LEXUS GX - PRIVATE OFF ROAD EXPERIENCE / MEET & GREET (Southern California) - SUMMER 2026 - Now a trip to Colorado, SJ mtns ! - Aug 28 - Sept 7, 2026

[Emergencymed]

Hey fellow GX enthusiasts - I’m working developing an “experiential” get together idea - in Southern California (Malibu) - for owners to meet up, enjoy haute cuisine, and drive a private off road course. Thinking about sometime in July. If there is interest by potential sponsors, and participants - please DM me. I will be checking out the venue next Friday 6/13/26

- and may stop to see YellowLab if he’s in town.

Best to all. EM.

 

[Emergencymed]

Btw - if the location checks out, we would likely need 20+ prepayed participants to make it fly. (Unless sponsors step in - I’ve reached out to Lexus… you never know..) ..

Aiming for July 18, or possibly August 1, 2026.

Will update on this thread - when I’ve seen the location, if the site gives us the discounts I’m requesting, if it’s sponsored, and if we reach 20.

Keep in mind first come basis - so first 20 to confirm interest.

EM.

 

[munkeeboi]

interested in the cost and what the course will be like

 

[ColoradoOutdoors]

Just replying to express my FOMO from here in CO.

 

[Emergencymed]

Will have more information on cost and venue for everyone after next weekend (June 13th) after I check out the resort, their off-road course, and hopefully have a response regarding potential sponsor(s) … and FYI - this is NOT a for profit venture.. but rather a chance for meeting like minded owners, enjoy some good eats and go crawling in a private venue in the Malibu hills for a morning and / or afternoon. My hope is that Lexus and/ or other Lexus / off road oriented businesses sponsor the event and the cost to participants becomes minimal.

 

[AshOT]

Just replying to express my FOMO from here in CO.

FOMO from here in CT as well. Maybe we can tag along with @Emergencymed

 

[Dude Love]

Sure, interested, sounds like it could be fun.

 

[XILED]

Interested, I'll be on the look out for some updates.

 

[Emergencymed]

Update : 6/11/26 - good news and bad news.

Bad news is that the private off road venue in Malibu mountains where we were looking to host this event idea was not amenable to even viewing the course location without having a “Lexus production team present.”

Its hard to say if it would have been a decent venue to meet up, expend the development time without them even being willing to see the course that was being considered.

And moreover, the next level idea of courting Lexus with a “GX driving experience” project was too steep of a hill to climb at this location without the location willing to even show us the driving venue. Again their disinterest was disappointing, but we will identify something unique and special and continue to “pack the suggestion box.”

Decided to abandon that location, and search for another option . And in the meanwhile, I’m continuing the process of reaching out to Lexus with the idea that a “Lexus GX Driving Experience” (akin to the Porsche driving experience - except off road) - where new GX owners sit next to an expert who knows the vehicle and the terrain and get instruction on how to use the GX’s features to navigate an appropriately challenging course.

Good news is that YellowLab and I are still connecting down in Westlake for tea/ coffee to chat about a GX meet up and drive experiences, and look into new locations that could host a GX collective for both “crawling” and an upscale culinary experience.

Also meeting another owner in Torrance on Saturday to hand off my GX Overtrail mats. Excited to meet more owners who share a common passion!

Stay tuned guys… I will definitely post when something materializes.. if any So Cal GX owners are in the vicinity of Westlake on 6/12/26 and would like to join for tea / snacks around 3 pm - DM message me.

 

[Emergencymed]

Update - reached out to Lexus regarding the idea of a “GX Offroad Driving Experience” - got a fairly underwhelming response from an “assistant administrator.” Treated more like a number than a person on the phone. I’m starting to wonder if the person that I spoke to was AI .. lol …

So my thought is to look at what other manufacturers do when it comes to training experiences and try out their Offroad driving opportunities - learn from them and share and apply what is taught.

I’m finding out more and will circle with the collective with what I find and perhaps what can be one day developed for the GX / LC community.. ..

Like Yellowlab, even with decades of amateur LC off roading on different continents, I’m really excited with the idea of going to a solid training course that provides a formal education on recovery techniques and the subtleties of crawling.

I may have to borrow a friends Range Rover for the Land Rover experience..

I’m possibly looking at going to one in late summer up in the Carmel area - if anyone interested in joining DM me.

Advanced Driving Programs in California | Land Rover USA

Explore Land Rover Advanced Driving Programs in California. Enhance your off-road skills with expert-led sessions designed for experienced drivers seeking new challenges.

experience.landroverusa.com

Emed

 

[solluna]

If your gonna do the experience with Land Rover, make sure your AAA membership is up-to-date

 

[Emergencymed]

Actually, they (Land Rover at Quail Resort) provides the vehicles - options include RR, RR sport, Defender 110, Defender 130… or you can drive your own “Land Rover vehicle” - they ONLY allow Land Rovers on their private 10.2 mile course. Learned much in my conversation with them, and will share on the forum.

Bummer that Toyota and Lexus are so behind in this area - this venue has been in place for over 21 years. Two locations - one in Carmel and one in Vermont.

Perhaps one day Toyota / Lexus will do something similar.

More to follow ..

 

[Dude Love]

The only one I have seen is https://www.blackberrymountain.com/adventure/lexus-off-road and it's only a few hours and a little costly.

 

[Emergencymed]

Will check it out

 

[Emergencymed]

The more I look at the limited options out there - it’s seems like it would be more fun to head out to a good roading location and connect with some seasoned crawling veterans from the GX forum, to learn and connect. From having read many of the threads there are several in this forum with skills and knowledge far beyond my own who would be great off road educators. Where I can contribute is on the culinary side… one of the last eastern sierra trips I took with my son - I prepared a thai red curry shrimp dish and rice that was shared with 30 or so people who were camping in the vicinity.

Let’s see if there is interest..

 

[YellowLab]

The more I look at the limited options out there - it’s seems like it would be more fun to head out to a good roading location and connect with some seasoned crawling veterans from the GX forum, to learn and connect. From having read many of the threads there are several in this forum with skills and knowledge far beyond my own who would be great off road educators. Where I can contribute is on the culinary side… one of the last eastern sierra trips I took with my son - I prepared a thai red curry shrimp dish and rice that was shared with 30 or so people who were camping in the vicinity.

Let’s see if there is interest..

Do you have a take out window option for the Thai red curry shrimp?

 

[Emergencymed]

In the outdoors it’s only “take out”

 

[nonamex]

I'm heading to the San Juan Mountains in Colorado this September if you're interested in joining. Will be traversing Crystal Mill, Engineer Pass, Cinnamon Pass, Imogene Pass, Ophir Pass, and perhaps Black Bear Pass if conditions are favorable.

These mountain passes entail shelf roads, water crossings, rock crawling, rock ledges, and great scenery.

Would welcome company if anyone is up for it. Leaving late August and taking on the adventure during the first week of September.

 

[Emergencymed]

Nonamex - that sounds Epic!! ..

Would have to check how things are looking for that window.. I’m not sure I would have the amount of time needed to break off from work for what I assume will be a “2+ week” adventure?

That said we will all enjoy seeing pictures of your trip. Looking forwards to retirement when the answer to such questions will be an immediate and resounding “yes sir!”

Yellow lab this sounds like it might be right up your alley..

I’m driving to Lake Forest tomorrow for my cousins birthday. (Close to Irvine) Unfortunately, I’ll be in a rental Explorer (won’t have the GX with me) - but would love to connect in person for a short bit and see your rig, if you are around … DM me if you are available. EM.

 

[Emergencymed]

San Juan Mountains Colorado

Meeting with Nonamex tomorrow for coffee down in Irvine, California to discuss his planned adventure to the San Juan Mountains (Colorado). If there are any others interested in joining for Coffee DM me.


Sounds like my time off may be workable for an adventure to the SJ mountains. GX’rs in Colorado - it may be an opportunity for some of us to meet… and network. … I just looked up the area and it looks absolutely gorgeous. It will be my first time in the state since my toxicology rotation during EM residency training almost 30 years ago. Let’s see what comes together.

*** It’s fascinating to note that as we start DM’ing one another, and having more face to face conversations with other GX owners, there is a realization as YL noted, that we may have a lot in common… Yellow lab and I for example are in our late 50’s with similar interests and close geographically.

Nonamex was UCLA class of 96, and myself UCLA class of 91, 95 and 99. (Go bruins)…

Many of us are of a similar age (plus or minus a decade or two), professionals, family oriented folks, with adventurous hearts, and an eye for beauty and nature.

I hope the spin off of this forum is that members will get to know the people behind the monikers .. if so then we’ve all stumbled upon something truly wonderful and worthy of our time!