Last Chance Canyon, Goler Gulch, The Narrows, Schmidt Tunnel and Graduation Hill

A Jeep (and Nissan!) ride through Goler Gulch, through The Narrows and out via Last Chance Canyon. Along the way we stopped at Holland Camp after going through Mormon Flat then made our way through Mesquite Canyon and stopped at Schmidt Tunnel. From there we went through the canyon behind Bickel Camp to check out Jon-Jac Cabin, passed by the Bonanza Gulch Post Office then headed over to the Old Dutch Cleanser mine. From the Cleanser mine we descended in Last Chance Canyon toward Graduation Hill and The V-Notch. Everyone navigated Graduation Hill without a problem but after taking a long look at the V-Notch, everyone in the group decided to take the bypass.

[@pra3t0rian]

Nice seeing the Xterra with you guys. Underrated and underrepresented rig.

[@HERMOSABEACHGUY]

I know that this is an older video, but I want to chime in. The areas featured in the video are places my family and I used to go camping 50 years ago. Some of the places have different names in the video, and some have never changed. What you call "soap mines", we called "borax mines". Borax is what (I was told) they mined there. Burroschmits(sp?) will always be the same. I went there for the first time when I was 5 or 6 (1974-1975). There used to be some film props in the area. They're gone now, but I have certainly recognized some shots from Blazing saddle, Desert rats,and some John Wayne movies as being from the area. I drove down graduation hill in a 1989 Ford Ranger 4x4. I don't say that to make it sound easy. I had spotters, and my friend had me drive his lifted 1987 Toyota 4x4 down because he wasn't confident. My dad taught me to drive in Last Chance Canyon. I was 10 years old, in a 1979 Toyota 4x4 (stick). Best education I ever had. Thanks dad. Anyhow, your video is a trip down memory lane. Once, in a wet year, I stepped in quicksand in Last Chance Canyon. You're not ever likely to see that again! Thank You Cliff Hanger (my old CB handle)

[@scottwall4669]

Yayyyy Glad to see the Joni-Jack still standing with my home built restroom!!! Somebody else painted it green and put Buzzards roost on it. John and Jack were miners. Stove built by Maddog Maddux of Ridgecrest gear grinders.

[@seanware719]

This looks like an awesome place!! Cool video

[@redneckindustries]

BEST VIDEO !!!!!! Loved that MINE-TOUR...

[@mailmanx69]

Thank you for the great video! I look forward to going there someday.

[@papagallo5379]

Great video Randy!

[@BPlus-oz7cm]

Nice xterra!

[@albertoc17]

Great videos and great channel. I'm subscribing! Keep up the great work!

[@briann2704]

We did this in August of 09. 06 stock Xterra, no lockers, no hill descent, didn't use 4 lo, street tires and just my wife at the bottom guiding me down. Getting down the rest of the wash was worse than the hill. We were moving boulders by hand and at one point the road above the wash had washed out. I had to creep down it until the right front tire touched and punched it and luckily it grabbed and launched us up the other side. Didn't hit the wall. Scary move but we made it out.

[@dennisacmoody6076]

I spent lots of time in the mid 60s to late 70s even spent time with the mrs Schmidt home during a terrible storm I have been in every mine in that area the house in the middle of the canyon with pool was still there

[@rnelsonendeavor3098]

Another great video!

[@seanmearse5344]

Grew up on these trails, these and John Bull in bear. Anyone who wants to run out there, it’s still pretty easy, v-groove in nightmare is still small, still has a bypass. If you’re looking for a challenge, try wigglies to the east of the college in ridgecrest, that’s a rough one, average 3-4’ rock size, a good amount of flex is needed and at the very least 35’s.

[@seanmearse5344]

Oh, and not sure of the current condition of the borax caves, but we have driven into them several times. Pretty neat.

[@Jaycal559]

Awesome! How would I obtain the maps you used to connect all the trials together? I’d like to do somewhat of the same route y’all did here shortly!

[@Cindee-Schnitman]

Very cool 😎 I can't wait to go see it.

[@ceasarp308]

Xterra did great. looks all original.

[@whatsongisthis5691]

Good IFS flex on the Xterra at 10:52 (well, as good as it's gonna get lol)

[@LoyaltyUntilDeath]

Came for the v knotch 😅

[@ChrisLoomisDirtFlix]

looks like it was a good time

[@MichaelJohnson-wu6to]

It's nice to see something other than jeeps and Humvee's. where is this trail?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Last Chance Canyon is just of i395, near Randsburg CA and right next to Red Rock Canyon

[@MichaelJohnson-wu6to]

The reason I ask is that I live in Apple Valley CA.

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Right up the road from you

[@MichaelJohnson-wu6to]

I think my truck is too big for this though. I have a Dodge 2500 mega cab. I think the rocks might be tough for the long wheel base. I might get some friends together and try though

[@MichaelJohnson-wu6to]

You have great videos though, the cleghorn walk through was informative. thanks for the information

[@scottwall4669]

Dutch cleanser mine. Pure Volcanic ash. Used 100 years until Proctor-Gamble purchased and started using chemical cleanser.

[@garbinator09]

I too enjoyed watching the trip. Its really neat to see women taking part able to let their hair down if you will for the enjoyment of yakking it up same as the guys. I suppose you base camp then head out from there and return? Man I be tired after hours of that kind of wheeling.

[@muskaman2k]

I know this is an old video, but does anyone know the degrees on graduation hill? Im working in ridgecrest and have been exploring the area since daylight savings time hit 😅

[@UncleNucoa]

I had been up Graduation Hill a few times when I had my 08 JKUR. Fun area. I am looking forward to exploring the area again in my new Tacoma. Do you know if Nightmare Gulch is still open? Also, is the Megaphone still up there?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Nightmare Gulch has been closed for a few years.. The Megaphone is still there, but it's quite a long way from Last Chance Canyon - we were there not long ago and made video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWaZZ4KEZ8Z3rpI

[@mr.bluegrass9723]

I always enjoy your adventures .how does one go about joining in on the fun.

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Just show up! We post our public runs as Events on our Facebook page so Like/Follow us on Facebook and keep an eye on our Events.

[@wayneallan8571]

Nice I should make a video of going up while I am out there Sunday. Xterras are way more capable then they look I do this with open diffs in my Xterra.

[@p.m4874]

Is this a hard trail for a beginner?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

It can be..

[@p.m4874]

@TheNotaRubicon Thank u for information.

[@WilliamAlvarez86]

Can people avoid the graduation hill?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

There is no bypass for Graduation Hill. you have to go up/down (depending on which direction you're coming from) or turn around and go back.

[@MrTheintruder]

can you possibly comment the link to the fb group? cant find it lol

[@oldgriz816]

If I understand this right, the dude in the Nissan is a "real jeeper" now? lol Anybody know the build on the exterra?

[@dskize1]

It's the Pro-4x. Has Dana 44 in the rear with an e-locker and downhill assist and some other cool features...nice setup on those.

[@reydeguerra2807]

Xterra kicks butt.

[@cautionontherun30]

Did he say u graduated of being a jeeper.....lol offloading is not about jeeps or jeepers ita about having fun .......