Future Trips
Here we list trips scheduled by the Desert Explorers for the near and distant future. Also listed are some trips that are organized and led by our members but which do not require membership in the Mojave River Valley Museum (MRVM) and are, therefore, not MRVM-sponsored Desert Explorer trips.
Some trips, such as those involving stays at private residences or visits to obscure rock art sites, are posted only in the Desert Explorers' Newsletter. Conversely, some impromptu trips will be posted here and not in the Newsletter.
Most Desert Explorers trips involve caravanning to destinations, and dry camping wherever the trip leader decides is appropriate at the end of the day (it is at the leaders whim and discretion) . Four Wheel drive and/or high clearance is usually required.
M.O.E.Trips are run by Mojave Outback Explorations, which is another group affiliated with the Mojave Desert Valley Museum. Postings described as M.O.E. trips usually operate from a base camp location, and day trips leave & return from that base camp. The base camp can usually accommodate most R.V.s (check with leader).
Scheduled Desert Explorer Trips
Trip descriptions are usually published in the newsletter at least one month before they are posted on this website.
All Desert Explorers trips require a four-wheel drive vehicle and a working CB unless otherwise specified by the trip leader.
We welcome newcomers, but IF THIS WILL BE YOUR FIRST TRIP, please talk with the trip leader about your vehicle, camping gear, and off-highway driving experience; you won't have a good time if you get stuck, cold, wet, or hungry! Also, please read the "fine print" which describes the rules we follow on our trips.
We now have a satellite telephone for use where conventional telephone or cell-phone service is not available. See the Satellite Telephone Policy. For each trip, the decision to bring the satellite telephone, and if it to be used only for emergencies, is made by the trip leader. Talk with the trip leader if the use of the satellite telephone is important to you.
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August 16 - 21
Leader: Ted Kalil
CB: 13
Attention: this trip has been cancelled!
So sorry!
Several have expressed interest in this trip to the Ouray and Silverton area. Though we originally planned this for July, I found that there would have been a conflict with a major event then.
At least one couple would like to dry camp, and there is a site near on the Animas Forks Trail near Silverton. There are also some campgrounds with hookups in the area, as well as lots of hotel and motel accommodations - don’t expect bargain rates. Last year I stayed at the KOA in Ouray, a nice place convenient to many of the trails. We can make arrangements of when and where to meet later. Here are proposed runs:
1. Black Bear Pass, Imogene Pass
2. Corkscrew Pass, Hurricane Pass, California Pass, Animas Forks
3. Engineer Pass, Cinnamon Pass
4. Break day or unscheduled run, train ride, laundry, R&R, whatever
5. Yankee Boy Basin, Governor Basin
6. Stony Pass, Bear Town
Of course any of these can be shuffled or substituted to suit those attending. All are suitable for four wheel drive with decent clearance. I didn’t include Poughkeepsie Gulch since one section is more difficult. I needed to winch up and had to winch several others, but we can do it if there’s interest.
Charles Wells’ “Colorado Backroads and 4-Wheel Drive Trails” has good detailed info about all of these. Come for a day or the week. Let me know if you’re interested, please. Home: 760-240-0406; Cell: 760-985-6307 or e-mail tskalil@msn.com
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Arizona Strip Northwest Side
September 4-11, 2010
(M.O.E. Trip)
This is a return trip to the northwest side of the Arizona Strip, Base camp approximately 30 miles in from St. George and 4 miles west of the Wolf Hole area on BLM Route 1004. While we will not do any Grand Canyon overlooks on this trip, we will take in great scenery, views and great 4x4 trails while traversing the tops of Black Rock Mountain, Seegmiller Mountain, Wolf Hole Mountain and Hidden Rim. Also included may be runs through the canyons of Hidden, Hole-in-Wall, Jump, St. George and Tombstone. More details will follow, as we get closer to the trip. If you intend to go on this trip, please RSVP via email to Dan dmess@ctaz.com or Dick dickandmouse@aol.com.
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San Andreas Fault
Part I
October 16-17
Leaders: Jacoby/Savage
CB 13
This is the first of potentially several trips to drive the
entire San Andreas Fault or as close to it as we can possibly get. The
goal is to be able to see and touch the fault as we travel in a
generally southeast to northwest direction
We will meet on Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. in the gazebo area next to
the parking lot of the Brawley post office at 401 Main St. in Brawley.
(This is more or less where the fault begins.) We will then be tracing
the fault toward the Salton Sea area and follow it up the east side of
the Salton Sea.
Among the areas we will visit the first day are the Imperial Wildlife
Refuge, Obsidian Butte, and Painted Canyon. There may be several short
hikes along the route, time permitting. There will be opportunities for
lodging and camping at the end of the day.
On Sunday we will follow the fault all the way to Blue Cut in Cajon
Pass. During this interesting day, we will be visiting White Water
Canyon, among other attractions
The majority of the roads both days will be rural, paved roads. However,
there will be significant stretches of dirt trails that will require
high clearance and four wheel drive. (Four wheel drive will be
necessary, because of some sandy washes we will be traversing.)
The best news of all is that Joe de Kehoe has agreed to narrate the
entire trip. Joe’s knowledge of geology is outstanding and by the time
the weekend is done we will all be a lot more knowledgeable on the
fault. If you plan to go on this unique trip, please RSVP to Bob Jacoby
via e-mail: jacoby.r@.att.net
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(or Willow Beach)
October: 10/22/10 - 10/25/10
(M.O.E. Trip )
This return trip to the RV park at Temple Bar will accommodate any type RV or Tent camps. This is just a short camping get-away in a nice location on Lake Mead. On Saturday the 23rd, and Sunday the 24th we will do Day Trips for folks who wish to come out for one or both events. We will meet at the Temple Bar Restaurant for coffee, breakfast or just good fellowship at 8:00am and depart on our trip at 9:00 am. Bring lots to drink and lunch for each day trip.
Now the Willow Beach component: Willow Beach has been under reconstruction as a camping destination. At the time of this update, it is not yet done, but is getting close. We had hoped to make this an excursion to Willow Beach and may still do so if it is opened before the middle of October. The plan is the same for a day trip on the 23rd and 24th with all times the same. Our meeting site at Willow Beach will be announced later if we change locations.
If you would like to go on this trip, please RSVP via email to Dan dmess@ctaz.com or Dick dickandmouse@aol.com. Please let us know if you are camping or just doing one or both of the day trips.
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October 23, 2010
Leader: Vicki Hill
Saturday morning we will be in Idyllwild to visit 2 pictograph sites featuring elements known as the San Luis Rey style of the Mountain Cahuilla in Riverside County. Then we will drive down from the pines to the palms and up Whitewater Canyon to visit the new Whitewater Preserve. There are trout ponds, picnic areas, and many trails leading up the canyon. Those who want to can take a walk with me on a trail, or look for bighorn sheep, photograph the river or just relax and watch the bird life in the surrounding trees. Children and familes are welcome on this trip, which does not require 4 wheel drive. There will be several miles on the I-10 with great views on the north face of San Jacinto Mountain.
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10-30-2010
(M.O.E)
The Dolan Springs Trails group will be doing a trip from
Peach Springs along Buck & Doe Road to Diamond Bar Ranch Road to Pierce
Ferry. We will meet at the Hualapai Lodge in Peach Springs at 8:30a.m.
Have breakfast at the Diamond Creek Restaurant and depart at 9:30a.m.
There will be a permit fee for crossing Buck & Doe Road. You may
purchase the permit at the lodge. We will attempt to find the
Meriwhitica Canyon Overlook and the ruins at Clay Springs. Anybody
having knowledge of these turn offs, please contact Sue Baughman. An
RSVP is requested to: Sue at: itchyft2005@yahoo.com
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November: 11/12/10 - 11/15/10
(M.O.E.)
This will be another trip that will accommodate
any type of RV or Tent camp at the BLM’s Burro Creek Campground. This
little campground along beautiful Burro Creek is close to numerous back
roads. We will do day trips on both Saturday the 13th and Sunday the
14th. We will gather near the restrooms at the campground for a 9:00am
departure on the 13th and 14th. If you wish to come earlier for some
coffee and fellowship prior to the departure time, please do so as we’ll
keep the coffee pot hot for you.
If you would like to go on this trip, please RSVP via email to Dan dmess@ctaz.com
or Dick dickandmouse@aol.com. Please let us know if you are camping or
just doing one or both of the day trips.
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** Other Future Dates of interest **
December 4, 2010 DE Christmas Party
March 18, 2011 Tentative DE Rondy
May 14, 2011 MVRM Barbacue
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This was officially updated on August 7, 2010
