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TMW
Select Nomad
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Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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Mojave Road Trail
The Mojave Road Trip June 2015
In May I was asked by Nomad John M if I would like to join a group of desert explorers and run the Mojave Road. I had done the Mojave Road with John a
few years ago and loved it so I said yes.
The Mojave Road is a trail across the Mojave Desert from the Colorado River south of Laughlin, NV and Bullhead City, AZ. The Mojave Indians used this
trail to take foodstuff to the Pacific Ocean to trade for seashells. One of the plaques along the trail said A Mojave Indian could cover as much as
one hundred miles in a day. At first I thought it impossible but I was reminded that the summer race from Furnace Creek in Death Valley to the Portal
of Mt Whitney is 135 miles and the men’s record holder did it under 23 hours and the women’s record is just over 26 hours. Of course they were not
running over rocks, sand and thru cactus with an energy drink in hand.
There are several guides that cover the Mojave Trail but the best is by Dennis Casebier. His latest has the GPS waypoints. The trail is usually run
east to west, but many also run it west to east. High clearance is required and 4x4 is highly recommended. There are sand sections and mud depending
on the time of year.
On Monday morning June 1st we met at the Lola restaurant in Barstow, CA. for a fine Mexican lunch. Soon we’re on our way with John and his wife
Barbara leading the way. We have 5 vehicles in our group. Two Jeeps, two Tacomas and one Tundra. John has planned several side trips for us.
Our first stop was to a cemetery in Ludlow near the I-40 and US66 Jct.
Our next stop was a place where trains turn around. A train pulls forward then the tracks are shifted and bingo. Not sure why since I think a train
can travel in either direction. Maybe for better vision by the engineer running the train. Maybe John can answer that.
Onward we stop at the Amboy Crater off route 66. An interesting place. When we pulled in to the parking area there was a guy flying a drone. He later
sent a copy to one of our group who sent it to the rest of us. Beautiful camera video form the drone flying over the area.
A little bit of nostalgia as we stop at Roy’s place for a coke.
General Patton was assigned to find suitable areas to train for desert tank battles during WWII. We took a look around at the remains of one such
area. These training camps were laid out in an organized manner as a tent city. Anything of any value has already been taken. Only a few things left
such as this water holding basin.
Our day would come to an end at the town of Goffs. The Mojave Desert Heritage and Cultural Association have been and continue to gather artifacts and
other articles of the past. The outdoor Museum is a fine example of their hard work. They’ve restored the Goffs School house and Depot. All located at
the Goffs Cultural Center. Their motto “Study The Past”.
Tuesday we are off to the Colorado River where we will start the Mojave Trail Run.
Looking north
Looking south
We wind our way west thru the desert crossing US95 and continuing to Fort Piute. Before we get to the Fort is the ruins of a turkey farm.
The Fort has only half of the rock walls left.
Looking at a rock coral and further up Piute Creek.
We back track to a dirt road and head south for a short distance then west to resume the Mojave Road Trail. Back in the day the military and the
Indians used the Piute Creek as the route west. For a lunch break we stop at the Piute Gorge Overlook. A sort of canyon view.
Looking east at the trail we had been on.
Atop the Overlook.
Time to move on. The desert is beautiful.
Another side trip to the Indian Rock Art.
I think this Joshua did not know which way to grow.
Tuesday night John takes us up into the hills at about 5000 feet and the cool air. A beautiful spot.
I don’t know if he meant to do it or not but we are under an unusual rock formation. I hope there are no earthquakes tonight.
Wednesday it is out to Lanfair Rd and down to the OX Ranch.
Did you know how they weigh cows?
Some history.
Camp Rock Springs.
Then
Now
The Rock House and some history.
A water tank for the animals. The pole box had been used for a camera to study who was drinking.
Another water tank but with a ramp for small animals to climb and drink.
Interesting formation of rock.
An abandoned mine.
A miners home.
Another day has past and it’s time to make camp. Bring your own fire wood.
An old Arrastra for grinding rocks looking for gold at Marl Springs.
The mailbox.
The Frog monument.
About 20 miles from Baker is a lava field and the lave tubes. As the lava was cooling the air pockets made these holes or tubes. Underground some are
large holes.
From the outside looking in.
Down inside.
After lunch at Denny’s in Baker we take a detour to Zzyzx.
Rooms to rent 50 cents, just a song.
A warm pool and maybe a mud bath single.
Indoors as well.
A lake too.
After Zzyzx we rejoin the Mojave Road Trail and cross Razor road and soon are in the sand hills of the ORV area. This area is a 4x4 must. The sand was
pretty deep in places. At about mile 115 of the trail we departed for I-15 taking Basin Road.
This was another fun and interesting trip. The camaraderie among the group was great. We all had a great time.
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TecateRay
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Looks like a great trip! I'd like to try it some day on my dirt bike (street legal).
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David K
Honored Nomad
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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I would like to go on a future run. Thanks for the A-1 trip report and photos, Tom!
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Osprey
Ultra Nomad
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Location: Baja Ca. Sur
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Living in Las Vegas for almost 40 years gave me ample time to explore the Mojave on bikes and Jeeps. I found some geo-caches, I remember leaving $,
tools and tequila at a couple.
Rarely camped but one time that I did I made a dry camp in Kelso. Way too much mezcal that night caused me to build a campfire and the only wood handy
was a railroad tie. It was still full of creosote and when I awoke in the early morning I had the worst creosote headache/hangover one can create. Un
effing forgettable.
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Paulina
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My dad and I used to spend weekends exploring those areas on our enduro bikes. Thanks for the memories.
P>*)))>{
\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
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Ateo
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Very cool trip and photos. Thanks. That held my attention all morning..............Thanks.
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desertcpl
Super Nomad
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Location: yuma,az
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way cool,, thanks
I would like to go also
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StuckSucks
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Registered: 10-17-2013
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Awesome write-up and photos. I see you took a liberal interpretation of Mojave Road - all good - that means you get to see more stuff.
And too funny, I was looking at this post and this was my desktop: a photo of us on the Mojave Road from about 10 months ago (my desktop changes every
five minutes with a cool photo of a place I've been - many Baja photos).
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TMW
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Thanks everyone. That is a beautiful picture.
John likes to add side trips to give a clear picture of what is in the whole area not just along the trail.
On the previous trip on the Mojave Road we also stayed at Goffs and spend time talking to Dennis Casebier. He had some great stories of the desert
area, especially from the WWII era.
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Jack Swords
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Location: Nipomo, CA/La Paz, BCS
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Thanks for posting...been planning on doing the Mojave Rd for years, but spending too much time on Nevada's ghost towns. Now I am more motivated.
Great photos.
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StuckSucks
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Quote: Originally posted by TMW  |
John likes to add side trips to give a clear picture of what is in the whole area not just along the trail. |
We've been over the MR a couple dozen times and that's what our MO is, as well. Always good to wander and explore.
Have you guys visited the Kelso Depot yet?
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DianaT
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Enjoyed following along. An interesting read with nice photos. Thank you. We have explored a bit of that area and hope to do sme more.
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Neal Johns
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Mood: In love!
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Good trip, John (for a kid).
TW, great pictures!
My motto:
Never let a Dragon pass by without pulling its tail!
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JohnMcfrog
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Did that one about 10 years ago. Thanks for the pictures!
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Ken Cooke
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Mood: Pole Line Road postponed due to injury
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Thanks for the great trip report, Tom! The photos from the side trips were really interesting.
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Whale-ista
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Location: San Diego
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Mood: Sunny with chance of whales
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Great report & photos- thanks!
\"Probably the airplanes will bring week-enders from Los Angeles before long, and the beautiful poor bedraggled old town will bloom with a
Floridian ugliness.\" (John Steinbeck, 1940, discussing the future of La Paz, BCS, Mexico)
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TMW
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Location: Bakersfield, CA
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| Quote: Originally posted by StuckSucks | | Quote: Originally posted by TMW |
John likes to add side trips to give a clear picture of what is in the whole area not just along the trail. |
We've been over the MR a couple dozen times and that's what our MO is, as well. Always good to wander and explore.
Have you guys visited the Kelso Depot yet? |
Yes on the first trip I did with John he took us there. Great place to visit, had a great time.
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tripledigitken
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Thanks for a great report.
The Mojave Desert is one of my favorite places to visit and ride through going to Death Valley and all points north.
Here's the Kelso Train Station that was mentioned.
restored office as it looked in the 30's....
and just up the tracks, an interesting place to camp or get a room...Nipton! I stayed in the room up front on the left. A tasty burger and cold beer
can be had right next door.
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BajaBlanca
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what a very wonderful trip! I have never even heard of any of the places mentioned.
thanks for taking the time to tell the story behind the photos, made it a very interesting read.
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wessongroup
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Location: Mission Viejo
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Mood: Suicide Hot line ... please hold
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Thanks for the ride ... 
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