Safety First!

“Safety First, Every Ride, Every Time” is a responsible motto to ride by. One of our goals is to educate parents and kids on the safe and proper use of OHVs in an effort to reduce crashes and injuries resulting from inappropriate OHV use.

We emphasize the ATV Safety Institute’s Golden Rules:

ATV Safety Institute’s Golden Rules:

  • Always wear a helmet and other protective gear.
  • Never ride on public roads–another vehicle could hit you.
  • Never ride under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
  • Never carry a passenger on a single-rider vehicle, nor more than an operator and passenger on a ATV designed for two persons.
  • Ride an ATV that’s right for your age.
  • Supervise riders younger than 16; ATVs are not toys.
  • Ride only on designated trails and at a safe speed.
  • Take a hands-on ATV RiderCourse and the free online E-Course. Visit: ATVSafety.org or call (800) 887-2887 for more information.


General Safety:

  • It is illegal for anyone who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs to operate an OHV. In addition, operating or riding an OHV with an open container of alcohol is prohibited. (23152(a) CVC)
  • Possession or use of any glass container, empty or not, used for carrying any liquid for drinking purposes is prohibited. (43 CFR 8365.1-6)
  • OHVs must be equipped with an approved muffler, brakes, and spark arrestor. (38365,38355, and 38366 CVC)
  • Seat belts are to be worn if your vehicle is equipped with them. The OHV operator must be able to reach and operate all controls on the vehicle.
  • Headlights and taillights are required when driving between one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise. (38335 CVC)
  • OHVs are not to be operated faster than what is safe for the conditions of the area. (38305 CVC)
  • When riding within 50 feet of any campground, campsite, or concentration of people or animals, speeds cannot exceed 15 mph. (38310 CVC)
  • It is unlawful for any person to drive any motor vehicle in any manner with a willful and wanton disregard for the safety of other persons. (38316 CVC)

Tips

Plan Your Trip
Tell someone where you are going and when you will return. Bring maps and appropriate equipment into the back country. Check weather forecasts in advance and prepare accordingly.

Dress Properly
Wear layered clothing to slow dehydration and minimize exposure. Pack good hiking shoes, loose-fitting, natural fiber clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. During winter, or even in summer at higher elevations, bring extra clothing including a rain or snow jacket, and gloves to be protected in extreme weather, or in the event that your vehicle becomes disabled.

Carry Plenty of Water
There are many areas on this map with limited or no dependable natural water source. Carry a minimum of one gallon of water per person, per day. Do not ration water; it will only do you good if you drink it.

Batteries and Charging
Cell phones and GPS devices are popular when riding on designated trails. However, using your cell phone for GPS navigation may deplete the battery faster than other uses. Always travel with a car charger, extra batteries, and a portable charger.

Mineshafts
For your safety, do not enter mineshafts. Stay Out and Stay Alive!

Vehicles
Keep your vehicle well maintained. Pack extra water, food, a shovel, common hand tools, a tow strap, reflectors, and a blanket or sleeping bag. Check road conditions and beware of flash floods. If you are stranded, stay with your vehicle; it is much easier to spot a vehicle than a person on foot.

Emergency Contacts

IN EMERGENCY: CALL 911

Also, you can call the Federal Interagency Communications Center (FICC) at (909) 383-5652. Public telephones can be found in Bishop, Boron, Lancaster, and Mojave.

Hospitals
Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley
1100 Magellan Drive Tehachapi, CA 93561
(661) 823-3000

Antelope Valley Hospital
1600 West Avenue J Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 949-5000

Kern Valley Healthcare District
6412 Laurel Avenue Mountain Mesa, CA 93240
(760) 379-2681

Ridgecrest Regional Hospital
1081 North China Lake Boulevard Ridgecrest, CA 93555
(760) 446-3551

Law Enforcement Contacts

California City Police Dept: (760) 373-8606

California Highway Patrol: (661) 824-2408

Kern County Sheriff Dept: (661) 861-3110

Ridgecrest Police Dept: (760) 499-5000

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Jawbone Canyon, CA
Jawbone Canyon, CA
12:18 PM, Oct 3, 2024
temperature icon 98°F
clear sky
Humidity 9 %
Pressure 1009 mb
Wind 6 mph
Wind Gust Wind Gust: 19 mph
Clouds Clouds: 0%
Visibility Visibility: 0 mi
Sunrise Sunrise: 6:49 AM
Sunset Sunset: 6:33 PM

Dedicated to Ed Waldheim

Man standing next to dirt bike

Founder of the Friends of Jawbone (FOJ)

Friends of Jawbone is a non-profit corporation under section 501(c)(3). If you or your business would like to support Friends of Jawbone, please click here.

Special Thanks To:

Please join us in thanking our Supporters:

Shaw Charitable Fund

PIONEER MEMBERSHIP

Please join us in thanking the sponsors of our 26th Moose Anderson Day:

Bureau of Land Management
Terra-Gen
Mather Ice
CSI Electric
Rio Tinto-US Borax
Peak Productions
High Desert Cycles
KCSR
Mojave Off-Road Adventures
Jawbone Channel
Jawbone Store
Fun Time ATV Rentals
Dirt and Destroy

CarMax Foundation
Karl’s Hardware
Crystal Geyser
IMC Real Estate JBL Associates
Point Mugu 4×4 Club
RSI Petroleum
The JOINT
Doug Varner
Indian Wells Brewing Company
X-West
Happy Trails Data Management
Mojave Gold

If you would like to sponsor a future event, please contact us at:
(760) 373-1146