Ken Cooke
Explorer Addict
- Joined
- April 18, 2000
- Messages
- 1,364
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Riverside, California
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- '03 Rubicon - Tomb Raider
Located 14 Mi. east of Twentynine Palms south of Hwy 62 is the magical region named the Dale Mining District. Mining was a moneymaker in the 1880s, and crushed rock trails were constructed to move the operators in and out of the region. Although faint footpaths line the walls which are covered with cactii and creosote bushes, the rough, rock-lined paths dominate this region, and provide access to mines bearing names like; Virginia Dale, Golden Egg, Duplex, Supply, Rose of Peru, Brooklyn, Los Angeles, and even O.K.
I have been traveling to this region in my 4WD Ranger, and lately my '03 Wranger Rubicon since 1998, and I would like to share my knowledge of this backcountry with whomever is interested. On October 1st, 2005 I will lead a group of 4WD vehicles with good tires (and a hearty spare), CB radios, and a sense of adventure over a majority of these trails.
The plan is to enter via Gold Crown Road off of Hwy 62. Air down our tires to a comfortable level or pressure, and drive along Old Dale Road. We will stop to play in "The Bowl" and climb "The Bump" before heading towards Golden Egg. If there are any takers, the Duplex Mine trail awaits. This trail requires a driver with a cool head, good clearance, a Traction-Aid Device, and a non-issue with heights. We can skip Duplex altogether. From Golden Egg, we will travel across the Pinto Basin to Los Angeles, Rose of Peru, and Brooklyn Mine. There, we will get out of our vehicles and examine the remnants of pure mining history. From here, we will take the back way into O.K. Mine, then skirt along the base of Supply Mine Mtn. before asending near Supply Mine, travel along the backside of that mountain, and down to the Carlyle Mine. The entrance to Carlyle requires a 33" tire, disconnected swaybar up front, and a Traction-Aid (preferably a rear locker). This trail can be walked up, and if we have time, we will visit inside of the massive Carlyle Mine. There is a section inside of this mountain that resembles a dome room!
By this time, dusk will be falling all around us, so we will take the 62 into town. A 76 station lies on the eastern edge of town which has a good air compressor, gasoline, and plenty of parking. From here, we'll flip a coin on either Denny's Restaurant or Santana's (both in Twentynine Palms near the Marine Base). If you have a long drive home, it might be recommended to reserve a room at the Motel 6 in Twentynine Palms. They have reasonable room rates, and our party will be traveling past the Motel 6 on our way to the Old Dale Mining District at approximately 10 a.m. - Monitor CB CH4 at this time, and you'll easily group up with our party.
Important Data:
Trail Boss - Ken Cooke (a.k.a. "Desert Outlaw")
Trails: Old Dale Rd. & Brooklyn Mine Trail
Text: Backcountry Adventures: S. California - Massey & Wilson
South Coast #41 & #42 pp. 411-418.
email: thedesertoutlaw@yahoo.com
CB Channel 4 - cell phone # (951) 255-1589
Meeting Place - (Eastbound) I-10 rest-stop - Whitewater, CA
(just past Verbenia Offramp and Hwy 111 Offramp)
Drivers Meeting Time - 9 A.M.
Drivers Departure Time - 9:15 A.M. (Please be on-time)
Trail Rating 2+ for running trails.
Trail Rating 3 for travel on Carlyle & Duplex Mine trails.
Gasoline stop at 76 Station on Adobe Rd./Hwy 62 - just 14 mi. west of Gold Crown Rd.
1 full tank is enough to complete entire day-run.
We should be back in Twentynine Palms by 7 p.m.
Breakfast can be eaten upon your arrival at the reststop. Lunch will be eaten on the trail at the Golden Egg Mine.
Join us for dinner back in town for either fancy American fare (Denny's), or on the cheap (and good-tasting) Traditional Mexican cuisine at Santana's on Adobe Rd.
Images:
Your Trail Boss: http://meenahan.com/olddale/images/CRW_1159.jpg
Brooklyn Mine Trail: http://meenahan.com/olddale/images/CRW_1202.jpg
Golden Egg Mine: http://meenahan.com/olddale/images/CRW_1213.jpg
Gold Crown Rd: http://meenahan.com/olddale/images/CRW_1226.jpg
O.K. Mine: http://meenahan.com/olddale/images/CRW_1101.jpg
http://meenahan.com/olddale/images/CRW_1098.jpg
"The Bump": http://meenahan.com/olddale/images/CRW_1092.jpg
Sunset in Old Dale Mining Dist.: http://www.rubiconowners.com/JTfeb7KenatDusk.JPG
I have been traveling to this region in my 4WD Ranger, and lately my '03 Wranger Rubicon since 1998, and I would like to share my knowledge of this backcountry with whomever is interested. On October 1st, 2005 I will lead a group of 4WD vehicles with good tires (and a hearty spare), CB radios, and a sense of adventure over a majority of these trails.
The plan is to enter via Gold Crown Road off of Hwy 62. Air down our tires to a comfortable level or pressure, and drive along Old Dale Road. We will stop to play in "The Bowl" and climb "The Bump" before heading towards Golden Egg. If there are any takers, the Duplex Mine trail awaits. This trail requires a driver with a cool head, good clearance, a Traction-Aid Device, and a non-issue with heights. We can skip Duplex altogether. From Golden Egg, we will travel across the Pinto Basin to Los Angeles, Rose of Peru, and Brooklyn Mine. There, we will get out of our vehicles and examine the remnants of pure mining history. From here, we will take the back way into O.K. Mine, then skirt along the base of Supply Mine Mtn. before asending near Supply Mine, travel along the backside of that mountain, and down to the Carlyle Mine. The entrance to Carlyle requires a 33" tire, disconnected swaybar up front, and a Traction-Aid (preferably a rear locker). This trail can be walked up, and if we have time, we will visit inside of the massive Carlyle Mine. There is a section inside of this mountain that resembles a dome room!
By this time, dusk will be falling all around us, so we will take the 62 into town. A 76 station lies on the eastern edge of town which has a good air compressor, gasoline, and plenty of parking. From here, we'll flip a coin on either Denny's Restaurant or Santana's (both in Twentynine Palms near the Marine Base). If you have a long drive home, it might be recommended to reserve a room at the Motel 6 in Twentynine Palms. They have reasonable room rates, and our party will be traveling past the Motel 6 on our way to the Old Dale Mining District at approximately 10 a.m. - Monitor CB CH4 at this time, and you'll easily group up with our party.
Important Data:
Trail Boss - Ken Cooke (a.k.a. "Desert Outlaw")
Trails: Old Dale Rd. & Brooklyn Mine Trail
Text: Backcountry Adventures: S. California - Massey & Wilson
South Coast #41 & #42 pp. 411-418.
email: thedesertoutlaw@yahoo.com
CB Channel 4 - cell phone # (951) 255-1589
Meeting Place - (Eastbound) I-10 rest-stop - Whitewater, CA
(just past Verbenia Offramp and Hwy 111 Offramp)
Drivers Meeting Time - 9 A.M.
Drivers Departure Time - 9:15 A.M. (Please be on-time)
Trail Rating 2+ for running trails.
Trail Rating 3 for travel on Carlyle & Duplex Mine trails.
Gasoline stop at 76 Station on Adobe Rd./Hwy 62 - just 14 mi. west of Gold Crown Rd.
1 full tank is enough to complete entire day-run.
We should be back in Twentynine Palms by 7 p.m.
Breakfast can be eaten upon your arrival at the reststop. Lunch will be eaten on the trail at the Golden Egg Mine.
Join us for dinner back in town for either fancy American fare (Denny's), or on the cheap (and good-tasting) Traditional Mexican cuisine at Santana's on Adobe Rd.
Images:
Your Trail Boss: http://meenahan.com/olddale/images/CRW_1159.jpg
Brooklyn Mine Trail: http://meenahan.com/olddale/images/CRW_1202.jpg
Golden Egg Mine: http://meenahan.com/olddale/images/CRW_1213.jpg
Gold Crown Rd: http://meenahan.com/olddale/images/CRW_1226.jpg
O.K. Mine: http://meenahan.com/olddale/images/CRW_1101.jpg
http://meenahan.com/olddale/images/CRW_1098.jpg
"The Bump": http://meenahan.com/olddale/images/CRW_1092.jpg
Sunset in Old Dale Mining Dist.: http://www.rubiconowners.com/JTfeb7KenatDusk.JPG
