When I was offered the chance to drive the 2024 Ultimate Overland Vehicle from Southern California to Outdoor Retailer in Salt Lake City, I jumped at the opportunity. With a route that passed through some of the most adventurous and scenic areas in the Southwest, I knew there would be plenty of chances to put the GMC Canyon AT4X to the test. Armed with a list of areas I wanted to explore more deeply, especially those where my own vehicle had previously faltered, I set off on what promised to be an unforgettable journey.
Admittedly, I’m not a long-time off-roader, but I am a self-proclaimed gearhead who loves fiddling with as many products as possible. Fortunately, the Ultimate Overland Vehicle is outfitted with some of the best gear in the industry, including fender flares, a rear bumper, a snorkel, and skid plates from American Expedition Vehicles. These enhancements provided additional protection and functionality, allowing me to navigate tougher terrain with confidence.
Joshua Tree
Ignoring the looming heat advisory, my first checkpoint was Joshua Tree. Escaping Southern California traffic with the windows down and the sunroof open, I made my way to the park entrance. About 15 miles into the park from the West entrance, I reached Geology Tour Road, which turns into Berdoo Canyon after about 8 miles. The ride on the BFGoodrich KO2 tires was smooth, and I was eager to test out the larger tire size on the sandy road. After a few hours of navigating tight trails, rock gardens, and off-camber sections, I took a quick break under the Alu-Cab 270 awning. This awning setup is the quickest I’ve used, making it easy to deploy at every opportunity. When shade is at hand and easy to use, why not use it?
As the sun set, I headed to Black Rock Canyon Campground just outside the park. While I enjoy dispersed camping, options are limited near Joshua Tree, and the local BLM land can get rowdy. I looked forward to a quiet night and settled in with the Alu-Cab Gen 3-R Tent. The RiGd Supply Fold-Down table helped me organize my gear, and I plugged my chargers into the Bluetti AC200L, ensuring I started the next day with full batteries.
The following morning, I woke at sunrise, connected the Bluetti AC200L to the Battle Born Battery system charged by the REDARC power management system, grabbed a bite at a local diner, and hit the road. My journey overlapped with Route 66, and even with four nights out, I had many highway miles to cover.
Zion National Park
Zion National Park, one of my favorite national parks, was my next checkpoint. After a long day of highway driving, I rolled into Virgin in the late evening and found a dispersed camping site. With the sun down, the Vision X lights, controlled by the Switch Pro SP-9100 panel, were essential. The control panel made it easy to switch the lights off and on without disturbing nearby campers. I caught up on some computer work before bed, thanks to the weBoost cellular signal booster, which provided connectivity in an otherwise remote area.
Early the next morning, I took a shuttle to the Narrows trailhead, one of the park’s highlights and a great way to stay cool in the triple-digit heat. After a few hours of hiking, I decided to explore Gooseberry Mesa outside the park in the truck. I had visited the area before, but my vehicle’s limitations kept me from venturing deeper. Camping inside the park is a premium, but there are endless opportunities outside of Virgin and Rockville – you just have to dig to find them. Right as it hit dinner time, I stumbled across the perfect campsite with views of Hurricane to the left and Zion National Park to the right. It was a gorgeous spot to make dinner on the folding table, prep a campfire with the shovel and rake from the Forrest Tool MAX multipurpose tool kit, and watch the sun go down.
Uinta National Forest
After three days of warm days and nights, I decided to spend my last night at a higher elevation in the Uinta National Forest. The green landscapes and cooler temperatures offered the perfect escape. The GMC Canyon AT4X handled the winding forest roads with ease, and the AEV fender flares, rear bumper, and skid plate provided added confidence. After trailing down random roads throughout the afternoon, I found an open field and set up camp. With three nights with the Canyon AT4X under my belt, I felt like I had my system down of how to set up the gear, what to use for each task, and how I liked to organize the cab. I enjoyed a warm campfire and talked to a few neighbors who had rolled in later in the evening.
The next morning, I enjoyed the cool mountain air flowing through the air vents in the tent and cleaned up my personal belongings. After the sandy roads in Joshua Tree, red dirt in Zion, and the dust in Uinta, I was thankful that the Husky Liners in the cab had caught a lot of the dirt and debris that I dragged in. I ventured into a local town and hit a carwash before going to the Outdoor Retailer show floor in Salt Lake City.
The 2024 Ultimate Overland Vehicle, with its top-of-the-line gear and rugged build, had proven itself to be more than capable on every type of terrain. From the scorching sands of Joshua Tree to the majestic red rocks of Zion and the serene heights of the Uinta National Forest, this adventure was a testament to the vehicle’s prowess and the gear that makes it special.
Be on the lookout for more adventures with the Overland Expo Staff and the 2024 Ultimate Overland Build as it makes its way across the country to each Overland Expo event before heading to auction with the proceeds going to benefit the Overland Expo Foundation.
