Since we just celebrated Easter, it got me thinking about an unusual Easter egg that was pointed out to me and my husband on our Bronco Sport a few months ago. There is a small coordinate listed on the right side of the cargo door near the tail light that if even noticed, and if someone actually knew what it was, would assume that it is the latitude and longitude to Bronco Knoll.
The Knoll is a rocky hilltop in Johnson Valley, California, where the Gen 6 Broncos were tested. That coordinate is 34.5261 N, 116.75685 W and is stamped in the full-sized Broncos, also located on the right tailgate area.
The coordinate on the Sport cargo door is different: 34.41392 N, 116.56276 W, as shown in this photo. Although the coordinates are relatively close to the ones in the Bronco, these point to another location in Johnson Valley, a place that has become known as Bronco Sport Summit. We decided we had to make a visit to see what was there.
Traveling to Johnson Valley
As fate would have it, we were invited to attend King of the Hammers 2023, which takes place every February right in Johnson Valley, to take part in some media marketing events with the Bronco Sport Heritage Limited. We were emailed the Bronco Sport testing course and asked if we could create a trail ride utilizing this data. Immediately, we realized that the Bronco Sport Summit was right in the middle of our proposed route. Our hopes soared that we could locate this Easter Egg –– if the vehicle and driver were up to the test.
Staying at Bronco Basecamp
We were able to score an amazing campsite for the week at Bronco Basecamp, hosted by Bronco Nation, for our truck camper. It was located right in the heart of Hammertown, and we met so many wonderful people and were treated like family –– all of which are stories for another day!
Ford arrives on the scene and the adventure commences
When Ford marketing arrived, we had already pre-ran the course the day before and knew we could easily get very close to the coordinate, but the last 100 yards or so would indeed be a test for the Bronco Sport, driver, and spotter. The Heritage Bronco Sports from Michigan had also arrived, along with the 2022 Rebelle Rally winner that we had dubbed “Jackson.”
We carefully packed Jackson with traction boards and all the needed recovery gear and other supplies. We then led the way on the course, getting feedback and confirmation from Ford on the trail and terrain choices we had made the day prior.
At the top of a large challenging sand hill is the final rocky ravine that climbed up to Bronco Sport Summit. We all parked and hiked up to the area and confirmed the exact coordinates using Gaia, an app that allows you to download trails and topographical maps and provides GPS information.
The challenge to reach the Summit
Mike Levine, Director of Communications North America Products for Ford, asked if we thought one of the Heritages could be brought up the ravine. We re-walked the route and agreed that with the correct driver and spotter and potentially needing to use strategically placed traction boards, it could be driven. Mike then said to me, “Melissa, drive the Yellowstone one up.” We looked at each other but jumped right in. I was extremely nervous about damaging the new vehicle but with my husband Brian spotting and Jason Hyde, Bronco Sport Brand Manager, helping with the lines, we got the Sport to the top without a scratch.
High fives and wheel lifts
As we celebrated, Mike quickly captured several photos of the mighty little Sport that I may, in my excitement, have called Twinkie. It was also noted that the exact spot had already been marked by someone before (possibly me with my Rebelle team sticker).
It was good for a few laughs and photos after the stress of getting the car up there. Soon enough, it was decided that what went up must come down.
We scouted to see if there was an easier route down but there was not. Being an off-roader, I describe coming down as typically more difficult than going up, because this little thing called gravity tries to interfere. We did make it down without drama, although there may have been some wheel lifts to add a little excitement to the day.
Who else has made the Summit in the Sport?
I’m sure that others may have reached this coordinate with a Sport before me, but we were unable to locate any content posted. So at this point, we’re going to claim first (other than the test engineers, of course). And, if we are not first, then we are definitely the first Bronco Sport Heritage Limited to get there!
I repeatedly brag about the capabilities of the Bronco Sport, and those project engineers must have been proud as well. The placement of so many Easter Eggs on the Bronco and Bronco Sport reinforces this theory and perhaps without realizing it, those engineers have created customer adventures by challenging us to drive the test course and chase down those coordinates. It was certainly an adventure for me, and one I will not soon forget.
For more on the Bronco Sport taking on the Summit in JV, read:
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