HeepSpeed
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Santa Barbara, CA
GREAT photo!
-
Welcome to the new NAXJA Forum! If your password does not work, please use "Forgot your password?" link on the log-in page. Please feel free to reach out to [email protected] if we can provide any assistance.
Mojave Trail - April 16-17
- Thread starter WebDog
- Start date
- Location
- Torrance, CA
Mojave Road is a required trail for anybody that can do it. XIt's long and doesn't offer anything that is particularly challenging but gives you a crash coarse in the Mojave Desert. XIf you're going to run it I recommend spring time; the temperature is mild and the desert is that much more spectacular when it is in bloom.
I last ran this trail in 2004 and had no intention of attending this run, I wanted to but felt I did not have the time. XWhile having a random conversation with Holly I mentioned that LOST was hitting Mojave Road and that conditions were near perfect for the event, she simply told me to take my two and a half year old son Sebastian and go. XI did not argue, five days later the Jeep was packed and we were on the freeway.
Click to enlarge
This also marked Sebastian's first camping trip as well as his first extended off road excursion. XWhile he has been on dirt a few times in the past, including one trail maintenance day, this was the first multi-hour trail ride, I was curious how he would perform. XAs I expected he absolutely loved the entire experience, from bouncing around in the car seat to sleeping in the tent; he will be going along with me again.
After the long trip from Torrance to Laughlin, NV I met up with Kelly, Greg, and Gary so that I could lead Gary to our camp site at the Eastern edge of the Mojave Road, Greg and Kelly opted to spend the evening at the Avi Resort and Casino. XWe arrived at the camping area at dusk and had just enough time to set up camp before the sun dipped behind the hills.
Click to enlarge
On Saturday morning the group got together, nine vehicles in total, and we started our trip West on the Mojave Road.
Click to enlarge
Being mid-April the weather was quite mild and the desert was in bloom. XIt was a bit warm on the Eastern side of the trail but I didn't mind, I drove my '96 Cherokee with working AC, Sebastian and I kept nice and cool.
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
If you've never seen Prickly Pear in bloom they have quite the pretty flower.
Click to enlarge
Max Wilson, our fearless leader.
Click to enlarge
Kelly and Greg from a distance.
Click to enlarge
To be continued...
I last ran this trail in 2004 and had no intention of attending this run, I wanted to but felt I did not have the time. XWhile having a random conversation with Holly I mentioned that LOST was hitting Mojave Road and that conditions were near perfect for the event, she simply told me to take my two and a half year old son Sebastian and go. XI did not argue, five days later the Jeep was packed and we were on the freeway.
Click to enlarge
This also marked Sebastian's first camping trip as well as his first extended off road excursion. XWhile he has been on dirt a few times in the past, including one trail maintenance day, this was the first multi-hour trail ride, I was curious how he would perform. XAs I expected he absolutely loved the entire experience, from bouncing around in the car seat to sleeping in the tent; he will be going along with me again.
After the long trip from Torrance to Laughlin, NV I met up with Kelly, Greg, and Gary so that I could lead Gary to our camp site at the Eastern edge of the Mojave Road, Greg and Kelly opted to spend the evening at the Avi Resort and Casino. XWe arrived at the camping area at dusk and had just enough time to set up camp before the sun dipped behind the hills.
Click to enlarge
On Saturday morning the group got together, nine vehicles in total, and we started our trip West on the Mojave Road.
Click to enlarge
Being mid-April the weather was quite mild and the desert was in bloom. XIt was a bit warm on the Eastern side of the trail but I didn't mind, I drove my '96 Cherokee with working AC, Sebastian and I kept nice and cool.
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
If you've never seen Prickly Pear in bloom they have quite the pretty flower.
Click to enlarge
Max Wilson, our fearless leader.
Click to enlarge
Kelly and Greg from a distance.
Click to enlarge
To be continued...
- Location
- Torrance, CA
The school bus.
Click to enlarge
Sebastian and the bus.
Click to enlarge
Group photo.
Click to enlarge
Dirt Bound Offroad
Click to enlarge
Joshua Tree forest.
Click to enlarge
Interior of an abandoned house.
Click to enlarge
Sebastian did not allow the bumping around to disturb his nap, all he asked was that I put music on to help him go to sleep, I complied and put Black Sabbath on the radio.
Click to enlarge
Descending the rutted out hill, this was probably the most challenging part of the entire trail (provided you weren't driving doorless vehicles).
Click to enlarge
Mojave Road
Click to enlarge
To be continued...
Click to enlarge
Sebastian and the bus.
Click to enlarge
Group photo.
Click to enlarge
Dirt Bound Offroad
Click to enlarge
Joshua Tree forest.
Click to enlarge
Interior of an abandoned house.
Click to enlarge
Sebastian did not allow the bumping around to disturb his nap, all he asked was that I put music on to help him go to sleep, I complied and put Black Sabbath on the radio.
Click to enlarge
Descending the rutted out hill, this was probably the most challenging part of the entire trail (provided you weren't driving doorless vehicles).
Click to enlarge
Mojave Road
Click to enlarge
To be continued...
- Location
- Torrance, CA
Click to enlarge
As those of you who were there know, Sebastian spent a lot of time moving sand and rocks around. XHere he is trying out the pebbles in our Saturday camp site.
Click to enlarge
Not so bad a view from camp.
Click to enlarge
We were soothed to sleep by the distinct crackling sound as energy flowed into California.
Click to enlarge
My father signing in at the mailbox.
Click to enlarge
Inside the Lava Tube
Click to enlarge
Sebastian and my father hiking back to the Jeeps.
Click to enlarge
Some sections of Mojave Road have been co-opted by local dirt roads such as this section.
Click to enlarge
Unlike the last time I was on Mojave Road we chose to cross Soda Dry Lake. XBefore starting the crossing we ate lunch on the edge of the lake while watching two groups cross. XSoda Dry Lake is known for having mud under a thin layer of solid-looking crust when ran too early in the year or after recent rains, this has caused many unplanned camping days and rescue missions over the years. XWe had no problems at all; to be safe we spread the group out, not only in case we found a mud hole but also to keep out of each others dust.
Click to enlarge
As we regrouped on the West side of the lake we were treated with a well formed dirt devil.
Click to enlarge
Shortly after Soda Dry Lake we were passed by a group of four motorcycles heading Westbound, about twenty minutes later we saw them stopped ahead. XAs I was pulling up to the rear most bike it was plain he had problems. XHe had crashed the bike but appeared to be fairly unhurt other than some cuts on his hand. XHis motorcycle had a large hole where the clutch basket lives. XAfter talking to him for a few minutes asking if he needed medical help or water I pulled forward to speak to the rest of his group. XI then asked Greg to speak to him to determine if he showed any warning signs of a concussion, as I was speaking to his friends Greg gave him the all clear. XI made sure they were set on water/supplies, had a plan in place, and knew where they were going, their plan seemed sound and they knew the area so we continued our trip into Afton Canyon.
Click to enlarge
Kelly and the canyon wall.
Click to enlarge
Remember when I said that the steep rutted out hill was the most challenging part for most people? XIt seems both my dad in his borrowed TJ and Matthew in his '79 CJ-5 both had transfer case shifting issues. XThey also both had sink into the quicksand issues. XMax got to use his strap and winch today while we sat back and heckled.
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
All told it was a great weekend on the Mojave Road. XEverybody was happy at the end of the day and we had no serious problems. XMax did a good job of leading the trail despite having a yellow Jeep.
I have many more photographs from this weekend, I will update this post when I have them all hosted. XThat will likely be done later this week.
Sequoia
SC Rednek
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Winchester TN
$50 and 10 minutes of work, my new starter's installed. All the teeth were stripped off the old one, but the flywheel's fine. Little bit of WD-40 and the power steering pump bearing quit whining. Jeep's good as new again!
SC Rednek
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Winchester TN
Any more pictures?
- Location
- Torrance, CA
Yes. A whole lot more! But I haven't had the time to process them yet. :flame:
boostamante
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- los angeles california
Sweet reporting as Usual Geoff. Ill have to make that trip sometime.
Skwerly
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Ash Fork, AZ (Freedom)
LOVE those images. I'd really be interested in doing that Mojave Road. It'd be cool to take three days, maybe four, and really enjoy it. 
- Location
- Torrance, CA
LOVE those images. I'd really be interested in doing that Mojave Road. It'd be cool to take three days, maybe four, and really enjoy it.
Three or four days would be best, I've just never had the time to give it that much. In the future I may start doing it with some regularity in spring, if I do I may open it up as a real run (as opposed to just a run with my family), I haven't decided yet. If I do it will be posted here, I'll just need to do some research first for the historical tour part of it :cheers:
Skwerly
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Ash Fork, AZ (Freedom)
Yea, time is always a problem. Would be a great trip though!
