Mojave Road over Thanksgiving Weekend

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LCTom

LCTom

10 Year
Joined
Sep 30, 2013
Threads
8
Messages
117
Location
Visalia, CA
Looks like we have family coming into town the weekend before Thanksgiving and will be celebrating early. This frees up Thanksgiving weekend for some camping and off-roading.

I was thinking about breaking in our 100 series properly by taking the family across Mojave Road. I have Casebier's book and watched everyone's video log. It doesn't look too challenging assuming the weather cooperates, but my wife is concerned about doing a solo trip with a car full of kids, if no one else will be on the road for several days.

Does Mojave Road get much use over Thanksgiving? It seems that there's been a trip report every year about this time. Anyone heard anything?
 
Hey Tom
A buddy and I are leaving San Diego early Friday morning and plan on taking the drive across the road. Have to be back Sunday night. I'll be in a 4 door silver lifted JK towing a trailer. Leaving the 2000 100 home it's the wif's car don't want to get it dirty.... Lol

I suspect we'll be at the trail head by noon, heading west
Gary
 
Thanks, Gary. We should be a day ahead of you in the Black LX470 jam packed with kids. Be on the lookout for the ones we leave roadside for misbehaving. ;)
 
I wouldnt sweat it, take the standard stuff (spare tire, fix a flat, etc) SHould be a bunch of people out there during this weekend....

There are areas where the road is a rough, windy, two-track, but with a nice graded, straight road next to it, so you can bail out if needed. There are also opportunites to join (or leave) the route and go to the Interstate.

You can checkout the Kelso Dunes and Depot along the way (side trip)

Be careful about Soda Lake--read Casebeir's warning.

Do it.
 
Thanks for the input. We're going to load up and do it.

I like the ham suggestion, but won't be able to swing it this time. Definitely on my list though.
 
Kofoed said:
I wouldnt sweat it, take the standard stuff (spare tire, fix a flat, etc) SHould be a bunch of people out there during this weekend....

There are areas where the road is a rough, windy, two-track, but with a nice graded, straight road next to it, so you can bail out if needed. There are also opportunites to join (or leave) the route and go to the Interstate.

You can checkout the Kelso Dunes and Depot along the way (side trip)

Be careful about Soda Lake--read Casebeir's warning.

Do it.
Click to expand...

That's right we'll stay clear of the lake if it has rained..... Saw on the weather tonight it might rain along the coast on or around thanksgiving..... Who knows what that means out there? Could go either way.... Have to keep an eye on the NOAA site for the ridgecrest area
 
the river crossing by Bakersfield and the Lake are the only parts I would be concerned about in wet weather

I'd suspect that there's going to be more traffic around Thanksgiving than 2 weeks before or after

definitely stop by the Goffs School House and Open-Air Museum - cool things to see for the kids, too - possibly also by the Railroad Depot just over the tracks - Dennis Casebier and the Mohave Desert Heritage and Cultural Association have done an incredible job over the years (disclosure: I am a supporting member of the organization)
 
The lake is definitely on my radar, avoid if ground is wet. It's supposed to rain tomorrow, but hopefully dry up before next week. I haven't thought too much on the river crossing. I guess that I haven't heard of people having problems there. How do I tell how high is too high to cross? (other than getting stuck)

I'm pretty sure if I take it slow and steady I'll be okay, but I sense an opportunity to convince my wife we need a snorkel.
 
Rain shortly before crossing isn't always a show stopper, but if water has ponded for a few days, then it is trouble.

I would just go the edge of the "dry" lake and wait for somebody crossing from the otherside to make it, then ask then about conditions, or have somebody from your direction cross it and then radio everything is ok.

Unless you see vehicle dust trails, i'd wait (as a solo vehicle, first timer).
 
Fast Eddy said:
Pull on your shorts and walk across. Your wife is going to be pissed if you get stuck. It'll be worth it to get your feet wet.
Click to expand...

^^^^ this... a good way to test the depth... :D
 
Wading out there in my shorts sounds cold and miserable, but not as cold and miserable as my wife's stare when I've screwed up. Much wisdom on this forum.
 
Fridays coming... Can't wait to get out of town for a couple days... The plan is to drive to the east end of the road and drive west. Depending on what the soda lake is like, we'll either go around somehow or just head out to Baker... Anyone have a favorite place to camp on the first night? Hope to start on the road by noon so should get a good 4-5 hours driving before it gets dark
 
Fast Eddy said:
Pull on your shorts and walk across. Your wife is going to be pissed if you get stuck. It'll be worth it to get your feet wet.
Click to expand...

this how we did it - since the depth was different in the middle of the river crossing compared to the sides, we had to walk it several times to find the best lines for the different trucks (Jeep Cherokees, a Bronco, and the Blazer back then)

if I recall correctly, it was late in the fall, and the water really wasn't terribly cold
 
Verizon coverage :confused:

and here I always thought the point of going out in the desert was to get away and not have to talk to people :rolleyes:
 
Funny, I noticed that too. I hope most people have the common sense and courtesy to keep the phones off, even in the stretches where there are coverage.

So far, weather forecast seems cooperative...
 
LCTom said:
Funny, I noticed that too. I hope most people have the common sense and courtesy to keep the phones off, even in the stretches where there are coverage.
Click to expand...

What's your feeling about using the A/C? Stereo? :flipoff2:
 
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