Alright folks, I've spent some time putting some thoughts down toward some instruction for this ride. Pretty basic info in all, but maybe someone will benefit.
I will post this here, and I will also assemble all of these types of documents into a trail guide document and make it available to everyone on the ride.
So, here goes the first installment.
Introduction:
The Mojave Road is an historic road used by early Native Americans, the military, desert dwellers and pioneers.
It is not generally considered a difficult 4WD road, but there are some areas where 4WD or at least higher clearance will help to navigate this road.
When I ran this road previously, the trail was also done by a 2WD Tacoma (it was actually a 4WD but it was all completed in 2WD!). There are two exceptions.
The first is a short downhill section that is very rutted when I was there and could be intimidating to some, but is pretty safe and if you have some level of articulation and a little nerve, it should be no problem.
The other was Soda Dry Lake bed. At that time, the rain had soaked it well and we got stuck even using 4-LO and both axles locked! Two of the three trucks got stuck in the goo.
If the "lake" is in the same or wetter condition, we'll send some willing scout party ahead to confirm the condition.
The one observation from previous experience is that this road is full of washboard surfaces - it will possibly rattle your last filling out! Make sure that if you have anything that is loose, bolt it down. One case in point is that my exhaust system became loose as the rear hanger broke. As result of that, the whole pipe then rattled and eventually broke at the header pipe on day 3.
I can't blame the manufacturer for that, it was a poorly done job by a muffler shop that I won't be patronizing in the future.
Schedule:
We will arrive at various times at the first rendezvous point (RP1) near the Colorado River and Avi Casino. (35.014620, -114.643214). Not all will have to meet here, this is only the location of the Casino.
Here is a rough schedule that will improve as we get closer.
Thursday, March 23: Some will assemble near the first rendezvous point. Hotel stay if you prefer.
Friday, March 24: Meet at Rendezvous Point #2, (RP2), intersection of the Mojave Road and Aha Macav Parkway. (35.046089, -114.640522)
11:00 AM: First group can leave from RP2
12:00 Noon: Second group leaves from RP2
1:00 PM: Third group leaves RP2
…and so on about every hour
For those who arrive late, there will be a group leader that will leave at a later designated time to catch any late-comers. We'll decide what that time is based on when people can arrive and the remaining daylight. Anyone who arrives after the last group leaves can catch up at the next RP.
Camp locations:
We are working out the locations that can accommodate the number of rigs we'll have each night.
Stay tuned for those locations, or maybe we'll call an audible at the time.
I'm not sure that all rigs will be able to stay in the same location on both nights due to the sheer size of the group.
What to bring:
This is a group of friends that will assemble and travel a remote desert trail for 3 days. All attendees must be self-sufficient regarding vehicle, equipment, provisions, meals and supplies. All nights will include camping with no facilities for water, power or sanitary needs. This is the desert, folks.
Services or re-supply of any kind including cell service, fuel, food, water or anything at all civilized will be generally unavailable on the trail from the point of departure from the trailhead to the arrival at the western end of the trail which is just west of Baker, CA on I-15.
Exit point information and possible services provided will be designated in the trip material. The closest towns are Needles, CA near the beginning of the trail, and Baker, CA somewhere near the end of day 2.
The Kelso Depot, although a cool place to visit with some great history, has no services other than toilets so don't count on much of anything there.
Tools:
Bring what you think you need to be self-sufficient. However, if you need something and don't have it, the world of Overlanders is a knowledgeable, willing and helpful bunch - ask politely for help and you will likely get it in spades.
Firewood:
National Park Service and BLM rules prohibit gathering wood for fires. There's really not much left anyway. Everyone should bring two bundles of firewood or equivalent minimum.
A word about Toilets:
As previously mentioned, there will be no services on the trail. Combined with that, this is the desert. The nearest tree offering any privacy is in Big Bear!
Unless you can hold it for three days, you will need a toilet. And a privacy shelter. Bring one or make arrangements to share one. If not for you, do it for everyone else on the ride!
OK there's the first crack at it. Next up: Trail Etiquette, Camp Etiquette, Trail Comms, and more!
Dan.
