Wheeling Ideas Over the Holiday

[elripster]

If you guys want to hit up the 23rd, go for it. As always there is almost no way everyone can make one date. Why miss out on wheeling if you can make that date work?

 

[elripster]

Anyone ran Calcite?

Calcite Mine Trail

 

[Mogwai]

Day trips for dayyyys... I can do 23rd AND/or 26th if that helps. Never done Calcite, but it's in that book so it will be a good trail. The kids and
I have started collecting rocks everywhere we go so they'll certainly enjoy. Calcite is a short trail, 2 miles in, 2 miles out - about 2hrs of wheeling + time to explore the mine. If we want to add to Calite, a couple options en route are:

1. Fonts Point - an "easy" trail w/ a view (adds 1hr total + time to take pics)
2. Cross-Over Trail (Ocotillo Wells SVRA) - we could go north to south on Cross Over Trail - west to see "Pumpkin Patch" and then exit the park at the South West entrance (best guess is this would add 4 to 5 hrs w/ stops)
3. Truckhaven Trail - an "easy" and short trail that heads North to Truckhaven, not familiar w/ the trail but evidently it's a trail that accesses some other areas that are fun to explore, may be more for green stickers.

How long/relaxing/aggressive shall this/these day trips be!?

 

[chap79]

Never done calcite but I did watch a sketchy youtube video of it once.

 

[elripster]

Up for giving it a try?

 

[Mogwai]

Let's do it. I think Chap might be out though?

 

[Mogwai]

Alright looks like a small group of us (elripster and phulcrum so far) are planning to meet at the trailhead to Calcite Mine at 8:30AM on December 26. If you want to meet later for the Ocotillo Wells/Pumpkin Patch portion you can meet us at that waypoint between 11:00 - 11:30AM. Estimated times are on the padded side, if you do plan to meet later let us know otherwise we may adjust timing after Calcite and as we go.

.kmz file attached w/ waypoints.

Overall Plan:

1. Meet @ Calcite Mine Rd - wheels moving by 8:30AM
2. Run Calcite and hike some slot canyons ~ 2.5hrs total
3. 5 mins drive to Ocotillo Wells entrance
   • 25 minute lunch/stop - wheels moving at 11:30AM
4. 1.5 hrs to Pumpkin Patch
   • 15 minute stretch to run around the odd rocks - wheels moving by 1:30PM
5. 1.5 hrs to Blowsand Hill (southwest entrance/exit of OW SVRA)
6. Should be around 3PM by then, if we feel like it we can try to get to the top of the Hill for some glamour shots otherwise it's 2hrs home from there.

Looking forward to seeing whoever can make it.

 

[elripster]

Man Google Earth has gotten rather amazing. Looks like a fun route!

 

[elripster]

I can be there at 8:30.

 

[custyota]

I'm interested in doing this trip. How difficult is the trail? I've read conflicting reports. I have a 1999 Hundy on 285s, locker is not currently working. I'm also new to wheeling this vehicle only had it 6 months. Would like to get out meet some of y'all and explore the area.

 

[Mogwai]

I would not worry about it, everything after Calcite is going to be moderate to easy and it will be a perfect trip to get to know your hundy. I am not locked and I don't think elripster got his installed yet either but we've run plenty other "hard" trails together.

There's a hiking trail to a slot canyon around mile 1.4, that's also where it may get a little difficult so depending on how it's gone so far you could always park and hop w/ one of us for the final half mile.

 

[custyota]

I would not worry about it, everything after Calcite is going to be moderate to easy and it will be a perfect trip to get to know your hundy. I am not locked and I don't think elripster got his installed yet either but we've run plenty other "hard" trails together.

There's a hiking trail to a slot canyon around mile 1.4, that's also where it may get a little difficult so depending on how it's gone so far you could always park and hop w/ one of us for the final half mile.

right on! Looking forward to this.

 

[elripster]

Truck is reassembled, gassed up, and both back seats installed.

Frank

 

[elripster]

So we covered some distance in one day.

Calcite was a fun short out and back. Only one section gave the 200's a bit of a fit, otherwise, it was a fun but not too difficult trail. There is a lot of kicking opportunities around that area. Mogwai has a link to photos I am sure he will post up. I will paste some of mine here.

This is the Calcite trail head where we aired down.

On the way up...

This spot had a big hole and a lot of loose dirt to it took a few tries to get through.

Once to the top we parked.

We let the kids out and hiked around a bit...

 

[elripster]

Some more...

Cool details in the rocks like this,

There is a slot to hike....

Crossed the road and wheeled washes until we entered the Badlands.

 

[elripster]

The Badlands is like a choose-your-own-adventure trail system. One could spend quite a bit of time playing out here.

We had an extended break at Pumpkin Patch.

Thereafter we headed home. I was back home by 3PM in time for a party with my wife's coworker at 5PM.

Frank

 

[chap79]

Looks like it was a good time.

 

[Mogwai]

Good times! Note to self, we run trails faster than "the book says it should take." Shocker.

Repository of pics: https://photos.app.goo.gl/m8rkPY2iDSCO0Su73

Edit: and now you know all about calcite: Calcite Mineral | Uses and Properties

 

[custyota]

hate I missed this. Heading out to Anza-Borrego to the mud caves tomorrow

 

[Mogwai]

hate I missed this. Heading out to Anza-Borrego to the mud caves tomorrow

Enjoy the mud caves and surrounding area? Pretty cool those caves.