Berdoo canyon question

Has anybody taken the Berdoo canyon trail from Cochella to Joshua Tree in a stock taco?

My brother invited me to go with him and a few friends this weekend. (He has a lifted modified jeep and so do all the other guys)

My 17 Taco is stock. Its a TRDOR 4x4. From anything I can find online it says its a easy beginners trail but the end has some areas that require "high clearance"

Anybody with knowledge of this trail have any input?

 

You should be fine- the section through the canyon before Geology Loop (after all the shooting areas) is probably the more technical part, but I've done it in a close to stock 4Runner. Good way to get in/out of the park without paying, ha.

 

how would a lifted prerunnner with good tires fair on this trail?

 

I did that trail about 3 weeks ago (not sure how it will be now after all the recent rains though) I have a 2wd prerunner lifted and did just fine there's just 1 section that you'll have to make sure you pick the best line and aired down i believe it's 4-5 miles passed the trail head. The wash will get really narrow in that section and then open up again. Stock 4x4 i would worry a little about clearance on that 1 section i just mentioned because of the boulders. But it is an easy trail if you have 4x4.

 

super helpful. I'm gonna try it probably I'm 3-4 weeks. Thanks man

 

No prob, wish i had taken photos of that section but were in a the fog when i went.

 

i went through it last nov and i got alittle stuck at 2 sections where the big rocks were. i think at a min. you will need and a lift. took me 4 hours to get throuh it from joshua tree. but the 17 are alittle higher then the 15 and under.

 

sounds like a blast! You left a word out before "and a lift". What was it? The suspense is killing me

 

Yeah it was fun. But alittle scary at the same time because in the back of my mind I was thinking of the worst that can happen. I was by myself plus wife with stock tires.

 

It's looks worst in person

 

My stock 2016 TRD OR 4x4 did this canyon last April. There was only one sketchy section that had me concerned about clearance. I did make it up the canyon with the help of a spotter. (I was overly concerned with under carriage damage as this truck was bone stock and only a couple of days old..) I started from Dillon Rd and headed into JTNP. On my way home I started this trail in JTNP, off Geology Tour Road, and headed down the canyon (heading toward Indio) and found the trail to be easier; the sketchy section was not an issue going down the rocky section. Here are a couple of pics of the trail. No pics of the sketchy section though. Have fun! I will be heading up this trail next week to do some target practice near the Dillon Rd entrance.

 

Here are pics of the toughest section. Looks much milder in photos than it is when you are looking up at the rock waterfall in a stock vehicle.. I made this run in my 2013 a couple of years ago.


^^ these rocks are large enough to do some damage if you aren't careful of your line choice.

I know, the section looks pretty easy in these pics..
It's only 20 feet or so of big rocks, the rest is much easier.

 

https://youtu.be/D37kTXaSVYU
me last year. Going again this Monday. Foward to 37 seconds. That was as bad as it got. I have a 6spd so I was on 4 low.

 

It's a good easy trail, perfect for one's first time out with a truck, or one's first time offroading. I think everyone's already covered what you need to know, so I'll toss out a little something different...

After tackling this trail, consider doing the Pinkham Canyon Trail toward the eastern end. Same sort of thing -- a backcountry way to get into the park from the south -- but much more scenic and far, FAR less traveled. And no shooter trash
Going into the park, you access it from the Frontage Road exit (exit 162) past the Cactus City Rest Area. Double-back toward the rest area, but take the well-used, wide, graded road that hugs the base of the mountain (you'll pass by a pit mine on your right). The trail splits off just about exactly due north of the rest area -- watch for the small vertical signpost indicating the trailhead.
Extremely scenic, especially in spring. I've taken it many times, and have yet to encounter another person on it. Hard to get lost, as the trail is very well defined. There are some sandy sections, as well as some classic desert wash driving, so 4x4 is needed. There are one or two minor obstacles where high clearance is desired, but they're traversable in a stock truck if you pick your line carefully.
The trail dumps you out right on top of the Cottonwood Ranger station. Be sure to take water and a spare. Plan on 3-4 hours after leaving pavement.