Bronco Sport Meet Up-California

We held the 2nd annual Bronco Sport meet up in California on July 13th, 2024, with a fantastic turn out of 10 Bronco Sports. In 2023, we held our first drive up to Big Bear (link to article) and elected to vary the experience slightly in order to let people visit the Bronco Sport Summit Easter egg.

Our day began at Gerrard’s market in Redlands, CA with registration, handing out radios for the guests to use for communication, and providing coffee. We arrived early but weren’t there long before the first Sport and happy guests arrived. Things got busy as more Sports arrived and everyone was very engaging, meeting each other and discussing the accessories and modifications done to make their Sport unique. Most were wearing Bronco or Bronco Sport gear and everyone LOVED the Bronco Sport stickers that we had made for them.

By the time we left the market parking lot, we were a convoy of 10 Bronco Sports, with 22 people, and 2 dogs. The scenic drive began with a twisting back road up to Big Bear and once we negotiated through Redlands, the country opened up and the mountain drive was spectacular with remarkably little traffic for a Saturday. 

We stopped at a small roadside park and conducted a recovery class, demonstrating items needed like traction boards, straps, and shackles, and where the recovey points are on the Sport, and answered questions. We usually do this later in the day but it was expected to be hot so we covered it in the morning while it was still coolish, meaning still under 100 degrees.

The next stop was Big Bear, but we only stopped here briefly, for a photo opportunity and a bathroom stop. Once again, everyone was having a nice time, chatting with each other and admiring all the Bronco Sports. We soon departed for Lucerne Valley, which is another great scenic drive, dropping down several paved but steep switchbacks towards our lunch stop at Café 247.

Café 247 is well known to those who visit Johnson Valley, attending or participating in King of the Hammers or for off-roading. The restaurant has lots of interesting stickers and signs on the walls. We had worked out in advance to have a BBQ lunch served family style, with ribs, sausage, chicken, and brisket, that was served shortly after we arrived. The restaurant had a private room set up for us and lunch was amazing. They also handed out Café 247 stickers to everyone.

The after-lunch segment of the trail transitioned to off-road. We took the group down to Pony Road, which is a well-known access point to Johnson Valley, which is an open OHV area. We all stopped to air down and noticed a storm building, but. after a bit of wind and a few drops of rain, it all cleared up and we departed on the dirt road for our drive up to Bronco Sport Summit.

We discussed GOAT modes and answered questions about driving techniques as we drove through various terrains, with it mostly being 2 track with a little bit of sand. We arrived at Bronco Sport summit, and a few attempted the last climb but as it is rocky, most elected to just walk the last 100 yards to look at it. We handed out icy bottled water and everyone took photos.

After Bronco Sport summit, we descended to the dry lakebed on a very sandy steep decline that everyone loved. Once on the lakebed, we discussed ways to watch for ruts and areas that may not be fully dry, and everyone handled their vehicles very well. We all pulled up together and captured some photos.

Following the lakebed, we drove on some rolling trails through a small sand dune complex and discussed sand driving, mentioning the importance of airing down and having recovery items for the event you get stuck. A few had never driven in the sand before and were really looking forward to this moment. No one got stuck and a few did a little dune carving before getting back on the trail that leads back to the pavement.

We got back to the pavement around 4:00pm and everyone aired back up and exchanged information. About half of the group wanted to continue to visit, so we headed into Joshua Tree to get some appetizers and sit in the air conditioning. The last of our guests departed for home about 7:00pm. It was a wonderful day, and everyone was extremely pleased that Ford offered this trail ride and opportunity specifically for Bronco Sports. Brian and I are grateful so many came out for this ride, and we met so many wonderful people, extending our Bronco family. If you were out there with us, feel free to share your comments and photos from the day.