2nd Annual Mojave Road Expedition Mar. 22-24, 2013 planning thread

[Seanz0rz]

WELCOME TO THE SECOND ANNUAL ULTIMATE YOTA MOJAVE ROAD EXPEDITION!

The dates are set. Friday March 22, 2013 through Sunday March 24, 2013.

If you can't make it the whole weekend, come out and join us for a day trip, come a day late or leave a day early!




The first post will be continually updated with more information, locations, suggestions, etc.






General Information:

Our direction of travel will be East to West - Beginning on Needles Highway (near the Avi Casino) and ending at Afton Canyon Camp Ground.


6 Vehicle/14 Person Max (NPS regulations - otherwise we must apply for a permit) If there are more than 6, we will reach out to NPS for a permit or we will split the group into two smaller groups for camping and driving, whichever is more easier.

Attendees:
1. Seanz0rz - Sean & Alexus
2. Jaydee914 - JD + fam?
3. Crinale - Kevin & Neashell
4. DHC6twinotter - Dan
5. John & his 98 Suburban
6. JD's friend?
7. kafene - Mark + Fam? Sat&Sun?
8.
9.
10.



Important Information:

Communication:

CB Channel 16
UY simplex primary 146.430MHZ (2m Ham)

Vehicle Requirements:

• Vehicle in good working condition, with no known faults
• Working 4WD
• 1 spare within 2" of other tires
• Working, suitable jack
• CB Radio or Ham Radio in good working order

Note: Stock Vehicles are welcome on this trip. There are only a couple of short, difficult spots, and they are easily bypassed if necessary. The vast majority of the road will be a single track thorough the desert. Some areas present unrelenting corrugations, and others have undulations that can catch you off guard and swallow your vehicle. This is not a technically challenging run, but a scenic drive over some of the most beautiful desert areas found in California. The long distances and rough road are the challenge. Terrain will vary from rocky desert pavement, extremely soft sand, off camber sections, deep ruts and washes, and Soda (somewhat) Dry Lake. There will also be some water crossings that are easily crossed.

Required Equipment and Supplies:

• Enough fuel to travel 200 miles in 4wd
• Minimum 1/2 gallon water per person, per day
• Food
• Well stocked, current first aid kit
• Tow strap & shackle
• Method to refill tires, if you choose to air down (recommended, especially on the western edge)
• Basic tools
• Sanitation Supplies - anywhere from a shovel and TP to a PETT toilet and privy, your choice.

Recommended Items:

• Rear locker
• Full size spare
• Spares for common items (axles, etc)
• Still/Video camera with spare batteries and extra memory
• Binoculars
• Fire wood
• Wide-brimmed hat

This is by no means a complete list, but merely the high points of what should be considered for this trip.

For those uninitiated to expedition style desert travel: The best way to travel is to travel light but do not forget comfort items. Three days on the road without a good night's sleep can spell disaster!



Sanitation:
At some point during this trip, you will have to use the bathroom. There are no toilets where we are camping, and none along the road. #1 is fairly easily handled, #2 is up to your comfort level. I personally have a bucket with seat, Double-Doodie bags, and a privacy shelter. What you bring is up to you. Pack in - Pack out is encouraged.

Firewood:
We will be camping 3 nights. If everyone brings 1-2 bundles of firewood, we should have plenty for 3 nights of camping with a small fire.

Weather:
Weather can be very unpredictable in the deserts. This event is a rain or shine event, meaning we will be traversing the desert even if it is raining. Temperature can vary wildly. Higher elevations can see significant snowfall during the winter, and lower elevations frequently break 120F in the summer. Temperatures are expected to be between 50 and 70 in the day, and 30-50 at night. Layers are suggested, as well as extra socks and gloves.

More Information:

Dennis Casebier's "Mojave Road Guide" is HIGHLY recommended. It can be purchased here: http://www.desertusa.com/web_cart/db/pages/5094.html
I also have a previous edition for sale if anyone wants it. PM me for details.

Other guide books have information on the trail but the best is the one mentioned above.

Google is a great resource for research about the Mojave road.

Dirtopia has a bit of information and quite a few waypoints here: http://www.dirtopia.com/wiki/Mojave_Road

Route:
Attached below are the files you will need to load into your GPS. you can load these in Google Earth to review the route we are taking.

[Marc P]

I will keep an eye on this...

[DHC6twinotter]

I had a blast last time and would like to go again. Everything all depends on work, or lack thereof.

I'd like to see the lava tubes, and Government Hole was pretty neat.

Looking forward to it!

[Jaydee914]

I'm in, depending on the dates, of course. I'm down for checking out anything, but would prefer stuff we didn't do last time (although the lava tubes were pretty cool - I'd definitely do that again!).
Are there any slightly challenging trails on Mojave? It would be cool to mix it up a little bit, as long as that was agreeable to everybody or there was an easy way around.

[elripster]

I don't know enough about the area to add any specifics. Hikes are always fun 'cause it's nice to get out of the truck. Routes that let folks leave or join can add some flexibility.

I'd say do some searching to check on other events and the pick a date / rough route. It can be refined from there.

Frank

[Seanz0rz]

JD, much of the stuff we saw is just on the road, so no much getting away from those things. However, there are several things we missed and several things I've found that I want to see. As for more difficult trails, there isn't much in the way of difficult stuff out there, but we will be hitting some unknown roads and traveling some stretches we've never traveled before. Specifically crossing some of the more volcanic stretches around the cinder cones where we camped the second night. I would also like to spend more time exploring in the river and Afton Canyon area.

Frank, there are lots of roads that cross the MR, so coming in a day late or leaving a day early is fairly easy.



I am also going to try to not limit the number of spots on the trip. I will start contacting the NPS to determine the requirements for the permit, but since it is a pretty low key event with no more impact on the land than us all going separately, I don't foresee major hurdles in getting a permit. If it is prohibitively difficult then we may split the group in half if it gets exceedingly large.

[Crinale]

My vote is doing it in the same direction. Staying at the Avi the night before was a nice way to get some rest before the trip. Otherwise, that is the only time I've ever been out there, so I'm not picky on anything. I just want to get out there again because it was a really good time!

[Seanz0rz]

I agree, east to west is the way to do it. Then the end of the trail is closer to home as well.

[Jaydee914]

Yup, I agree - west to east seems to be the way. And I'm down for anything along the way, including some hikes.

Sean, do you have a target month? March/April?

[Seanz0rz]

late feb/march.