US West Mojave Road after Thanksgiving

[smritte]

I want to run the Mojave road after Thanksgiving. So far it looks like I may go by myself (again).

1. I haven't set an exact date. I would prefer not to leave the Friday after due to the number of people doing just that. Saturday or Sunday (11/28-29) would be preferable.
2. I haven't set the number of days. I can run the road in 2 days if its cut short and up to 5 days sight seeing off trail stuff. I would prefer at least 3 days.
3. I normally leave from the AVI Casino and come back.
4. I would like to keep the vehicle number to 5 max

What this all means is I'm open to suggestions. December 4-6th is an event in Occitillo Wells I want to go to so I would prefer to be back by then.
The only requirements are a working radio (ham preferred, CB ok. I don't have a GMRS), a well maintained vehicle and a good attitude. I don't care if you have any real experience. New people are welcome.

The weather will be Cold, Hot, Windy, Rainy, Clear. Weather doesn't bother me and I have run this in all conditions.

You can post questions here or PM me.

Anyone up for it?

 

[hfuentes]

I might be interested. Need to check with the family on any other plans for thanksgiving

 

[smritte]

Sounds good. The Avi Casino is where I normally spend the night then stage out of their parking lot. That might be an idea considering where your coming from.

 

[naysjp]

Your in So Cal. The Avi Casino is in Laughlin, NV. Isn't that backwards driving to NV just to drive back to CA? I'm just asking.Isn't Laughlin further than Las Vegas?

 

[smritte]

yes
To my area its an hour drive home when your done. 3.5 hours from the other end. I run it both ways. For people coming in from a distance, its nice to have a hotel right at the beginning. For me, it really doesn't matter which direction. Total drive time is the same. Either far in beginning or far at the end. On this trip, I will be coming out of Vegas. It's farther for me.
The couple of people who PM'd me, we will work out the logistics.

 

[LostWoods]

You can put me down as a strong maybe... Definitely want to do this one but need to get some protection for the truck before I do.

 

[smritte]

If you never ran this, I have run this in 2wd. One area of soft sand, the rest is dirt road and wide two track. The biggest issue is how much firewood vs how many days.

 

[LostWoods]

That'll probably work then... I've honestly never had the chance to run it despite living half hour from the start for 10 years of my driving life... I'm guessing all the videos I've seen have just cherrypicked the roughest spots so wasn't sure if skids were recommended.

 

[FlounderUSN]

I would love to join but don't think I will make it to SoCal until mid December. Is it runnable in an F350 with a pop top camper? I've heard of others running it with campers but curious what someone who has run it a few times would think?

 

[smritte]

I don't see why not. There's one technical area that I commonly go around and a narrow area that has a bypass also.

 

[FlounderUSN]

I don't see why not. There's one technical area that I commonly go around and a narrow area that has a bypass also.

Sweet! Thanks. Planning a long term road trip and thinking spend winter in the SW and move on easterly. Want to do death Valley and mojave

 

[smritte]

Dates are Saturday to Tuesday (11/28-12/1). So far were staging out of Avi Saturday morning and exiting Tuesday. Staging spot is tentative and could change.

 

[Surfscottydog]

We’re getting our replacement camper installed on November 10. And having a shakedown run just to Morro Bay the following weekend. We might be interested in coming, it’s kind of soon for me and my wife but there’s a great possibility we’d love to join. I’ll keep in touch with you

 

[smritte]

My son is coming out to visit in mid January. he wants to do something in the Mojave. I may have another run then if that works better.

 

[smritte]

Bumping this.
So far we have a couple of vehicles coming. Still room if anyone wants to join in.

 

[NorCalRam]

Definitely interested. As some one mentioned earlier HARD MAYBE

 

[smritte]

Sounds good. I have two so far from the Bay Area.

 

[NorCalRam]

FYI this is my first time on a "run". Been camping many times but this is the first camping trip involving moving across the desert. Does anyone recommend some resources for research?

 

[smritte]

Pretty much just camp gear and vehicle maintenance. If you run a tablet gps, make sure to load not just the route maps but everything around it. Then do some reserch on points of interest and lock down waypoints.
once you know your going, send me a pm.then I’ll add you to the chat with the rest of us.

 

[LostWoods]

Go ahead and add me in to the chat if you have one going. Wife is trying to get the time off and we'll be good to go as long as she can sort that out.