Mojave Road over Thanksgiving Weekend

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Actually, that was my gut reaction when I thought of someone in the next campsite talking on the phone late into the night - a very limited circumstance that popped into my head for some reason. I just had a pre-Thanksgiving dinner with an obnoxious in-law who made no effort to make his many telephone calls private. It kind of soured my mood.

I have no objection to anyone using their phone, cb, ham, a/c, stereo, etc. while on the road as long as they do it safely and aren't bothering anyone else. I probably shouldn't type when I'm angry.:hhmm:
 
i just did this trail in my 100 series 2 weeks ago. you can download my trip on your phone in everytrail. here is a link. http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=2439603. be prepared for below 32deg at night (we had frost every night) and of course wind. always bring 5 gallons of xtra fuel. feel free to message me for any more info. I like to do about 3/4 of the trail and run the reverse route of most people leaving off the last bit (or first starting in AZ) as I feel my time is better spent in the wash and especially the caruthers canyon area (lots of rock formations and desert pine trees). Caruthers Canyon is not exactly on the Mojave Rd trail but it is truly the best part of a trip out there. It sure beats staring at a bunch of old stone foundations of buildings that used to be there. cell reception is very spotty out there. I would not rely on it. Use an app on your phone that lets you download maps such as everytrail. it relies on the gps antenna in the phone. it is very easy to get off track in the wash area (afton to soda).
 
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It looks like you had a blast. I'll probably do it "by the book" this time, just following Casebier's point by point. But what you did frankly does look funner. I'll have to plan a return trip to customize and take in the areas you mention.
 
liveoak said:
i just did this trail in my 100 series 2 weeks ago. you can download my trip on your phone in everytrail. here is a link. http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=2439603. be prepared for below 32deg at night (we had frost every night) and of course wind. always bring 5 gallons of xtra fuel. feel free to message me for any more info. I like to do about 3/4 of the trail and run the reverse route of most people leaving off the last bit (or first starting in AZ) as I feel my time is better spent in the wash and especially the caruthers canyon area (lots of rock formations and desert pine trees). Caruthers Canyon is not exactly on the Mojave Rd trail but it is truly the best part of a trip out there. It sure beats staring at a bunch of old stone foundations of buildings that used to be there. cell reception is very spotty out there. I would not rely on it. Use an app on your phone that lets you download maps such as everytrail. it relies on the gps antenna in the phone. it is very easy to get off track in the wash area (afton to soda).
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So that interesting starting point.... Like Tom I was planning on heading all the way to the fort to begin. How many miles do you think you cut out by turning up where you did verses heading out towards the fort? How are the roads marked at the various intersections, rocks, sticks, street signs (lol)! I had planned to go as the book indicated, but surely could do something different.
Basically have half day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday...how many miles are we talking? ( guess I could break out the book and figure it out)
Caruthers canyon looks like a good first night stop....

The every trail app is there a service fee for that?
 
Rain over Soda Lake. I don't like the sound of that. Maybe I'll let Gary cross first...
 
caruthers is a great staring point. it's barely 20 min off the mojave trail. yes everytrail app has a fee for the part that lets you save the maps but if you use it to find what i called the "sweet camp spot" on my trip report it will be worth the $4 the pro version costs. that camp spot has a rumford style fire pit that really warms the area(bring lots of wood)and is sheltered from the wind. The next time I go I will spend most of my time in the wash/dune(Afton Canyon) area and Caruthers Canyon. you actually don't cut that many miles out of the trip the way I left, I just find the remainder of the trail boring although you should do it at least once.
 
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heres a pic of the "sweet" camp spot and a pic in the afton wash area

[/ATTACH]

sweet camp spot.webp


river wash.webp
 
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Gary crouch said:
How are the roads marked at the various intersections, rocks, sticks, street signs (lol)!
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The Mojave Rd is marked with piles of rocks but it is very easy to go off track especially in the wash area. You don't just get on the trail and follow it. There are more than a few spots where you T into a service road and have to know which way to turn to find the Moajave Rd again which is why a GPS with downloaded maps is essential. A search on line for Mojave Rd waypoints is a good idea and then import them into whatever GPS program you use. Even with GPS it can be frustrating. I'm not trying to discourage anyone just prepare a first timer. The trail and area is awesome and I can't wait to go back.
 
LCTom said:
Rain over Soda Lake. I don't like the sound of that. Maybe I'll let Gary cross first...
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Ha aha Tom... Remember your heading out a day ahead of me... Tell you what, I'll pull you out but you have to get the kids to wash my jeep when were done!! But wait, I remember your going to tippy toe out there first so it likely won't be the LC that's stuck but maybe you...lol

Anyway we won't really know the conditions till we get there...eh,
 
liveoak said:
The Mojave Rd is marked with piles of rocks but it is very easy to go off track especially in the wash area. You don't just get on the trail and follow it. There are more than a few spots where you T into a service road and have to know which way to turn to find the Moajave Rd again which is why a GPS with downloaded maps is essential. A search on line for Mojave Rd waypoints is a good idea and then import them into whatever GPS program you use. Even with GPS it can be frustrating. I'm not trying to discourage anyone just prepare a first timer. The trail and area is awesome and I can't wait to go back.
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Really....That's a bit disconcerting, don't have a GPS just maps and the Mojave road book... I'm hoping that's enough?
 
Gary crouch said:
But wait, I remember your going to tippy toe out there first so it likely won't be the LC that's stuck but maybe you...lol
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If I'm stuck out there by myself the kids will probably be having a great old time poking me with a stick and just wave you on past.

Enviable set up you have there. You could really go off grid if you wanted to.
 
Tom check the NOAA site for the ridge rest area, 40% chance of rain Thursday into Friday... Be sure to bring some kind of tarp to put over what ever your sleeping in(unless is the LC).. Bet the wifs going to love that!! Over on the Jk forum there is someone who posted pictures of the road from the 27th looks really wet!!
 
Gary crouch said:
Really....That's a bit disconcerting, don't have a GPS just maps and the Mojave road book... I'm hoping that's enough?
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just pay close attention to the rock piles (cairns). with that setup of yours it looks like getting lost is what you're looking for anyway. that's a nice setup. that trailer will be fun on the whoopdeedo sections. I was just there and already want to go back. I'm sure the maps and book will keep you going in the right direction. Have a good time.
 
liveoak said:
just pay close attention to the rock piles (cairns). with that setup of yours it looks like getting lost is what you're looking for anyway. that's a nice setup. that trailer will be fun on the whoopdeedo sections. I was just there and already want to go back. I'm sure the maps and book will keep you going in the right direction. Have a good time.
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thats funny.....thanks. your right getting lost might be have ther fun.

we used to ride around at night in glamis when it was foggy and see how lost we could get... it was pretty fun. as long as you had gas to last you long enough...

looking forward to the trip... i'll post pics next week
 
Well, I hate to admit it we but ended up only doing the first leg of Mojave Road, bailing out at Watson Wash (mile 49.5). I had a great time, but the 100 series was feeling top heavy loaded down with two adults and six kids, and all our gear. The fact that we were going solo on our first trip off pavement in a vehicle with the suspension installed by her desk jockey husband understandably bothered my wife. She actually had her own Toyota 4x4 when she was single (19 years ago) and had done plenty of trail riding, but it was always part of a group and without kids along for the ride. At the end of day one, we decided to call it a good dry run and plan to come back as part of a bigger group.

The stretch over the Piute Range was a little more technical than I had described to my wife. Not that it was some major obstacle, but for our experience level it took a bit of effort to chose the right line. The drop off on the driver's side was also steeper than expected. The kids were screaming in mock (I think mock) terror. By the time we reached the summit her nerves were shot.

When we stopped a little later at the schoolbus, I noticed that there was a slight drip of oil from the steering rack, which had been replaced just a few days before. I wasn't too concerned, and figured it could wait until we got home, but it began nagging at the back of my mind.

As we drove through the Lanfair Valley, an intermittent rut developed on the south side of the road. Straddling the rut exposed the driver's side to heavy pin striping from the Joshua Trees, Yucca and cacti which I was reluctant to do. Driving off camber with the heavy load on the roof rack made all occupants convinced we would tip over. I tried to strike a balanced approach, but by the time we reached Watson's Wash my wife's unease at taking this trip solo was beginning to prevail.

Watson's Wash itself looked a lot worse and more eroded than I had seen in any posted video. So, instead of heading down and camping at rock springs, we took Cedar Canyon road to Black Canyon and camped at Midhills Campground for the night. We threw some steaks on the fire for Thanksgiving Dinner and hung out. In the morning, we called it good and headed for the freeway. It was a fun, memorable trip, and I'll definitely head back soon.
 
Experience means knowing when to say when and making sure everyone wants to do it again. Plus, now you have a reason to go back!

Thanks for the report. Post up some pics if you got em!
 
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