MOjave Road Run???

[zjmikey]

Just wondering if there is a group of people doing Mojave Road after t-giving??

Someone told me about it, but I forgot the exact details..

[rpraterxj]

Just wondering if there is a group of people doing Mojave Road after t-giving??

Someone told me about it, but I forgot the exact details..

Hey Michael, look at the LOST group for that. They have done for the past few years.

I don't know who from this group goes out there as well.

[djblade311]

check in with Cal. He has some details. I wont be able to go since the family will be in town... :(

[jjmat3]

L.O.S.T. will be doing our annual Thanksgiving in Calico event. Probably also run a trail at HDR area too.

[rpraterxj]

L.O.S.T. will be doing our annual Thanksgiving in Calico event. Probably also run a trail at HDR area too.

THanks JJ. I got my events mixed up. Lot of happenings in Nov!

[cal]

Just wondering if there is a group of people doing Mojave Road after t-giving??

Someone told me about it, but I forgot the exact details..


Yes, that was me. We'll be running friday/sat/sun of thanksgiving weekend, from the far side back towards LA, to minimize the sunday evening traffic we have to sit in on the 15.

I'll PM you when I get final details set, which will be as soon as I return to California I hope (mid next week)

-Cal

[djblade311]

I might actually have some brother in laws who might wanna go with me

[cal]

I thought you couldnt come?

[djblade311]

well, for some reason Nicole and her parents were talking about how it would be cool if her brothers could go while she stuck around with her parents. So I wasnt in any objection

[cal]

Very cool. Rare form of wife you have there.. professional model who wants to stay at home while you go jeeping with the boys.

[djblade311]

well she has her moments of guilt trips. BUt yes, I should be grateful

[Xtreme XJ]

I was think'n about running it in the spring...... 3 days....

Curt

[Vince]

My wife and I are thinking of driving this trail in late December from west to east. Anyone know how cold it gets at night for camping?

[Kejtar]

My wife and I are thinking of driving this trail in late December from west to east. Anyone know how cold it gets at night for camping?
cooooooooooooooooooooooold. Not sure about that area specifically but it can drop (will drop) below freezing point in the desert ;)

[karstic]

My wife and I are thinking of driving this trail in late December from west to east. Anyone know how cold it gets at night for camping?

Typically, I would say in the range of 20-40 degrees Fahrenheit. It really depends on what the weather is like, though. I have been in the east Mojave in January when the day time highs are in the 80-90's and the overnight lows were around 50. I've also been out there and been snowed on. The unpredictable issue is the rain. If we've had rain, Soda Lake may or may not be passable, meaning a detour through Baker.

Gonna want any travelling companions?

[sintax]

Cal: add me to the list of people you inform about the trail. I've been wanting to do it again. Esp if you are planning time in Afton Canyon.

[cal]

We arent planning specific times anywhere, we want to wander and explore and such. We'll have several stock rigs with us, so its going to be all scenic, but people dont mind waiting if you find an obsticle to play on somewhere.

I'll post the details up here when I put them together, I need to get in gear on it. I can tell you that I'll be leaving thursday afternoon while everyone else is eating to head out, and expect to leave from the meeting place like 10:30 am on Friday. That gives people time to get up friday morning and drive out to meet up.

I'll post where and when as soon as I put it together.

-Cal

[Gerr]

Hey Cal put me down for info too please

[Vince]

Typically, I would say in the range of 20-40 degrees Fahrenheit. It really depends on what the weather is like, though. I have been in the east Mojave in January when the day time highs are in the 80-90's and the overnight lows were around 50. I've also been out there and been snowed on. The unpredictable issue is the rain. If we've had rain, Soda Lake may or may not be passable, meaning a detour through Baker.

Gonna want any travelling companions?

Thanks for the info. I have been camping at temperatures below freezing before and it's tough - a detour to a hotel sounds like a better plan. We will probably be driving this trail on Christmas Eve and into Christmas Day so I doubt there will be many people that would want to join us, but you are welcome to.

[Gerr]

Wife and I have wanted to find something to do for x-mass

[Andy Steiner]

Thanks for the info. I have been camping at temperatures below freezing before and it's tough - a detour to a hotel sounds like a better plan.
Detouring to a hotel is not as easy as it sounds. There is no lodging anywhere inside the Mojave Desert Preserve. The typical midway camping pint is somewhere along the portion of the Mojave Road where it becomes Cedar Canyon Road. You could conceivably continue along Cedar Canyon Road to Cima, then turn north on Cima Road to Morningstar Mine Road to Nipton. There is lodging and fuel in Nipton. In the morning, retrace your route back down to where the Mojave Road continues west of Cima Road and continue.

One can run the route from Mile 0.0 to Afton Canyon Road on a single tank of gas. Depending on how much additional mileage you add for side trips and detours would necessitate the need to carry extra gas.


We will probably be driving this trail on Christmas Eve and into Christmas Day so I doubt there will be many people that would want to join us, but you are welcome to.

Vince, are you guys planning on returning to the states later this year? Bringing the Jeeps again?

[Vince]

The Jeeps are still in California. We are coming back on Dec 23rd to move them back to Utah for EJS 2007. Rachel has a business meeting in the USA at the start of January and I'm tagging along on her air miles.

Thanks for the lodging info. I thought I might need extra gas at some point so I bought two Scepter cans on my last trip. I just need to find some way of carrying them now. If I can't find anything better, I may make something that will fit our 2" receivers.

[djblade311]

so whats the head count on this?

[cal]

Unknown at the moment.
I'll try and get details together this week and post them.

[cracker]

Unknown at the moment.
I'll try and get details together this week and post them.

Actually sounds like fun. I don't think my wife will let me go two weekends in a row :bawl:

[cal]

Ok, as this is getting closer, it's time for me to hammer out details and get a rough count on vehicles.


We'll be leaving from the last gas at the Avi Casino in Laughlin at 10:30 am on Friday Nov 24. I plan on rolling out that way Thursday and camping. I'll be at the Casino for breakfast at 9:00 AM on Friday, if you care to roll out and camp or join us for Breakfast. We should be finishing the trail near the barstow end sometime on Sunday, there are several places to head out towards pavement depending on what we feel up to at that time (we may or may not go into the preserve proper).

Friday/Sat will be primitive camping wherever we as a group decide to go. If Andy Steiner speaks up (he's very familiar with the run) we may be able to nail down Friday's campsite in advance, but generally I'm trying to keep the plans fluid, as this is a big ol scenic thing.

If you intend to come out, the run is easy, stock rigs are ok. Make sure you are in good mechanical condition and have good tow points on at least one end of your rig. Have good tires and a full size spare with tread, gas, water, oil, tools, etc. Expect it to be hot during the day and cold at night, pack accordingly.

Please drop me an email if you intend to come out with a headcount, so I can get a rough idea of numbers. cal@mud.edu


-C

[SOCALXJ]

Great. I hear about this now. I already have a run planned that weekend!

Have fun, take pics. I'll be heading out there early 2007.:peace:

Dave Druck

[Andy Steiner]

We'll be leaving from the last gas at the Avi Casino in Laughlin at 10:30 am on Friday Nov 24. If Andy Steiner speaks up (he's very familiar with the run) we may be able to nail down Friday's campsite in advance, but generally I'm trying to keep the plans fluid, as this is a big ol scenic thing.


Three things...

1. I can't make the trip. The closest I get to primitive camping is leaving the windows open in my motorhome. Besides, I've wheeled every Thanksgiving for the last five years and I promised Michaelle I'd spend the holiday with her this year.

2. The Avi is not in the city of Laughlin. It's close by and it tends to associate itself with Laughlin whenever it serves its own benefit, but it's an Indian casino on an Indian reservation that's off the road that leads to Laughlin from the I-40. http://www.avi-casino.com/map.html (http://www.avi-casino.com/map.html)

3. The BEST staging location is the gas station at the Avi. Meeting inside the casino is a bit iffy. Pick a time and meet everybody at the gas station.


Have fun. Take lots of photos.

[cal]

"We'll be leaving from the last gas at the Avi Casino in Laughlin at 10:30 am on Friday Nov 24."

I guess that was supposed to imply we'd be leaving from the gas station at the Avi casino at 10:30 am. :)

[GNRXJ]

just to add my two cents this time of year Az. and Ca. have an hour differance in time so will you be meeting at 10:30 local time? i mihg tstop by and meet you as i will be at my place in bullhead that weekend .

[cal]

I would never have considered that.

Lets keep it easy, and call it 10:30 california time, as the time is set to give peeps time to drive out from LA.

-C

[mikedashg]

Three things...

1. I can't make the trip.

Me neither, too close to turkey day, too many other runs planned, maybe next time!

[Andy Steiner]

"We'll be leaving from the last gas at the Avi Casino in Laughlin at 10:30 am on Friday Nov 24."

I so totally missed that part. I was fixated on the breakfast part of your message cause I was hungry.


:looney:

[4xSanta]

I am thinking about doing this adventure but my rig travels on its trailer most of the time, any suggestions? I would be leaving orange county thursday afternoon staying the night in?

[cal]

Myself, I'd probably leave the trailer at home for this one, if your rig is highway worthy and legal. You could probably do the run in your tow rig, if its four wheel drive.. we will have a couple of stock suburbans going.

Drop me a line this afternoon and we can talk about it a bit, you should still have my # in your pm box from last week :)

-C

[4xSanta]

I am thinking about trailering to Barstow leaving me truck and trailer there and going on to trail head in my xj,my rig is far from street legal but I do take it on the street from time to time.

[cal]

It's about 200 miles from barstow to the trailhead, be prepared for that. ;)

-C

[fish1976]

Cal, I am thinking about making the trip. If there is room. I have been wanting to take the old wagon road through from end to end for a while. I will no more after this weekend.

[cal]

There should be room. If your rigs mechanically sound and you have proper spares, your welcome to join. PM me for some contact info.

-C

[MJR]

Here's what route we took in 2004.

http://www.fototime.com/D84FFE8F92FC7CD/standard.jpg



With any luck I have a few surprises in store for those running the road this year. I am kinda an unofficial trail lead from (with any luck he gets it done) Cal's passenger seat. I plan on bringing a pair of GPS's, laptop, and (of course) my camera. I'd like to see the start on the trail a little earlier (I'll have to talk to Cal). I think the plan for us to head out to the Avi Casino sometime Thursday (Thanksgiving) and spend the night (with luck at the campground there). Friday morning we will all start the trail at the Colorado River in Nevada (just over the state line, Avi is in NV). It should be an interesting day on the trail for all. Friday night should be dry camping at either Rock Spring or a surprise location. I think Cal's plan was to end up in Afton Canyon Sat night where we could head home or camp outand head home Sun. Below is a list of some of the highlights along this route.

Colorado River
Beautiful everchanging scenery
Fort Piute
Piute Spring (requires a hike)
Old corrals
Petroglyphs
Interesting abandoned desert things
Natural Springs (Rock, Marl, etc...)
Small sand dunes
Mailbox sign in log for travelers on the road
Old lava flows to explore
Crossing of Soda Dry Lake (depends on conditions)
Monument on Soda Dry Lake
Underground lava cave
Abandoned mining area where you can drive the railroad track (ties only left)
Spooky Canyon
and Afton Canyon where you will drive along as trains go by and cross the Mojave River.

Here's some photo links from other trips.

From my first trip in May of 2002 after High Desert Roundup. I first read about Afton Canyon in a Canadian 4wd magazine believe it or not.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=soxqr2n.slh7ti3&x=0&y=7gh3hl

From Feburary 2004 for a NAXJA run at Calico/Afton Canyon.

http://www.fototime.com/inv/A9DA8B06B3B824C

From a April 2004 NAXJA Mojave Road run.

http://www.gotgroceries.net/naxjaMojaveRoad404/index9.html

After High Desert Roundup May 2005.

http://www.gotgroceries.net/Cal4WheelHighDesertRoundup/index3.html

After High Desert Roundup May 2006.

http://www.gotgroceries.net/AftonCanyonRun506/index.html[/quote]



Mike R

[Xtreme XJ]

All the blooming plant life is why I'd like to try again in the spring..... Mike the "taker of pictures". Dude if your in the lead vehicle you wont be able to lag behind to shoot your picts. In revisiting your picts. I couldn't figure out who was in the white KJ then I remembered they were from.....Germany... or ?

Have fun y'all, I'm Truckhaven bound I think....

Curt :piratefla

[MJR]

All the blooming plant life is why I'd like to try again in the spring..... Mike the "taker of pictures". Dude if your in the lead vehicle you wont be able to lag behind to shoot your picts. In revisiting your picts. I couldn't figure out who was in the white KJ then I remembered they were from.....Germany... or ?

Have fun y'all, I'm Truckhaven bound I think....

Curt :piratefla

Igor and I don't remember where he is from. Haven't seen him since Feb this year.

[4xSanta]

Just got back from JV and need to repair seals in my steering box or replace,get two new tail lights,get new glass for rear door,before this weekend run.I think I can get this done and I plan on having my son drive with me to trailhead with XJ on trailer dropping me off and he will return to Costa Mesa.When I get to Barstow I will either bum a ride back to CM and go back and get my junk or my son will come to Barstow and pick me up.Iplan on doing this solo so I will have an empty seat for MTR with room for gear etc.

[Andy Steiner]

I am thinking about trailering to Barstow leaving me truck and trailer there and going on to trail head in my xj,my rig is far from street legal but I do take it on the street from time to time.

You could run the original alignment of Route 66 from Barstow (actually, just east of the marine base in Barstow) to US 95 where you're forced to take I-40 into Needles. The original alignment goes between Essex and Goffs through to the 95. You can top off with fuel in Fenner (half way between Essex and Goffs) if necessary.

[cal]

Just got back from JV and need to repair seals in my steering box or replace,get two new tail lights,get new glass for rear door,before this weekend run.I think I can get this done and I plan on having my son drive with me to trailhead with XJ on trailer dropping me off and he will return to Costa Mesa.When I get to Barstow I will either bum a ride back to CM and go back and get my junk or my son will come to Barstow and pick me up.Iplan on doing this solo so I will have an empty seat for MTR with room for gear etc.

I got my junk on the road last night, so mjr will be riding with me.

I have a spare steering box in good shape if you need it, i can bring it down tonight.

-C

[4xSanta]

I am on my way to pickapart in the next hour or so to check for boxes etc,I have hydro assist so I need to drill and tap etc.but if a can't get one I will take u up on yours,or I might just rebuild mine.

[cal]

I am on my way to pickapart in the next hour or so to check for boxes etc,I have hydro assist so I need to drill and tap etc.but if a can't get one I will take u up on yours,or I might just rebuild mine.


I picked this box up with the intent on drilling and tapping it for assist, so that wouldnt actually be a problem.

[cal]

Ok.

It looks like most of us are driving out early afternoon Thursday, maybe late morning. If you want to caravan out, email me and we'll hook up.

For those that are not heading out the night before and camping, we plan to leave the Avi Casino gas station no later than 10:30 am.

If you are driving out that morning and plan to meet up with us but for some reason do not (like don't call and tell me your on your way but running 15 minutes late..), you can head out highway 95 and wait for us where Mojave Road crosses highway 95. Just about 18.5 miles down 95 from Highway 40, N35 06 46.2 W114 49 45.6. There should be a clearly marked rock cairn (pile of rocks). It should take us ~4 hours from the trailhead to reach this point, so figure mid afternoon Friday.

Our intent is to get to Rock Springs and camp at Rock Springs friday night, and pick a random mutually interesting spot Saturday (MJR has some good idea's).. that may all change based on where we are on the trail though.

Any questions email me, as PM's still seem to be broken here.

cal@mud.edu

[MJR]

Just about 18.5 miles down 95 from Highway 40, N35 06 46.2 W114 49 45.6.


It's about 18.5 miles UP (North) on US-95 not down.


It should take us ~4 hours from the trailhead to reach this point, so figure mid afternoon Friday.


Actual time based on the previous trip means we should reach this intersection in about 1 1/2 hours from the start of the trail at the Colorado River. So meaning we should be at this point around 12:00 noon based on a 10:30am start time.


Our intent is to get to Rock Springs and camp at Rock Springs friday night, and pick a random mutually interesting spot Saturday (MJR has some good idea's).. that may all change based on where we are on the trail though.


Time to Rock Springs based on the previous trip is 7 1/2 hours. Arrival would be around 6:00pm based on the start time of 10:30am so we would probably be changing some things around to camp before dark. I was hoping to camp in the secret spot Fri night but who knows. We can all discuss it when we get together if we would take advantage of the 3 days.

[cal]

"err"

yeah. What mike said. ;)

[4xSanta]

Steering box repaired,new tail lights,Ready to leave Costa Mesa thursday 3PM staying the night in Needles and arriving at AVI gas station 8:30AM ca.time,see ya all there!

[djblade311]

we'll be leaving Friday morning and hopefully wont be the late ones.

[Andy Steiner]

we'll be leaving Friday morning and hopefully wont be the late ones.
Josh,

It's a five hour drive out to Needles. You really may want to consider driving out late Thursday night and spending the night in a motel.

[sintax]

Josh,

It's a five hour drive out to Needles. You really may want to consider driving out late Thursday night and spending the night in a motel.

I'm with andy on this one. That drive seemed a LOT longer then 5 hrs when Geoff and I drove out that one night. Then again we did spend 2 hrs in barstow at 1am hunting for sleeping bags since Sequoia forgot to grab his...i mean hes only going camping right?! The guy has 2 sets of salt and pepper shakers, but forgets his sleeping bags.

Needless to say, I dont think we pulled into camp until 3:30 or 4am, just in time to hear Andy trying to get everyone up at 5 am to leave :nono:

[cal]

At least you werent in victorville trying to get his jeep to run.. :)

[fish1976]

We will be heading out early Friday morning. Coming from Hesperia. Plan to leave about 4 am. See you guys there at the gas station.

[sintax]

At least you werent in victorville trying to get his jeep to run.. :)

Actually I was when he was trying to make moab. I ripped the distributer out of my jeep and brought it up to him and tried to fix his junk for him. He spent the first few days of the moab trip in the pep-boys parking lot.

[cal]

That run was a blast. 9 rigs. Some broken steering, a trailer rollover, a blown bilstien 7100, and lots of really, really neat things to be seen.

When I gather everyones pictures up I'll post them.

-C

[fish1976]

Cal and Mike thanks for a great trip. Tish, Alabam and I had a blast. looking forward to running it again in the future. I'll post pic's when I get them loaded. Every one else it was great to meet you and thanks for a great time.
Fish

[djblade311]

Nice to meet you Fish n Tish! Tish is good with kids since she used to be a preschool teacher. Tell her not to be scared next time she drives the lifted XJ. :) Give bama a sloppy kiss for us.

[karstic]

Mike do you have a track log from this trip?

Where did you guys camp Friday and Saturday nights?

[cal]

Friday night we camped somewhere random, as we ran out of daylight playing around. Saturday night we camped at marl springs.

Here is my dad's tracklog from last year.

http://www.shadowco.org/~cal/MRwaypoints.xls

I'll post a map with GPS cords, showing how to get to Thursday nights camp. I should have it online in a day or two.

[djblade311]

I just realized that I never posted pics from this trip

http://www.nicandjosh.com/modules/gallery/v/Travel/mojave06/

[cal]

I just realized that I never posted pics from this trip

http://www.nicandjosh.com/modules/gallery/v/Travel/mojave06/


Sure you did. Then I stole them, and posted them with everyone elses.

http://www.shadowco.org/~cal/offroad/pics/Mojave_Road-06/

[djblade311]

I uploaded em but never posted a link to them in this thread