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California Trails

Odessa Canyon

4.8/5 (18 reviews)

Barstow, California (San Bernardino County)

Last Updated: 03/22/2023

Trail Information

Highlights

Altitude

Desert

Ghost Town

Iconic

Mine

Mud

Overland

Rock

Sand

Odessa Canyon is the flagship of the off-road trails in Calico area near Barstow California. Comprised of many hard obstacles with no bypasses, this extreme 4x4 jeep trail will make you earn your trip to the top. On top of the difficulty, Odessa provides some of the best views in the area. Many people leave this offroad trail only wanting to do it again. But be ready, this trail has a 7-foot waterfall, an extremely narrow rollover spot that you just have to see to believe, and a super tight off-camber canyon in it. With everything this trail 4wd offers, don't be surprised if the trail wreaks havoc on your vehicle. Please note Odessa Canyon is very tight, and it is highly recommended that only a short narrow wheelbase attempt this trail. Narrow vehicles such as Jeep Wranglers, Suzuki's, older Izusu's should be okay on the trail. But Totoya's and other trucks should have an exo-cage to complete the trail unless you are okay with body damage.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

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Josh Noesser

Official Crew

Trail Navigation

Odessa Canyon is a trail for the experienced drivers with built rigs. This overland / rock crawling trail offers a near 7-foot waterfall, a narrow off-camber canyon just wider than your Jeep, and the scariest obstacle in the area... a washout over a small cliff. It is common for people to make an overland trip out of Calico, many times they will run Doran, Odessa, Phillips, and then head over to Afton Canyon and parts of the Mojave Road.

Flash floods are a major concern on this trail, never travel on this trail if rain is in the area or possible.

1. Trailhead (0 mi)

Odessa starts out in a narrow red rock canyon just wide enough for your vehicle. The colors of this canyon are jaw-dropping and many people will just hang out here because of the view. Prior to arriving at this trailhead, there are 3 mud arches on the left side of the trail. 1 has collapsed, but 2 remain. These mud arches are large enough for a Jeep to drive through.

2. First Hard Spot (0.11 mi)

Odessa Canyon - Waypoint 2: First Hard Spot

The first hard spot of Odessa is probably the easiest of all the hard areas of the canyon. Even though I say easiest, there is nothing easy about his one area. The area is full of 36+ inch boulders and narrow spots that a JK will struggle with. Make sure you have rocker protection and don't mind scratching your rims.

3. 2 1/2 Foot Waterfall (0.53 mi)

Odessa Canyon - Waypoint 3: 2 1/2 Foot Waterfall

This little waterfall is the first in a series of waterfalls. It is fun to drive up and easy in comparison to those that follow.

4. 5 Foot Waterfall (0.61 mi)

Odessa Canyon - Waypoint 4: 5 Foot Waterfall

If you haven't turned around yet, you might now. This 5-foot waterfall is not just a spectacle to view but also hard to get up. The problem is that if you fail, you can either roll back into a cliff destroying your passenger quarter panel or roll over your right rear tire. Make sure you use a spotter or know this obstacle well before attempting.

5. Narrow Canyon (Often Called Wall Street) (0.91 mi)

Odessa Canyon - Waypoint 5: Narrow Canyon (Often Called Wall Street)

Many people call this one spot Wall Street. Even though it isn't, this is one of the coolest sections of the trail. At just 8 feet wide, a 35 degree side angle, and 100 foot plus sheer cliffs, this one part of the trail will give you some thrills and maybe some heartache. Be warned this is a rollover spot, and there is also a great chance of doing body damage.

6. 3 Foot Waterfall (0.99 mi)

Odessa Canyon - Waypoint 6: 3 Foot Waterfall

Another little waterfall that is fun to go up.

7. Washout - Pucker Pass (1.04 mi)

Odessa Canyon - Waypoint 7: Washout - Pucker Pass

This might sound funny, but many people will not try this last obstacle. They would rather turn around and go down the trail at the risk of doing all that body damage than face this one spot. Why do you ask? It is simple...the trail is elevated roughly 20 feet off the canyon floor where the washout happened. The washout itself is about 7 feet wide which is wider then most vehicles on the road. But what you don't realize is that it is in a corner and when attempting this one obstacle, there is a very high risk of your rear tires sliding off the cliff possibly resulting in you and your vehicle plunging over the driver's side off the cliff and landing not so comfortably on the roll cage. If your cage is strong, you might be okay. If not, well...you can only hope for the best.

8. Phillips Climb (1.36 mi)

Odessa Canyon - Waypoint 8: Phillips Climb

The exit to Philips Canyon, this hill climb might stain your pants. In the middle of it are several medium-sized waterfalls (2-4 feet) that can easily cause things to go wrong. If you are uncomfortable with this climb, continue up to Tin Can Alley and backtrack that way. For more information on Phillips Canyon West, please visit: Phillips Canyon West

For more information on Phillips Canyon East, please visit: Phillips Canyon East

9. Hard Option (1.52 mi)

This narrow but fun canyon is a short but difficult obstacle. You run the risk of doing body damage in this tight little area.

10. Easy Climb up to Phillips Canyon (1.72 mi)

Odessa Canyon - Waypoint 10: Easy Climb up to Phillips Canyon

This is the alternate route to Phillips Canyon West

11. Doran Canyon Cut-off (1.9 mi)

Odessa Canyon - Waypoint 11: Doran Canyon Cut-off

Doran Canyon Cut-off is to the left. For more information on Doran Canyon, Doran Canyon

12. End of Trail - Tin Can Alley (2.1 mi)

Odessa Canyon - Waypoint 12: End of Trail - Tin Can Alley

This is the end of the trail, to the right is Tin Can Canyon. If you continue straight it takes you to a locked gate. For More Information on Tin Can Alley, please visit: Tin Can Canyon

Trail Reviews

4.8/5 (18)

Josh Noesser

Official Crew

110800

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 03/22/2023

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Love these trails, took some new photos, they might be showing up soon?

G. Martin

Official Crew

72900

Open

Rated 3/5

Visited: 01/22/2023

Pucker Pass... “20 feet off the canyon floor” 🤣 🤣

T J Lee

200

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 11/24/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

So far, the super fun trail I ran with my JLU 3.5 lift on 37s, and it was challenging but not super hard Spot 4 was the hardest one I will be back with friends next time

Deadhead Dave

8900

Open

Rated 4/5

Visited: 09/17/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

The group I was in wanted me to try this trail... at least the first half of it (starting from the bottom). My Goldie handled everything that the first half of the trail threw her way... but everyone said I would need lockers to go any further. Turning around mid trail was a lot of fun... lol.

Samuel Hernandez

200

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 05/07/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

I had forgotten how much fun this trail is. Nothing a capable well-built rig can't complete in a couple of hours.

Odessa Canyon

Trail Information

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Trail Difficulty and Assessment

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Trail Navigation

1. Trailhead (0 mi)

2. First Hard Spot (0.11 mi)

3. 2 1/2 Foot Waterfall (0.53 mi)

4. 5 Foot Waterfall (0.61 mi)

5. Narrow Canyon (Often Called Wall Street) (0.91 mi)

6. 3 Foot Waterfall (0.99 mi)

7. Washout - Pucker Pass (1.04 mi)

8. Phillips Climb (1.36 mi)

9. Hard Option (1.52 mi)

10. Easy Climb up to Phillips Canyon (1.72 mi)

11. Doran Canyon Cut-off (1.9 mi)

12. End of Trail - Tin Can Alley (2.1 mi)

Trail Reviews

From the Community

Josh Noesser

Odessa Canyon

Trail Information

Highlights

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Recommended Vehicle:

Concerns:

Summary:

Community Consensus

0 votes

8 votes

0 votes

Mandatory

Optional

Start your next adventure on Odessa Canyon

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Trail Navigation

1. Trailhead (0 mi)

2. First Hard Spot (0.11 mi)

3. 2 1/2 Foot Waterfall (0.53 mi)

4. 5 Foot Waterfall (0.61 mi)

5. Narrow Canyon (Often Called Wall Street) (0.91 mi)

6. 3 Foot Waterfall (0.99 mi)

7. Washout - Pucker Pass (1.04 mi)

8. Phillips Climb (1.36 mi)

9. Hard Option (1.52 mi)

10. Easy Climb up to Phillips Canyon (1.72 mi)

11. Doran Canyon Cut-off (1.9 mi)

12. End of Trail - Tin Can Alley (2.1 mi)

Trail Reviews

From the Community

Josh Noesser

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