7th annual NVTTORA Easter Mojave Rd trip 2012

[RogueLeader]

I want to thank Robert and the others who went on this run, here on this forum. As promised, here is the link to my photos of the run.

http://s625.photobucket.com/albums/t...20%20Preserve/

Here a couple of teasers.

[my034runner]

Thanks Rod, and for starting the trip report.......I was just getting ready to start it! LOL!!

Glad you had a good time!!

[my034runner]

Trip got going a bit late when we got to the Avi.....as we were still waiting on Ed's son Jeremy to show up........Then had to wait for Paul, as he thought it would be a good time to go and order sandwiches at the little cafe/sandwich shop........but didn't anticipate how long they would take......and they take a while!!

Anyway.....now we finally get going....and at the back of the Avi.......the gate was closed leading through the back fireworks area that we take to get over to the beginning of our trip!! So, with only backtracking as the option to getting to the trail head.......I altered the starting point to be on the other side of the road, about 1/2 mile from the starting point.

Make our way to Paiute springs and Fort Paiute for lunch....at this point......we've already come across several other groups running the Mojave Road........and a couple more at lunch.....everyone is pretty cool.

We visit a bevy of cool side trips, as I always do for our groups.......Paiute Gorge, the Lanfair Petroglyhs, the Penny Can(scored some nice firewood!!!
Now, we're working our way up to Caruthers Canyon....way way up in the New York Mountains!! Only to hear on the radio that Jeff in the New Land Cruiser just Blew TWO TIRES ON THE SAME SIDE.....AT THE SAME TIME!!!!!
More to come......

So, the LC 200 was the 5th car back, going up the road to Caruthers Canyon......the first three made the right turn.....and then we get a call.....The LC blew two tires!!! Well....shit!!! We're only now running about an hour late (for where I wanted to be) at that time.
So, I have Ed, and Jeremy stand down, while I backtracked and got to the rest of the group (6 trucks) and assesed the situation, consulted my tailgunner (Paul) and decide, with 6 trucks, there are plenty of hands to patch up the tires, and I also supply them with my Safety Seal kit, and I, Ed and Jeremy continue on to see if we can secure my #1 camp spot (you all know the one!!)....as we were worried with all of the traffic we've seen.....that surely we've missed out and will have to secure an alternate location.
So, we jam up there......get up to the campsite....fingers and toes crossed that no one would be in there............(drum roll!!)...............and Holy Shit!!!!! It's empty!!!!! So, we were able to lock down my favorite camp spot in the park!!

Paul radios me and lets me know that they have got the tires plugged and holding some air, and are on their way up......and I let him know that we lucked out and got our spot!!!
Didn't take them long, and Paul successfully led the rest of the group up to our site!!

Then.....set up our tents and stuff......set up the kitchen, and commence to cook and party!!!!
Only thing though.......with the wind.....it was fucking COLD COLD COLD up there as the night wore on!!!!!

Our feast was of course......(to my trip standards.....) monumental!!!! As usual.....more than enough food for everyone in the park.....and certainly, for our group!!! Then of course......the alcohol came out.......and as it got colder......more was drank!! Funny thing though.....I brought my half gallon jug of Jagermeister....and no one really wanted any....so I still have it!!

NOTE.......if you don't have a portible heater.....you may want to get one!!!
As everyone else was freezing.....my tent at bed time, was a toasty 70*.....courtesy of my Mr. Buddy Mr. Heater!!!!!

[my034runner]

Saturday....... Everyone seemed to sleep in a little later than usual..... Once everyone finally got up and moving around.....breakfast started being cooked.....and served....and then more was cooked!!

When we eventually got out of camp, it was around 11:00......Which was fine, and still provided us with plenty of time to get to where we were going (Vulcan Mine)....and have time to spare.

But.......of course....things didn't work out that way!! Jeff in the LC 200......blew the plugs that Andrew had put in before we left camp, and now they had to finally put his spare tire on......this was on our way down from Caruthers Canyon on our way back to the Mojave Road. So.......another long period of time went by, as they (the trucks in the rear) had to go and change a tire out on a dirt road with the bottle jack!!

When we got back rolling again, we were starting to really get behind now.....Got down the hill into Camp Rock Springs area......had a group behind us, and another group waiting at the bottom for us to come down.....
Up to the Rock house above Rock Springs, and stopped so the girls could use the pit toilet there.....on to Government Holes........then back to Cedar Canyon Road to Black Canyon Road......on our way down too Foshay Pass and Vulcan mine.
But wait!!!! The plugs in Jeff's sidewall on his other flat tire.....gave way, and we had to get it patched again to get him rolling. Stev, Todd and I were already at the Hole in the Wall.....when we got the call.......and they needed to use my Safety Seal kit again (they used almost all of my plugs on Jeff's tires(hopefully he'll buy me some new ones and send them to me))

I leave Steve and Todd where we were....and I hightail it back a couple of miles to where the LC is dead in the water again. After Paul getting him all patched up again, we get moving back to where I left Steve and Todd....then over to Hole in the Wall to dump our trash and shit!! This took easily another hour out of the day!!

We had already discussed the fact that Jeff and Jan couldn't continue, and now we just had to get them down to where we were going, and they could hit up I 40 and head on over to Neddles and get at least one tire.

Got down to the intersection of Black Canyon Road and Essex Road, and said our good byes.....
Then.....almost like out of the heavens......came the Hottest little blonde NPS Ranger we had ever seen!!!! She was also super cool!!! She needed her tires aired down on her Dodge Ram, so of course....we helped her out!!!
She also checked that I had my permit, which I did.......Was hoping she would pat me down or something!!!

So, they go their way towards Needles....we continue up the Foshay Pass to the Vulcan mine. Actually have not been up this road before....but what a Cool road!! Once we start dropping down the other side......we were blown away by the view below!!!
Get to the mine......everybody get's out and explores....and a couple of guys actually hike all the way to the bottom....and it's a Long way to the bottom!!!
Once everyone gets back from the mine, I decide that we should stop there and have a quick lunch before continuing down to our next stop (Kelso Depot!).
Then, out of the blue....Andrew says he is going home??!! I'm like WTF?? He said that he got a message from his GF while we were helping the ranger, that she was sick.....Anyway.....I'm still not sure what the deal was, and why he would take off in the middle of the trip......So, I'm like, whatever.....now I have seven trucks to get moving and into our camp site!!

Stop at the Kelso Depot......it was closed, as it was just past 5:00 pm.......but we hung out for a while, let everyone explore the outside, and use the bathrooms....(with the last running water we'll see until we get home!)....and dump any other trash we may have.
Get back on the road, headed back to the Mojave Road!! Get to our campsite at Beal Mt., but people are already at out spot....and another group was in one of the other spots. Luckily....there are three spots there big enough to handle our size group.....so we were home for the night!!

Got set up, and let the party begin!!!! Ed got pretty shit faced!!! We didn't have as much food as Friday night, because we had already lost two trucks....and their items. But....we still had more than enough food to eat!!!
Eventually.....everybody makes it to bed.......

[my034runner]

Easter Sunday morning.........

Another late morning for people getting up!!!
Breakfast was made, served, and more was made......
Everyone is full again!!!

Everyone is packed up again, and we got out of there roughly around the same time as Saturday.....a little earlier I think!

Head up to our next stop along the Mojave Road.....Marl Springs, where we were treated by three or four Big Horn Sheeps!!!!
Cool.....wildlife!!!!! They were coming down for some fresh water....and weren't too worried about us being there either!!! Got lots of pictures of them (I'll try to get them up tonight!!)

Back in our wagons.....next stop....the Mojave Road Mailbox, and the Frog Shrine!!!!
Everyone signed the log book.....put a bunch of items in the Mail box....and went and left our Frogs at the Frog Shrine,,,,took some pictures.....and moved on!!!
Next....was another major side trip.....the Aikens Cinder Mine!!!
Very cool place.....with all of the equipment just left there back around 1990....and looks l ike they could start mining there at any time!!!
We spent a bit of time there exploring, taking pictures and such!
Then, after more pictures.....on our way to the Lave Tubes.....from the back way!! Rather than backtracking to the Lave Tubes from there......we went further in the oppposite direction.....but it was very very cool old volcanic road that offered more scenery that No one Ever see's on a Mojave Road trip!!!

Get to the Lave Tubes....I decide not to go in this time, as I usually take the longest.....with unpacking and repacking the tripod and other factors........plus, I already have a bunch of Great pictures from in there!!

Get everyone back in their trucks......and Back to the Mojave Road we go!!! Now.....this is one the Fun fast driving parts in the washes!!!!! I get up to about 70 mph........!!!! Reach Seventeen mile point at Kelbaker Road.......cross it, and continue on to Soda Lake!!!
We stop to pick up our Volcanic rocks top place at the Travelers Monument at the center of Soda Lake!!!
Everyone get's there in mostly one peice!! We get our group shots (cortesy of Rod) and a few other pictures!!!
At this time, Paul and his nephew let me know that they are taking off, as they are also going to Death Valley for a few days, and still have to stop in Baker for more fuel and provisions and get to a spot where they can get a cabin!!
No worries, as I already knew they were going, and they had made it 3/4's or more of our trip!! They headed over to Rasor Road and hit the I 15 to Baker and DV!!

We get back in our now 6 truck wagon train, and start the trip to Afton Canyon!!! We stop short of that to go a head and have a quicked that I wanted to.....Easter Brunch/lunch!!
Some repairs are made again to Ed Jeep......

Back in the trucks......onto the sand dunes and Finally.....the spectacular Afton Canyon!!! No more times for anymore side trips this time around......but did stop under the famous Afton Canyon Bridge!!
Take the pictures.....and then it's time to hightail it out of there!!!

The canyon....as usual, is the Highlight of the entire three day's!!!!

Plenty of surface water in the river to have a Ton Of Fun!!!!!
Get out of the river and through the Two water crossings at the end!!!! Then....it's on to the Afton Canyon campground as this is now the end of our three day trip!!!!
Everyone airs back up.....use the bathrooms, dump trash and start to say our good byes!!!! Oh......and start getting eaten alive by the onlu mosquitos!!!! First time all weekend we've even seen any of theestuipind bugs!!!

Rod and I (only people left representing the club!) head back to Las Vegas with enough gas to Not have to stop, and Ed and crew head back to the LA area!!!!!


Another cool successful trip....aside from the flat tires on Jeffs LC....no other carnage to report!!!!

THE END!!!!!!

[my034runner]

The Trip report (my version) is now done!!!

Just have to get my pictures done!!!

[my034runner]

I also want to thank Paul for being pretty much, the best tail gunner I think I've ever had!!!

[HBMurphy]

Thanks Robert and thanks for your putting this trip together!

[my034runner]

Okay boys and girls.......

Here are the first 500 pictures that I took last weekend!!!!

These are from my small Nikon P80....

http://gallery.me.com/my034runner#100775

Here's the rest from my small Nikon.....

http://gallery.me.com/my034runner#100792

[HBMurphy]

Great pictures!

[my034runner]

Here's about 300 more from my big Nikon....

http://gallery.me.com/my034runner#100796

[theredjeep]

Thanx Robert!!! And we do own a Toy!! just not the 4x4 kind!!

[my034runner]

Hey Ed, Paul, Jeff and Andrew.....how about getting your pictures posted up??

[HBMurphy]

I will when I get my computer back. Right now I am limited to a Kindle Fire!

[my034runner]

Originally Posted by HBMurphy

I will when I get my computer back. Right now I am limited to a Kindle Fire!

Probably not enough memory in the Kindle I'm guessing!

[Ludedude]

Mess cleaned up. Everyone play nice.

[my034runner]

Where is the rest of the pictures?!?! Ed, Jeff, Andrew, Paul (when you get your computer!).....come on guys!!!

[HBMurphy]

Airing Down


Swearing In


Robert Announcing 'Drivers, Start Your Engines!'


Looking Where the Treasure May Have Have Been Buried


Example of Recent Geological Formations


Short 'Occupy Mojave' Protest


Saftey Seal Plug Test No. 1


Abraham's Alter of Rocks


Ebony and Ivory


Mojave Mischief


Highway to ...


Night, Night


Government Required Inspections


Filling Up Our Water Bottles


Near Miss


Iwo Jima Reenactment


Thumb Check


Stimulus Project


Afternoon Dance Party


Sentenced to the Rock Pile


Evening Dip in the Pool


Cheapest Gas We Could Find


Lost Puppy


Model Match


Constipated


Bird Shower


Modern Kitchen


Distressed Real Estate


Forgotten by AAA


Framed


Slant Eight


Hosed


Complete with Outdoor Kitchen


Dry Cleaned


Iris this Place


Men In Black Facilities


Railroaded


Can Yawn


Nuts


Non-Wheelin'


Mining Our Own Business


Core Re Gated


DV Evergreen


Roger Roger


Passing Gas


Watch Lizard

[HBMurphy]

Oh and I found my radio...

[my034runner]

Originally Posted by HBMurphy

Oh and I found my radio...

Well....that's good!!! Told you he told me that he gave it back to you!!!!

WTF??? Didn't anyone get a picture of the hottest damn little blonde NPS ranger??!! I swear that someone got a shot of her!!!

[HBMurphy]

Originally Posted by my034runner

Well....that's good!!! Told you he told me that he gave it back to you!!!!

MY BAD

Originally Posted by my034runner

WTF??? Didn't anyone get a picture of the hottest damn little blonde NPS ranger??!! I swear that someone got a shot of her!!!

Here you go....

[theredjeep]

Yes Robert!!! I did!!! And, I might point out....I'm a girl too!!!!! LMAO!!! You guys were a riot about that ranger!!!!!! And I will post my pics.......RIGHT NOW!!!!

[my034runner]

Originally Posted by HBMurphy

MY BAD



Here you go....

Bam!!!!! Yep........that's her!!!!!!

[HBMurphy]

Originally Posted by my034runner

Well....that's good!!! Told you he told me that he gave it back to you!!!!

WTF??? Didn't anyone get a picture of the hottest damn little blonde NPS ranger??!! I swear that someone got a shot of her!!!

Originally Posted by my034runner

Bam!!!!! Yep........that's her!!!!!!

[HBMurphy]

Any more Pics?

[theredjeep]

http://pix.kg/p/4104503990103%3A1274065132/scl
My pics of Easter Mojave Trip 2012!!!! Hope you enjoy!!!!

[my034runner]

Cool!!!! Thanks Kimmy!!!

Saw my hot little blonde ranger.....but I know someone got a close up of her somewhere!!!

[modsquad]

Hey Guys,

Thanks to Robert for hosting. Sorry I had to bounce and leave the group early, I backtracked to the original trail, found a place to camp out saturday night and booked it out of there at 5am sunday morning. I made it across soda lake and met up with the afton connection to I15 by 10am. I'm glad I made it back early, my lady was very sick, but for now everything is good. The Mojave Preserve is an amazing place. Everyone, please continue promoting proper use and pack in/pack out ethics while your out on the trail. I was impressed with this group, and I thank everyone for respecting the backcountry!

[my034runner]

I'm still dumbfounded as to why you would camp on your own, instead of camping with the group? You could have always left early from our campsite Sunday morning, before anyone woke up and did your thing!!!

[modsquad]

Originally Posted by my034runner

I'm still dumbfounded as to why you would camp on your own, instead of camping with the group? You could have always left early from our campsite Sunday morning, before anyone woke up and did your thing!!!

Well, I'm sorry I offended you Robert, because it's obvious that I did. Nothing personal, but "the group" was moving pretty slow and I had a real desire to complete most of the trail and get back home ASAP. I'm not blaming all the tire mishaps and slow downs on you, I appreciate you leading/organizing the trail run. But, I work in the Mojave backcountry all year chasing tortoises and I dont need someone try to bully me into staying with "the group", I am competent off road and I know how to stay safe out here.

No offense, but I dont think we'll be running anything together anytime soon.