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Mojave Road (Old Government Road) camping trip

rascole

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,580
Location
Bellflower, CA
My son and I took a small overland trip with some friends from work on Thanksgiving week, we did come home for turkey day then started off where we left off on early Friday morning. For those who don't know what the Mojave Road is, Google it, it is a great trail for beginners. We didn't start at the Colorado River, Fort Mojave, since there really isn't much there other than Edison service roads. We picked up the trail at Ivanpah Rd. and Mojave Rd. and headed West for this trip. We spent a few nights up in the New York Mountains next to Phalic Rock, cool place to hike and check out the old mines. Elevation is near 6000 feet so it was cold and frosty each morning. The weather was good but cold, got down to 29 one night and low 30's the rest of the trip. We have a great book called Mojave Road Guide by Dennis Casebier, lots of info and history with GPS coordinates so it is impossible to get lost. The whole trail can be done with any truck/SUV with ground clearance and there are only a few spots where you would have to air down because of sand, mud, or side trails. We did see a Audi Q5 and it was fun to watch him bottom out every other bump, he pulled over and headed back after a mile or so. 4x4 is only really needed if you venture off on some of the side trails like we did but still nothing serious. I let my son who is 14 drive for most of the trip so I could read the guide and relax. Only time he was nervous was in the sand and on the mostly dry lake bed when he hit 40 mph. This was my first trip with my new Dometic refrigerator and Gobi Ranger roof rack. I will never camp with out them ever again. The beer and food were always cold and plenty of room for a lot of firewood on top. We plan on going back next spring when it warms up a little to do some more exploring of the side trails, there are tons of them. Since I can't upload pics from work I will get them in when I get home tonight.
 

Bigunit

Hammer Down!
Staff member
Messages
6,558
Location
Arizona
Rascole, if I can join you next spring, I will. I've always wanted to do this trail.
 

rascole

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,580
Location
Bellflower, CA
Pictures from the trail.

Airing down helps smooth out the washboard section.
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All ready to roll.
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My boy learning to drive.
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Phalic Rock camp.
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Abandoned mine around New York Mountain.
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Sporting the H4O Boonie hat.
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The cloud layer is what we woke up too that morning and there was frost everywhere.
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A look from the top of the valley.
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rascole

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,580
Location
Bellflower, CA
Extinct volcano cinder cones and lava tubes.
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The famous "Mailbox"
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The famous "Rock Pile Memorial" in the dry (99% of the time).
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Second camp was near Marl Springs
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Our morning view.
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3Hummers

Super Moderator
Staff member
Messages
10,398
Location
Central Texas
I have done the Mojave Trail several times. Great way to spend a weekend. We usually start in Laughlin. Great scenery. If you do it in late Feb/March when the desert plants are blooming the scenery gets even better.
 

rascole

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,580
Location
Bellflower, CA
Yeah, that's our plan so far if El Nino is kind, there should be a lot of water out there. In the mountain we had deer walk through our camp at night and on the valley floor we had coyotes about 40 feet away.
 

rascole

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,580
Location
Bellflower, CA
It is a great 2-3 day run. Not much for challenging obstacles but a great getaway. I did the road MANY years ago (25 years+) but this was the first time I spent time to enjoy it.
 

3Hummers

Super Moderator
Staff member
Messages
10,398
Location
Central Texas
Lots of history along that road. If you have the resources to find them there is lots more to see and know that most people would guess.
 

Woodtick

Well-Known Member
Messages
801
Location
Ilanoid, UP MI
Looked like a great trip. Very cool pics. My kids had hundreds of trail miles under their belt before they turned 16. I think it's a fun way to learn.
 
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