King of the Hammers (KOH) 2024 and Bronco Nation’s Bronco Basecamp (Jan. 31 – Feb. 4) is coming up in six weeks. Campsite reservations for Basecamp are now open, and we still have room for you to join us!
There will be a lot going on and plenty of things to be excited for at Johnson Valley, including Chase the Race viewing and an epic camping location. One of my favorite activities occurring at Bronco Basecamp are daily trail drives that will be led by Bronco Off-Roadeo Trail Guides. It’s amazing to think that in 2023 I was a first-time KOH attendee and went along on a guide-led ride to Bronco Knoll. Now, in 2024 I’m not only part of the Bronco Nation team, but my husband Brian and I, along with other BOR guides, will be leading trails to some special places in Johnson Valley.
Below, I’ve provided a bit of history on the races as well as some of the trail descriptions of incredible places we’ll be checking out during the week.
Johnson Valley and KOH History
Although 2023 was my first time to the King of the Hammers event, over the years, I’ve had many opportunities to both drive and camp in Johnson Valley. Typically, this remote place is almost empty of people, and there are times I’ve been standing in the middle of Melville Dry Lake Bed unable to see another vehicle, trying to imagine what Hammertown is like. The KOH event now attracts around 100,000 people for a race that was first held as a challenge among friends in 2007. The racecourse was created on various challenging rock crawling trails around Johnson Valley, many of which hold the word Hammer in their name, like Claw Hammer, Sledge Hammer, and Jack Hammer. The person that conquers those trails the fastest earns the title “King of the Hammers,” and that’s how the event got the name. There’s not been a Queen of the Hammers yet, but my friend Bailey Campbell, or another pioneering woman like her, will eventually claim that title.
“Chase the Race” with Guided Drives
Several races make up the entire event, but the most popular are the Every Man Challenge, held on Friday, February 2, and the Race of Kings, on Saturday, February 3.
The Every Man Challenge, in theory, allows anyone entered to compete, as rules limit the amount of modifications that can be made to the vehicle to qualify. There are several vehicle classes. In 2023, the race was two laps and 143 miles. Traditionally, lap one is high speed, and lap two is rock crawling, with many teams failing to finish. The Race of Kings is an unlimited race, so anything goes! The 2023 course was an incredible 202 miles, and the winners finished in under six hours.
These are the races Bronco Nation members will follow alongside the racecourse in our own Broncos, from one Chase the Race viewing point to the next. We’ll see highlights of the racecourse and watch some of the action. We’re curating an All Bronco Trail ride that will allow Sports and any trim or generation of Bronco to join in and experience what makes this event so special. We’ll visit obstacles that make this event so challenging and watch racers make or break their way through the course. Amazingly high-speed segments combined with rocky climbs will give you a greater appreciation of what these men and women go through to even try to reach the finish line.
Capture the Bronco Easter Egg at Bronco Knoll
Another trail is one that any Bronco owner must complete at some point, is a visit to the iconic Bronco Knoll. There is an Easter Egg on the Bronco that gives coordinates to this spot, located on a scenic high point overlooking Cougar Buttes and the far-off dry lake beds.
On the trail to the knoll, a few tough spots are climbing up the front and descending the back, so having some bash plates and a rear locker will help with the confidence factor. There’s a lot of real estate between Bronco Basecamp and Bronco Knoll, so you’ll get the chance to become acquainted with the terrain that makes up this area.
Capture the Bronco Sport Easter Egg at Bronco Sport Summit
Have you heard of Bronco Sport Summit? It was rediscovered last year on a Ford-inspired expedition to show off the Heritage Limited Sport’s capabilities. If you haven’t already found the Easter Egg on the right side of the rear cargo gate, a latitude and longitude leads you here, another amazing spot in Johnson Valley, where the Sport was put through its paces.
We’ll revisit this area and develop our driving skills on some nearby sand dunes and a steep sand hill. Everyone is welcome, but we’re hopeful Bronco Sports will want to make this epic trip. Brian and I are excited about showing you this area that’s relatively close to Basecamp.
Take on Trail Rides of Varying Difficulty
If there’s one thing you can guarantee when taking a trail ride led by a Bronco Off-Roadeo guide, it will be an exciting trip that will test the boundaries of you and your Bronco or Bronco Sport.
We will offer drives of varying difficulty, selected to cater to a range of driver experience and Bronco trim capabilities. Find out more about these drives and sign up for them at Basecamp!
Ready to Participate in the Fun at KOH?
The trail rides are just a part of the many activities that make Basecamp so special. We plan to balance the rides so you can participate in them daily while reducing conflicts with other events and giving you time to enjoy KOH on your own.
The rides will fill open times for a few hours per day, and we’ll be managing the number of vehicles on each drive so you can enjoy the trip without it being too crowded. Sign-up boards will be available in Basecamp along with any special instructions you need to know about each trail. You’ll want to bring water or non-alcoholic beverages along with some snacks, and it’s always good to have your own recovery equipment. At Basecamp, Trail Guides will be on hand to answer questions or provide recommendations for trails suitable to your comfort and trim level.
We are so excited to once again be hosting Bronco Basecamp at King of the Hammers. Reserve your campsite, and in just weeks, we’ll be showing you the amazing scenery and trails of Johnson Valley!
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