ABOUT SCORCH
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA OFF ROAD CLUB & HANGOUTS
SCORCH RIDES
SCORCH organizes off-roading adventures in and around Southern California for all makes and models of 4x4 trucks and SUVs. We create opportunities to visit beautiful back roads and take in stunning views most will never see. No meetup dues. No attitudes. Just 4X4ers looking to spend a day or weekend hanging out on the diverse trails of Southern California.
All off-road driving levels welcome. We make every effort to create rides that can be undertaken by just about any level of rig (we've taken many Subaru Outbacks along) that includes optional challenges for built up rigs to have some fun. Most importantly, we try to offer opportunities for all drivers to learn more about themselves and their rigs while advancing their skills.
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However, a SCORCH ride is rarely focused on technical challenges for long. The bulk of the time is typically spent covering scenic terrain with regular stops to take it all in. We generally keep the group together and move as a single SCORCH armada. The hallmark of our rides are our long lunch breaks (the hangouts) held in the most picturesque location we can find along the route that will fit us.
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Most of our rides are single day events with anywhere between 20 to 50 participating rigs. Some rides include a second optional day for those who want to camp out overnight.
JUST THE FACTS
ABOUT YOUR RIG
We are not a Jeep club. About half of our members drive Jeeps and the rest are a mix of off-road capable pickup trucks and SUVs. Our rides can be handled by stock 4x4 vehicles, though they often include optional challenges that require a more serious rig or upgrades to overcome.
We love "newbie" drivers who either just got their first off-road rig or finally decided to take it out and unlock the new locations and experiences it can bring you to. The more "hardcore" drivers in the group are welcoming and a great resource for becoming a more skilled driver.
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Speaking of hardcore drivers, you are also most welcome in SCORCH. Those optional challenges are our favorite part of the rides. See something you want to try? We'll stop the line and a bunch of rigs will try it with you. We've also got a SCORCH Scout program that holds special rides into uncharted territories and welcomes trying out "the harder way" of getting places.
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Our rides are not SxS friendly. Most of them end up in a different spot than where we started. You are out of luck if you have to trailer your ride in. We do some occasional "base camp" events where you can bring one along for side excursions, but side-by-sides are not recommended as your main vehicle for SCORCH events.
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You also do not need to be a big "gear head" to go on our rides. We almost always have several mechanically-inclined and fully-tooled members in each ride. Should something unexpectedly go south under the hood, there's a good shot somebody in the line can at least diagnose the issue. If it's not fixable, we'll figure out a way to get you dragged out to where a tow truck can come get you. We'll never leave you alone in the wild.
SOME HISTORY
SCORCH held it's first off road meetup on June 6, 2015 at Hungry Valley SVRA in Gorman, California. The event drew 19 rigs and set the tone for future rides for its mix of fun exploration, optional challenges, and casual vibe.
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Jonathan Z conceived, founded, and ran SCORCH while working with Wild Boar, an off road accessories company. Wild Boar hosted the first few events and provided the Wild Boar Wrangler that Jonathan Z led them in. When Wild Boar went under, Jonathan Z kept the group going with his personal 2010 stock Nissan X-Terra. This vehicle, The Mighty X, went on to be the lead rig for every ride until breaking down for good in 2021.
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The SCORCH membership has grown quickly over the years, making it one of Southern California's largest and fast-growing off road meetup groups. SCORCH launched a YouTube channel in 2022, the same year a new lead rig was introduced to take the group on its future adventures.
THE SCORCH WRANGLER
After a long search in a brutal market conditions, the SCORCH Jeep Wrangler Xtreme Recon was introduced in 2022 as the club's new lead rig, replacing the Mighty X at the front of all future rides.
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The vehicle is a very red 2022 Jeep Wrangler equipped with the factory Xtreme Recon package, which give it 35" tires, a lift, 4.56:1 gearing, and upgraded suspension. This makes it arguably the most off road capable stock Wrangler offered by Jeep.
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This does not mean SCORCH rides are getting harder. The reasoning behind the move to such a beefy ride from the family-friendly Nissan Xterra is that the lead rig should be a capable recovery vehicle as well. It will also keep Jonathan Z out of trouble (or get him into more or it) during the runs with SCORCH Scouts.
JONATHAN Z
Jonathan Z is the founder and lead scout for SCORCH. He identifies, scouts, and leads all official SCORCH rides with the support of the SCORCH Scouts. A communications professional in real life, he has worked with GenRight Off Road, Wild Boar Off Road, TBM Brakes, GMG Racing, StopTech and more.
THE DISCLAIMER
The organizers of SCORCH meetups are not responsible for any damage done to your person or vehicle at the events, getting to the events, or after the events. We are a group of adults meeting up for an activity that takes a high degree of personal responsibility. All participants must do so at their own risk.
If you act like an asshat, douche, idiot, jerk, or in any way behave or operate your vehicle in a manner that is a risk or annoyance to others or does not respect the rules of the land we are on, you will be asked to leave the ride and be possibly ejected from SCORCH.