I have 9 days off in February (9-17th) and have not at this time planned anything to do with these days off. Anybody else out there wanting to do a road trip to somewhere warmer? I'am considering a trip to Death Valley to make up for the one I should be on right now or maybe somewhere in Arizona? Where ever I go it will be a low budget trip for me, I will be camping out and little or no eating at restaurants with fuel being the bulk of the expense on this trip (hopefully fuel prices will still be going down in Feb.). If anyone is interested lets talk. Doug
Nine Days In February
- Thread starter DAGORED
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I'd be ready for a trip to Patagonia area for some warmth. Bob Brown might be interested too.
Ace
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Ace
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A year ago at this time I was swatting Mosquitos and watching fireflies in the Everglades. Had a few days down there in the low 90s, but a few in the 50s too. Even had some nights in the teens in central FL. Photo is wheeling in Florida last January.
So my first winter in Colorado has been colder than I expected and by February I'll be ready to go somewhere warme, even if for just two weeks. Must be a few others with time on their hands who want to be snowbirds.....
Ace
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So my first winter in Colorado has been colder than I expected and by February I'll be ready to go somewhere warme, even if for just two weeks. Must be a few others with time on their hands who want to be snowbirds.....
Ace
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Doug has decided to go west to SLC, but I'm still thinking of warm and sunny Southern Arizona. In particular wanting to do the "Devil's Highway" along the Mexican border. It's 114 miles long (110 dirt) and much of it is 4x4. Lots of unique history, mining camps, old military junk, ghost towns, etc. This is close to the border and there have been some problems but my research says its really not much concern. It is within the bombing range and a permit is required. I still expect to do this during the period Feb 9-17, though the run will only be 3-4 days. Will spend some time just relaxing in camp and riding my fat bike. Hoping to see a lot of this:
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I will be going to SLC area to check out Moby1 trailers and discussing a possible trailer build. The wife wants to go to a wild life refuge that's on the N.E. side of the lake so it should be a fun trip. Of course will have to make a stop at the full size Cabelas and find a In & Out burger! 
I'm really getting excited about this trip over the "Devil's Highway". I have found a lot of interesting sources that just make me want to do it. One report estimates about 2000 people have died on this trail over the past 200 years or so. Not many recently but I sure don't want to add to the total so I'm appealing to Galen or Ron or any other fellow retirees to join me. Maybe y'all winter down in that area anyway. Four or five days of off-road adventure should appeal to many. I have posts on two other sites hoping to snag some company.
Ace
Ace
jonharis
Adventure Imports
Looks incredible! Thinking I should retire now and work later.
Great idea.
Doing more research for this trip I found a article from NGS Adventure mag written in 2006 which paints a vivid and somewhat spooky description of the trip. Author tells about signing the hold harmless agreement in which he has to initial a section that reads "dangers are too numerous to recite herein". Wonderful to read that! I suspect dangers were probably around the peak when that was written, but still it gives me serious pause.
Doing more research for this trip I found a article from NGS Adventure mag written in 2006 which paints a vivid and somewhat spooky description of the trip. Author tells about signing the hold harmless agreement in which he has to initial a section that reads "dangers are too numerous to recite herein". Wonderful to read that! I suspect dangers were probably around the peak when that was written, but still it gives me serious pause.
Found a travel partner on Expo. He too drives an FJC and is pulling a AT Teardrop trailer. A great match and he is an experienced over lander. Feel much relieved not facing this trail alone.
Jumping into your clubhouse real quick.
Ace, I've done El Camino Del Diablo twice. It may be the all time greatest trip I've ever been on. Both times were in early spring when the desert was in bloom, the colors are unreal. We ran it from Ajo to Yuma both times.
I was stationed at MCAS Yuma in the 90's so I really got to know SW Arizona pretty well. The border has changed a lot in the last 10+ years. That area has become a hotbed for drug runners and human trafficking. I have some older friends that just won't do that run anymore. It's definitely someplace I wouldn't go alone, and I'd be carrying for sure. I'm sure when you got your permits they told you all about it, but be cautious and bring extra water, there's a good chance you'll come across some illegals in bad shape and your water may save their lives.
I'm jealous for sure, I'd LOVE to go back. Enjoy......
Stan
Rising Sun 4x4 Club
Ace, I've done El Camino Del Diablo twice. It may be the all time greatest trip I've ever been on. Both times were in early spring when the desert was in bloom, the colors are unreal. We ran it from Ajo to Yuma both times.
I was stationed at MCAS Yuma in the 90's so I really got to know SW Arizona pretty well. The border has changed a lot in the last 10+ years. That area has become a hotbed for drug runners and human trafficking. I have some older friends that just won't do that run anymore. It's definitely someplace I wouldn't go alone, and I'd be carrying for sure. I'm sure when you got your permits they told you all about it, but be cautious and bring extra water, there's a good chance you'll come across some illegals in bad shape and your water may save their lives.
I'm jealous for sure, I'd LOVE to go back. Enjoy......
Stan
Rising Sun 4x4 Club
Stan, thanks for the info. Yeh, I've been out in the Mojave during peak colors and it's outstanding. My understanding is now the wildlife refuge is closed about that time to protect antelopes calving. Yes, I'll be carrying 24/7. Excited to do this trail!
Encountered blizzard conditions most of the way between Kayenta and Phoenix. White knuckle driving for around four hours. Windshield photo was approaching Flagstaff and the huge snow cloud hanging over it.
Well we finished up Friday on the El Camino Del Diablo but I enjoyed it so much I went back for a couple more days. No illegals seen or any other problems. Simply an outstanding trip.
Been waiting to see this report. Awesome!!
Talked to one of the older guys that took me on this run years ago. He said they did it 2 years ago and it's really changed a lot since the days we used to run it. Border Patrol woke them up at 1 am to check for illegals in their group.
I'd still like to do it again. We talked about trying to get back out there next year.
Talked to one of the older guys that took me on this run years ago. He said they did it 2 years ago and it's really changed a lot since the days we used to run it. Border Patrol woke them up at 1 am to check for illegals in their group.
I'd still like to do it again. We talked about trying to get back out there next year.
jonharis
Adventure Imports
That area looks incredible Ace. Thanks for sharing. 
Here's a few more photos;
next to last shot is a dummy AA missile site (target). Despite being a bombing range we never saw or heard much activity but watched several dogfights at night. Mostly just the anti-missile flares, but great sound affects. Only once did the BP do anything that could be called slightly annoying: one truck pulled up about 100 yards from camp and looked us over carefully for a couple of minutes. The rest of the time they were courteous and friendly, even reassuring to have them around. We were carrying firearms JIC.
next to last shot is a dummy AA missile site (target). Despite being a bombing range we never saw or heard much activity but watched several dogfights at night. Mostly just the anti-missile flares, but great sound affects. Only once did the BP do anything that could be called slightly annoying: one truck pulled up about 100 yards from camp and looked us over carefully for a couple of minutes. The rest of the time they were courteous and friendly, even reassuring to have them around. We were carrying firearms JIC.
Alan "Ace" Brown said:
I was (and still am) an Air Traffic Controller while in Yuma. Both as a Marine and for the Department of Defense. One of our positions in the TRACON was controlling all the aircraft in and out of the Restricted Areas there. R-2301 East and West are in that area. R-2301 E is where the Camino del Diablo is. It's used for air-to-air dog fighting, 1500' AGL and above to protect the ground of the Cabeza Prieta Wildlife Refuge. R-2301 W is the actual bombing range. Closer to Yuma and right on the Mexican border. It's fenced in pretty good, but illegals still cut holes in the fence. It wasn't uncommon to have pilots on live firing runs key up and call a cease fire due to illegals trying to cool down by sitting in the shade of the bombing targets. We had a "hotline" to BP to give them a heads up on illegals crossing the border.
Love those pics. Seeing the huge saguaros and ocotillos makes me miss it. Those things bloom like nothing I've ever seen. Beautiful.
Also saw a gila monster, tons of desert bighorns, tarantulas and rattlesnakes. What a wild and beautiful place, been over 15 years since I was there. Curious to see how much it's changed. I hear the BP has a pretty strong showing there now. Complete with a full Border Patrol station and all?
My road partner Ken has a long history with flying; Marine door gunner in Vietnam, 20 years in Air Force flying fighters to cargo planes, then a commercial airliner pilot, so he was very helpful in defining the night sky action.
We really did not see very much wildlife, not even in the refuge. However near the high tanks we had a Bighorn Ram watching our camp from the skyline for several minutes. Then our second nights camp I set out some water for my dog and it started collecting bees. Soon there were around 200 of them all over my trailer. We had to set out water away from camp and smoke those that stayed on my trailer, but not Ken's. This was the only camp that had bees or really any insects.
The weather was near perfect and we hit the perfect window; the day before and a few days after it was closed.
I hope to do this trip again next year.
Ace
We really did not see very much wildlife, not even in the refuge. However near the high tanks we had a Bighorn Ram watching our camp from the skyline for several minutes. Then our second nights camp I set out some water for my dog and it started collecting bees. Soon there were around 200 of them all over my trailer. We had to set out water away from camp and smoke those that stayed on my trailer, but not Ken's. This was the only camp that had bees or really any insects.
The weather was near perfect and we hit the perfect window; the day before and a few days after it was closed.
I hope to do this trip again next year.
Ace
I carried my fat bike down there expecting to ride a lot of sand but only took one 5 mile ride. Got in about two on the ECDD then three on a side road. Border Patrol trucks really cause a lot of sandy washboard because they are running quite fast and don't care if their trucks are getting hammered, they don't pay for the repairs. So it was either ride the wb and risk loosing your fillings or try and ride the soft center section. Then there was the worry of riding up on some banditos or getting run over by a fast moving BP truck. I wished I could have taken more time to find some good riding areas but had to get back here before the snow hit.