Here's the trail traveled - into Red Canyon, along the Bradshaw Trail, up into the Augustine Pass, into the Chuckwalla Springs area where we camped. From there down the Graham Pass, back along the Bradshaw Trail, and then out the Government Pass.
Bradshaw Trail and More - March 2010
Just three trucks: Paul and Noon, Mark and Nia, and Steven and Sandra.
Bradshaw Trail and More - March 2010
We aired down and started along the trail, stretched our suspensions and nerves on some hill climbing ...
Bradshaw Trail and More - March 2010
.... and then rode along the ridge line above Red Canyon ...
Bradshaw Trail and More - March 2010
... before we dropped down into the canyon for lunch.
Bradshaw Trail and More - March 2010
Then it was onto the Bradshaw Trail and out to the bombs. Mark checked to make sure they were all duds.
Bradshaw Trail and More - March 2010
So we posed.
Bradshaw Trail and More - March 2010
We found one mud puddle to play in.
Bradshaw Trail and More - March 2010
That's not how to make a splash ... this is how to make a splash!
Bradshaw Trail and More - March 2010
Mark crashed into the old up-side-down van trying to right it.
Bradshaw Trail and More - March 2010
The flowers were beginning to bloom
Bradshaw Trail and More - March 2010
Caught a bee doing what bee's do to a Desert Mariposa Lily!
Bradshaw Trail and More - March 2010
The cactus were plump - a fish hook barrel cactus.
Bradshaw Trail and More - March 2010
About four hours on the road we made it to the Augustine Pass which I had just run the week before Christmas last year. The recent rains changed that trail 100% and the trail was a nice ripe black diamond trail with lots of exposed rocks, steps, and ridges that had been covered in gravel. All that gravel that had been washed out of the canyon maded the road out invisible. I looked for previous tracks and there were none that I saw so we were the first though the canyon since the gully-washing. There was still water in the canyon for most of the trip. Lots of twists, turns, and challenges ... nothing stopped us though.
Bradshaw Trail and More - March 2010
At the Chuckwalla Springs area we camped near the ruins of an old mining area. The wind was intermittent but we had a big dinner (gee that was a surprise), a bigger fire, and sat around telling stories. We heard animals walking through the wash that night - big animals! The wind picked up after bedtime and really blew the tents about.
Bradshaw Trail and More - March 2010
The next morning we went up the canyon a bit to play on the rocky trail.
Bradshaw Trail and More - March 2010
Bradshaw Trail and More - March 2010
And we started out toward the Graham Pass. You can see the amount of erosion that has taken place since we visited in December.
Bradshaw Trail and More - March 2010
Graham Pass was an easy ride as it had just been graded with an earth grader.
Bradshaw Trail and More - March 2010
We did see some wild life. First a rare Desert Tortoise. Playing hard to get.
Bradshaw Trail and More - March 2010
And later coming out of it's shell ... don't be shy! We watched him for about ten minutes and left it some fruits and vegetables before hitting the trail again. This is only the second tortoise I've seen - both of them along the Bradshaw trail.
Bradshaw Trail and More - March 2010
The flowers were blooming big time in this canyon. The ocotillo was very green and the flowers were amazing!
Bradshaw Trail and More - March 2010
Bradshaw Trail and More - March 2010
We turned back onto the Bradshaw trail and continued east bound. The view was the standard amazing landscape where you can see forty to fifty miles in every direction and not see hardly a trace of man.
Bradshaw Trail and More - March 2010
Except for this. What the heck it is I don't know except to label it as someones insanity. The boat was built into the frame work you see on the outside and under it. Those wheels were too small to get it there - the sand way too soft for wheels that small. The top sealed to the bottom but was being held open with some wood. There were wheels on the top too. There was no rudder. No mounting for an engine inboard or outboard. No way to get inside or out. The insides were empty. The fiberglass was 3/4" thick ... someone's crazy!
Bradshaw Trail and More - March 2010
So we tried a new trail the Government Pass. The trail looked really under used so we knew the thing could be fun. The road wasn't too hard, lots of gully washes where you had to ease in and out. I started to worry when a Turkey Vulture started to circle us! Beautiful shots scaled down to fit here.
Bradshaw Trail and More - March 2010
Bradshaw Trail and More - March 2010
Mark spotted a herd of burro and started to chase them across the desert.
Bradshaw Trail and More - March 2010
Bradshaw Trail and More - March 2010
They crossed the road right in front of us.
Bradshaw Trail and More - March 2010
We had lunch on day two up on the top of the pass. There were still fighting emplacements from WWII with some empty ration cans laying around. Nice view too. Big picture below.
Bradshaw Trail and More - March 2010
From the top we headed down into more flowers ....
Bradshaw Trail and More - March 2010
and washed out gullies. I think Steve and Sandra had a good introduction into traveling with the club. Steve is a good driver and for some unknown reason trusted mine and Mark's spotting and advice. Hope he and his lovely bride come out on more trips to meet the rest of you folks.
Bradshaw Trail and More - March 2010
You guys missed a really good trail, great weather, super food, and some encounters with some rare wild life. About 92 miles off road total.
