The Mojave Road....

AZKJ · **Posted:** Mon Dec 29, 2008 10:50 pm

I've been looking through the Charles A. Wells Southern California 4x4 book for some new trails to run. The Mojave Road trail jumped up and caught my attention. The road was once an important cross-country route. It runs between Bullhead City, AZ to Barstow, CA.

In the Wells book, The Mojave Road is broken down into three legs... trails #24, 25 and 26. The entire length is roughly 120 miles long and is rated moderate, suitable for stock SUV's with high ground clearance.

Here are some excerpts from Wells' intro:

The Mojave Road

If you're prioritizing trips, put the Mojave Road high on your list. Although the trail offers no hardcore challenges, it's a trail everyone should experience at least once. Rich in history and stark beauty, this remote adventure provides memories for a lifetime. Make sure to pack a tent, plenty of water, food, and above all, enough gas to go 150 miles. Don't go alone, but keep your travel group small. The trip offers subtle pleasures that are often missed when traveling with a large group.

Most of the trail is easy with a mix of desert sand and mild rocks. Larger washes have steep, sandy banks which can be challenging.

The Mojave Road follows an hisoric Indian trail/wagon road/stage route with great scenery with a wide variety of trail conditions including a dry lake, a rocky pass, sandy desert, views of the Kelo Sand Dunes and serveral hubcap deep water crossings, even in dry weather.

So... I'm looking to put together a run with two to five vehicles (if more people are interested, we could break up into two smaller groups and meet at a designated camp that night).

Beth and I are going to forego our no camping policy as this trip will include one night on the trail, under the stars. Looks like a trip to Sportsman's warehouse to get a tent, bedding and some other odds and ends is in our future.

Here are some links to get you interested....

http://www.desertusa.com/mag99/nov/stor ... trail.html

http://www.nps.gov/archive/moja/mojahtmr.htm

How about it, anyone interested in doing this run sometime in May or early June before it gets too hot??? From what I've read, this could be a fun trip.

oldhockeyvb · **Posted:** Tue Dec 30, 2008 11:07 am

If AJ's gonna camp I gotta be there to see it. I'm interested, will need to coordinate dates with my family schedule. Let's talk more later

ihatemybike · **Posted:** Tue Dec 30, 2008 12:00 pm

Man that looks like a cool trail to run. Make me wish we weren't so far away.

AZKJ · **Posted:** Tue Dec 30, 2008 1:04 pm

ihatemybike wrote:

Man that looks like a cool trail to run. Make me wish we weren't so far away.

It's not too late to get in on this. Pack up the Jeep and put it into the wind for some serious driving. It's 26 hours behind the wheel, break it down to two days driving and you're here.

oldhockeyvb wrote:

If AJ's gonna camp I gotta be there to see it. I'm interested, will need to coordinate dates with my family schedule. Let's talk more later

Vern, Beth and I are pretty flexible as to the dates. We're looking at maybe a four~five day trip... the drive up to Bullhead City, two days and a night on the trail, a night in Barstow before heading home the next morning.

LOL... don't expect much of a camp from me. Maybe a small tent, air mattress, a small BBQ grill and some fold away chairs. Oh, and lots of trail food and a steak that night....

Anyone else wanna get in on this? If so, get with Vern and toss out some dates. We'll go with whatever Vern comes up with.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Fri Jan 02, 2009 5:19 pm

Interested. Pick a date and hopefully it will work out. I would like to offer it to the Cali group too. It starts getting hot out there early so May dates might be best.

AZKJ · **Posted:** Fri Jan 02, 2009 6:50 pm

JJsKJ wrote:

Interested. Pick a date and hopefully it will work out. I would like to offer it to the Cali group too. It starts getting hot out there early so May dates might be best.

JJ... Okay, early May then. Cali group sounds good. Go ahead and post it over there. All we need are some firm dates and a plan as to where to meet. I suggest running it East to West as described in Wells' book, unless you know more about the trail.

Vern... if you're still interested, You've got the first shot. Toss out some dates in the early to mid-May time frame.

AJ

cutezangel · **Joined:** Mon Jul 17, 2006 4:26 pm **Posts:** 62

We would like to join if a baby can come too :shock:

I have a stupid question, must it be with a Libberty?

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Sat Jan 03, 2009 12:46 am

cutezangel wrote:

We would like to join if a baby can come too :shock:

I have a stupid question, must it be with a Libberty?

Boy I hope not! Any Jeep (or most any properly equipped 4x4 for that matter) should be allowed on any run that is discussed in these forums.

(I sure hope so anyway)

AZKJ · **Posted:** Sat Jan 03, 2009 1:07 am

Just an opinion... I wouldn't think a 130 mile, two day 4x4 run through the Mojave Desert is the place for small baby.

As JJsKJ said above... any Jeep, or other capable 4x4 is welcome.

durangotang · **Posted:** Sat Jan 03, 2009 2:34 am

I'm interested... will just depend on whether or not I can get ahead in the "find the noise" game the Jeep and I are palying.

Keep me updated though, always wanted to do this one!

cutezangel · **Joined:** Mon Jul 17, 2006 4:26 pm **Posts:** 62

Well by the time comes around she'll be a year and a half and depending on the weather we might take the Libby or the 4x4 Ram, this way we can take more along on the trip and its not that bad a 2 day trip in the desert. My wife drove 2500 miles from east to west when she was 7.5 month pregnant. What a woman, I love here.

We might have to stop a few more times to feed the little one and catch up later.

:lol:

ps.
the little one has a 5 point Recaro seat! Got to be used right?

:roll:

Signcutter21 · **Posted:** Sun Jan 04, 2009 2:35 pm

While I can agree with wanting to get your child into outdoors, wheeling ect. His mother and I went round and round about when he was old enough to travel off road. I was so excited to take my son out exploring with me. I would also advise against bringing a child that young on such an extended trip. If she has a bad day it will ruin it for you and your wife. The constant bouncing around will be tough on her neck and body too. Not to mention that she'll be couped up for an extended period of time in a vehicle. In the end the decision will be yours. Small children have been traveling overland for centuries.

mike

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Sun Jan 04, 2009 2:46 pm

fwiw, DirtyKJ (Bill) used to take all his youngins out on trips, he seemed to always have a full backseat of young kids and I don't recall any major problems during our trips. Just be prepared for anything w/ a young child.

AZKJ · **Posted:** Sun Jan 04, 2009 4:03 pm

I read both Mike's and JJ's posts above and they make valid points. However, one of the things that bothers me is the comment, "We might have to stop a few more times to feed the little one and catch up later." My point is... that when they stop, we all stop while they tend to the child. I can't see leaving anyone behind only to try and catch up.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Sun Jan 04, 2009 10:42 pm

Well, since we might just split this into two groups anyway, maybe they can just stick w/ the 2nd group and we will all just meet up at some predetermined camping spot so the 1st group doesn't have to worry about it?

AZKJ · **Posted:** Sun Jan 04, 2009 11:27 pm

JJsKJ wrote:

Well, since we might just split this into two groups anyway, maybe they can just stick w/ the 2nd group and we will all just meet up at some predetermined camping spot so the 1st group doesn't have to worry about it?

So, do you want to lead a second group if we have one?

cutezangel · **Joined:** Mon Jul 17, 2006 4:26 pm **Posts:** 62

Well I appreciate the concern about our child. Like one member said, people have been traveling for centuries in worse vehicles over worse terrain (especially to the west here, LOL). I find it funny, that no one would say anything about i.e. a dog, yet a child seems to be a problem.
We are not horrible parents, our child is used to travel with us for long distance and some over harsh terrain. Of course I understand the child has a weaker neck than an adult. I would never, for any reason put our child in jeopardy. By the time comes around our child would be 1.5 years old, if the ride is to be held in May. That was one of the reasons I wanted to use the Truck, since it has a better and softer suspension than our Libby.
We do not want to put anyone in a situation "they" do not want to be!
We wanted to tag along with some nice folks, have a laugh or two and go from there.

So thank you very much, but we will "not" join for more than one reason.

Thanks to all that did supported an open mind about us, especially "JJsKJ".

I finally get it, L.O.S.T. !!!

Get a KJ join a group, but because no one knows you, get "lost"! Seems like the world is far from being unite in my humble opinion.
I feel, I am in high school again.
:roll:

ps. have a nice trip

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Mon Jan 05, 2009 9:51 am

AZKJ wrote:

JJsKJ wrote:

Well, since we might just split this into two groups anyway, maybe they can just stick w/ the 2nd group and we will all just meet up at some predetermined camping spot so the 1st group doesn't have to worry about it?

So, do you want to lead a second group if we have one?

If there is a problem w/ someone attending and it can be solved by splitting the groups, then Yes, I will lead a 2nd group.
If there is still going to be an issue then the LOST JEEPS So-Cal group can also just run the trail another time. I don't feel that a child of 1.5 years will be a huge issue and feel that the parents can make the decision on if They can handle it.

AZKJ · **Posted:** Mon Jan 05, 2009 1:01 pm

cutezangel wrote:

Thanks to all that did supported an open mind about us, especially "JJsKJ".

I finally get it, L.O.S.T. !!!

Get a KJ join a group, but because no one knows you, get "lost"! Seems like the world is far from being unite in my humble opinion.
I feel, I am in high school again.
:roll:

ps. have a nice trip

I'm sorry you feel that way and no one suggested you get "lost". You specifically mentioned,"We would like to join if a baby can come too"

It has nothing to do with being "opened minded" as you say. Because someone's opinion on whether a small child of 1.5 years belongs on a long trail run differs from yours, does not warrant your reply. You asked and I voiced my opinion... nothing more, nothing less.

So once again, sorry you think the world is not united and you feel like you're in HS... but in reality, it's not and never will be.

AZKJ · **Posted:** Mon Jan 05, 2009 1:08 pm

JJsKJ wrote:

If there is a problem w/ someone attending and it can be solved by splitting the groups, then Yes, I will lead a 2nd group.
If there is still going to be an issue then the LOST JEEPS So-Cal group can also just run the trail another time. I don't feel that a child of 1.5 years will be a huge issue and feel that the parents can make the decision on if They can handle it.

Great, issue solved. If you don't think it's an issue and want to lead the second group, go for it.

The Mojave Road....

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