• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Hourless Life Logo

Hourless Life

Love. Explore. Study. Share.

  • Overlanding
    • South America
    • North America
    • Gear and Build
    • Resources
  • RV Travel
    • RV Life With Kids
  • Off-Roading
    • Off-Roading Trails
    • Jeep Life
    • Go Prepared
  • Travel Tips
  • Family Travel
  • About
    • Map of Travel Content
    • Press
    • Gear Sponsors
    • Contact
  • Store
    • Cart
    • Returns
  • Show Search
Hide Search
A large group of off-road Jeep enthusiasts

Newbie Jeep Run – Why Everyone Should Do One

stock jeeps and modified jeeps getting ready for an off road trip
Jeeps showing up for the Newbie Jeep Run

Whenever you see a large group of stock Jeeps at an off-road park, you can pretty much assume that there is a newbie Jeep run about to take place.

There is a palpable feeling of anticipation in the air as newbies roll into the off-road area looking around for the right group.

Such was the case this last weekend. We at Jeepsies organized a newbie Jeep run with the help of DarkSide Jeepers out at Hidden Falls Adventure Park last weekend.

20 Jeeps lined up on Saturday… but not everyone made it for Friday night. They should have, this is where the real fun begins.

Newbie Jeep Run – The First Night

a jeeper having fun at a jeep newbie run camping
Camping is always a blast. Here’s Gio, one of the leaders of the newbie run sporting his Stormtrooper beanie

Not everyone came out for the full newbie Jeep run experience. But they should have.

Camping with jeepers is always a crazy good time. We’ll save the specifics of those stories for those that want to come experience it for themselves.

Needless to say there was some fire, some drinking, a lot of laughs, some passing out and a few people getting rid of toxins as their bodies demanded it.

Jeeps at a campsite
Jeeps parked at the campsite. Just a few moments after this was taken, a hammock was strung up between these two Jeeps.

Jeeps were parked everywhere the first night. Obviously we don’t promote drinking and driving.

The first night wasn’t about wheeling anyway, it was about community.

Certain phrases like “watch out for the WOOF” and “NikkiByTheWay” will live on as inside jokes for those that were there on Friday night.

A certain someone passed out just outside their tent and was carefully rolled into it after requesting to be left on the ground for “just one more hour.”

a jeeper relaxing at the campground
Relaxing at the campground before the run is part of the fun

Stories were told, friendships were made and strengthened, and everyone had a great time. I can’t encourage you enough to partake in the whole experience if you can on Jeep outings. It isn’t just about wheeling.

Show up for the community.

Chris Willis of DarkSide Jeepers
Huge thanks to Chris Willis founder of DarkSide Jeepers for running point on the run itself! This is a shot of his Jeep with him in the background by the tent.

But as we all know, wheeling is what brings us together. So Friday night turned into Saturday morning and in the wee hours of Saturday morning, the majority of us headed off to sleep.

Newbie Jeep Run – Time to Prepare for Wheeling

Saturday morning bodies were stiff and achy from sleeping in tents, in the back of Jeeps and on hammocks strung from trees. Some hammocks were even strung between Jeeps.

But the morning came early and the jeepers were anxious to get out on the run. There was a flurry of activity at area B of Hidden Falls as Jeeps started rolling in.

The experience level in the group ranged from highly experienced Jeepers who race Jeeps professionally to those who had just bought their very first Jeep.

Jeep Renegade off-road trip
Lilly wasn’t scared. Her brand new Jeep Renegade still had the paper tags on it!

As far as the Jeeps themselves, there was everything from a brand new Jeep Renegade with the paper tags still on it to fully modified heavily wheeled Jeep Wranglers and more.

Community is the key though.

It was great seeing the experienced jeepers helping out the rookies for the newbie Jeep run. Not only helping them, but more important teaching them about things like disconnecting sway bars, airing down tires, and helping them take off tops and doors.

Newbie Jeep Run – Mount Up!

The moment everyone was waiting for was the cry of “Mount Up!”

We were running comms via CB on channel 13. Personally I’d just set up my new CB from Cobra Electronics so it was good to hear everyone communicating out on the trail. I was having some issues transmitting but I’ll be troubleshooting that later this week. Just being able to hear was a huge benefit. As a side note, I’d highly recommend that if you are a newbie Jeep owner that plans on wheeling… get a CB set up!

Jeeps lined up getting ready to off-road
20 Jeeps lined up for our Newbie Jeep Run out at Hidden Falls

We lined up. I counted 20 Jeeps lined up.

We had Chris, of DarkSide Jeepers in the lead and CK, also of DarkSide, in the back as our “tailgunner.” CK also brought a drone camera and got some great shots of the run. Can’t forget a huge shout out to Gio who was around the middle of the pack, and was constantly getting out of his Jeep to help guide folks as needed over obstacles.

Wheeling at Hidden Falls Adventure Park
Coming down from “The Tower” at Hidden Falls. The way up was pretty awesome. Nobody took the bypass! Great job by all! Couldn’t get the way up in a photo. Both hands were on the wheel!

We took “Valley Road” a simple beginner level trail to start off and made our way up to “The Tower” which overlooks the entire park. It was a great day of wheeling. The newbie Jeep run was a success.

Jeeper relaxing next to his Jeep
After the first round of the newbie Jeep run I relaxed a bit and hydrated. Glad that nobody got hurt and everyone had a great time!

But it wasn’t over.

Newbie Jeep Run – Round 2

Jeepers went for another round of off-roading.
Round 2 of the Newbie Jeep Run about to get started!

Having made it back to area B we all rested for a bit and had some lunch. We told stories about what we did, what happened on the trail, and it was clear everyone was having a great time.

It was then announced that “Round 2” was going to happen in a few minutes and the Jeeps lined up again. Several people had to leave so it wasn’t exactly the same group that went out on the first part of the run, but the majority of the original group did.

Unfortunately I didn’t make it to round two. I needed to head into town, but I’m sorry I missed it! Chris and the DarkSide Jeepers gang took the newbies on a second run over to “Dino” another area of the park.

By now Jeeps were dirty and smiles were broad.

Here are some photos from round 2 of the newbie run courtesy of some fellow jeepers that gave me permission to use their photos:

overhead shot of 15 jeeps
15 of the 20 Jeeps that came out on the Newbie Jeep Run. This drone camera shot was captured during round 1, but I couldn’t not include it in this article. Photo: CK Yates
Jeeps going downhill off-road
Heading downhill during round 2 of the Newbie Jeep Run. Photo: Lillian Edwards
Jeeps off-roading
Jeeps having fun on Round 2 of the Newbie Jeep Run at Hidden Falls. Photo: Lillian Edwards

Newbie Jeep Run – Closing Thoughts

It cannot be overstated that every jeeper who wants to wheel off-road should take part in a newbie run with your local Jeep community. Simply put, it is safer and you’ll learn so much from those with a few more trails under their wheels than you.

If you are ever in the Texas area, there is a newbie Jeep run 1-3 times per month or more out at Hidden Falls. Connect with one of the local groups in the area and get on out there!

A large group of off-road Jeep enthusiasts
We had a large group for our Newbie Jeep Run. Thanks again to everyone who came out and to those who helped lead!

For those of you who were with us on the run, we’d love to hear your comments below. Drop us a comment and tell us about your thoughts on the run we organized. We’d love to hear from you!

Until next time, keep it dirty and wheels side down.

~ Eric

Written by:
Eric Highland
Published on:
October 17, 2016
Thoughts:
13 Comments

Categories: Go Prepared, Off-Roading

Patreon is our community where we transparently share the wins and challenges of this unconventional lifestyle. When we must leave friends and family to continue our drive around the world, our patrons consistently offer support and encouragement. We invite you to join us on this journey of a lifetime!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jeff Roberts

    October 17, 2016 at 3:29 pm

    Great article, Thanks for putting this together!!!

    Reply
    • Eric Highland

      October 18, 2016 at 6:55 am

      No worries my friend. It is how I give back to the community. Had a great time with everyone out there. See yo on the trails.

      Reply
  2. Giovanni

    October 17, 2016 at 3:36 pm

    Great read! Thank you Eric!

    Reply
    • Eric Highland

      October 18, 2016 at 6:56 am

      Always Gio. Had a blast with you dude. Really glad we’ve become friends. See you soon.

      Reply
  3. Trudy

    October 17, 2016 at 4:44 pm

    Great article! The whole weekend was a success. Nice meeting you Friday night!

    Reply
    • Eric Highland

      October 18, 2016 at 6:57 am

      Likewise! Sorry we didn’t get to talk more. It was fun listening to everyone else around us though at the campfire. Hope to hang out with you again sometime.

      Reply
  4. Kelly

    October 17, 2016 at 7:54 pm

    I’m smiling ear to ear again as I read it…like I’m there again. You guys ROCK! I learned a LOT, and can’t wait to go out with the group again.

    Reply
    • Eric Highland

      October 18, 2016 at 6:58 am

      Probably my favorite comment on this article so far Kelly. You nailed it. Smiling ear to ear, learning a lot and not being able to wait to do it again. That is exactly how I felt after my first newbie run. Great to have you in the group!

      Reply
  5. A Jeep newbie and your 1st trail ride - Zimmer Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Blog

    September 15, 2017 at 4:41 pm

    […] term ‘newbie’ applies to all kinds of interests in life. For Jeep peeps, it’s a rite of passage. You bought your Jeep now how do you get out on the trails? Where do you begin on your quest to […]

    Reply
  6. Wanda Gibson

    March 18, 2018 at 9:50 pm

    I just got my jeep last year & look fwd to updates when the next newbie run is scheduled, sounds like a fun group!

    Reply
    • Eric Highland

      March 19, 2018 at 11:08 am

      Wanda, what area are you in? We travel full-time so we’re a member of a ton of Jeep groups and clubs. I might be able to connect you with some Jeepers in your local area. ~ Eric

      Reply
  7. Kylie Elizabeth Campos

    September 5, 2019 at 10:57 pm

    Loved this article! I have been looking for a group like this that is local to me in they bay area. Hopefully I can experience an outing like this soon. Just got my Wrangler in June! It’s stock at the moment but I am eager to do a newbie run. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Eric Highland

      September 6, 2019 at 7:41 am

      Right on Kylie! Welcome to the Jeep family. I don’t personally know of any clubs in the bay area, but I’m sure they are out there. Let us know if you find a good one. We’d love to learn more about Jeep clubs in your area. ~ Eric

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hourless Life mark

Footer

Hourless Life

902 Ayers St. #331522
Crp. Christi, TX 78404

Copyright © 2023 · Privacy Policy · Legal

Join the Journey

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Reddit
  • TikTok
  • Twitter
  • YouTube