Trail Overview

This one vehicle wide loose sand route starts at BLM LA1 and crosses BLM LA2 while navigating terrain surrounded by diverse desert flora, including big sage, smoke bush, and Joshua trees. Whoops and washboards from heavy side-by-side use punctuate the surface. Various pre-existing campsites appear surrounded by wooden fencing, providing designated staging areas. After 3.5 miles, you enter the Kiavah Wilderness, where large forests of Joshua trees create a dramatic landscape transformation. Off-camber and rutted sections plunge up to 18 inches deep, creating serious obstacles. High clearance and four wheel drive shift to highly recommended necessities.

Photos of Horse Canyon BLM SC65 North

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Difficulty

The loose sand requires momentum management throughout. Those whoops and washboards from heavy side-by-side traffic create a jarring ride over distance. The off-camber and rutted sections up to 18 inches deep are serious obstacles demanding high clearance and careful line selection. One vehicle width leaves no margin for error navigating these deeper obstacles. Entering the Kiavah Wilderness adds scenic reward but doesn't ease the difficulty. High clearance and four wheel drive are highly recommended, bordering on essential for the deeper rutted sections.

Technical Rating