Event Highlights

Relive the Magic of Our Past Events!
Step into a time machine and rediscover the unforgettable moments from our iconic events! From the adrenaline-pumping 2025 King of the Hammers to the vibrant rhythms of the Summer Music Festival, each celebration has left its mark. Dive into the memories, explore epic highlights, and join us in celebrating the moments that made history! Call to Action: Check out event photos, videos, and stories below, and get excited for what’s next!

Event Highlights

Showcase Our Past Events

Explore a gallery of memorable past events, featuring stunning images and detailed descriptions of each occasion.

We had the honor to feed 400 rock climbers who attended the 30th annual 2025 Climb Smart Clinic November 21st & 22nd at Indian Cove, Joshua Tree National Park.  One serving each night at 4:30 p.m. to a trail of climbing enthusiasts enduring the cold rainy conditions. Despite the dreary conditions JT Desert Drifters and Chef Aaron & Sue turned the desert into the best Filipino-British-Irish comfort-food buffet you’ve ever seen in a national park. The Menu (cooked by Chef Aaron and team)

  • Chicken Adobo
  • Mushroom Adobo – Vegetarian
  • Garlic Fried Rice
  • Filipino-style Macaroni Salad
  • Cucumber Salad – GF & Vegan
  • Cottage Pie (beef)
  • Vegetarian Cottage Pie
  • Grilled Kielbasa Sausage
  • Pub Salad
  • Fresh Dinner Rolls
  • Assorted Mini Desserts by Hidden Den Kitchen: chocolate-chip cookies, chocolate-ganache rice-krispy treats, fudge brownies, sugar cookies, lemon-drizzle cookies
  • Friday: cold, steady rain, 48 °F — steam pouring off the chafing trays mixed with raindrops
  • Saturday: golden light → sunset mist that made the buffet line look cinematic

To every climber who spent the weekend learning new skills in the rain and mist — thank you for taking care of the Joshua Tree Park. Chef Aaron and Chef Sue and team just wanted to take care of you for two nights. Mission accomplished. Hope to be at Climb Smart 2026. Same trailer, chafing-tray magic.
Chef Aaron and Sue will have a new menu ready.

King of the Hammers 2025: Epic Races, Unforgettable Flavors
The 18th King of the Hammers (KOH) roared through Johnson Valley, California, in February 2025, cementing its reputation as the world’s toughest one-day off-road race. Hosted by Ultra4 Racing in the rugged Mojave Desert, KOH blended high-speed desert racing with extreme rock crawling, challenging over 1,000 drivers in unlimited buggies, trucks, and UTVs across a grueling 200+ mile course.
From th
e electrifying Toyo Tires Desert Challenge to the legendary Race of Kings, the week-long spectacle drew 80,000+ fans to Hammertown and millions online, all swept up in the dust and drama.

 
At The Forty, JT Desert Drifters Mobile Kitchen transformed the 40-acre oasis in the heart of Hammertown USA into a culinary hotspot. From 7 a.m. to late night, we fueled racers and fans with handcrafted all-American classic
s: hearty breakfast burritos, juicy burgers, classic hot dogs, loaded chili fries, refreshing chocolate milk, and warm cookies. With over 25 years of hospitality expertise, our family-run team—led by Chef Aaron and Owner Sue Watson—delivered bold flavors and Hi-Desert hospitality right in the Johnson Valley OHV Recreation Area. Whether you were cheering trackside or recharging after a desert run, JT Desert Drifters brought the taste of adventure to KOH.
 
Join JT Desert Drifters at The Forty Jan 22 – Feb 7, 2026 at Johnson Valley, CA for next year’s unforgettable flavors!