Mojave Desert Trail and Exploring March 25-27 2013

[Tbars4]

...Hmmm..5 days huh?..:scratch:

..This gives everyone something to plan around...We usually do 1-1/2 days or so on the Mojave trail but have gotten request by others who wanted to extend the trip or join up with the group when we get closer to Johnson Valley...

..Bring cloths for freezing weather and 90* heat, possibly both in the same 24hrs...A spare tire is a must, plenty of water, and your own porta potty would help..

..For a general map of the area, the areas we will travel run along the 40 highway and the 15 freeway for most of the trip, from Laughlin Nevada to Barstow and then toward Victorville Calif.....

 

[Tbars4]

..End of the Mayan Calendar bump..

 

[MeMoosejr]

im hoping to go.. ill keep you informed

 

[Tbars4]

..Actual trip date will be posted by Valentines day..

..Now you have a good reason to remember Valentines day...

 

[Tbars4]

..Something to think about..

The 2013 General Tire Mint 400 returns March 20th - March 24th in Las Vegas, NV

 

[Brian1]

The Mint was one of the things I was going to talk to you about If I am in the area I might as well go! Contingency and pit crew challenge on Fremont Street and then watch the race from one of the spectator places.

 

[Four0Sport]

maybe one day.. i talk about wanting to go on a ride out west so much that my wife bought me a moab trail guide for christmas.

 

[Tbars4]

The Mint was one of the things I was going to talk to you about If I am in the area I might as well go! Contingency and pit crew challenge on Fremont Street and then watch the race from one of the spectator places.

..We could schedule this run to start right after the Mint finishes if that's what you are thinking..I would go for watching some more of the Mint..

..I wounder if this would work for Paul to also witness the race before the run or if he would be more into spending his other 3 days wheeling after the run..

maybe one day.. i talk about wanting to go on a ride out west so much that my wife bought me a moab trail guide for christmas.

..You know..There is an airport in Vegas and I've got a spare tent..

 

[Brian1]

..We could schedule this run to start right after the Mint finishes if that's what you are thinking..I would go for watching some more of the Mint..

That was my initial thought. I want to go through Barstow and take the small highways back to Needles and see places like the schoolhouse at Goffs so doing this after the Mint would allow for that.

 

[Tbars4]

...I'm easy...I might need to find out where to get my media packet though, but count me in..:biggthump

 

[Paul]

...I wounder if this would work for Paul to also witness the race before the run or if he would be more into spending his other 3 days wheeling after the run...

Hey Ted, Brian, et al,

This sounds intriguing, Googled the "Mint", would be interested in seeing a day or so of this, but need to disclose that some family dynamics have emerged since my previous posts that may affect my participation in this event. . .

I hate the idea of being brandished a "web wheeler", but life happens. . . Certainly more to follow, so don't count me out, but I'd have to list my participation at this point as "Tentative".

Paul
'91 Sport

 

[Tbars4]

...Keep us updated Paul as we understand all to well...But if you don't make this trip it only means you have to make Truckhaven in October..:

..Brian...Don't forget to remind me to include the Mojave Museums on this trip then also..

 

[Brian1]

Hope you can make it Paul but I understand if you can't, there can always be a 'next time'.

..Brian...Don't forget to remind me to include the Mojave Museums on this trip then also..

Yeah I would like to see that too, the one in Barstow correct?

Depending on who goes here are some of my thoughts - start on the E end of the road like usual but bypass the petroglyphs, bypass the ghost town, bypass the fort. There are a few trails that intersect the road at the top of the Pass just past the Fort and the powerline road I would like to check out.

Pending the rain situation I would also like to do the dry lake again and I want to find the buried box car in Afton and there is also a cool hike to do in Afton, kind of like a slot canyon from the description I have read.

Lots we need to discusss I will try and bring a few books and maps to KOH with me (if I have room for them) so we can do some route planning.

 

[Tbars4]

..You know...

..:scratch:..We could hold an "Official meeting" at In-N-Out either in Thousand Palms or Barstow to go over the planning during KOH..

Mmmmmm...In N Out...

 

[Brian1]

OK lets get some dates set. How does this look? (Mint 400 optional)

Mint 400
Friday afternoon/evening March 22nd: Mint 400 Contingency downtown Las Vegas. Hotel or camp somewhere.
Saturday March 23rd: Mint 400 Race Jean, NV
Sunday March 24th: Jean to Laughlin via some dirt through Nipton and exploring the Northern Mojave. Camp somewhere. Lake Mead area, Christmas Tree Pass, etc.

Mojave Road
Monday March 25th: Start Mojave Road westbound. Meet at AVI Casino gas station (8?, 9?), camp somewhere.
Tuesday March 26th: Continue Mojave Road, (Mines around Cima area) camp between Lava beds and Soda Lake
Wednesday March 27th: Finish Mojave Road (Afton Canyon, Soda Dry Lake) Visit museum in Barstow, depart home.

I will either stay the night in Barstow or camp again somewhere in the Mojave. I plan to take Rt66 back towards Kingman to see places like the Schoolhouse in Goffs. OR if others are interested we could see the Schoolhouse in Goffs on Monday since we will be close.

OR since some of us may be in Jean, Nv the day before, maybe start the Mojave Road eastbound to change it up a little?? Stay Sunday night in Afton campground or Barstow. Meet at Afton Campground Monday to start the Mojave Road.

 

[Tbars4]

..Dates and such sounds good to me..:biggthump

..I do like the idea of taking advantage of the Afton Campgrounds (no showers) as it's big enough for a large group and is a good meeting point...(also at possibly the deepest water crossing which may also be dry )

...Anyone else want to add to this since it's not set in stone yet?

BTW...you can meet up with us at different days/sections if you want to join in for only parts of this run..

 

[Brian1]

So is that a vote for doing the trail Eastbound? That works for me. After the Mint race Saturday we can find a place to camp and then drive down to Barstow Sunday morning and get some In-n-out The museum is open from 11-4 so that could be on Sunday as well. Then head to Afton Campground for the night. Looks like it is a $6 fee, Im unsure if thats per site/person or vehicle. Maybe I will take my camping shower on this trip.

Info on Afton including directions http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/barstow/afton.html

 

[Tbars4]

..Fixed it for ya..

Maybe I will share my camping shower on this trip.

I'm easy..If we head that way I will stay on the Colorado River at the end..It's pleasant wheeling any direction we go and the Mojave desert scenery should be awesome and breathtaking as always..:biggthump

 

[Brian1]

you better fix that again! I may let you borrow my camp shower but Im not going to share my shower :

I think doing it Eastbound would be fun for a change. Lets plan on that then.

 

[Paul]

but need to disclose that some family dynamics have emerged since my previous posts that may affect my participation in this event. . .

Recently spoke again with Ted as it looked like my attendance was in jeopardy for this, then to add "insult to injury" (or maybe vice-versa?) I tore my bicep muscle playing hockey on Monday, had the tendon reattached to the elbow on Friday. . . So in a hard splint now, pretty extensive re-hab therapy, might as well line me out for this one. . .

On another note, why don't you just buy one of those $10 "solar showers" and throw it on the roof to heat up at the end on the day. . . Just sayin'. . .

Enjoy this trip, hopefully I'll catch up with you guys one day. . .

Paul
'91 Sport