Southern California Off Road Club and Hangouts (SCORCH)

SCORCH is back after a hiatus with a scenic lake-to-lake ride through the San Bernardino Mountains. This single-day adventure starts near Silverwood Lake, runs along the iconic Pilot Rock Trail, and wraps up at the edge of Lake Arrowhead.
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Kick off the first weekend of Summer 2025 with a flexible ride that will be fun for drivers of all levels. The first part of the day will be spent along the 11-mile stretch of rocky ridge known as Pilot Rock Trail. The beauty of this trail is that like its nearby cousin, Cleghorn Ridge, all the hard challenges are totally optional. Stay on the easy side and watch the bigger rigs tear over short, harder challenges right off the main trail.
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Want more? We've got more. Drivers looking for a shorter commitment will have the ability to bail onto pavement after Pilot Rock trail to make it an earlier day. The rest will continue on into the western edges of the San Bernardino National Forest and essentially circle around Lake Arrowhead to approach it from the eastern side. The main part of this trail will be a little harder than the easy part of Pilot Rock.

The off road forums currently rate Pilot Rock as a 3 out of 10 for difficulty. The loop to Lake Arrowhead is currently clocking in at 4 out of 10. We will report back a week before the ride with an updated trail report from our scouting run. We may recommend intermediate drivers and rigs only for this shorter part at the end of the day.

SCORCHers looking to tackle hard challenges will have plenty of options to go steep and deep on the short, thrilling, and frequent offshoots along Pilot Rock Trail. Most of the challenges on Pilot Rock take place in view of the main trail, so its also a good chance for newer off-roaders to observe more experienced drivers pushing their rigs a little harder.
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We'll take pauses along the way to take in the views, meet other drivers and riders, and have a lunch. Interested riders who stick around to the end are invited to get a bite and a drink in Lake Arrowhead Village overlooking the lake. It's about a 10 minute drive from where we will air up.

HOW HARD IS THIS RIDE?
This can be an fun day with a few moderate challenges or a long day full of challenges, or anything in between. The main trail is typically passable by any rig with some clearance. You will occasionally cross ruts left by flowing water from prior rain. They are not deep but it does mean slowing down, picking a line, and flexing a bit. The easiest route is not a rollover threat, but if you do it wrong you could need to get tugged out from high-centering or struggle with low traction.

The SCORCH summer tradition continues! We’re heading back to the cool, pine-covered trails above Big Bear for a weekend of off-road adventure, fresh mountain air, and good company. Join us for a day, a night, or the full weekend—this flexible ride offers forest cruising, mountain meadows, and a scenic finale in iconic Pioneertown.

The event runs Saturday and Sunday, August 23–24, starting with an 8:30 AM meetup near Hanna Flat Campground. Saturday’s route covers the best of the San Bernardino National Forest on mostly easy trails and ends back at camp by late afternoon. That evening, choose between a hard or easy ride—both ending at a stunning overlook, ideally around sunset.

Sunday morning, either head home via a short trail to Fawnskin or join the optional descent to the desert through Joshua Tree landscapes, ending in Pioneertown—a Wild West town with a saloon or two for the last drivers standing.

BUILD YOUR OWN ADVENTURE:
Our flexible format lets you choose how you want to roll—whether you’re in for the long haul or just dropping in for the day. Here are some popular ways to make the most of the weekend:
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One-Day Adventure
Join us Saturday morning for the main ride through the forest, then head home after we return to camp—or stick around for one of the optional night rides before making your way out.
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One Day / One Night
Come up Saturday morning, complete the main ride, stay for the night rides and camp under the stars. Head home Sunday on your own time via the short hop to the pavement in Fawnskin.

Sky to Sand
Come up Sunday morning and join us for the ride to Pioneertown.
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Two-Day Adventure
Arrive Friday night, camp at Hanna Flat, and enjoy the full ride experience on both Saturday and Sunday—including night rides and the descent into Pioneertown.

Full Weekend Basecamp
Make Hanna Flat your home base both nights, even if you're not doing every ride. Bring your camp chair, stay cool in the pines, and enjoy good food and trail stories around the fire.

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ROUTE DESCRIPTION

Saturday Morning & Afternoon:
We’ll kick off the adventure at 8:30 AM just outside Hanna Flat Campground, where we’ll meet for the drivers meeting and air down before rolling out at 9:00 AM. Some participants will have camped the night before, while others may be arriving that morning—either way, we’ll start and end the day right at the campground.
The main Saturday ride explores the best of the San Bernardino National Forest, with a mix of shaded forest routes, scenic meadows, and a stop in the mountain town of Green Valley. Along the way, we’ll visit a historic miner’s cabin, pass through stretches of deep woods, and catch glimpses of Big Bear Lake from elevated trails. Most of the route is easy, with a few rocky sections to keep things interesting and fun for all experience levels.
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We’ll wrap up the loop and return to Hanna Flat by late afternoon—hopefully with enough time for sunset riders to catch their breath.
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Saturday the Hard Way or the Easy Way:
For those craving a challenge, this optional Saturday night ride takes us up White Mountain—a rocky, technical climb with steady elevation gain and rewarding views the whole way up. It’s a slow crawl in places and best suited for drivers with extensive off-road experience and a vehicle ready for very steep and uneven terrain. The plan is to time the ride so we reach the overlook around 7:00 PM, just as the sun dips over the desert horizon.
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A second group will head out closer to sunset via a much easier and shorter route, offering a scenic (but smoother) way to the same destination. The hope is that both groups arrive around the same time to take in the views together. Everyone is welcome to linger for an impromptu gathering under the stars—and depending on fire conditions, we may even light up a small bonfire to close out the night (TBD closer to the event).
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Sunday:
Sunday morning offers a final dose of flexibility. For those wanting to have your day, a short trail leads to Fawnskin, where you can hop on pavement and make your way home.
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For the rest, the ride heads east out of the forest and we descend toward the high desert. winding through wood and meadows, past Baldwin Lake, and down through expansive Joshua Tree landscapes. We’ll arrive in Pioneertown midday, a one-of-a-kind Wild West town where a dusty Main Street, wooden facades, and a couple of saloons mark the perfect end to the weekend.