First Mojave Road trip

[Safaribill]

Hello

My little and I are going on our first Mojave Rd trip next month she is super excited. Just wondering if anyone has any tips or interesting way points to keep a 7 yr old excited

 

[smritte]

7yo is going to be tough. I run that once or twice a year as well as trips into the area. Maybe bring a friend? When I take people out there, I don't stay on the route much. I zig zag along going to the sites around the area. Depending on how excited the child gets over ruins and artifacts, there's the pictographs at Indian Well, Fort Piute, Penny Can, train station if its open, Lava Tubes, Rock formations at Hole in the Wall, a few wind mills, Rock House (painters cabin) and some corrals.

 

[9Mike2]

With the young ones, tell them your looking for DINOS! bring small picks and shovels , when you stop have them look and dig.. Keep them busy, also looking for burred treasure.....

 

[cdavis90]

The Kelso Dunes are pretty awesome and might be fun for the little one to run through. I also second the train station.

 

[Safaribill]

Thank you for the replies the little and I really do appreciate it.

 

[RAMf1]

The Singing Kelso Sand Dunes were my kids favorite camping spot.. We spent hours climbing the dunes and jumping off the crests landing 10 to 15 feet downslope… The resulting sand slide would then make the most haunting sound as the sand particles rubbed against each other. My very difficult to please daughter said it was the best place… ever!

 

[my134Runner]

7yo is going to be tough. I run that once or twice a year as well as trips into the area. Maybe bring a friend? When I take people out there, I don't stay on the route much. I zig zag along going to the sites around the area. Depending on how excited the child gets over ruins and artifacts, there's the pictographs at Indian Well, Fort Piute, Penny Can, train station if its open, Lava Tubes, Rock formations at Hole in the Wall, a few wind mills, Rock House (painters cabin) and some corrals.

You sound a little like me. I've been traveling the Mojave Road AND The Mojave Preserve since it became a National Park in 1994. We go out on two official trips a year.....next one is next weekend, and Easter weekend. Rather than go point A to point B, I also take people on routes that most don't get to see.....basically, covering more of the alphabet than A-B!! We have room for one or two more trucks, if the OP wants to tag along! It's Always better to go with more experienced tour guides, especially if it's your first time!!
After the initial three days (Fri to Sunday) me and at least one other.....maybe more, are going back out into the park for three more days of camping and exploring. probably staying in one of the cabins at least one or two days.

 

[dpsmedic]

You might find this guidebook interesting for overall information..Mojave Road Guide and Map Mojave National Preserve

 

[smritte]

You sound a little like me. I've been traveling the Mojave Road AND The Mojave Preserve since it became a National Park in 1994. We go out on two official trips a year.....next one is next weekend, and Easter weekend. Rather than go point A to point B, I also take people on routes that most don't get to see.....basically, covering more of the alphabet than A-B!! We have room for one or two more trucks, if the OP wants to tag along! It's Always better to go with more experienced tour guides, especially if it's your first time!!
After the initial three days (Fri to Sunday) me and at least one other.....maybe more, are going back out into the park for three more days of camping and exploring. probably staying in one of the cabins at least one or two days.

Nice
The guys in my old jeep club did a bunch of work on the Mojave heritage trail along with the guy (don't remember his name) who mapped out the Mojave road. Its one of my favorite areas. I've been exploring the area since the late 80's. One thing I miss though was driving to the top of the small volcanoes and standing on the rim looking out at the string of them. I hope that was something you experienced before it became a preserve.

oops...didn't mean to derail this thread.

 

[my134Runner]

You might find this guidebook interesting for overall information..Mojave Road Guide and Map Mojave National Preserve

The Bible of the Mojave Road!! I have at least three copies, I sometimes will loan them out to newbies who want to learn more about the trail and history......works especially well when there is a co driver, as they can read while the other drives! Lol!

 

[my134Runner]

Nice
The guys in my old jeep club did a bunch of work on the Mojave heritage trail along with the guy (don't remember his name) who mapped out the Mojave road. Its one of my favorite areas. I've been exploring the area since the late 80's. One thing I miss though was driving to the top of the small volcanoes and standing on the rim looking out at the string of them. I hope that was something you experienced before it became a preserve.

oops...didn't mean to derail this thread.

Dennis Casebier was his name, I think he passed away not long ago, he had been dealing with heart issues for a few years. Met him a couple of times, what a wonderful man he was!! He has amassed a Ton of history, both oral, written, photos, etc.......of everything and anything related to the East Mojave Desert and the Mojave Road and it's all housed at the Goff's School house that he and his group have made into a cultural center and campground!
I did part of the heritage trail with him years ago and his Mojave Road trip once as well.

 

[kharrel]

Few things we did a trip this spring with a group of 8-11 year olds.

Try and stay a night or two in the New York area. Trees and Rocks to play in.

Lava tube was a lot of fun for them. This is a must on the road.

Rock/hill climbing at Mojave Camp is fun also. Safe if you go with them. There are run rocks to climb just outside Avi also.

Now I know this will not be the most popular recommend :( As it has not been keep natural. But kids loved Golddome Mill. We spent hours looking around.

Goldome Mill

The Goldome Mill is an abandoned modern mill site in the New York mountains of San Bernardino, California just off of the Ivanpah Road.

www.destination4x4.com

Kelly

 

[my134Runner]

Few things we did a trip this spring with a group of 8-11 year olds.

Try and stay a night or two in the New York area. Trees and Rocks to play in.

Lava tube was a lot of fun for them. This is a must on the road.

Rock/hill climbing at Mojave Camp is fun also. Safe if you go with them. There are run rocks to climb just outside Avi also.

Now I know this will not be the most popular recommend :( As it has not been keep natural. But kids loved Golddome Mill. We spent hours looking around.

Goldome Mill

The Goldome Mill is an abandoned modern mill site in the New York mountains of San Bernardino, California just off of the Ivanpah Road.

www.destination4x4.com

Kelly

Yeah, that site is a dangerous mess....especially for kids. Probably wouldn't be my first or tenth choice! But, next time take them on the Hole in the Wall ring trail! You drop down into the canyon climbing down the iron rings, and take the hike up to Mid Hills, have someone pick you up there, or have them already at Mid Hills, as that's a great spot to cool down and have a picnic for the kids. Just my 2 cents!

 

[kunstmilch]

I don't know how much this will apply, so take it for what it's worth: I grew up all over and spent a lot of time outside, mostly by myself in the woods, anytime I would go somewhere with a group I would likely complain and distinctly remember being in trouble for and thought of as a complainer or whiner, but as much as I whined I still enjoyed exploring. To this day I still have fond memories of both the exploring and the complaining, so it may seem like they are bored to death but dont give up and roll with it. Had I not gone out a lot then Id be a very different person today.

 

[Safaribill]

Had an amazing time the littles loved it thank you for everyone’s in input