Spring 2017 - Desert BDR (Backcountry Discover Route)

[RobG]

So after seeing a friends backpacking pictures from his Idaho trip last summer I really want to do the Idaho BDR but at 1250 miles and the to/from trail time I figure it would take at least a solid 2 weeks.

Lacking that much time off work I would like to do one of the more local desert state BDRs (NV-UT-AZ) this spring, I'm thinking some time late April or May would be best. Anyone interested?

Here is some basic information

Nevada - 900 Miles - http://ridebdr.com/NVBDR
Start: Oatman AZ – 270 miles 4.5 hrs to Anaheim CA
End: Jarbridge Nevada – 790 Miles 13 hrs to Anaheim CA

Utah - 871 Miles - http://ridebdr.com/UTBDR
Start: Mexican Hat UT– 610 miles 10 hrs to Anaheim CA
End: Garden City UT – 800 Miles 12 hrs to Anaheim CA

Arizona - 751 Miles - http://ridebdr.com/UTBDR
Start: SE of Tucson – 560 miles 8.5 hrs to Anaheim CA
End: AZ-UT Border – 510 Miles 8 hrs to Anaheim CA

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c374/robG2/NV-UT-AZ%20BDR.png (http://s31.photobucket.com/user/robG2/media/NV-UT-AZ%20BDR.png.html)

[RobG]

Forgot to add (and can't seem to edit the original) I am thinking this is a 9 day trip (Saturday to Sunday) from SoCal.

[Robinhood4x4]

There must be a bug in the forum because I can't edit your post either.

Anyway, here's a link to the AZ route. http://ridebdr.com/AZBDR

I might be interested in a portion of the AZ section. The Mogollon Rim, Forest Road 300, is my camping stomping grounds so I could at least tell you where to camp and go fishing.

[Seanz0rz]

I would love to, but probably can't.

[RobG]

Steve, would be great if you could join for a while. Hope that works out.

Sean, that's too bad I was hoping you would be the Trail Boss.

[4x4mike]

All the routes sound like a lot of fun but I don't think I could swing it either.

[boyfester]

I'm planning a Death Valley trip in late April (which I'm posting on this forum) but May is a possibility. It looks like each states' routes are in a longitudinal direction so how did you want to connect them?

[RobG]

I'm planning a Death Valley trip in late April (which I'm posting on this forum) but May is a possibility. It looks like each states' routes are in a longitudinal direction so how did you want to connect them?

I only plan on running one of these routes so connecting them is not something I have looked at. Utah and Idaho connect but I can't devote that much time to a trip right now.

Currently leaning towards the Nevada route, dates are still up in the air.

[boyfester]

I only plan on running one of these routes so connecting them is not something I have looked at. Utah and Idaho connect but I can't devote that much time to a trip right now.

Currently leaning towards the Nevada route, dates are still up in the air.

Ok. Are all of these trails suitable for trucks? The videos show motorcycles.


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[RobG]

Ok. Are all of these trails suitable for trucks? The videos show motorcycles.


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Yes with the exception of one section on the IDBDR that has a bypass for that section all routes are suitable for moderate 4x4 vehicles. The routes are promoted as dual sport motorcycle routes and have a lot of dualsport related sponsors. Watching some of the videos makes me seriously consider getting a dualsport, it seems to make the ride much more of the experience then a 4x4 would not to mention the much lower fuel costs.

Here is a quote from the Nevada BDR FAQ.

How difficult is the route?

"The NVBDR route is designed to be ridden on adventure and dual-sport motorcycles, as well as driven in 4x4 vehicles. There are no single-track style trails on this route. Many of the roads are in remote areas and reach high elevation areas where road maintenance is minimal or non-existent. You can expect to cover sections of road with deep ruts, loose rocks, deep sand and other challenges."

[Seanz0rz]

Man I want to do these so bad, maybe next year.

[Seanz0rz]

I am interested in doing a section of the Nevada BDR this fall, probably immediately after Thanksgiving.

Rob, did you find any more information on the Nevada route? I am thinking Primm north to Tonopah

[RobG]

Sean, I was thinking the same thing. Hopefully I can get the time off, my work situation is a little dynamic right now.

I almost ran it 2 weeks ago and wound up switching to the Utah BDR at the last minute (as I was pulling out of the driveway). Working on my Utah Pictures and trip report now, it was amazing but I have totally abandoned any idea of running a complete BDR in one stretch without a few weeks budgeted to explore the surrounding areas.

I have the NV BDR DVD if you PM me your address I will send it to you just send it back or to someone else that wants to watch it when you are done. DVD wasn't as useful for trip planning as I had hoped. I have the Map too but it isn't great. I mapped a few of the mines and things in the section you are interested in which I can share as well.

[Seanz0rz]

I'll get a trip planned and posted up soon, this way we can put in for time off.

It sounds like most of it is dirt road. I see 150 mile / day averages and think that can't be too hard of a road.