Freeway Ridge Run 2025

A few Jeeps and a truck left Ridgecrest around 7:20 AM to head for the Freeway Ridge 4×4 trail near Lake Isabella. The drive on the highway was pleasant & without any issues. We made a short stop for fuel & restroom break at Lake Isabella. We then proceeded toward the trailhead, where we met up with a new prospect member from the Trail Blazers in his Jeep KJ Liberty.

After airing down, we all started up the steep incline. At first, everyone was doing pretty well, but then we started hitting some snags. The stock Jeep KJ had to work hard to get through some of the moguls, but the driver did an awesome job for his first time out. As we climbed higher, the rough spots got rougher, & more guiding & spotting were needed for the KJ to make it through.

About halfway up, as Mark was guiding the KJ, a radio call came through that the Dodge Ram 1500 was stuck pretty badly. Mark, being the only capable Jeep in front of the truck, turned around and drove about a quarter mile back to where the truck was stuck. It was flexed out on a sharp hairpin corner that had been washed out. The corner was also incredibly steep. The crew hooked up Mark’s Jeep to the truck, and he pulled it up the incline. It didn’t take too long, but it was starting to get hot.

As we continued on, the trail split into two routes. The trail to the right goes all the way to the ridge and is much more difficult. The left trail winds through the valleys of the mountain and is a much easier ride. It was decided that the group would split. The less capable vehicles took the easier route, and the more capable rigs took the harder one. The plan was to meet at Evans Flat.

After a few more hours of trail riding and no further incidents, the first group arrived at Evans Flat and waited for the second group. Eventually, the second group showed up. All was well. The weather at that altitude was nice, and Evans Flat turned out to be a great campground. The owner of the truck decided to stay back and camp, while the rest of the group worked their way home.

It was a good trip. If you’ve never done Freeway Ridge, it’s definitely worth seeing.