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California Trails

Sledge Hammer

5/5 (15 reviews)

Yucca Valley, California (San Bernardino County)

Last Updated: 02/09/2023

Trail Information

Highlights

Altitude

Desert

Iconic

Rock

Sand

Wash

If you want insanely hard, then the Hammer Trails are for you. Sledge Hammer is the southernmost trail of the Hammers in Johnson Valley, California. This extreme 4x4 trail is a collection of large boulders, massive ledges, towering waterfalls, vertical climbs, and spots you just have to drag through. This trail is going to make you work for it if you are wanting to complete it. Once on this trail, it is clear why this is one of the hardest trails in the country and why it makes the cut for one of the hardest parts of the King Of The Hammers race. If you think you have what it takes to do this run, have a rig that is built for the extreme, and have plenty of off-roading experience, then this is for you!

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

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Josh Noesser

Official Crew

Trail Navigation

Like Jack Hammer, the trail consists of waterfalls, massive rocks, and areas where you have to set up for following obstacles. This trail is for the adrenaline junkies and the people that want to do the extreme. Sledge Hammer will likely leave its mark on even the most built rigs with the most experienced drivers. Planning, spotting, and patience will be required to complete the trail. For a trail like this, it is never-ending major obstacles that are just feet away from each other. There are no breaks or rest spots on this trail. Once you are in the rocks, it is like that to the mailbox at the top. This guide covers what we feel are some of the most important obstacles to plan for, but note, even the obstacles on this trail that might not be as hard could easily roll a vehicle over or break someone. Planning is important, and spotting is critical. This trail is only for the highly experienced to extreme drivers with a well-built rig and strong roll cages. Do not attempt this trail alone, and do not attempt this trail unless you have recovery gear, spare parts, and a group of at least 3 vehicles.

Flash floods can happen in this canyon. Never enter if rain is in the area.

1. Trailhead - Sledge Hammer (0 mi)

Sledge Hammer - Waypoint 1: Trailhead - Sledge Hammer

At the base of the trail is a sign letting you know to either go right for Sledge or left for Jack. Once you pass the sign, be prepared for you and your vehicle never to be the same again. These are some of the most extreme offroad trails in the nation, and for a good reason.

2. Waterfall (0.34 mi)

Not far up the trail, you get to the first waterfall. This v-notch waterfall is about 4-5 feet tall and can easily put a vehicle on its side. There is a catch to this waterfall that you have to see to understand. And that is the straight line up this will not work. Each vehicle has to take what line will work for them if they want to get up. Just after this spot is a right turn you have to set up for when going through the v-notch waterfall. It is crucial you do this obstacle correctly to set up for the next spot just feet past this.

3. Plaque Rock (0.4 mi)

What might be the only official named obstacle on the trail, Plaque Rock is a tough one. With about 7 feet of vertical climb and on top of that, it is undercut; this is one of the most challenging obstacles on the trail. There are a few lines that work, but it is easy to roll over or break here. Extreme caution needs to be used. The easier line is on the right side (8-Rating), which you have to s-turn up the rock. This is a dangerous line because of the increased risk of rollover. Thus the 9-Rated line, even though harder, is the safer line.

4. Waterfall (0.48 mi)

The next obstacle is deceptive. The harder-looking line is often easier because of the increased traction, while the easier-looking line doesn't provide much traction making it hard to get it up.

5. Go Right - Mailbox and Jack Connector (0.51 mi)

Sledge Hammer - Waypoint 5: Go Right - Mailbox and Jack Connector

Once at the top of the canyon is a mailbox. This is pretty much the end of the original Sledge Hammer Trail. This is a great spot to take a break, relax, and discuss the victories and losses. If you really wanted to, you could camp in this area due to it being a large open area that could easily fit a sizeable group.

6. Waterfall (0.72 mi)

You didn't think the fun was over yet, did you? This large waterfall is a great challenge. People have made bypasses around it now, so it isn't required.

7. Stay Right for Exit or Left for 3rd Canyon (0.81 mi)

Sledge Hammer - Waypoint 7: Stay Right for Exit or Left for 3rd Canyon

The original exit to Sledge is on the right, while if you want to do the 3rd Canyon, you can go left.

8. Fissure Mountain Trailhead - Stay West (0.97 mi)

Sledge Hammer - Waypoint 8: Fissure Mountain Trailhead - Stay West

This is the trailhead to Fissure Mountain, which the trail splits off and goes up the hill. You want to continue straight or to the right to stay on Sledge Hammer. From this point, you can go straight up to the overlook or make a right on the less-traveled trail and which also goes to the overlook.

9. Top of the Mountain (1.19 mi)

Sledge Hammer - Waypoint 9: Top of the Mountain

After heading around the corner, you get to a great lookout point. Here you can see Johnson Valley in almost its entirety. This is a cool spot to take photos and check voicemails. The area is also open enough for camping if you are looking to camp away from everyone. But getting up here isn't easy, even coming in the back way.

10. Sand Hill Straight or Optional Rock Crawling East - Go Straight (1.38 mi)

Sledge Hammer - Waypoint 10: Sand Hill Straight or Optional Rock Crawling East - Go Straight

Near the end of the trail is a rather steep downhill section that is a combination of sand and rocks. The hill is getting very torn up and is quickly becoming an obstacle that people are not liking. There is an optional route around it that involves some rock crawling just to the east that might be easier when going up it. When going down, the sandhill isn't as hard as the rock crawling, but people often choose to go that route because of how intimidating the sandhill is. This is also shared with Fissure Mountain Trail; thus, what is probably the hardest obstacle that is part of that trail network. The 3rd photo shows the rock crawling route on the left side.

11. Trail End (1.56 mi)

The trail ends at the bottom of a sand hill not very far from where you started.

Trail Reviews

5/5 (16)

Josh Noesser

Official Crew

110800

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 02/09/2023

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

So the plaque run has changed and will likely result in a lower of the rating on this trail. There is now a right line that is much easier then before. The plaque line was the hardest part of the this trail meaning the rating will likely drop. I will see about getting out there to take a look, but right now I would say it is dropping down to an 8 or maybe 7

Kristi Puhl

100

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 12/17/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Harder

After the koh guys preran the last few weeks, after plaque rock is incredibly hard now. 3 4 foot tall rocks sitting in the middle of the line. Unless you have a flat bottom to cradle the rocks you have to ride the wall to get through. Great trail.

Josh Noesser

Official Crew

110800

Open

Visited: 05/09/2022

The trail should be open now.

Josh Noesser

Official Crew

110800

Temporary Closure

Visited: 04/29/2022

Closed for military drills from april 29 to May 9th 2022

This trail guide's difficulty was changed on 12/01/2021

Sledge Hammer

Trail Information

Highlights

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

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Trail Navigation

1. Trailhead - Sledge Hammer (0 mi)

2. Waterfall (0.34 mi)

3. Plaque Rock (0.4 mi)

4. Waterfall (0.48 mi)

5. Go Right - Mailbox and Jack Connector (0.51 mi)

6. Waterfall (0.72 mi)

7. Stay Right for Exit or Left for 3rd Canyon (0.81 mi)

8. Fissure Mountain Trailhead - Stay West (0.97 mi)

9. Top of the Mountain (1.19 mi)

10. Sand Hill Straight or Optional Rock Crawling East - Go Straight (1.38 mi)

11. Trail End (1.56 mi)

Trail Reviews

From the Community

Josh Noesser

Sledge Hammer

Trail Information

Highlights

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Recommended Vehicle:

Concerns:

Summary:

Community Consensus

0 votes

1 votes

1 votes

Mandatory

Optional

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Trail Navigation

1. Trailhead - Sledge Hammer (0 mi)

2. Waterfall (0.34 mi)

3. Plaque Rock (0.4 mi)

4. Waterfall (0.48 mi)

5. Go Right - Mailbox and Jack Connector (0.51 mi)

6. Waterfall (0.72 mi)

7. Stay Right for Exit or Left for 3rd Canyon (0.81 mi)

8. Fissure Mountain Trailhead - Stay West (0.97 mi)

9. Top of the Mountain (1.19 mi)

10. Sand Hill Straight or Optional Rock Crawling East - Go Straight (1.38 mi)

11. Trail End (1.56 mi)

Trail Reviews

From the Community

Josh Noesser

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