Free Off-road Recoveries in all 50 states
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Offroad Portal

Helping the Off-road Community

The cv is pulled out and bound on the frame

The cv is pulled out and bound on the frame

Sunday, June 22, 2025, at 6:32 p.m. (PT), we received a request for help with an offroad recovery in southeast Oregon. The requester, Kai Larsen, submitted the following information: “I’m in a 2024 LC250 (AWD) my driver CV pulled out on a steep hill in Leslie gulch area. There is no gear since it’s awd I cannot go forward only neutral to brake down a hill. It has slid sideways in solid but rocky and somewhat off camber ground. The cv is pulled out and bound on the frame so it is stopping my driver side tire from spinning freely it is locked up and slips. I have no cell service but my starlink is on. The Land Cruiser is long travel so custom extended axles. On my way out to overland expo PNW and we were exploring. Myself and 1 other. Vehicle is parked on the hill and secure but will definitely need help as I have little experience with this. iMessages should still come through the starlink / I’m with the vehicle / I can help cover the cost of fuel.”

Our administrator, Al Fontan, contacted the requester and verified the contact information provided, GPS location, and current situation before sending the request to local volunteers. In this particular recovery, we contacted volunteers within a 40-mile radius.

From the local group of volunteers contacted we had Shawn Johnston taking over the recovery. Shawn was 56 miles south of Kai.

offroad recovery in southeast Oregon 4x4 rescue
Photo submitted by Kai

The same night, Shawn chatted with some other volunteers to mind-storm what tools he could possible need. By 8:00 p.m., he was en route. We informed the requester and later that night he completed the request and got Kai out of trouble.

We want to express our gratitude to Shawn for taking the time and traveling a considerable distance to help a fellow offroader.

If you would like to receive a text message when we get a request near you, create your account here: offroadportal.org/signup

More about this area:

Explore the High Desert: Off-Roading Adventures in the Owyhee Canyonlands

If you’re looking to swap pavement for primitive, open country, the area near is a prime launch point for an unforgettable off-roading adventure. This remote location places you right on the border of Oregon and Nevada, with the spectacular Owyhee Canyonlands—a vast, rugged, and largely unspoiled high desert region—as your playground.

Most of this stunning landscape is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), meaning there are countless miles of designated routes, dirt tracks, and remote two-track trails waiting to be explored by 4x4s, ATVs, UTVs, and dirt bikes.

Your Off-Roading Hub: McDermitt & The Owyhees

The coordinates provided put you near the community of McDermitt, Nevada/Oregon, a gateway to the southern reaches of the Owyhee Canyonlands. This area is defined by massive sagebrush plateaus, deep, carved-out canyons, and otherworldly volcanic rock formations known as hoodoos.

Featured Trails and Destinations

This region offers a spectrum of terrain, from easy graded dirt roads perfect for a high-clearance SUV to challenging, rocky tracks that require a dedicated 4×4 with low-range and a prepared driver.

  • Hinkey Summit Trail (NV): A popular route that takes you up to nearly 7,850 feet, offering panoramic views of the surrounding ranges and high desert. This trail is best saved for dry, summer months.
  • Willow Creek (NV): An accessible route starting from Highway 95, often beginning as a maintained gravel road before transitioning to a more primitive path.
  • Owyhee River Trail (OR): This remote route follows the west bank of the Owyhee Reservoir. Be aware that parts of the two-track trail are extremely rough, often washed out, and may be impassable to full-size 4×4 vehicles, sometimes being restricted to 50-inch or smaller vehicles. Always check current conditions!
  • Jordan Craters (OR): Accessing this volcanic landscape near Jordan Valley involves driving on primitive, bumpy dirt roads. The destination is worth it, offering a unique, moon-like surface and lava tubes to explore.
  • Leslie Gulch (OR): While the main road into Leslie Gulch is often graded gravel and passable by most vehicles, the area serves as a base for more challenging spur trails and incredible hikes into the red-rock canyon formations.

Essential High Desert Safety & Prep

Off-roading in the Owyhee Canyonlands isn’t like hitting a crowded trail park. This is remote backcountry with minimal services and zero cell service in many areas. Preparation is key to a safe and enjoyable trip:

  • Fuel and Supplies: Fill up your tank and pack enough food and water for more than you plan on being out there. The nearest gas station can be miles away.
  • Navigation: Do not rely on your phone’s GPS. Bring detailed paper maps of the BLM land, and a reliable satellite-based GPS or a dedicated off-road mapping app is highly recommended. Know your coordinates and planned route.
  • Safety: It is highly recommended to have a way to request help in case your phone has no signal. A satellite communication system is hight recommended.
  • Vehicle Prep: A high-clearance 4×4 is strongly recommended for most routes, and some trails will demand all-terrain tires, a spare tire, and a basic recovery kit (shovel, tow strap, jack).
  • Respect the Land (Tread Lightly!):
    • Stay on Marked Trails: Most BLM land here is designated as “limited use,” meaning vehicles are restricted to existing roads and trails. Protect the fragile high desert ecosystem by never driving off-route.
    • Pack it in, Pack it out: Leave no trash behind.
    • Check Conditions: High desert roads can become impassable muddy hazards during and after rainfall. Always check the weather before you go.

Plan Your Trip

The best time to visit this area is generally late spring to early fall. Winters can bring snow and mud, closing high-elevation roads, and mid-summer can be brutally hot.

Before heading out, contact the local Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Winnemucca District Office or the Vale District Office for the latest travel management area maps, fire restrictions, and road conditions.

Get ready to air down your tires, engage that low-range, and experience the solitude and epic vistas of the American high desert! 🏜️

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