Mojave Road - Spring 2012

[Seanz0rz]

http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/hamiltonfabrication/Mojave Road 2012/IMG_5094.jpg


Here is the album with all the pictures: http://s955.photobucket.com/albums/a...ave Road 2012/

A very cool video Troy made:
http://blip.tv/ultimateyota/uy-mojave-road-6071002


First, a big thanks to Kevin & Neashell, Troy, JD, and Mark, Linda, their two girls Ryan and Lauren, and their dog Max for making this trip a pleasure to lead. Alexus and I are grateful to all of you for making our 1st wedding anniversary a great one! You are all welcome to travel with us in the future!

Here is a very quick breakdown of our travels:

March 30, 2012
Friday morning, Alexus and I, with Kevin and Neashell close behind, traveled from the Avi Casino, and met Troy at the trail intersection with Needles Highway. From here, we proceeded west towards our first real destination: Fort Piute. After visiting the ruins and taking in the beautiful scenery, we backtracked down the road and proceeded through the pass to the other side of the Piute range. We continued north along the range to see the Piute gorge, and the continuation of the old pass Fort Piute protected. This overlook provided us with spectacular views, and the option to hike through the gorge on a trail. We choose to continue on.

Fort Piute Ruins:
http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/hamiltonfabrication/Mojave Road 2012/IMG_4759.jpg

Piute Gorge:
http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/hamiltonfabrication/Mojave Road 2012/IMG_4787.jpg

Back on the road, we visited the old bus and Ford Falcon wagon abandoned in the desert, then headed out to find out camp for the night.

Bus and Falcon:
http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/hamiltonfabrication/Mojave Road 2012/IMG_4796.jpg
http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/hamiltonfabrication/Mojave Road 2012/IMG_4797.jpg

Traveling up Carruther’s Canyon Road (maps will list it as Caruthers) was an interesting experience to say the least. The Mojave Road proper is marked with rock cairns on the right side of the road (when traveling west). This road would not be marked, because it is not officially part of the road. There were numerous intersections, forks, spurs, and a few strange sights (a slide in truck camper surrounded by river rock walls was of particular note) making navigation very difficult. GPS was relied upon heavily here, and did not fail us. We took a turn off of Caruther’s Canyon Road where it looked more traveled and arrived at our campsite. We were shocked at its beauty, and quickly made camp and prepared lunch, relaxing for the remainder of Friday evening, knowing much road lay ahead for Saturday and Sunday. This was by far the best camp site I have personally ever visited. It comes highly recommended!

Caruther’s Corral:
http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/hamiltonfabrication/Mojave Road 2012/IMG_4810.jpg

Creepy Camper:
http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/hamiltonfabrication/Mojave Road 2012/IMG_4814.jpg

While at camp, Kevin and Neashell explored the local rock formations, and Troy drove up Caruthers Canyon to find a small mine. He retrieved an interesting rock, with green and purple minerals.

Beautiful rocks:
http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/hamiltonfabrication/Mojave Road 2012/IMG_4845.jpg

Kevin doing his best to create a great youtube clip:
http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/hamiltonfabrication/Mojave Road 2012/IMG_4844.jpg

JD came at night, just before we turned in for bed. Mark and his family joined us in the middle of the night, and quietly set up camp.

Morning came, and with it, our start of Saturday’s festivities.

Everyone is ready to roll!
http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/hamiltonfabrication/Mojave Road 2012/IMG_4862.jpg

[Seanz0rz]

March 31, 2012
Saturday morning, our five vehicles set off down Caruther’s Canyon to rejoin the Mojave road.

Our first stop was Rock Spring, which requires a drop down into Watson Wash. Just a few hundred yards before the drop, Kevin had put Neashell behind the wheel. In just moments, her offroad driving skill would be put to the test.

http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/hamiltonfabrication/Mojave%20Road%202012/IMG_4864.jpg

Rock Spring had a bit of water flowing through it, and was very beautiful:
http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/hamiltonfabrication/Mojave%20Road%202012/IMG_4892.jpg

We then visited the cabin at the top, and then proceeded down the road to Government Holes. The windmill here was still pumping water from the well that was dug hundreds of years ago.

http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/hamiltonfabrication/Mojave%20Road%202012/IMG_4934.jpg

Next on our journey was Marl Springs, but we stopped at Big Rock Camp to enjoy lunch. Marl Springs has a flooded mine shaft that is used to feed water into a trough, though the trough was dry. After Marl Springs, we visited the lava tubes. In these short tubes, there are a few sky lights that shine in the dusty air, making bright columns of light.

http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/hamiltonfabrication/Mojave%20Road%202012/IMG_5022.jpg

After the lava tubes, we encountered a very lost van on the Mojave Road. They were trying to take a short cut back to the highway. I told them to turn around, and when they did they immediately got stuck. A winch, strap around the axle (the Chevy van lacked any sort of recovery point) and a little bit of time got them out of the soft stuff, but they still needed to be turned around. Kevin got in and tried to get enough momentum to beat the soft sand, but still couldn’t make it. A few big pushes from the group freed it, and we sent them on their way towards more solid and appropriate roads.

http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/hamiltonfabrication/Mojave%20Road%202012/IMG_5032.jpg

From there, we found our camp site, set up camp in some of the worst winds I have had to endure with a tent, and enjoyed our beautiful surroundings with good friends and a beer (or if you are Mark, a juice box (it’s ok, I had pineapple juice, but at least it came in a can!))

http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/hamiltonfabrication/Mojave%20Road%202012/IMG_3891.jpg

The night was windy and cold, but Sunday would prove to be very exciting!

[Seanz0rz]

April 1, 2012
Sunday was suppose to be a pretty easy day. Check out some nearby mines, visit Traveler’s Monument, poke around Afton Canyon a bit, enjoy a water crossing, and then head home. Little did we know, this would be one of the most exciting stretches of road we would see. After rounding Seventeen Mile Point, we dropped down Paymaster Mine road. The idea was to visit the Paymaster and other mines in the area. Our GPS failed us in being able to pinpoint the Paymaster mine where we thought it was, but a quick side trip down another road into a canyon paid off. While most of the group hiked up to a mine we could see from the canyon floor, I hiked up the other side to see what was there. I found much evidence of a small settlement there, including a glass window, most likely from a small house or other building, and many, many soup cans. I noticed a patch of loose rock that was a different color than the hill side, hiked up and found a vertical mine shaft, at least 20 feet deep. When I turned around, I saw another pile of loose rock, this one much bigger, and even more evidence of people. Hiking several dozen yards up this canyon, I found a mine shaft that went very far back and branched. Score!

http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/hamiltonfabrication/Mojave%20Road%202012/IMG_5065.jpg

http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/hamiltonfabrication/Mojave%20Road%202012/IMG_5067.jpg

The old rails for the ore cars were still in place, but mostly covered in bunny droppings. It was a very good find, especially as the others came up empty handed on the opposite of the canyon with a gated mine entrance.

From our excursion in the mountains and canyons, we continued on to Soda Lake. Upon seeing a vast open playa, the guys expressed their joy by having much fun at a considerable speed. Having calmed down after an impromptu drag race between JD and Kevin (which JD won with twice the cylinders and almost twice the horsepower), we drove to Traveler’s Monument. After depositing our rocks to the pile, reading and reflecting on the plaque contained within, and taking some pictures, including the group shot in the first post, we continued on to the sandy part of the wash.

http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/hamiltonfabrication/Mojave%20Road%202012/IMG_5091.jpg

After having a considerable amount of fun in the intertwined river bed, we headed towards Afton Canyon. I hit a small rut in the road and managed to slice open the sidewall of my left front tire.

Sad tire is SAD!
http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/hamiltonfabrication/Mojave%20Road%202012/IMG_5098.jpg

While I was getting my sockets out to remove the spare tire and replace the injured tire, Kevin had the lug nuts off. While I was removing the spare, Troy had the truck jacked up, ready to pull the tire off. The whole tire change took less than 10 minutes, and we were back on the road in no time! THANKS!!!

We finally arrived in Afton Canyon and soaked up all the beauty it had to offer.
http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/hamiltonfabrication/Mojave%20Road%202012/IMG_5126.jpg

Troy and JD found a way up to one of the canyons, and everyone had a fun time climbing through tunnels and canyons, traveling all the way to the top.
http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/hamiltonfabrication/Mojave%20Road%202012/IMG_5148.jpg

There was a considerable amount of water in Afton Canyon and in the Mojave River. One particular crossing gave us some trouble, and caused Kevin and I to have misfires and the resulting check engine light. Both issues were solved with a little bit of time in the warm, dry air.

We continued on, and the big water crossing was nothing more than a puddle, as they have filled it in with gravel in the past few years.

The end of our journey together came at Afton Canyon Campground, where we aired up the tires, disposed of our trash, said our goodbyes, and headed back to the highway and on to our homes.



We had a most incredible experience, one we will never forget. Everyone was a pleasure to travel with, and it was great meeting some new faces, spending time with some familiar ones, and generally having a wonderful time with wonderful company in wonderful surroundings.


Carnage Report:
So far, just a slashed sidewall of a 6 year old, 45k mile tire.

We traveled approximately 170-180 miles, the vast majority of that was dirt (a few miles graded dirt road, and a few more were paved). We saw rocky desert floor, several mountain passes, rolling desert sand, granite, several different types of river beds, basalt, decomposed granite gravel and sand, and many more types of terrain. We went from 500 feet above sea level at the start of the trail in Nevada to nearly 6000 feet at our campsite and outside Government Holes. We traversed the world’s largest and densest Joshua Tree forest. Most importantly, we had a great time with great people.

[troyboy162]

I had an absolute blast! This was my first multi-day trail ride. Sean planed things out perfectly and all I had to do was show up haha. I cant thank you enough for that Sean! The two camp sites were really great spots. The canyon was the only place for 100 mile with shade. Not to mention that it was a beautiful spot. The lava canyon was really impressive too.

For the sake of anyone's research who's reading this. I needed 20 gallons of gas from gas station to gas station. It looked like I was averaging right around 8-9 MPG in the rough terrain with A/c running That looks valid with Seans millage of 170-180 for the trip. My truck daily drives at ~14 MPG. My Igloo Maxcold cooler was the only one to keep some block ice for 4 days starting with frozen food. This trip made me realize how important a cooler is. I would like to try a "IRP Outdoors Ice Otter" next time along with larger blocks of ice.

Videos:
http://youtu.be/P3rmDVCiDs4

http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww234/troyboy162/Mojave%20Road%2020120401/IMG_0242.jpg
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[troyboy162]

http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww234/troyboy162/Mojave%20Road%2020120401/IMG_0320.jpg
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[kafene]

Thanks for making this the best offroad run we have ever had!

full report coming soon... stay tuned!


Family and I had the BEST camp trip ever. Way more than I ever expected. The scenery was fantastic. Nothing like I thought a desert would be. Can't wait to go back!!! Linda says you guys were the best!

[Marc P]

Looks like a blast...lots of areas I saw last year. I will try to with you guys next time you plan a run.

[troyboy162]

looks like Paymaster got gated in 2009. I found other accounts of people finding the gates in 2009 as well.
https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&tab=core&id=829bfd372009bd02e848530085e492c7&_cview=0

bastards....it was a good one
https://ideasec.nbc.gov/ows-cls/NP144302_3677245/Paymaster%20Mine%20B.pdf

[slosurfer]

Where was this??



http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww234/troyboy162/Mojave%20Road%2020120401/IMG_0355.jpg

[Seanz0rz]

north of road, east of afton canyon and the wash section, there is an old mine. troy decided to check it out and can tell you much more about it. we did get to hit some good mines, and ill be sure to include more of those in the planning for the next trip. ill find the coordinates later.

[4x4mike]

Looks like you guys had a good time. The weather looked great as well.

Sean, did your 4Runner have the hesitation problems during the trip? Did you find out what it was that was causing problems?

[Seanz0rz]

my specific problem never occured during the trip. however, after a vigorus water crossing, i got a cyl 4&6 and random misfire. cleared up when it dried out. which might give some clues to my other problem, maybe moisture in the ignition system.

I am working on uploading a few hundred pictures right now. then ill pick the best to go up top.

I am awful sunburned and my back is very sore, but it was mighty fun! weather was great, a bit warm, and super windy on our second night, but otherwise great.

[Seanz0rz]

First three posts are updated with the writeup. It is just a basic outline of what we did. It is impossible to convey the experiences out there, so next time we do a trip, COME!

[Good Times]

awesome guys! :) Thanks for sharing...

[paddlenbike]

http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww234/troyboy162/Mojave%20Road%2020120401/IMG_0344.jpg

^^So cool.

Thanks for the write up and the pics! I am bummed I couldn't make this trip, hopefully next time.

Sean, do you have a Scangauge? It proved really useful a few years back when my buddy's alternator died on his Pathfinder. We were at the beginning of a multi-day trip into the back-country at Death Valley and were able to use the Scangauge to diagnose the problem and were able to watch battery voltage and swap batteries among trucks when his got low. The ability to diagnose while on the road is really nice.

[Seanz0rz]

I just have a decent code reader. brought it because I've been having the misfire issue lately.

I am thinking about getting one though.



what do you think about making this an annual trip?

[4x4mike]

Sean, don't you have a snorkel? I assume it worked you just had other water related issues?

We have to have you guys up here for some travels and some altitude. We have a baby on the way but by the end of summer the trails should be good and I'll have a weekend or 2 free.

[4x4mike]

I just have a decent code reader. brought it because I've been having the misfire issue lately.

I am thinking about getting one though.



I travel with my code reader as it's an important tool to have. My Yaesu has a DC input meter so I can monitor battery voltage on the fly with an already on board tool.

[Jaydee914]

what do you think about making this an annual trip?


Heck yeah!

[Seanz0rz]

Mike, it looks like i got a little bit of water through the top of the air box, where the hinges are broken (time for a new airbox, or at least some mods to make it work better)

but i think what gave me the misfire is the wire set arcing to something other than the plug. I will have to tear it apart later and see if i can find any evidence of this, but this seems like it could be my problem. It didn't look like any water made it past the filter, the funnel towards the MAF was dry, but a little bit of water on top of the paper filter, and in the bottom of the box. i will also reseal my snorkel fittings, especially the elbow into the stock box.

kevin had the same problem as me (a cyl 4 misfire) and his coil packs looked pretty wet, and are right up front on the engine. (i am not terribly familiar with that 4cyl)

[paddlenbike]

what do you think about making this an annual trip?


Totally.

So how much extra fuel do us 3rd gen V6 people need to carry for this trip?

[Seanz0rz]

i brimmed the tank in arizona (just across the river from the Avi casino, it was 28 cents less per gallon), filled up my two 5 gallon cans, and had plenty to travel across the desert, down the 15 and on home, with some left in the tank. id say on the safe side, 10 gallons is good.

[4x4mike]

i brimmed the tank in arizona (just across the river from the Avi casino, it was 28 cents less per gallon), filled up my two 5 gallon cans, and had plenty to travel across the desert, down the 15 and on home, with some left in the tank. id say on the safe side, 10 gallons is good.


Above you mentioned traveling less than 200 miles. In that 200 miles did you past gas stations? Did you use the fuel from your cans just because you had them? Or were they needed because you were off the beaten path?

[troyboy162]

what do you think about making this an annual trip?


Totally.

So how much extra fuel do us 3rd gen V6 people need to carry for this trip?


I could have made it on just 5 extra gallons but that would have brought me into the gas station with only 3 gallons left. 15 extra is too much, 5 extra is cutting it too close...I agree 10 gallongs in jerry cans is the sweet spot along with a top off at the Avi casino. That will give you enough buffer to be care free during your trip.

[troyboy162]

Where was this??


yup sean called it. Its a pretty neat spot on a talc powder type mine. There is a mine still operating on the other side of the hill and they have bull dozed the old mine almost beyond recognition. I think it used to be a large open stope/hualage tunnel type mine with large tunnels from the looks, but I dont know. The guage railroad pulling up to the place was large so it must have been a really big operation back in the day. The only real ruins are where I took the picture. Mill must have been one side and Id expect they loaded the train in that hallway.

[DHC6twinotter]

Awesome pictures! Looks like a great trip! Maybe I can make it on one of these trips some day.

[troyboy162]

http://blip.tv/ultimateyota/uy-mojave-road-20120329-6071002

[Seanz0rz]

SOOO AWESOME!!! im going to toss that into my first post!

[troyboy162]

Thanks! This is the first one ive done with more still photos then video. All the video I got was pretty boring so I'm glad

[Seanz0rz]

yeah my video isn't very exciting either. ill still throw it together soon.

[troyboy162]

just looking up this old post to see all the great times!

[Crinale]

:thumbup: Was such a good time.. next time will be significantly more comfortable for me though, new suspension on the way ^_^

[kafene]

Wife said I can order my suspension for my lift. 8) She had such a great time!

[troyboy162]

haha nice! I will never forget your packing job and also never complain when taking just one other person with me in the runner for camping.

[Obi..]

Aaargh, must go soon. ;)

[Crinale]

Wife said I can order my suspension for my lift. 8) She had such a great time!


Awesome! What are you planning to go with?



haha nice! I will never forget your packing job and also never complain when taking just one other person with me in the runner for camping.


Seriously! haha

[Seanz0rz]

early to mid December. mark your calendars.

[DHC6twinotter]

early to mid December. mark your calendars.


Awesome! I hope I'm around then.

[troyboy162]

I should be home for that one! cant wait!

[troyboy162]

How set are you on it Sean? I have been debating a early november DV run, but can probably get my fill with another MR run

[Crinale]

early to mid December. mark your calendars.


I won't be able to make a run in December.. I have a busy 2nd half of this year and no money :(

[Jaydee914]

How set are you on it Sean? I have been debating a early november DV run, but can probably get my fill with another MR run

I'm down for a December Mojave run, and this time I'm going to try to bring the family as well. I'd also be really interested in a November Death Valley run, Troy!

[Seanz0rz]

troy, im 50/50 atm, ill have to see just how bad the finances are, and if i can sell off enough stuff to pay for school this quarter. regardless, i really want to make it out there!

[Crinale]

I probably won't be able to make it on a long run like that one til the spring..

[troyboy162]

I'm down for a December Mojave run, and this time I'm going to try to bring the family as well. I'd also be really interested in a November Death Valley run, Troy!



I have to get my truck squared away when I get home, but I'll keep your interest in mind. Nothing really planned at this point other then I want to see the Skidoo stamp mill before it falls down. That and I want to check the tunnels in that area a bit. Its a very big mill and the mine was the second largest in death valley in 1910. also "tommy Knockers" are supposed to live there lol.
http://www.americansouthwest.net/california/photographs700/skidoo-mill.jpg

[kafene]

That looks awesome!

[kafene]

Wife said I can order my suspension for my lift. 8) She had such a great time!


Awesome! What are you planning to go with?



Just ordered the ToyTec Ultimate Lift. I was looking at some of the other ones, but everyone seems to be happy with whatever lift they got! Didn't really care whether the kit was rebuildable or not. Can't wait to install the thing.

kafene.

[Crinale]

awesome! 4th gens look so much better with a couple inches of lift

[Jaydee914]

Sean, why do I have December 14-16 on my calendar for your potential Mojave run? Did you mention those dates at some point? Anyway, I might have to work a portion of that weekend now...

[Seanz0rz]

huge tentative. whole trip is a huge maybe. IPL post when I know more.

[Jaydee914]

Right on. Hopefully everything works out. That was a fun trip last time!