Events/Trails Mojave Trail Novemeber 2019

[MTN RNR]

Alright so the 22nd came and went ( @Cruiser Bauers ). Trying to figure out my plans, may get to leave Thurs late afternoon, in which case I'd rendezvous w/ the Fri AM crew. There's that desert cleanup near Joshua Tree this same weekend, which is awesome since it may keep a few people off the trail haha... if anyone wants to head Thurs I was thinking of going through Joshua Tree on the way out.

So... Friday AM meetup location and time? Gas station (Circle K near Harvard, CA)? Camp Cady?
Fri night campsite? What time are we wheels up Sat morning (for those meeting Sat AM)?

Do we have a final count of who's coming and when?

I'm hoping to be out in the Barstow / Baker area around noon / early afternoon Friday. Having the house fumigated while we are on the trip, so will need to make everything ship shape for that before we head out.

 

[Bud_Dude]

I'm hoping to be out in the Barstow / Baker area around noon / early afternoon Friday. Having the house fumigated while we are on the trip, so will need to make everything ship shape for that before we head out.

I'll be getting on the road Friday afternoon around 4PM after Nevan gets out of school. So, other than generically 'Baker', where exactly are we heading to? Anyone have specific directions that I'll be able to navigate to in the dark? According to Waze it looks to be a 4:15 drive from my house to Baker if leaving at 4:00pm on a Friday, add in a stop for dinner and it'll easily be 9pm by the time we are in the zone.

 

[Mogwai]

I'll be getting on the road Friday afternoon around 4PM after Nevan gets out of school. So, other than generically 'Baker', where exactly are we heading to? Anyone have specific directions that I'll be able to navigate to in the dark? According to Waze it looks to be a 4:15 drive from my house to Baker if leaving at 4:00pm on a Friday, add in a stop for dinner and it'll easily be 9pm by the time we are in the zone.

It looks like both spots previously marked are on the south side of "Little Cowhole Mountain" - about 15 or so miles of dirt from Baker. Will leave it to Jeff to post the final-ish location - what comms will you have? May need to radio in when you get close so we can meet you/guide you in, just in case whatever spot is picked on paper doesn't work out?

 

[Bud_Dude]

It looks like both spots previously marked are on the south side of "Little Cowhole Mountain" - about 15 or so miles of dirt from Baker. Will leave it to Jeff to post the final-ish location - what comms will you have? May need to radio in when you get close so we can meet you/guide you in, just in case whatever spot is picked on paper doesn't work out?

I'll have VHF ham radio that can also do FRS channels, and cell phone if there's ATT service in the area.

 

[elripster]

I am leaving Friday morning, anyone else going at that time? Wanna caravan?

 

[Overlandeffex]

Sorry... A bit busy...will post the plan tonight

 

[Overlandeffex]

OK.... here we go. Plan to leave San Diego at 9 am on Friday morning and get on the trail about 11 to 12ish. PLan to hit some sites then camp behind the hills to the east of Baker. Will plan on getting out of the camp by 8 to *30 to head east. Stops for the cool stuff on Saturday and plan camping just off the trail on Saturday night. Out of camp by 830ish again Sunday morning and hitting the Laughlin about 4ish.

Comms- Ham will be primary 146.490 and will have a back up channel in case there is a bunch of chatting on it.

Food- Maybe a pot luck Saturday night depending on how everyone feels.

 

[Outsane]

Two of us are heading down from Sf Bay area on thursday.

 

[crusherboy]

I am in for Friday morning. Just need the meeting place.

 

[Outsane]

I have a spotx, and leaving on Thursday so i can post up a bread crumb trail. This will work until you loose cell service.

 

[elripster]

I will join you on the way out Friday morning. I will have my CB on 22 and can also monitor FRS1 if that helps anyone out.

Frank

 

[Justsendit]

For those meeting at the trail head Friday morning what will be the rally point? I may leave a little earlier to get a beat on Friday morning traffic coming from SD.

 

[leucadiacruiser]

Another one for Friday morning departure with the San Diego crew.

 

[Mogwai]

For those meeting at the trail head Friday morning what will be the rally point? I may leave a little earlier to get a beat on Friday morning traffic coming from SD.

I'd suggest one of two spots, the Circle K In Harvard, which is the last gas stop before hitting the trail, or just off Harvard Rd exit. I assume the group wants to start from Camp Cady, the true "start" of the Mojave Trail? But agree, I think we need a spot and specific meeting time (1PM wheels up from set meeting place? Edit: just noticed Jeff posted an 11AM to Noon meet time, seemed like a few wouldn't get to the area until Noon though, added some padding for late arrivals and gassing up to get to 1PM, but if we can push it earlier that's great!).

That said, @Justsendit let's rally earlier in the day and tool around until the rest of the group shows up, I'm planning to get in early as well, if not Thursday afternoon. I'm also going to try and find @Outsane who's coming down from San Fran Thursday.

 

[Bud_Dude]

It looks like both spots previously marked are on the south side of "Little Cowhole Mountain" - about 15 or so miles of dirt from Baker. Will leave it to Jeff to post the final-ish location - what comms will you have? May need to radio in when you get close so we can meet you/guide you in, just in case whatever spot is picked on paper doesn't work out?

So how does this look for a map for approaching the campsite on Friday night?

 

[Mogwai]

So how does this look for a map for approaching the campsite on Friday night?
View attachment 2119920

Spot on.

 

[crusherboy]

I ordered a SpotX a few days ago so I will be set up to text locations as well. Always wanted one of these, so I told the dog and he gave me my Christmas gift early!

Going to the meeting Tuesday to nail all this down. I will be down for leaving extra early to avoid traffic.

 

[leucadiacruiser]

I ordered a SpotX a few days ago so I will be set up to text locations as well. Always wanted one of these, so I told the dog and he gave me my Christmas gift early!

Another SpotX user. It's a great device - we should get a SpotX text number list for anyone coming out late or changes of plan for those getting their early.

 

[MTN RNR]

If you are out there early (Thurs or early Friday) and want to do the water crossing, Afton Canyon, Travellers Monument I think this would be the route. Red line off of the 15 to the purple line for Friday camp. Orange line if you are coming in Friday afternoon.

 

[Mogwai]

If you are out there early (Thurs or early Friday) and want to do the water crossing, Afton Canyon, Travellers Monument I think this would be the route. Red line off of the 15 to the purple line for Friday camp. Orange line if you are coming in Friday afternoon.View attachment 2120864

That can definitely be the route, you're basically coming in off Afton Canyon Rd. That said, the true "start/end" of the trail is further west at Camp Cady. I think most people skip that section as there's not a lot to it, but you know... if you're a completionist you may want to check it out .

Edit: was there a campsite location for Friday picked? I thought the spots posted previously were backside of little cowhole mountain, just past the purple/red line intersection. Not sure it makes sense for the group to camp that far north (orange/purple intersection - prob 30 mins off the trail each way).