The Dusy-Ershim is an extremely difficult and beautiful 4x4 trail located in the middle-of-nowhere portion of the Sierra National Forest in California. It's often compared to The Rubicon Trail with similar granite slabs, towering pines and scenic small lakes. However, most folks agree that the current trail conditions, remoteness, and 33 mile length make for a more extreme adventure. The entire trail is higher elevation as well (9 to 10k feet). That means an even shorter wheeling season of Aug 1 through Nov 1 depending on snowpack. This challenging overland adventure will entail rock-crawl style wheeling for 4 days with primitive tent camping by the trail each night.
The dates listed are actual trail days. Plan at least one additional day on each end for travel to/from the Shaver Lake area (11+ hours from Phoenix).
Dates could shift depending on weather or wildfires, our backup trip dates are 9/25 - 9/28/2026.
This is not a typical ORP event - there are strict rig & driver requirements! Any sign-ups are pending approval from the trip leader.
Rig Requirements:
Street-legal rigs only
Absolute tip-top mechanical condition rigs with no recent un-tested mods!
Minimum tire sizes: 2-door Wranglers: 35's, 4-door Wranglers: 37's, Gladiators: 40's
Front & rear axle lockers
Alloy axle shafts or a full set of spares
An extremely flexy suspension lift & sway bar disconnects
Full skid plates & rock rail coverage
A winch
Suitable solid mounted front & rear tow points
A full size spare tire in good shape (or multiple Glue Tread kits if you're running bigger than 40's and all other tires in good shape)
High clearance bumpers and fender flares strongly recommended but not required
Driver Requirements:
Highly experienced drivers well versed in extreme rock crawling trails
Must be able to pick your own lines from the driver's seat. There's simply no way to pre-walk every obstacle or spot everyone constantly.
Basic mechanical knowledge/skills and capability to work on your own rig.
Know-how and experience changing u-joints and axle shafts.
Experience with and ability to perform self-recovery (winching, setting up rigging, etc.).
Other Requirements:
Extra securely/safely mounted fuel! Most modern rigs need an extra 5 gallons of gas to complete the trail and make it back to civilization/gas (Shaver Lake). If you have a thirsty rig you may need even more.
Basic recovery items including gloves, a tree strap and multiple shackles - extra recovery gear is a plus (snatch blocks, extra straps, winch extensions, shovel, traction boards, etc.).
Basic tools and common spare parts such as u-joints for driveshafts and axle.
Spare fluids.
All your dry camping stuff (tents, sleeping stuff, etc.) and kitchen/food stuff. Ability to setup your own camp and prepare your own food.
A GMRS radio.
Click here for details or to sign-up...
Please note this is an Offroad Passport Club members-only event. View membership options →
Event details
![[CLUB] 2026 Dusy-Ershim Rock Crawling Expedition | near Shaver Lake, CA | Extreme 4x4 | Primitive Camping](http://cf.offroadpassport.com/calendar/monthly_2025_07/dusy-ershim.jpeg.0dc2b6ebcf06bac07bafddc5e80fc80b.jpeg)
