| Author | Message | ||
     Jack Quinlan (Jsq) Member Username: Jsq Post Number: 184 Registered: 10-2002 |
(i posted this in GNT but got nuthin so here goes) I'm going to be making my end to end trip in a couple of weeks and was wondering if any of you had any advice based on your experiences. I have a very capable truck and consider this to be a pretty novice road, but i'm interested in having the best trip possible even if it's not technical. I'll be driving to the Eastern end on Friday, doing approx. 100 miles on saturday and doing the 40 or so out and driving on back to San Diego on Sunday. a couple of questions: Did you use the Mojave Road Guide book by Dennis C.? Can you recommend a good map? Were there deep enough water crossings to require tarping the grill on a lifted disco? Can you buy decent gas in Needles? Are there accessible dunes? (i'm not interested in doing any damage but if there is an established traverse of a dune area I'd like to do it) Any of the sights along the way that you just shouldn't miss? Did you run into other people? Any other tips or advice you'd give? Thanks for your help and happy trails! | ||
| Michael Villanueva (Iron_chef_air) Senior Member Username: Iron_chef_air Post Number: 330 Registered: 02-2002 |
I would appreciate it if you could post how your trip goes -- I go through Mojave regularly. By decent gas if you mean 91, then yes, Needles has a few decent stations. It is not all that remote of a town by any means -- it lies along I40 -- a primary east-west interstate route. I gas up at the Shell there at least once a month -- they have 91. The Chocolate Mountains are very cool -- but many parts tend to be a gunnery range. I got one incredible piece of flagstone there -- deep chocolate color mixed with flecks of mica and iron pyrite that I took back east when I made my pilgrimage. And yes, you do run into people: CHP is very good about patrolling them backroads with radar guns. In fact, you can cruise old Route 66 on parts thereoff: That stretch between Amboy and Essex/ Fenner is classic Route 66. There is an absolute archtypal roadside bar / tavern about 10-20 miles east of Amboy -it has that post-apocalyptic ju-ju to it: Sputtering neon beer signs with a few gnarly pick-up trucks parked in front and the deep hues of the Chocolate Mountains in the backdrop. Pure desert joy. Of course, I am too chicken to stop there. But you tell me how it is inside. Again, please drop a line as to how it goes. | ||
| Jack Quinlan (Jsq) Member Username: Jsq Post Number: 195 Registered: 10-2002 |
Michael, my trip is this weekend and i'm getting ready and excited One quick question: I'm going to try to buy Dennis' book in needles if i arrive at an appropriate time, but right now I'm relying on the Delorme California Atlas. It shows numerous trails but none are actually marked "Mojave Road" or "Mojave Trail" I can trace a line with other roads that matches approx. drawings that I have found online, but I want the genuine article. Which trails comprise the Mojave? Is it identified as such when you are out there? How do I get to the "official" start at the Colorado River? Thanks again for your help! |
