What’s going on, everyone! Sherwin here. Today, we are taking the Rivian R1T out for some local dirt therapy. I’m joined by the “Hummer Studios.” My buddy Paul is in his GMC Hummer EV. We are headed up to Lytle Creek to see what these electric beasts can do off the pavement.
This was a great opportunity to test some of the R1T’s specialized off-road software. We also tested the hardware in a real-world setting. The dry Southern California weather has kept the trails more “dusty” than “muddy” lately.
Technical Setup: All-Terrain Mode
Since this was a relatively light trail run, we decided not to deflate the tires. I’m sitting at 47 PSI on the factory tires, which provided enough cushion for the rocks we encountered.
For the drive, I engaged All-Terrain Mode. This was actually my first time really diving into the off-road interface on the R1T, and the data it provides is incredible for technical driving:
- Pitch and Roll: The center display gives you real-time degrees of your vehicle’s lean and incline. This is “dope” info to have when you’re navigating uneven terrain to ensure you aren’t nearing a rollover point.
- Elevation: We climbed up to about 2,300 feet in elevation during this trek.
- Compass & Dynamics: The UI keeps you oriented while managing the air suspension and motor torque for the dirt.
Exploring Lytle Creek: Shooting Ranges and Campgrounds
Lytle Creek has some great spots for outdoor enthusiasts. We passed by the first firing range and continued up into the mountains. One of the highlights was stopping at the Applewhite Campground. You can actually hear the water running from the mountain runoff—a rare and peaceful sound in this dry climate.
We attempted to hit the more technical off-road trails further up. Unfortunately, they were closed due to recent fire activity in the area. Safety comes first. However, it was still worth the drive to see the potential for future camping trips. We will explore these trips once we get more gear for the truck bed.
The View from the Top
We ended up at a high vantage point overlooking the Cajon Pass (the 15 freeway). From up there, you can see all the way over the hill toward Victorville. It’s a massive reminder of the scale of the SoCal landscape. It shows how quickly you can go from the suburbs to the middle of nowhere in an EV.
Final Thoughts
Even though the main trails were closed, the R1T handled the rocky inclines with zero effort. The rear-wheel steering on Paul’s Hummer was also a sight to see on those tight turns. This trip further solidified why I need to keep a truck in the fleet. The ability to just head into the mountains on a whim is priceless.
Watch the Lytle Creek trail highlights here
If you’re interested in more EV travel, check out my first Rivian road trip to Las Vegas! Also, I’ve launched a second channel, Sherwin Travels, for non-EV vacation content.
