WARNING WARNING WARNING - IT'S LOOKING LIKE I AM NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THIS TRIP!!
There are network issues at work which are going to force me to stay this Friday and possibly work over the weekend. There is a very good chance that I'm not going to be able to lead this run. Three day event for those who can manage a day off on Friday. We'll start in Arizona, head north to Nevada and come back past Fort Piute. One Saturday we'll meet those coming out for a two day/over night and hit the woop-ti-do's, Marl Springs, lava tubes and the Post Box and camp near Cample Hill on the west edge of Soda Lake. Day three will be crossing the Soda Lake and up through the Afton Canyon and back to pavement on the 15 freeway. This is always an epic trip with some amazingly isolated areas with +150 miles of trail.
The historic Mojave road route, also know as the Old Government Road is a pre-Civil War supply trail used by the US Army in the 1850s. A set of forts or camps were set up a day's travel apart and around the few scattered water holes along the route. This was the "cowboy and indians" era of the old west. Sites along the western end include the "Traveler's Cairn" where travelers along the trail add one stone to the growing pile. Down inside the cairn rock pile rests a special message. The cairn sits in the Soda Lake near Zzyzx strings. The visitor's book and mail box sit just south of the frog patch. The frog patch comes and goes as the local park rangers remove the patch of plastic and ceramic frogs that gather in the desert. The eastern length of the trail includes Marl Springs, the Government Holes spring and ruins, the ruins of a stone cabin, and the site of Fort Piute
Mojave Road East to West 1-3 Oct, 2010
Difficulty: 4 out of 10 - the majority of the road is a 2 or 3 out of 10. There's a good steep section out east that rates the 4 due to the moderate grade. The ridge is easy for even a first time driver, the experience driver won't even notice it. There are huge valleys 20-30 miles across to cross. There are portions of loose sand which may require 4WD but 99.9% of this is a 2WD trip. This is likely the best trip for a 2WD Xterra to make.
Scenic Rating: 10 - a solid 10. The remote desert is pristine and that remoteness adds to the attractiveness. There are ruins, springs, and scenic vistas. This is the best trail in our neighborhood by a pretty big margin and let's keep it that way. Please no trash dumping along the trail and since fire danger ought to still be pretty high please use your ash trays if you smoke.
Distance: 130 miles (3 days) about 75 miles (2 days). Count on many hours "in the saddle". We'll take photo breaks along the way but since the trail is so long it drives us down the trail in order to make our waypoints. This is one of those trails to bring 5 gallons of spare gas and water up in the roof rack. The gas is likely not to be needed but better have 5 too many gallons than 5 gallons not enough. Starting in the east and heading west allows those who want to run the whole trail a head start on the length, a place for those doing a two day trip a change to join, and best of all ... a shorter drive home at the end of the weekend.
Meeting Spot: Friday 10:30 AM - McDonald's 1201, 3rd Street, Needles CA 92363. About 3.5 hours from Riverside CA. Take the 15 north to the 40 freeway in Barstow. Take the 40 east for 141 miles to Needles, exit River Road to the west. This is a refuel point and lunch.
Meeting Spot: Saturday 10:30 - The trail crosses the Kelso-Cima Road at N35 10.5630, W115 30.5491. To get there travel north on the 15 freeway to Barstow. Barstow is your refuel point. From there take the 40 freeway east for 78 miles to exit 78 the Kelbaker Road. 22.5 miles north along the Kelbaker road to the Kelso-Cima road. 13.5 miles along the Kelso-Cima road you'll find the scenery changing as the results of the ancient lava flows become evident. You'll also find day one's tired travelers along the east side of the road. This is a long 3 hour and 20 minute ride out of Riverside but makes for a shorter ride back on Sunday at the end-of-the-trail. The Mojave Road follows Cedar Canyon Road so on your maps the intersection is Cedar Canyon and Kelso Cima Roads.
Communications: FRS channel 10 privacy code 24, 2M amateur radio 146.52
Weather: Warmer than seasonal averages. Daytime highs in the low 90's, evening lows in the high 50's. Weather is looking better!
