What does adventure do to the human brain? According to the value metrics calculated from the six athletes competing in the Toyota Destination Detour challenge, adventure impacts the human brain in hugely positive ways. Completing challenges in Toyota Trucks across gorgeous California landscapes doesn’t hurt, either.
In this second episode of the Toyota Destination Detour, the three teams of athletes continue their 36-hour road trip challenge across rugged terrain, each in a new Toyota truck.
Team 4Runner consists of surfing pros (and father-daughter duo) Josh and Sierra Kerr, who head to the surf and sand dunes of Pismo Beach in their 2026 4Runner. Team Tacoma (with endurance cyclist Lael Wilcox and her partner, Rue Kaladyte) has the longest haul to the Alabama Hills in their bike-laden truck.
Team Land Cruiser sports pro trail runner Jazmine Lowther and ultra-runner Hilary Ann Yang on a quest to hit dirt in the San Bernardino Mountains. Whether that means relishing their 2026 Land Cruiser’s full-time 4WD or tackling the trails in their matching jorts, they’re fighting for first place.
Team 4Runner makes waves of their own in the sand dunes; (photo/Gear Junkie)
At the top of this episode, the ultrarunners, Team Land Cruiser, are tied with the surfers of Team 4Runner with 100 points each. Team Tacoma, meanwhile, enjoyed their long ride out to the desert rather than rush into their challenges. They make up for their extended drive, however, by ticking off challenges well into the night.
Each team raced to set up their tents first, with the bonus challenge of never having used that model of tent. Strategies were discussed, tasks assigned, and the process visualized — but who claimed the title of Fastest Tent in the West? Watch to find out. (But here’s a hint: Team Tacoma finally put points on the board!)
The Land Cruiser sailed over the rugged, rutted-out terrain that brought these athletes out to their trail.
“There was major potential for bottoming out, so it was some pretty good technical driving,” Hilary Ann Yang said, but reaffirmed that the Land Cruiser handled so smoothly that they could barely believe it.
“I want to take this car home,” Jazmine Lowther said.
Team Tacoma’s score? Well … at first, they scored some pretty sweet sandwiches. After refueling their Tacoma (and their camp kitchen) in the last available pitstop, they finally arrived in the Alabama Hills to pedal the otherworldly Martian Flats.
After a quick camp setup, they earned points quickly by pushing into the night with their bikes in tow, ready to make up for lost time.
Team 4Runner knocked out two challenges at once by paddling around (and then surfing through) Dinosaur Caves’ open-mouthed arch. They felt the stoke with high value and safety metrics after their spelunking/surfing session, a first for both of them.
Then, they headed to the sand dunes to make waves of their own — sandy plumes as they drifted, that is. Their 4Runner’s Downhill Assist Control (Crawl Control) got them easily down the steep backsides of those sand dunes and off to their next challenge.
One episode of Toyota Destination Detour remains; who will make it the finish line with the most points acquired, and best stories to tell?
Will Team Tacoma come from behind and pedal through the night to win it all? Will the competitive nature of father and daughter push Team 4Runner to the top? Or, will Team Land Cruiser leave the others in the dust after their 4WD adventures?
What does adventure do to the human brain? Find out for yourself. Whether you gravitate toward the ruggedly reliable 4Runner, the spacious adventure of the Land Cruiser, or the playful powerhouse of a Tacoma, you’ll find your adventure-ready ride in a Toyota Truck.
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