Raptors Run The Mojave Road April 16-18 2010

[MagicMtnDan]

We went about 50 miles the first day. We camped before Rock Spring about 5,000 feet so it got cold at night. It was beautiful, desolated place (except for a few coyotes we heard early in the AM hours) and the best part was we didn't camp on sand.

In the morning when the sun rose we were treated to a carpet of small purple flowers.

 

[MagicMtnDan]

On the trail again

 

[MagicMtnDan]

Did you notice anything different about Brian's Raptor (other than Brian's body underneath it)? Take a close look and see if you can see it. I'll give you the answer at the bottom of this post.





Tim happily shows off his ESAD-inspired creation:



Stopped at another oasis in the desert



Jason squats down to take a pic of some desert flora or fauna. Probably looking at the caterpillars, frogs, lizards, snakes, birds, etc. It's spring and the desert flowers are blooming and the animals are procreating or already have had their young. There were plenty of signs of the desert being very much alive.













Did you notice anything different about Brian's Raptor? He removed his Raptor's running boards. Rumor has it that he's going with some custom fabricated rock sliders that will be designed to bolt to the frame. it's something I've been talking about since my first posts on the other forum. Rock slider rails under the body and then another rail outboard of that with sheeting or decking wrapped over the decking to provide the protection the factory running boards provide. If the rock rails (sliders) are constructed well enough and mounted properly they should be abler to handle the weight of the Raptor which will provide lifting points for a Hi-Lift Jack (yoo-hoo, Jason!).

 

[MagicMtnDan]

BigJ enjoying the Mojave Road

 

[MagicMtnDan]

Last two pics above were at the well that Jason mentioned in his post. Our gang started up the windmill next to the tree with the Redtailed Hawks nest. Momma and Poppa Redtailed Hawk weren't happy about our staying at the nesting site.

We opened up the cover to the well and found what we think is a Red Racer (snake).

 

[MagicMtnDan]

 

[MagicMtnDan]

The flag at the Mojave Road Mailbox



The sign-in book at the Mojave Road Mailbox







Frogs are very popular along the trail. Here's a frog (toad?) shrine set up just behind the Mojave Road Mailbox:





And the gnome in the tree just feet away from the frog shrine:

 

[NoCaDiver]

More great pics Dan.

 

[MagicMtnDan]

We hiked to the Lava Tube Trail. It was well worth the walk and climb down underground into the cavern with its holes in the roof that allowed beams of light to enter the cavern:

 

[bstoner59]

MORE MORE!!!

I know I was there and I saw all this already but I love your write-ups of the trips and getting to re-live the trip all over again.

Thanks Dan!!