tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-98485275359309732024-03-05T22:56:15.950-08:00The Mojave RoadInformation and updates about the Mojave RoadMojave Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14304467716992775098noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9848527535930973.post-13467211030404890032022-11-29T14:20:00.000-08:002022-11-29T14:20:40.474-08:00We Got Mail<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwL9Ad2yvRl75-wVQ5KBZPxI_50slJoKEhyuMOnniGkjSii5aHV6fFCfjJ51XTpCr_0l1FbbKDRd3OZkumQ89Amvg3SgR0RDdWHvbQJWLHx_i4kHCifLCuj60R14DBs2SWskKU1T3ar7kd048hXkP_uVAGe-5py2F4ZdWLDpPWIqyS_M-oqCZj4M/s1028/Capture.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="1028" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwL9Ad2yvRl75-wVQ5KBZPxI_50slJoKEhyuMOnniGkjSii5aHV6fFCfjJ51XTpCr_0l1FbbKDRd3OZkumQ89Amvg3SgR0RDdWHvbQJWLHx_i4kHCifLCuj60R14DBs2SWskKU1T3ar7kd048hXkP_uVAGe-5py2F4ZdWLDpPWIqyS_M-oqCZj4M/s400/Capture.JPG"/></a></div>
As you can see, we don't post much to this blog anymore, but occasionally something lands in our inbox that's worth taking a few moments to share. A gentleman named Billy Dean recently contacted us to say thank you. It turns out the information we've gathered here helped him create <a href="https://www.ebooks-by-bill.com/mojave/mojave-trail.html" target="_blank">his own page about his experience on the Mojave Road</a>. We're gratified that this blog is still serving a purpose. Thanks for reaching out and sharing your adventure, Billy. Happy travels...Mojave Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14304467716992775098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9848527535930973.post-16825003798244499022019-06-01T15:17:00.000-07:002019-06-15T15:22:23.404-07:00Mojave Road Deep River Crossing Detour<b><span style="color: red;">Spring 2019:</span> Recommended Alternate Route for Afton Canyon River Crossing</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wQotWPAYyo7iYfxlEcTvHYe88ATsHYGp9SyrwJuC87UCagphKYjBSKtlLx85XCF0mjXues6LgzKvtwG0jBZcovZy0SPGmNuaHJLFQxnrloyz01oRY2-5WTsJtJQT7dWlFSjuiKxbXw/s1600/Deep-Water-Crossing.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="572" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wQotWPAYyo7iYfxlEcTvHYe88ATsHYGp9SyrwJuC87UCagphKYjBSKtlLx85XCF0mjXues6LgzKvtwG0jBZcovZy0SPGmNuaHJLFQxnrloyz01oRY2-5WTsJtJQT7dWlFSjuiKxbXw/s400/Deep-Water-Crossing.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">April 19, 2019. Mojave River, Afton Canyon, Deep Water Crossing. [Photo By John Marnell] </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">F</span>rom time to time the water level in two places along the Mojave Road within Afton Canyon has become deeper than some people are comfortable driving through. There have been reports of the water running as high as 30+ inches. These two crossings are described in the Mojave Road Guide as at miles 120.5 and 121.5 – a quarter mile south of the BLM Campground.<br />
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Coming from the east, you can follow the below directions thus avoiding these potential problem areas. Those driving the Mojave Road from west to east would simply reverse the instructions. The historical and cultural significance as well as the special beauty of Afton Canyon can be enjoyed but may require a bit of backtracking. <a href="https://mdhca.org/images/Afton%20alternate%20route.pdf">A PDF of the road log is available for download here.</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKCzVLbSOLzMylXk-pp1OjWfuehqbWS7cJGEiwAGIvEdsnP3VMSvEapN9AJxZ6ftVq6kQkTWNqYZICIqlFTUu9nQtweHjLW_A6cCksXAvA_CdbWPM57pcSDobWwjWvZ7e1ZedTqee2Q/s1600/2019AlternateRouteSm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="600" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKCzVLbSOLzMylXk-pp1OjWfuehqbWS7cJGEiwAGIvEdsnP3VMSvEapN9AJxZ6ftVq6kQkTWNqYZICIqlFTUu9nQtweHjLW_A6cCksXAvA_CdbWPM57pcSDobWwjWvZ7e1ZedTqee2Q/s400/2019AlternateRouteSm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://mdhca.org/images/2019AlternateRoute.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; cursor: pointer; font-family: "pt serif"; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank" title="Mojave Road Afton alternate route map"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">A map of the above route is available for download here.</span></a></div>
Mojave Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14304467716992775098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9848527535930973.post-12221887378457960142017-05-15T13:19:00.001-07:002017-05-15T13:19:46.146-07:00Family Adventure on the Mojave Road<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZBuSx052MhsU57y93MQyzwWR0ZAHZD_HO0CCC2s62xb_QWlo6vn_ygB77ewCPIu1oRxm4DEuICcXJLKO3hcOghcAi_h6uhGINBlhAxU_deofm0cWsk6iF-A6lCUrCAraziAGZ24Jlw/s1600/33765222903_992715e08b_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZBuSx052MhsU57y93MQyzwWR0ZAHZD_HO0CCC2s62xb_QWlo6vn_ygB77ewCPIu1oRxm4DEuICcXJLKO3hcOghcAi_h6uhGINBlhAxU_deofm0cWsk6iF-A6lCUrCAraziAGZ24Jlw/s320/33765222903_992715e08b_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We ran across <a href="http://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/171918-Mojave-PreserveFamily-Overland-Adventure" target="_blank">this family's trip</a> on the Mojave Road and thought we'd share.Mojave Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14304467716992775098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9848527535930973.post-83692510014376814992016-04-25T17:36:00.001-07:002021-12-25T14:15:05.812-08:00MOJAVE ROAD CLOSED OVER PIUTE RANGE: NEW DETOUR AVAILABLE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mdhca.org/images/20160507_Leiser_Rae_Detour_Road_Log - Final.pdf" target="_blank" title="Mojave Road Detour over Piute Range"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBpDoF6_lihcfW4rroxyXEsd2NTcrq5Nk4VzQw2IFlaVqrdcNwcQ9KC6trITHSy3XKpUO80j7M0FKvD0G9IKkjayiYSLE0fq1kxP6GNQgIr2iDWG6Nfzvg86-1xWs7whRnJmI7CLyuQ/s400/Leiser-Ray-Detour-480.jpg" width="390" /></a></div>
<p>As of April 19, 2016, the National Park Service has closed the Mojave Road between Mile 27.0 and 30.5 in the Mojave National Preserve. This closure is due to a washout on the old underground telephone cable road connecting Piute Valley with Lanfair Valley. No date has been set for completion of repairs to the road.</p>
<p>The National Park Service recommends a <a href="https://www.nps.gov/moja/learn/news/travel-on-mojave-road-is-rerouted-temporarily.htm" target="_blank">29-mile bypass on their Web page</a>.</p>
<p>The Mojave Desert Heritage and Cultural Association, the publishers of the official <a href="http://www.mdhca.org/publications/mojave-road-guide" target="_blank"><em>Mojave Road Guide</em></a>, have developed an alternate 14.2-mile detour for Mojave Road travelers who would prefer a shorter, more historic and scenic route. A PDF with a map and road log is available for download on the home page of their Web site, <a href="http://mdhca.org/" target="_blank">www.mdhca.org</a>.</p>
Mojave Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14304467716992775098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9848527535930973.post-89986427960836961302015-12-06T13:12:00.000-08:002015-12-08T21:24:55.542-08:00Acceptable Behavior?!?UPDATE: We are pleased to report that the individual discussed in this post stepped forward and apologized. We greatly appreciate his honesty and willingness to share what happened (you can see his comments below). Thank you!
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We wish we didn't have to write this post. The following photos were shared by a fellow Mojave Road enthusiast who was disturbed and saddened to find someone so blatantly disrespecting and destroying something we all treasure. None of us knows who this person is, but we hope that sharing this example of thoughtless, negligent behavior will remind everyone that the Mojave Road belongs to all of us and it will only exist as long as every one of us takes care of it.<br />
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If you can't respect rules and regulations, at least find it within yourself to respect your fellow off-roaders: don't ruin the experience for everyone else. Not to mention the volunteers who put countless hours into creating and maintaining the Mojave Road for your use.
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Thanks for listening, everyone. And thank you to the concerned citizen who brought this to our attention.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWsxvEwn9L1lBlNrsni2rQKlyU0Dv4fErbIUHfnK-Tj1p938GEbujaYuVEwAkgdisU6rN29Vjs1gY9rCmNdep1cr7dM46IUHe-DDPV8Q0fxKelKpDWPQ0pQIB-LC9w37bxEmnWSQRRw/s1600/2015_Bad_Behavior_Americanbeard_01.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWsxvEwn9L1lBlNrsni2rQKlyU0Dv4fErbIUHfnK-Tj1p938GEbujaYuVEwAkgdisU6rN29Vjs1gY9rCmNdep1cr7dM46IUHe-DDPV8Q0fxKelKpDWPQ0pQIB-LC9w37bxEmnWSQRRw/s400/2015_Bad_Behavior_Americanbeard_01.JPG" /></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvkR2avaAKF0IDBP9CCO-wmu2QSaNYf0AS80we6fzzos9_US2J6695h-rJbTcHkYN6mvxZz-0GQMMAXwc5KgfSzz61ctNrVWSihs5kW5P9B5WLxldtPB_9a6KraA8l7G-2KQurP4Jjg/s1600/2015_Bad_Behavior_Americanbeard_03.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvkR2avaAKF0IDBP9CCO-wmu2QSaNYf0AS80we6fzzos9_US2J6695h-rJbTcHkYN6mvxZz-0GQMMAXwc5KgfSzz61ctNrVWSihs5kW5P9B5WLxldtPB_9a6KraA8l7G-2KQurP4Jjg/s400/2015_Bad_Behavior_Americanbeard_03.JPG" /></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UhBXVwlV5sv2hyZvbrDs7RJN37rbgFMXkxZ9IQfQW9xOwT4WVu17DdrgPxrUWD753xJGng9qTYu9QmuK1Wmh-qosYS1Epy0sevVaT4eWngUKbbtLgY7GfHYR6Ahg9wnI_QIe2QEP9w/s1600/2015_Bad_Behavior_Americanbeard_02.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UhBXVwlV5sv2hyZvbrDs7RJN37rbgFMXkxZ9IQfQW9xOwT4WVu17DdrgPxrUWD753xJGng9qTYu9QmuK1Wmh-qosYS1Epy0sevVaT4eWngUKbbtLgY7GfHYR6Ahg9wnI_QIe2QEP9w/s400/2015_Bad_Behavior_Americanbeard_02.JPG" /></a>
<br />Mojave Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14304467716992775098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9848527535930973.post-43417950050467322362014-06-10T10:11:00.002-07:002014-06-10T10:11:32.317-07:00An April Trip on the Mojave Road<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQzXG_LSU_DY4Mc3QNlbWIYB-O-9FR1CeyMh3N2CNHzpxdO3ETFF5befP3IUL9VbLyY5pL1GUaZvSpQtMztDtAJKW2gZcSUIocbeBbC1qIVjmKpt90jsYfjh4sw1VxHwl0Ec9VeRV5A/s1600/syncrosafari.jpg" height="253" width="320" /></div>
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We ran across this posting about a group trip on the Mojave Road in April that we thought we'd share since it provides a lot of good information about making the journey. Click on the link below...<br />
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<a href="http://www.syncrosafari.org/mojave-road-14---overview.html">Syncro Safari, "Mojave Road '14"</a>Mojave Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14304467716992775098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9848527535930973.post-54221070058424592372014-06-03T09:49:00.000-07:002014-06-03T09:49:34.527-07:00Off-Road Basics: Trail Etiquette<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uqJl-OTwllYvfgN9wOc2Mem1FuLNHWACHeiqYx2hRO1jEnu6QniUnco-XH-XLnzMyQ5j9zpxzGobryC_z8BDYtvw8pEVDPjLlvnHNHKe7zOnoN8w6jFEM2IN17L8UN2y68SZ2zrO8A/s1600/drivingline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uqJl-OTwllYvfgN9wOc2Mem1FuLNHWACHeiqYx2hRO1jEnu6QniUnco-XH-XLnzMyQ5j9zpxzGobryC_z8BDYtvw8pEVDPjLlvnHNHKe7zOnoN8w6jFEM2IN17L8UN2y68SZ2zrO8A/s320/drivingline.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.drivingline.com/2014/05/off-road-basics-trail-etiquette" target="_blank">This article at Driving Line</a> provides some great pointers for people driving the Mojave Road for the first time, and important reminders for "regulars." Be safe while you're out there having fun!Mojave Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14304467716992775098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9848527535930973.post-81423239617524623422014-01-20T09:33:00.001-08:002014-01-20T09:33:33.699-08:00Dramatic Afton Canyon a hidden oasis in the Mojave<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScGe2R4-HhB3t4pnIv393_CS9ikPUFkYbnXhEQIMs6R-I5eyTJmlWnd_aAp3LroP7-tE7sL1jpel33gWy7d_DjrCQNPG_eQtI6440it2dG5NwijKW8rY11mjI6gi8KmOHoXwq0ioQrg/s1600/web1_Jan-19-Acton_0.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScGe2R4-HhB3t4pnIv393_CS9ikPUFkYbnXhEQIMs6R-I5eyTJmlWnd_aAp3LroP7-tE7sL1jpel33gWy7d_DjrCQNPG_eQtI6440it2dG5NwijKW8rY11mjI6gi8KmOHoXwq0ioQrg/s1600/web1_Jan-19-Acton_0.jpg" height="176" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Afton Canyon, Calif., between Baker and Barstow, is known as "the Grand Canyon of the Mojave." <br />(MIKE MILLER/SPECIAL TO THE LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL)</span></div>
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<i>By Margo Bartlett Pesek</i><br />
<i>Las Vegas Review-Journal</i><br />
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One of those hidden beauty spots that delight desert lovers, scenic Afton Canyon lies off Interstate 15 between Baker and Barstow in Southern California.<br />
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Also known as “the Grand Canyon of the Mojave,” the rugged gorge carved by the intermittently flowing Mojave River is best suited to cool-season visitation. It appeals to off-highway explorers, campers, horsemen, rock hounds, photographers and wildlife watchers.<br />
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Follow I-15 south from Las Vegas toward Barstow. About 20 miles south of Baker, watch for a series of turnoffs, starting with Rasor Road, which accesses a nearby off-highway vehicle area. Keep driving on I-15, next passing Basin Road. Watch for the turnoff to Afton Canyon onto a graded road.<br />
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From the freeway, the road runs about 3½ miles to a small campground established near the Mojave River and the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks, which follow the water through the canyon. A sturdy railroad bridge spans the river near the campground, carrying trains that rumble across the desert several times a day — and night. The road may be used by all but the lowest-slung vehicles as far as the campground. Beyond the campground, explore marked routes using high-clearance vehicles, preferably with four-wheel drive.<br />
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The region is a complex of public and private lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management as Afton Canyon Natural Area. Because of its oasislike setting, running water, thick vegetation and wide variety of birds and animals, it has been designated an area of critical environmental concern. Efforts are ongoing to enhance the natural vegetation by eradicating exotic plant species and to control damage done by indiscriminate vehicle use.<br />
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Vehicle access is restricted to a few routes, including historic Mojave Road, a rough, four-wheel-drive trail beloved by off-roaders. Mojave Road follows in the footsteps of prehistoric native nomads, mountain men, early explorers and military expeditions. Other old trails into nearby side canyons may now be traveled only on foot or horseback. Although hiking, backpacking and primitive camping are encouraged, campfires outside of the campground area are restricted.<br />
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The modest campground provides several sites, available on a first-come basis for a fee of $6 per night. There is a 14-day limit. Each site is equipped with a parking pad, table and grill. Pit toilets are centrally located. Drinking water must be trucked to the site, so many campers bring their own, at least a gallon per person per day. Use a self-contained camp stove or bring firewood. You’ll need bags for disposing of camp refuse at home.<br />
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Because the campground lies well within the canyon, the night sky is very dark, except during bright moonlight. The site is popular for stargazing and watching celestial events such as meteor showers.<br />
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The Mojave River is one of those elusive desert streams that course underground most of their length. Along this part of the watercourse, however, the river and flooded streams have scoured the landscape down to bedrock and the water runs over the rocky surface.<br />
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Scenery in Afton Canyon is quite colorful and dramatic. The birds and desert wildlife drawn to the water and vegetation delight observers and photographers. Observation is most rewarding early or late in the day, also the best times for photography. You’ll want to bring your camera, spotting scope, binoculars and field identification guides.<br />
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The surrounding area is open to seasonal hunting under state regulations, but only with limited types of firearms and ammunition. Certain county and federal regulations apply. Hunters must be very careful about shooting on private land, which requires permission. No firearms may be discharged near the campground. Recreational shooting is not allowed within Afton Canyon Natural Area.<br />
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<i>Margo Bartlett Pesek’s column appears on Sundays.</i>Mojave Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14304467716992775098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9848527535930973.post-32759877331754127372013-10-21T19:18:00.002-07:002013-10-21T19:18:53.325-07:00MNP Campground Closures This WeekJust noted this on the Mojave National Preserve Web site:<br />
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Campground closures scheduled for the week of October 20<br />
Roads in campgrounds will be graveled this week. Mid Hills will be closed on Tuesday and Wedensday, October 22-23. Hole-in-the-Wall Campground may be closed on Thursday and Friday, October 24-25.Mojave Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14304467716992775098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9848527535930973.post-73188362393035531702013-08-26T16:09:00.000-07:002013-08-26T16:09:13.236-07:00Road Conditions in the East MojaveSevere weather has hit the East Mojave over the past couple days, so before you travel out there, you might want to confirm with Caltrans that roads are open. Currently, Highway 95 is closed from the junction of the I-40 to the Nevada state line.<br />
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Some of the roads in the Mojave National Preserve are damaged. Here's the information provided on the MNP Current Conditions page right now:<br />
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Updated: August 26, 2013<br />
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Call for updates: 760 252-6108 (every day) or 760 252-6100 (Monday through Friday)<br />
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A severe thunderstorm yesterday evening washed debris onto paved roadways and damaged dirt roads. Rangers are assessing roads this morning. Travel on dirt roads within Mojave National Preserve is not advised at this time.<br />
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<b>Paved Roads </b><br />
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Black Canyon Road - Closed. Pavement is washed out in many places.<br />
Essex Road - Closed. Road is heavily impacted with mud and debris.<br />
Ivanpah Road - Travel is not recommended.<br />
Kelbaker Road - Open. San Bernardino County is performing emergency storm repairs through Friday, August 30.<br />
Kelso-Cima Road - Open. San Bernardino County is performing emergency storm repairs through Friday, August 30.<br />
Lanfair Road - Travel is not recommended.<br />
Morning Star Mine Road - Open<br />
Zzyzx Road - Open to all vehicles.<br />
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<b>Dirt Roads </b><br />
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Kelso Dunes Road - Open to all vehicles.<br />
Black Canyon Road - Travel not recommended.<br />
Cedar Canyon Road - Travel not recommended.<br />
Lanfair Road - Travel not recommended.<br />
Ivanpah Road - Travel not recommended.<br />
Mojave Road - Travel not recommended.<br />
Aiken Mine Road - Open. High clearance vehicle recommended.<br />
Wildhorse Canyon Road - Travel not recommended.<br />
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When traveling to the preserve via I-15 or I-40 check Caltrans' Highway Information Service for up-to-the-minute road conditions 1-800-427-7623.<br />
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<b>Campgrounds and Visitor Services </b><br />
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Essex and Black Canyon Roads leading to the Hole-in-the-Wall Information Center and both campgrounds are severely damaged. Travel is not recommended.
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Mid Hills Campground is open. Please conserve water.<br />
Hole-in-the-Wall Campground is open.<br />
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Information centers: Kelso Depot Visitor Center open Friday through Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Wedensday and Thursday.
Hole-in-the-Wall Information Center is open Saturdays, 9 am to 4 pm.Mojave Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14304467716992775098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9848527535930973.post-29072964104814277522013-05-10T15:45:00.001-07:002013-05-10T15:46:14.268-07:00Kelso Depot closed two days per weekNews Release from <a href="http://www.nps.gov/moja/index.htm" target="_blank">Mojave National Preserve Web Site</a> <br />
Date: April 29, 2013<br />
Contact: Linda Slater, 760-252-6122
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BARSTOW, CALIF. – Effective May 8, 2013, Kelso Depot Visitor Center in Mojave National Preserve will be closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays.The Visitor Center will remain open Fridays through Tuesdays from 9 am to 5 pm. Mojave National Preserve's Headquarters Information Center at 2701 Barstow Road, Barstow, California, is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. to provide information and assist with trip planning.<br />
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Kelso Depot Visitor Center will be closing two days per week due to the impacts of "sequestration" (a series of automatic, across-the-board permanent spending cuts). The park must absorb this funding cut between now and September 30, the end of the federal budget cycle. To reach the new FY13 budget target, the park will be hiring fewer seasonal staff and consequently, will have fewer staff to support visitor services.<br />
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Although the Visitor Center will be closed, Mojave National Preserve remains open every day and has no entrance fee. Campgrounds, trails, and other facilities remain open. Hole-in-the-Wall Information Center will be open on weekends when staff or volunteers are available. For more information call 760 252-6100.Mojave Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14304467716992775098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9848527535930973.post-57145266977907682912013-05-10T15:31:00.001-07:002013-05-10T15:31:18.376-07:00The Mojave Road in a DayWe ran across this great trip report by Matthew Scott at Expedition Portal and thought we'd share:<br />
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<a href="http://www.expeditionportal.com/adventures/featured-adventures/2115-the-mojave-road-through-images.html" target="_blank">The Mojave Road in a Day</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGyFmTxZYLdj0H1ySx3No_d3Y2Td3youbLgwnw2F_Xtchg4g7qtI3pJNmAfaerBRDVGDyisV09RAKfmNPBTeCWatcXDX9XsYDpe92lB6lpmSAj1kHpKet5SJlUXVvZNArcc1qdUMGIw/s1600/mojave+26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGyFmTxZYLdj0H1ySx3No_d3Y2Td3youbLgwnw2F_Xtchg4g7qtI3pJNmAfaerBRDVGDyisV09RAKfmNPBTeCWatcXDX9XsYDpe92lB6lpmSAj1kHpKet5SJlUXVvZNArcc1qdUMGIw/s400/mojave+26.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Mojave Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14304467716992775098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9848527535930973.post-88234812864900248192012-11-10T13:21:00.000-08:002012-11-10T13:22:50.608-08:00140 Miles The Hard Way<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Anthony S., who blogs about his travels at <a href="http://www.overlandnomads.com/" target="_blank">Overland Nomads</a>, shared his posts about a three-day Mojave Road adventure in May. He and his friends were even fortunate enough to meet Dennis Casebier while he was out on a trip monitoring conditions. Here are the links to the three posts:<br />
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<a href="http://www.overlandnomads.com/2012/05/the-mojave-road-day-1-140-miles-the-hard-way/" target="_blank">The Mojave Road, Day 1: 140 Miles The Hard Way</a><br />
<a href="http://www.overlandnomads.com/2012/06/the-mojave-road-day-2-140-miles-the-hard-way/" target="_blank">The Mojave Road, Day 2: 140 Miles The Hard Way</a><br />
<a href="http://www.overlandnomads.com/2012/06/mojave-road-day-3-140-miles-the-hard-way/" target="_blank">The Mojave Road, Day 3: 140 Miles The Hard Way</a><br />
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Thanks for sharing, Anthony!Mojave Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14304467716992775098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9848527535930973.post-14760515011093227492012-10-29T15:35:00.001-07:002012-10-29T15:35:51.027-07:00Mojave Road VideoRan across this great little video of a trip over the Mojave Road...<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/52128399?badge=0" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="500"></iframe><br />
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<a href="http://vimeo.com/52128399">The Mojave Road</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user4565879">Rich Hill</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.Mojave Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14304467716992775098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9848527535930973.post-3068326266821003312012-10-26T11:50:00.002-07:002012-10-26T11:50:56.340-07:00Four-Wheeling the Mojave Trail in a Toyota FJ Cruiser<span style="font-size: large;">Following an ancient trade route through some of the most inhospitable terrain on the planet. </span><br />
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<i>"Imagine driving halfway across California for two full days, without ever encountering another vehicle. Impossible though it may seem in a state with more than 35 million registered vehicles (that's one for every 130 square feet or so of the Golden State), our two Toyotas had the road -- more than 130 miles of it -- entirely to themselves." </i><br />
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So begins the article from the December, 2012 issue of Truck Trend by Greg N. Brown. You can read the rest of it and view the photos at the <a href="http://www.trucktrend.com/features/travel/163_1212_the_four_wheeling_into_a_rich_history/index.html#ixzz2AQq1LlLW" target="_blank">Truck Trend Web site</a>.Mojave Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14304467716992775098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9848527535930973.post-41366144396545584062012-10-04T10:54:00.000-07:002012-10-04T10:54:56.514-07:00The Mojave Road - An Unexpectedly Peaceful Family Drive<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Over at <a href="http://www.expeditionportal.com/" target="_blank">Expedition Portal</a>, Marianne Hyland shares a great <a href="http://www.expeditionportal.com/adventures/featured-adventures/1526-the-mojave-road-an-unexpectedly-peaceful-family-drive.html" target="_blank">write-up and photos</a> from her family's trip over the Mojave Road. It's a nice reminder of why so many of us love spending time out in the East Mojave.Mojave Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14304467716992775098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9848527535930973.post-29272231703200900452012-04-27T08:30:00.000-07:002012-04-27T08:30:08.832-07:00Report from the RoadWe received the following Road report from Will Wagner. Please note the missing items - if you run across them on your travels, please contact us and we'll get you in touch with Will. Thanks!!<br />
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Myself and two friends just completed the Mojave Road, 4/19-22 going from Afton Canyon to Avi. We found the road to be in great condition, water crossings low, and Soda Lake dry. We did however seem to lose part of our self contained fire pit some where between Rasor rd and Paymaster Mine road. It is heavy gauge steel in a black bag that says Pit2go on the bag. Any mention of the lost parts would be greatly appreciated.<br />
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Thank you,<br />
Will WagnerMojave Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14304467716992775098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9848527535930973.post-10278381860496547042012-01-10T16:28:00.000-08:002012-01-10T16:28:35.903-08:00A peaceful interlude at the Mojave National Preserve<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Situated between Interstates 15 and 40, the preserve boasts solitude, Joshua tree forests, snow-dusted peaks and desert horizons, and it may be our best-kept secret.</i> </span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">A Union Pacific freight train is an hourly sight — and sound — in the Mojave National Preserve. The wind-carved singing Kelso Dunes are in the background. (Mark Vanhoenacker)</span></i></div>
<i><br /></i><a href="http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-mojave-20120108-photos,1,486366.photogallery" target="_blank">Click here</a> for a slideshow of additional photos accompanying this story.<br />
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<i>By Mark Vanhoenacker, Special to the Los Angeles Times </i><br />
<i>January 8, 2012</i><br />
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Reporting from Mojave National Preserve, Calif.—<br />
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For a nation in perpetual motion, to cross the lands that make up the Mojave National Preserve has long meant only one thing: You are very nearly somewhere else.<br />
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For westward-bound travelers, whether they came through open wilderness, along the now-overgrown Mojave Road or later by the legendary lanes of Route 66, this most American of deserts was little more than an obstacle to more promising lands. Long before them, Native Americans traded regularly across these harsh miles, as enamored as everyone else with speed. Tribal legend has it that top runners needed only a few days to reach the coast.<br />
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Today, the Mojave is ringed by the circuitry of a restless nation. Interstate 15, the preserve's northern border, is more parking lot than road, a blinking artery of brake lights shimmering late into the desert evenings. To the south, great fleets of trucks sail day and night along Interstate 40 in the shadow of Route 66, the mythic furrow through American consciousness once known as the Mother Road.<br />
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Enormous freight trains also rumble at all hours across the Mojave's vastness. And above, the skies are grooved by the high-desert contrails that Joni Mitchell sang about, descending through the blue toward Los Angeles.<br />
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Amid all this is the Mojave National Preserve: beautiful, empty and — unless you're within earshot of the railroad — as quiet as the ages. To feel so far off the path while so close to some of the country's best-beaten ones is both a miracle of conservation and an accident of politics. In 1994, after years of wrangling, three new desert designations were formalized: Joshua Tree and Death Valley became national parks, but Mojave was granted only preserve status.<br />
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It's an inferior category of protection; hunting, for example, is permitted. But a happy irony of Mojave's lesser designation is that the preserve, unlike its A-list siblings, barely registers on tourists' radar. Even seasoned Southwest travelers may not realize what they're missing: 1.5 million acres of solitude draped across vast forests of Joshua trees, snow-dusted peaks and measureless desert horizons. If the national park was America's best idea, the national preserve — and this one in particular — may be our best-kept secret.
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Despite those many acres — Mojave is the third-largest National Park Service parcel in the lower 48 — it's easy to make or break a journey here. Heading east from Los Angeles, a good first port of call is Barstow, home to the preserve's visitors center and the inaugural miles of I-40. There's a regularly stolen sign at the interstate's start, pointing out the 2,554 miles between here and the North Carolina coast. The next Starbucks isn't quite that far, but consider some preventive caffeination in Barstow.<br />
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As soon as you get on 40, jump off it again at Exit 7 for a quick look at Daggett. Visit the Desert Market (35596 Santa Fe Ave., Daggett, Calif.; [760] 254-2774) for drinks, a chat and the chance to marvel at the remnants of the next-door Stone Hotel, where John Muir once stayed. Just east on Route 66, take the turnoff for the Daggett Pioneer Cemetery, where you and some central casting-caliber tumbleweed can wander among wind-swept graves.<br />
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From here head east — quickly on the interstate or slowly on what's left of the Mother Road, which bumpily parallels its multilaned successor. You'll pass Newberry Springs, where cult classic "Bagdad Cafe" was filmed.<br />
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Next is Ludlow, where the American roadside diner finds perhaps its purest, most deeply fried incarnation at the Ludlow Cafe (25635 Crucero Road, Ludlow, Calif.; [760] 733-4501). For those with heavy eyelids, there's also the Ludlow Motel (make reservations and check in at the Chevron station across from the motel and cafe, [760] 733-4338). It won't win any thread-count awards, but it's inexpensive, clean and, in road-trip terms, as pitch-perfect as the diner next door.<br />
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About half an hour east on 40, Kelbaker Road brings you into the preserve itself. Sixteen miles in is the turnoff for Kelso Dunes, 50 square miles of sand and little else. Some dunes are more than 600 feet high — worth singing about, and so they do, rather spookily, when the mood strikes them or a hiker kick-starts a cascade of sand. Wind-carved and yellow, these are the dunes of movies. It's easy to imagine C-3PO staggering over a crest, and several European hikers I met here half-joked that this was the only corner of the Southwest that looked like "real" desert.<br />
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Hiking on dunes is tiring, even — or perhaps especially — when they're singing to you. So it's time for lunch. Seven miles past the dune turnoff is Kelso Depot, a 1924 outpost where trains stopped for water and passengers to dine. After the frenetic World War ll years — iron for Liberty ships passed through here — the depot entered a long decline. Reopened in 2005, after a meticulous restoration, this Spanish Revival structure is now a charming and genteel counterpoint to the endless surrounding miles of Mojave wilderness.
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After a root beer float ($3.50) at the vintage lunch counter, take time to explore the well-curated exhibits that fill the depot's sepia-tinged rooms. Then wander along the colonnade that fronts the railway, where signs forlornly announce long-forgotten passenger services even as ponderously laden freight trains roll past. The freight trains are noisy reminders of the fact that Kelso was built only to make other journeys possible. Now, in retirement, this palm-shaded intersection of history, geography and railway is at last a destination itself.
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Heading north from Kelso, it's time to work off that third root beer float. My favorite Mojave hike is the Teutonia Peak Trail. Author J. Smeaton Chase, despite earning a decent living chronicling California's natural splendor, couldn't manage a kind word about the Joshua tree: a "weird, menacing object, more like some conception of Poe's." Those who disagree will be at home climbing through the world's largest and densest Joshua tree forest (eat your heart out, a certain nearby national park). The last rocky scramble on this four-mile round trip pays off, I promise, with a stunning view over Cima Dome, the vast volcanic uplift that now lies beneath you.<br />
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For a selection of other easy-to-moderate hikes, head to the Hole-in-the-Wall Information Center by way of the unpaved Mojave Road, or directly from I-40 and Essex Road. Start with the aptly named Rings Loop Trail, which involves climbing out of a canyon with the help of some judiciously placed metal rings. There's also the Barber Peak Loop Trail, a well-marked mile-mile walk that includes the canyon scramble and much more. The visitor center staffers are smiling and helpful, happy to chat about the recent snow, and why they came here, and — if it's getting late — where to rest your head.<br />
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They and most anyone else will tell you that there's no better place to spend a Mojave night than in Nipton, Calif. Hollywood native Gerald Freeman bought this entire ghost town — "population, one hobo" — for less than the cost of a Manhattan parking space. Slowly, it's being renovated and restored. The town's adobe centerpiece is the Hotel Nipton, with front-row views on a desert garden, the railway and the impossibly vast Ivanpah Valley stretching out under the red glow of distant peaks.<br />
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Everyone loves the sound of a train in the distance — the operative word being "distance." In Nipton, the bedrooms and the rail line are separated by about 20 yards. But somehow, I've rarely slept as well, a common report from guests. Maybe it's the warm welcome, the cold beer or the thought of bighorn sheep dozing on the starlit mountainsides. Or perhaps even an earth-shakingly close train, like the planes above and the pinprick automobile lights on the interstate, crystal clear through 20 miles of bone-dry desert night, makes you appreciate what you've just found: in a restless country, a place to rest. <br />
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<a href="mailto:travel@latimes.com">travel@latimes.com</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-mojave-20120108,1,4256107.story" target="_blank">Copyright © 2012, Los Angeles Times</a>Mojave Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14304467716992775098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9848527535930973.post-37895331254275130902012-01-10T15:50:00.000-08:002012-01-10T15:52:34.420-08:00Off-Road Travel: Mojave National Preserve Part I<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.off-road.com/trails-events/trails/offroad-travel-mojave-national-preserve-part-i-53367.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkRSgx_hhneJz6CZtLJfZG4frcy7_8LABXtzSSRAPlaWcH-2KgpaiIjfg2nyXZOrZR2I6Z7pI1iHaXCNMAkv3X11Aat3aaYoFS_9f1EC1zIBSLjEu3nEaPnhj1C624pmufAx9U91dk7Q/s400/2-Mojave-National-Preserve-12-21-11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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You might enjoy this <a href="http://www.off-road.com/trails-events/trails/offroad-travel-mojave-national-preserve-part-i-53367.html" target="_blank">Off-Road.com article</a> posted in December about a trip on the Mojave Road, with photos. They took a few short side trips to see additional sights often visited by those traveling the Road.Mojave Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14304467716992775098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9848527535930973.post-60664470410822080262011-12-17T12:08:00.000-08:002011-12-17T12:08:09.204-08:00Mojave Road in the 90sWe received this note and photos from Karl Vogeley and he graciously gave us permission to share with everyone. Great images of the adventures to be had on the Mojave Road. Thanks, Karl!<br />
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Attached are some photos from my first trip on the Mojave Road in the early 90s. My daughter who is in the pictures is now 30 so you can see how long ago this was! I'm guessing 1991 but somewhere around that time. The green Suzuki was our ride for the trip and did great. The crosssing at Soda Lake was very difficult but the Samurai motored right through no problem. This was the era when nothing was fenced off or made off limits. On this trip we encountered a group on quads, rifles in scabbards. The days of high adventure! This trip was done with a group of off-roaders from the Sierra club. I can't imagine such a group existing today in this polarized society.<br />
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I've made the trip 3 times since then, once more in the Suzuki, once in a 98 Wrangler, and most recently in an 08 Wrangler unlimited Rubicon with air conditioning and satellite radio. In some regards progress can be nice! I included a picture of my Jeep from the latest trip to demonstrate that as I have gotten older my desire for comfort has grown!<br />
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Happy holidays,<br />
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Karl Vogeley<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq12St-uKKl2a_27HBg2fUiPIt6Qm-X_exSMvvfSFTyXRCs8oApQMeapmy9NexOdSGO_Wu61d7R3NtL3OS-ePyCc1qwIXPm_GOLN8Sl1msHe3XbNw7_0LI09jJG0xa3g_NQlZKQFjtuQ/s1600/mojave+road+5+09+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq12St-uKKl2a_27HBg2fUiPIt6Qm-X_exSMvvfSFTyXRCs8oApQMeapmy9NexOdSGO_Wu61d7R3NtL3OS-ePyCc1qwIXPm_GOLN8Sl1msHe3XbNw7_0LI09jJG0xa3g_NQlZKQFjtuQ/s400/mojave+road+5+09+003.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Mojave Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14304467716992775098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9848527535930973.post-64987018585862371162011-12-12T16:35:00.000-08:002011-12-12T16:35:34.810-08:00Snow in the East Mojave<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwad5HF75TGMEEitziulokYsXcsG9WS5fvzpooEe5vYi9qQSPpdaoDNt9_aDPDgryBrrI9JqRxnJYS5sHqYclCSfXVaz2JvH9PBLMu5xw1w2Oy6M4B4CtQzgIbDFfnF6a3EMDIWysrA/s1600/CedarCanyonRd20111210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwad5HF75TGMEEitziulokYsXcsG9WS5fvzpooEe5vYi9qQSPpdaoDNt9_aDPDgryBrrI9JqRxnJYS5sHqYclCSfXVaz2JvH9PBLMu5xw1w2Oy6M4B4CtQzgIbDFfnF6a3EMDIWysrA/s400/CedarCanyonRd20111210.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
We were in the East Mojave over the weekend and made a quick detour through the Mojave National Preserve. There was still snow on the ground left from the storms the week before. This is a quick "out the window" shot taken Saturday from Cedar Canyon Road, just east of Black Canyon Road. It was a beautiful day, temps in the high 50s and no wind.Mojave Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14304467716992775098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9848527535930973.post-103646958686541232011-11-09T11:28:00.000-08:002011-11-09T11:28:33.496-08:00Soda Dry Lake Still PassableSince this is prime time for trips on the Mojave Road, we'd thought we'd report that although it rained recently, we are hearing that Soda Dry Lake is not yet impassable (as of the first weekend of November). But conditions may change with more rain in the forecast, so caution is advised if you're heading out there. Safe journeys!Mojave Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14304467716992775098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9848527535930973.post-77261642025880592892011-06-25T10:45:00.000-07:002011-06-25T11:15:26.786-07:00Zzyzx: A nice place to visit ...<b>... but you can’t stay at this scientific outpost in the Mojave Desert</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzElB-btuiD64_fMVm2AdSU4rviDjci6V7HXESD4Amuh0QSVT8pqdnKPOx5mLFKe-5I_sU0izRHA308G_zaTnRauR0LnsICHA4J1JagWkCzlEvf3PfyKv509et0YEsJS5IduJdJiD9eg/s1600/desertstudiescenter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzElB-btuiD64_fMVm2AdSU4rviDjci6V7HXESD4Amuh0QSVT8pqdnKPOx5mLFKe-5I_sU0izRHA308G_zaTnRauR0LnsICHA4J1JagWkCzlEvf3PfyKv509et0YEsJS5IduJdJiD9eg/s400/desertstudiescenter.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The Desert Studies Center, located between Barstow and Las Vegas about five miles south of Interstate 15 on the asphalt and dirt Zzyzx Road, is surrounded by rocky hills, desert mountains and (left) Soda Dry Lake. </i>Ron Ham</span><br />
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By Ron Ham<br />
12:01 a.m., May 29, 2011<br />
<i>Sign On San Diego, The San Diego Union-Tribune</i><br />
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<b>Zzyzx</b> — “Zzyzx”<br />
<br />
The sign along Interstate 15 on the way to Las Vegas is full of questions.<br />
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Is it a town, or what?<br />
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Would it be OK to take the off-ramp and check it out?<br />
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Where did the name come from?<br />
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Well, first off, there is no town. The sole resident of the place between Barstow and the Nevada state line is the Desert Studies Center, a field station operated by a handful of California state universities to teach about and research the local environment.<br />
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Yes, casual visitors are welcome to drop by, and there’s even a self-guided tour.<br />
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Zzyzx was named by Curtis Howe Springer, who opened a health spa on the property in the mid-1940s featuring its mineral spring.<br />
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“The self-proclaimed Methodist minister and physician (he was neither) broadcast daily a folksy, fundamentalist religious program from the radio station he built there asking listeners to send donations for miraculous cures, which were a mix of vegetable juices, shipped throughout the United States and abroad,” the research center’s website says.<br />
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He wanted to give it a name that sounded like sleep, one that had no vowels, and came up with Zzyzx — “pronounced Zee–zix or Zie–zix, whichever source you read,” the website says.<br />
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Springer was arrested in 1974 for unauthorized use of federal land and for violation of food and drug laws. The spa was shut down, and two years later the California State University system decided to operate a field station there.<br />
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The oasis is now managed by the California Desert Studies Consortium, an organization of seven CSU campuses: Dominguez Hills, Fullerton, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Northridge, Pomona and San Bernardino.<br />
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Drive about five miles south of I-15 on Zzyzx Road and you come to a dozen dull-colored buildings that look more like a desert motel complex than a college campus. Then you see a giant panel of photovoltaic cells, electronic monitors atop a rocky hill, and the big pond with birds, palm trees, and – it turns out – an endangered fish, the Mojave tui chub.<br />
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The center – on the edge of Soda Dry Lake at the western entrance to the Mojave National Preserve — has a laboratory with microscopes and other equipment, a computer lab and wireless network, a small library, two classrooms, a kitchen, a bathhouse, and dorms that can sleep 75.<br />
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About 7,000 people a year visit the site in San Bernardino County, according to William Presch, the administrator who is headquartered at Cal State Fullerton.<br />
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“Students and researchers come in from colleges around the world,” and professionals with the federal Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Geological Survey, National Park Service, state Department of Fish and Game, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also visit regularly, he said.<br />
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“Then we have the casual visitor who drops by off the freeway.” Presch estimated their number at 400 to 500 a year.<br />
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No camping is allowed on the campus, but there is a way for the general public to stay overnight and get a closer look at what goes on there. They can take one of the extension classes offered by UC Riverside that use the facility.<br />
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Classes for April and May covered such topics as desert lizards and snakes, spring migration of local birds, the Central Mojave, and earthquakes, volcanoes and ice age lakes.<br />
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At the Desert Symposium last year at Zzyzx, geared for college students and scientists, the topics were a little more esoteric: “Radiocarbon and Optically Stimulated Luminescence Ages of Pluvial Harper Lake, Mojave Desert,” for example. Also offered were “Expanding the late Oligocene/early Miocene tectonic, magmatic and sedimentary history in the South Bristol Mountains,” and “Coalescent analysis of fifteen nuclear loci reveals low genetic diversity and Pleistocene speciation in the Mojave Fringe-toed lizard, Uma scoparia.”<br />
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Presch said education is the center’s No. 1 goal and students represent a variety of undergraduate and graduate majors, from biology, geology, geography and space science to anthropology, archaeology and landscape architecture.<br />
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Visitors to the center are studying the desert all year long – “even when it’s 120 degrees.”<br />
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“Cal Tech brought the Mars Rovers out here before they went to Mars,” and a new species of snail was discovered at the center, Presch said, but a lot of the research is long-term – say 30 years.<br />
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Casual visitors are free to stop for a picnic lunch, walk around campus, or hike and photograph the scenery around Soda Dry Lake, which actually has water in it during wet weather. The arid environment is home to a rich array of animal and plant life, and nearly 200 species of birds have been sighted over the years.<br />
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Visitors also can see dilapidated buildings that once were part of Curtis Howe Springer’s Mineral Springs and Health Spa.<br />
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In the winter, the weather can be cold and windy. If you hike when it’s hot, be sure to wear boots and a hat, carry plenty of water, and never hike alone.<br />
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Water, food, gasoline and lodging are available in the town of Baker a few minutes drive north on I-15, and campsites are nearby.<br />
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<b>If you go</b><br />
<br />
The Desert Studies Center<br />
<br />
Where: Zzyzx – about 56 miles northeast of Barstow, and 4 to 5 miles south of Interstate 15.<br />
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Hours: Open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas from sunup to sundown.<br />
<br />
Cost: Free for day use.<br />
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Phone: (657) 278-2428<br />
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Online: <a href="http://biology.fullerton.edu/dsc/" target="_blank">biology.fullerton.edu/dsc</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/may/29/zzyzx-a-nice-place-to-visit/" target="_blank">http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/may/29/zzyzx-a-nice-place-to-visit/</a>Mojave Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14304467716992775098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9848527535930973.post-61713937590981840872010-05-18T09:32:00.000-07:002010-05-18T09:39:20.348-07:00Marl Springs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjomegK_z8d7svawBQJ0TIT9IzHtVuH5TfZHp-tQsRpPFFNsFLJ-G0eVLpmwy8uy4fdDSlXhdhRsIa7miNZAI1o25bwSDBdN1rWin7wA0sSy4EZ1b3FDi-sh21WqmFADqLRji_zQa2A/s1600/dugout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjomegK_z8d7svawBQJ0TIT9IzHtVuH5TfZHp-tQsRpPFFNsFLJ-G0eVLpmwy8uy4fdDSlXhdhRsIa7miNZAI1o25bwSDBdN1rWin7wA0sSy4EZ1b3FDi-sh21WqmFADqLRji_zQa2A/s320/dugout.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Thanks to all the talented people who are sharing their stories and photos online these days, you no longer have to get in your vehicle to visit many of the sights along the Mojave Road (although we still encourage you to see them in person too!). Our latest find is on the DZRTGRLS Web site. They have provided an informative write-up and great photos of a <a href="http://dzrtgrls.com/marl-spring-mojave-national-preserve/marl-spring-mojave-national-preserve.html" target="_blank">visit to Marl Springs</a>. Be sure to click the link to view all of the photos and captions.<br />
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Thank you, Niki and Jamie, for allowing us to share your adventure here.<br />
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Happy travels!Mojave Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14304467716992775098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9848527535930973.post-76410631448256134732010-05-16T15:06:00.000-07:002010-05-16T15:15:28.166-07:00Mojave Desert by Jeep and by Foot 2010<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7keygZLIE84onHpj6acax9dnfIaPFJXRvobKP3_bhoqEqdA0H6KoSd2E3LI-QkQshiBzg0jx-miNSJ0ELqrRB2mrqTO14-IaHbOjxdhVTbiC38b6edbsHOc99z41X9SKIOuvPa5m0w/s1600/Project-JK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7keygZLIE84onHpj6acax9dnfIaPFJXRvobKP3_bhoqEqdA0H6KoSd2E3LI-QkQshiBzg0jx-miNSJ0ELqrRB2mrqTO14-IaHbOjxdhVTbiC38b6edbsHOc99z41X9SKIOuvPa5m0w/s400/Project-JK.jpg" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div>We just ran across some outstanding photos of a trip over part of the Mojave Road in April. The photos include Afton Canyon, Spooky Canyon, Kelso Dunes, the Lava Tube, a desert tortoise, and wildflowers. <br />
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We received permission to <a href="http://www.jk-forum.com/showthread.php?127827-Mojave-Desert-by-Jeep-and-by-Foot-2010" target="_blank">share the link here</a>, so you can enjoy them too.<br />
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Thank you, Eddie at JK-Forum.com, for sharing your trip with all of us!Mojave Roadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14304467716992775098noreply@blogger.com