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Starting Rock Crawling Clinic

To register for the next
Rock Driving
Clinic click here


"Badlands Off-Road Adventures' Beginning Rock Driving Clinic is the perfect way to step up to a more challenging level of off-roading, safely."
"Tom and his team provide useful information such as the amount of steady torque needed when ascending or descending an obstacle, picking a line, when to "bump" it over and when to back up and try a different approach.

The obstacles we drove over were challenging, but he set up warm- up exercises to help us get used to navigating rocky areas. Tom and his team provided support and encouragement; they acted as spotters when needed and more importantly, urged us to do recon and pick our own lines.

I think I can safely speak for the group by saying that during this class we drove up/down/over some rocks that we thought there was no way ANYONE could or would drive over. All and all it was an informative, well supported day of adrenaline charged fun!”
-Lori Palmer, Co-Founder, Editor and Adventurer
The Adventure Portal



This clinic is specifically designed to get you on-the-rocks! The clinic makes use of trails with a high rock content. If you plan to do the famous Rubicon Trail, you should try to sign up for all the Rock Driving Clinic dates. You can sign up for the Rock clinic even if you are not planning to do the Rubicon.
Calico
Calico The Rock Driving Clinic is held in Johnson Valley.
The objective of the Rock Driving Clinic is to increase your comfort in dealing with rocks, rocks and more rocks. This is a day with the coaching of an experienced guide and the help of fellow travelers.

You will gain new confidence with the capabilities of your vehicle and your skill in dealing with rocks.

The Rock Clinic is designed for beginning rock crawling. While we use some quite difficult trails in the clinic, our pace, our emphasis on careful wheel placement, our coaching and spotting makes it a great learning experience for new or first timers.

The clinic is open to everyone who wants to practice or do the trail again. The second time over the same trail, you are much more relaxed. You begin to pick up on nuances missed the first time. 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 will not drive the famous Rubicon trail this year, you can benefit from the Rock Clinics.


For this class you need a street legal, insured 4WD with a low range transfer case. You must have at least one tow hook (or tow point) on the front and one on the rear. You need an FRS radio and no side steps.
Rock slider rails are highly recommended. Without them you risk rocker panel damage
You need a tow strap (no metal hooks on the ends), a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, and a Hi-lift jack.
and more 5
Rubicon - Almost at Spider Lake Recommended items include a winch, all your camping gear for a week on the trail (including one or 2 coolers), and all the spare parts you plan to carry. If you plan to do the Rubicon, bring your Rubicon trip pasengers. You will find out how the vehicle handles with the load you plan on carrying across the Rubicon Trail. You might call it a shake down for your gear and passenger too! The class is limited to 10 vehicles.
All vehicles can expect some "pin striping" from the trail side bushes. Vehicle damage is possible but not likely. If you or your vehicle is not ready for the Rock Driving Clinic, you should sign up for the Advanced Beginner Clinic It will help you learn to pick lines without the higher risks of damage on the big rocks. Calico
Johnson Valley Rocks You need a capabable and prep'ed 4WD. Bring your own vehicle or use one of ours.

“Starting Rock Crawling” clinic experience:
“We had no idea that any vehicle could have gone over a trail like that the way we did. Normally we would have been very skeptical of doing something like this. OK - not just skeptical, how about, “No way”. Taking this class with an experienced trainer like Tom with his expertise, gave us a confidence I never thought possible, especially over a trail like this. The trail was rough, tough, nasty and scary, testing all of your abilities. It is hard to explain what this has done for us for our future jeep adventures. The only thing we can say it is “Priceless”. It’s a must for all who enjoy going out on the trails. Mark my words, you will not be disappointed.”
Darlene, Mongo & Julian



Johnson Valley Rocks
Rocks 2 Satisfaction Guarantee
If you are not satisfied and do not feel you received good value for your money and time, send us an email explaining why and the full price of the class will be refunded, no questions asked. You may keep all handouts as our apology.


To register for the next
Rock Driving Clinic






Back | Phone 310-613-5473