Joshua Tree NP exploring?

[e9999]

BTW, e9999, any pics of your trip there? I'd like to wheel in JTNP next week with my stock 80 and was wondering if it could go through Old Dale mining district northbound from Cottonwood. Cheers. Grolar

well, as I tried to describe above, there is a section of maybe 1/2 mile or so, directly after you'd leave the basin North of Cottonwood, and start going up the hills, that is a bit rough cuz the road is washed out. Certainly feasible with a stock 80 but you would have to pay attention to avoid banging up a running board or something underneath when your tires drop in ruts. These can be as much as a foot and a half maybe in that section. But it's not long and if you go slow or have somebody spot you in the 2 or 3 worst sections, you should be fine. Before and after that one rough section it should be easy for an 80. As I also said, be sure to get a good map or book, cuz there a few intersections that are not obvious, a bit North of the rocky sections. The trail is not difficult at all, but it would still be a major pain to break down in the middle of that trip if you're alone, there is not a lot of traffic, so I'd suggest to go with somebody.

There is another trail that leaves Old Dale Road about 10 miles N. of Cottonwood towards the NorthEast that is supposed to be a bit more challenging.

only 1 pic and it's boring, sorry.

Have fun!

 

[Echo_29]

Grolar:
You should be fine if you stay on the main path and not up into the hills in the mining district. You'll do even better if you've gotten rid of the running boards!

 

[Grolar]

Went back there the other day. No time for serious offroading but here's a pic anyway. Cheers Grolar

 

[sethos1]

Joshua tree for Memorial day.

Went to Joshua tree this past weekend. We really lucked out with the weather. It was in the 80s Saturday and Sunday. And a bit hotter on monday. We camped at Indian Cove. Great campsite. No water and chemical toilets. As long as you have what you need its great. The rocks are amazing. We hiked to 49 palms oasis on sunday. Easy 3 mile round trip hike. It was a trip to descend into the valley and find water and a grove of palm trees in the middle of the dessert climate.

On monday we left via the Geology Tour road. Mostly graded, until the end where it gets a bit more fun. A few rocks to drive over.
We ran into an abondoned H2 that someone tried to drive up a non trail and got his rear wheels stuck. They were not close to the trail head so they most likely had a long walk out.

Here are some pics.
Camp site at Indian cove
view From Campsite
49 Palms Oasis

 

[sethos1]

A couple more pics
Geology Tour road
The Stuck H2

 

[Brentbba]

Dumb Fawk H2 got what he deserved as from your pic and descriptoon it looks/sounds like he was off the trail and that's not ok anywhere.

 

[sethos1]

yeah he was off the trail where he should not have been.

 

[calamaridog]

Indian Cove is a great campsite. There are some caves up in the rocks, a few of which are actually decent size.

 

[cruiser_guy]

I hope the Parks Service confiscated the H2 and holds it pending payment of a LARGE fine. Those are the IDIOTS who ruin access for the rest of us.

 

[Grolar]

Don't tell this dumb H2's owner he could have got lots of 80's for the same price... Wondering how he explained his misfortune to the rangers? I did Berdoo canyon in April and it's indeed kind of fun. But the last miles are real creepy (junk, abandoned vehicles and weirdos using it as a makeshift gun range).

 

[jb welda]

how can you tell a "weirdo"?

one love
jah bill

 

[Grolar]

OK, maybe just a guy next door there!

 

[sethos1]

It was a bummer to drive through this beautifull canyon only to find at the end a dumping ground for peoples trash. take it to the dump. I do recommend JTNP there are a lot of places to explore there. I will be back to check it out more as one weekend was not enough time to see it all.

 

[sethos1]

Hot Springs

I forgot to add that we stopped at Sams Hot springs.

After we exited Berdoo canyon we made a right on Dillon Road and about a 15 min drive is Sams. It was a great way to cap the weekend. Swimming in the pool and soaking in the Hot tubs.

http://www.samsfamilyspa.com/

 

[clownmidget]

I've been working out there a lot lately and found a pretty interesting side canyon off Berdoo Canyon. Starts at N33.83068 W116.09747 (UTM NAD83) but the entrance is a bit challenging. The weekdays, mornings and evenings are really great and last weeks new moon really gave you a chance to check out the stars. But I'll be the first to admit that cruising out of some of these canyons at sunset, especially on a weekend night, can feel a bit dicey. I'll be out there again in the morning and will try to take a couple of pics of the entrance of this side canyon.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Nice Clown-Let's visit there in the fall or Winter-maybe a good December destination?

 

[Adventure Teq]

Beautiful, definitely will be a destination on my future road trip. I remember when I found that oasis there were tons of frogs and lizards all around. Neat place.

Went to Joshua tree this past weekend. We really lucked out with the weather. It was in the 80s Saturday and Sunday. And a bit hotter on monday. We camped at Indian Cove. Great campsite. No water and chemical toilets. As long as you have what you need its great. The rocks are amazing. We hiked to 49 palms oasis on sunday. Easy 3 mile round trip hike. It was a trip to descend into the valley and find water and a grove of palm trees in the middle of the dessert climate.

On monday we left via the Geology Tour road. Mostly graded, until the end where it gets a bit more fun. A few rocks to drive over.
We ran into an abondoned H2 that someone tried to drive up a non trail and got his rear wheels stuck. They were not close to the trail head so they most likely had a long walk out.

Here are some pics.
Camp site at Indian cove
view From Campsite
49 Palms Oasis

 

[sethos1]

Clownmidget-
was the entrance to the trail you are talking about a steep narrow sandy climb?

 

[clownmidget]

sethos1, the dirt two track going up (upstream) Berdoo had a very clear fork to it but did appear to "dead end" up a large bank of really loose sand. It wasn't until I got that far that I noticed the sand was the alluvium from the side canyon and it was all collected at the base of a nice vertical stone wall, maybe 3-4 ft high. An imposing "gate keeper" that my lack of working rear locker and worn down BFG AT's successfully denied. I hiked it up about 200-m and it was nice and tight and worthy of a return with some real tires and working locker. I didn't get up there today but will be back there on Friday and will tackle it then if I get time to rebuild the rear locker motor....

 

[smittycrusher]

Nice Clown-Let's visit there in the fall or Winter-maybe a good December destination?

I think the socal 80's group could talked into joining some of our fellow norcal mudders for a JTNP get together.....that is if you ya don't mind of course;p
smit