excellent wines from one of
California's fine wine regions.
On Sunday morning be ready early for a short trail before we break
camp and head home.
The price includes one or 2 people per vehicle , a full day of 4-wheeling,
wine tasting Saturday night plus camping Friday (optional) and Saturday night.
There is no alcohol allowed on the trail not even with lunch.
We will have ample time in the evening to perform our own campfire taste test of some fine wines.
(* meals not included)
Peach Cobbler Trail
(Click here for the Schedule)
or (Terms and Cancellation Policy)
On this historical tour weekend we will use iron steeds to explore the old west around the turn of the century and enjoy a Dutch oven meal just like the pioneers. Mid January is a great time to get away to the desert with beautiful days, clear blue skies and the smell of the creosote bushes.
Customer Appreciation Event & Trail Ride
(Click here for the Schedule)
or (Terms and Cancellation Policy)
Thank you for being our customer.
Plan on spending the day with us at Hungry Valley State Vehicle Recreation Area.
Bring the whole family. There will be demonstration, and obstacle course, trail rides, GPS geocaches, a raffle and food!
Kids are welcome!
No charge.
Easter Safari for First Timers
(Click here for the Easter Safari First Time Schedule or Easter Safari including a Jeep Rental ) and
(Terms and Cancellation Policy)
Badlands Off-Road will assist First-Timers attend the Easter Safari with details on expectation, preparation, driver's skill training, vehicle inspection, equipment review, accommodations, logistic, and optional Jeep rental. To ensure the most successful experience possible, Badlands Off-Road will accompany clients to the Moab event and assist in every way to promote safety and fun on the trails and to experience the utmost enjoyment of all the entertainment activities.
Other Descriptions
Tread Lightly! Trainer Clinic
(Click here for the Schedule) or (Terms and Cancellation Policy)
Upon successful completion of this course, each participant will become a Tread
Lightly! Tread Trainer and receive a completion certification and become eligible
for benefits provided through the Tread Trainer program. Successful completion
requires participation in all course activities and teaching exercises.
Wilderness
First Responder Class (Click here for the Schedule)
Badlands Off-Roads Adventures does not teach this class, but highly recommends
it to anyone who recreates in the outdoors -- when dialing 911 is not an option.
With your 4WD or SUV, you can easily be beyond 911 services in a mater of hours.
You need to rely on your own medical skills for a prolonged period of time.
Just as important, is to know when an injury or accidents is life threatening
and warrants extraordinary efforts or when you have the time to transport someone
yourself to a higher level of definitive care. Wilderness First Responder (WFR)
courses have become the standard of medical training for many outdoor schools,
camps, guide services, and government agencies. Check it out!
Schedule
