The Mojave Road

[MagicMtnDan]

You don't know what you're missing!

 

[MagicMtnDan]

This is a 3-day trip. We will start at the Colorado River near Needles, CA. The Mojave Road was a main wagon trail for only a relatively short time, two decades after the civil war, until the railroads came. While it was used, the Mojave Road was plagued by hostile Indians, lack of water, long stretches of sand and rough hill climbs. Like most trails the Mojave Road was first an Indian path, used as a trade route. The Mojave Indians, who lived along the Colorado River, would travel to the coast, following the path that guaranteed water. The first European to use the Mojave trail was probably Father Francisco Graces in 1776.

Traveling the Mojave Road isn't a picnic. It's a 2- or 3-day excursion, best made in convoy with other 4-wheelers. The trip begins on the bank of the Colorado River. The terrain is mostly desert; some hills over the various mountain ranges; a dry lake; water crossings; canyons; and areas of soft sand. We will follow the trail from spring to spring to spring. There is much history to observe along the way. We will see springs, remains of forts, lava flows and Indian petroglyphs.



The Mojave Road would have faded from sight except for the curiosity and perseverance of Dennis Casebier, of Goffs. He points out that the road, while not a particularly tough 4-wheel drive trail, is a dangerous place. "You can die out there," he said. "And the people who want to go see the trail need to be equipped properly. There are no signs leading you onto the Mojave Road; just rock Cairns.

Because of the length of the trail and the isolation, we recommend you bring to bring an extra 5 gallons gas. The road is 120 miles long. In addition bring a few gallons of water. There is nowhere to get fresh water. Bring your own food and a means to cook it. You will need appropriate clothing/shelter/sleeping arrangement. This is the desert in the winter. It gets below freezing at night. Also bring your own Bathroom. There are none. Bring firewood so we can have a campfire.

We rate this trail at a 2. Trail rating 2 requires good vehicle clearance and use of 4WD with no special driving skill required.

Source of above: http://www.4x4training.com/Adventures/mojaveroad.html

 

[MagicMtnDan]

From another website:

We took a 3 day trip across the Mojave Desert on the historic Mojave Road. It was one of the greatest off-road trips that I have ever been on. Nobody broke down and we even made it across with two 2-wheel drive vehicles. Here are some pictures that tell the story.

Lots of pics here:

http://www.travsite.com/desert/MojaveRoad2006/index.html

 

[bstoner59]

You don't know what you're missing!

That's what Kyle told me about his chebby...


Should be an amazing trip..really looking forwatd to it!

 

[BigJ]

Alright... as a "hardcore camping" newbie, how does one bring their own bathroom? Does that amount to a shovel, some TP and maybe some hand sanitizer?

 

[Xjrguy]

Good information here:

http://mojaveroad.blogspot.com/

 

[bstoner59]

Alright... as a "hardcore camping" newbie, how does one bring their own bathroom? Does that amount to a shovel, some TP and maybe some hand sanitizer?

A rock usually can handle all three jobs oopstorm: :thumbsup:

 

[BigJ]

A rock usually can handle all three jobs oopstorm: :thumbsup:

Greeeaaaat. I can tell this trip is gonna be REAL fun with friends like you to show me the way...

 

[OUTCAST]

Man, I would LOVE to go on a trip like this! You that are going count yourselves LUCKY! It 'd take me three days just to start there! I can only Imagine!? Hey, But we got MUD!:nana:

 

[BigJ]

Good information here:

http://mojaveroad.blogspot.com/

I had emailed those folks, thanking them for the blog. I also asked if they had any general suggestions for a "newbie to The Road". Here's their response:

Thank you! We're so glad the blog is serving its purpose.

It sounds as if you should be in good hands if you're going with a group that has done this before and is getting the proper permits, etc. You're certainly starting off on the right foot by wanting to be prepared for anything.

If you don't already have one, what would be most helpful is the Mojave Road Guide by Dennis Casebier, although you may not be able to get one in the short time before your trip. Dennis is the one who rediscovered the road and developed it as a 4WD trail, and the book includes maps, mile-by-mile waypoints, the history, and what you see along the way today. It's likely that someone in your group has a copy. The odd coincidence is that the new edition with GPS waypoints is being released on Saturday, April 17, so you'd only be able to get the current version until then. The Park Service usually has them for sale at the Kelso Depot visitor center - depending on when you're heading out and from where, you might be able to swing by and pick up one there. We noted recently that DesertUSA at www.desertusa.com is selling the last few of their signed copies for a slight premium (regular price is about $20, depending on where you get it). The publisher, the Mojave Desert Heritage & Cultural Association, also sells them directly, so you could also conceivably stop there to get one, but you'd need to arrange that in advance since they do not have regular visiting hours. The phone number is (760) 733-4482 if you want to contact them.

Usually groups use CB or FRS radios to communicate as they're traveling, in order to ensure the group stays together and to alert each other to any issues. You should find out what kind of radios your group will be using and make sure you have a compatible one. Cell phones will work in some areas, but not all. The other "obvious" thing is a warm sleeping bag. You're going at one of the best times of year weather-wise, but it can still get pretty cold out there at night, especially if you're camping in the higher elevations. We saw a recent report of temps in the 30s or 40s. We always make sure we have different layers of clothes that will suit temps anywhere from near freezing to the 100s because you just never know what you're going to get. The elevation and terrain change as you traverse the road and it's often windy, so the temp usually varies throughout the day. And of course you want to capture your experience with a camera!

The only real "warning" is to be on the lookout for rattlesnakes, as they like these moderate temperatures. They're not usually a problem, but it's always wise to watch where you're walking. Also, keep in mind that as remote as the area is, there are multiple "escape routes" along the way that will get you back to some semblance of civilization pretty quickly if issues arise or you just aren't feeling comfortable with the situation. We've all bailed out at times because we just don't want to deal with disagreeable weather or a vehicle acts up. Have maps handy that show the major roads through the area, connecting to I-15 and I-40.

Perhaps the most important advice we can give is to "tread lightly and leave no trace." The National Park Service and the BLM have so far been very cooperative in allowing all of us to travel the Mojave Road, but that privilege can be revoked at any time if they deem it's being abused. We occasionally see evidence of people driving in areas that are marked as off-limits, trespassing on private property, leaving trash behind, damaging plant life or historic sites, or camping in spots that have not been previously disturbed. It's important to stay on the designated route and "do the right thing" so that all of us can continue enjoying this adventure in the future.

We hope you have a fun, successful first trip - and many more. It's a beautiful, fascinating journey. And if you think of any other questions, don't hesitate to ask...

So... what radios are the guys carrying?

I'm glad they mentioned rattle snakes. Probably a good idea to make sure our first aid kits have snake bite kits.

Should be a great time!