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Well we have wrapped up another successful Raptor Expedition, Operation: Desert Heat. This event was a great success with 15 trucks over 2 days in some very intense heat, mixed with some challenging terrain. With drivers and passengers traveling from as far as Maryland, we had a very diverse group of participants, all of which had a great time!
The event started on Saturday, June 23rd for the group. However, Raptor Expeditions had one small stretch of trail that we chose to pre-run once again, before the event started on Saturday. With RSV-4 and Gordon Brown volunteering to help, we set out Friday afternoon for a short pre-run. This pre-run was successful, and helped locate a great hidden canyon trail that the group was able to enjoy the following day. Near the end of the pre-run, RSV-4 experienced a radiator hose failure on the trail! Not a good breakdown when it's 110 degrees outside!
The failure was more of a fluke, as the support clamp had come loose, causing the hose to rub on the corner of the support, splitting the hose about and inch wide. Luckily, Gordon Brown had special tape just for this purpose in his bag of tricks! Had he not had this, we would have been waiting for a tow, for sure! After a quick repair, we added 2.5 gallons of water/coolant to the truck, and we were back on the road, headed for the hotel!
The next morning, the group met at Palm Canyon Resort to prep the trucks, and get together for a quick driver's meeting before the run that day. Each truck needed the basic preparations, including door stickers, GPS installations, and tire preparations. The Raptor Expeditions group did our best to get each truck ready to roll before Connor held a driver's meeting with all of the participants. After that, a quick splash of gas was needed for a few trucks before heading out!
The group headed up on the road, headed towards our first destination of the day, which would be "Font's Point", a beautiful view only accessible with a 4x4 vehicle. The caravan of 15 trucks was a great start to the morning, as new drivers were given the chance to learn the GPS and radio controls before hitting the dirt, at the Font's Point turn-off.
A high speed wash lead the group through a series of narrow trails, eventually leading to a one-way loop where the group would stop and check out the view at Font's Point.
Over the next few hours, the group made our way through some beautiful canyons, and deserted areas inside the Anza-Borrego and Ocotillo Wells parks. Areas normally full of OHV enthusiasts, were completely deserted as the heat kept everybody away from enjoying their off road hobbies… that is, except the group of Raptors with our Air-Conditioned cabs!
The group made its way through the town of Westmorland, for a quick splash of gas and a bite to eat at the local high end restaurant… the Shell station.
---------- Post added at 04:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:12 PM ----------
From there, it was time to head north towards a few scenic viewpoints for some photo opportunities, and a chance to see some of California's more bizarre sights. From a deserted boat launch, to the natural bubbling mud pots, then to Salvation Mountain… some interesting sights for the first-timers for sure!
Salton Sea boat launch, long abandoned!!!
Natural Bubbling Mud Pots (Fields on fire in background, not Connor's truck! haha):
Salvation Mountain:
After the scenic waypoints, the group was now in for a few hours of high speed trails, mixed in with some cautions sure to keep the co-driver on his/her toes! The section of trail from Salvation Mountain up to the Bradshaw Trail is a long uphill stretch, which was pushing the trucks to their limits for sure, on this 105 degree afternoon! It was a great opportunity for drivers to really stretch the legs on their vehicles, as Gary was set-up for some photo ops as well!
After a few rock-riddled trails, and slow-speed obstacles through the mountain pass, it was time to hit the Bradshaw Trail, which is a well-maintained dirt road stretching from the Salton Sea, all the want to the Arizona border! It parallels an active military bombing range, which is evident from the piles of used test-bombs that are strewn along side of the trail. A few sweeping turns and jumps allowed for a few more photo ops for our trip photographer, Gary Fries.
As we wind our way through the Bradshaw trail, the trail opens up into a large wash which is frequented by many OHV users from dirt bikes to side-by-sides during the peak seasons. There are many canyons and trails to explore in this area for those wishing to spend some more time in the desert down the road. An abandoned trail bridge made a great photo op for the group to get a quick shot in before eventually hitting the canal road for the trip back to the hotel for the end of day 1.
The group now gets to check in to the hotel for some needed rest and relaxation, after a long hot day on the trails. Indian Wells Resort hotel was our destination for Saturday night. With all of the Expeditions, we always organize a group dinner. This event called for something fitting of the run, for which we chose "Las Casuelas" in La Quinta near Indian Wells. A great mexican restaurant with a killer margarita, enjoyed by a large percentage of the group!
Lets not forget that it was Keith's birthday… the Wiz himself!
Day 1 was a great success… only to be upstaged by day 2, where the group will cover even more group, and more challenging terrain!
The event started on Saturday, June 23rd for the group. However, Raptor Expeditions had one small stretch of trail that we chose to pre-run once again, before the event started on Saturday. With RSV-4 and Gordon Brown volunteering to help, we set out Friday afternoon for a short pre-run. This pre-run was successful, and helped locate a great hidden canyon trail that the group was able to enjoy the following day. Near the end of the pre-run, RSV-4 experienced a radiator hose failure on the trail! Not a good breakdown when it's 110 degrees outside!
The failure was more of a fluke, as the support clamp had come loose, causing the hose to rub on the corner of the support, splitting the hose about and inch wide. Luckily, Gordon Brown had special tape just for this purpose in his bag of tricks! Had he not had this, we would have been waiting for a tow, for sure! After a quick repair, we added 2.5 gallons of water/coolant to the truck, and we were back on the road, headed for the hotel!
The next morning, the group met at Palm Canyon Resort to prep the trucks, and get together for a quick driver's meeting before the run that day. Each truck needed the basic preparations, including door stickers, GPS installations, and tire preparations. The Raptor Expeditions group did our best to get each truck ready to roll before Connor held a driver's meeting with all of the participants. After that, a quick splash of gas was needed for a few trucks before heading out!
The group headed up on the road, headed towards our first destination of the day, which would be "Font's Point", a beautiful view only accessible with a 4x4 vehicle. The caravan of 15 trucks was a great start to the morning, as new drivers were given the chance to learn the GPS and radio controls before hitting the dirt, at the Font's Point turn-off.
A high speed wash lead the group through a series of narrow trails, eventually leading to a one-way loop where the group would stop and check out the view at Font's Point.
Over the next few hours, the group made our way through some beautiful canyons, and deserted areas inside the Anza-Borrego and Ocotillo Wells parks. Areas normally full of OHV enthusiasts, were completely deserted as the heat kept everybody away from enjoying their off road hobbies… that is, except the group of Raptors with our Air-Conditioned cabs!
The group made its way through the town of Westmorland, for a quick splash of gas and a bite to eat at the local high end restaurant… the Shell station.
---------- Post added at 04:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:12 PM ----------
From there, it was time to head north towards a few scenic viewpoints for some photo opportunities, and a chance to see some of California's more bizarre sights. From a deserted boat launch, to the natural bubbling mud pots, then to Salvation Mountain… some interesting sights for the first-timers for sure!
Salton Sea boat launch, long abandoned!!!
Natural Bubbling Mud Pots (Fields on fire in background, not Connor's truck! haha):
Salvation Mountain:
After the scenic waypoints, the group was now in for a few hours of high speed trails, mixed in with some cautions sure to keep the co-driver on his/her toes! The section of trail from Salvation Mountain up to the Bradshaw Trail is a long uphill stretch, which was pushing the trucks to their limits for sure, on this 105 degree afternoon! It was a great opportunity for drivers to really stretch the legs on their vehicles, as Gary was set-up for some photo ops as well!
After a few rock-riddled trails, and slow-speed obstacles through the mountain pass, it was time to hit the Bradshaw Trail, which is a well-maintained dirt road stretching from the Salton Sea, all the want to the Arizona border! It parallels an active military bombing range, which is evident from the piles of used test-bombs that are strewn along side of the trail. A few sweeping turns and jumps allowed for a few more photo ops for our trip photographer, Gary Fries.
As we wind our way through the Bradshaw trail, the trail opens up into a large wash which is frequented by many OHV users from dirt bikes to side-by-sides during the peak seasons. There are many canyons and trails to explore in this area for those wishing to spend some more time in the desert down the road. An abandoned trail bridge made a great photo op for the group to get a quick shot in before eventually hitting the canal road for the trip back to the hotel for the end of day 1.
The group now gets to check in to the hotel for some needed rest and relaxation, after a long hot day on the trails. Indian Wells Resort hotel was our destination for Saturday night. With all of the Expeditions, we always organize a group dinner. This event called for something fitting of the run, for which we chose "Las Casuelas" in La Quinta near Indian Wells. A great mexican restaurant with a killer margarita, enjoyed by a large percentage of the group!
Lets not forget that it was Keith's birthday… the Wiz himself!
Day 1 was a great success… only to be upstaged by day 2, where the group will cover even more group, and more challenging terrain!
