Camping in Mojave Preserve - 2/24-25/2011

[macmcintire]

Spent a cold and windy, but beautiful, two days camping in the Mojave Preserve in California. It is a gorgeous desert. I didn't see another car or person the entire time I was exploring the back roads of the preserve. No phone, no email, no people -- just how I like it!

Road into Caruthers Canyon where I camped [photo:30bdrq2y]13020[/photo:30bdrq2y]
[photo:30bdrq2y]13021[/photo:30bdrq2y]
[photo:30bdrq2y]13022[/photo:30bdrq2y]

Campsite in Caruthers Canyon [photo:30bdrq2y]13023[/photo:30bdrq2y]
[photo:30bdrq2y]13024[/photo:30bdrq2y]
[photo:30bdrq2y]13025[/photo:30bdrq2y]
[photo:30bdrq2y]13027[/photo:30bdrq2y]

Thought of trying out my new locking differential on my 4x2, then decided against it. [photo:30bdrq2y]13026[/photo:30bdrq2y]

Got down to 28 degrees with gusty winds during the night. Decided to put the top down because of the strong winds [photo:30bdrq2y]13028[/photo:30bdrq2y]

Isolated desert in the preserve. Unfortunately people's party balloons blow into this wilderness area [photo:30bdrq2y]13031[/photo:30bdrq2y]
[photo:30bdrq2y]13030[/photo:30bdrq2y]
[photo:30bdrq2y]13029[/photo:30bdrq2y]

Explored some fascinating mines in the Ivanpah Mountains
[photo:30bdrq2y]13033[/photo:30bdrq2y]
[photo:30bdrq2y]13032[/photo:30bdrq2y]
[photo:30bdrq2y]13034[/photo:30bdrq2y]
[photo:30bdrq2y]13035[/photo:30bdrq2y]
[photo:30bdrq2y]13036[/photo:30bdrq2y]
[photo:30bdrq2y]13037[/photo:30bdrq2y]

Miner's shacks
[photo:30bdrq2y]13038[/photo:30bdrq2y]
[photo:30bdrq2y]13039[/photo:30bdrq2y]
[photo:30bdrq2y]13040[/photo:30bdrq2y]
[photo:30bdrq2y]13041[/photo:30bdrq2y]
[photo:30bdrq2y]13042[/photo:30bdrq2y]
[photo:30bdrq2y]13044[/photo:30bdrq2y]
[photo:30bdrq2y]13045[/photo:30bdrq2y]
[photo:30bdrq2y]13046[/photo:30bdrq2y]

Driving through Joshua Tree Forest
[photo:30bdrq2y]13047[/photo:30bdrq2y]

Yikes! Price of gas at Cima exit on I-15
[photo:30bdrq2y]13048[/photo:30bdrq2y]

 

[billwilson-THOR]

Mac
thanx for the pics

nice project bus there too!

bw

 

[BroncoHauler-SMB]

Mac
thanx for the pics

nice project bus there too!

bw

Was thinking the same thing too. Nice ride.

 

[Ford_6L_E350]

Nice to see you are out enjoying that lift!

Sorry to hear you prefer the solitude to the company of other SMB's.

Mike

 

[macmcintire]

Mike,

I can handle people once in awhile. Especially good people like you and Dorothy. Actually, I've enjoyed everyone so far that I've met personally from the Sportsmobile Forum. It's just that the whole purpose of having a Sportsmobile is so one can go to isolated places where no one else can go -- especially those people in big hunkin' RVs.

Looking forward to seeing you again in October at the Valley of Fire!

Regards,

Mac

 

[rypett]

Love the balloons! I have a collection of nearly 400 desert balloons that I've collected doing field work in the southwest (particularly Death Valley) over the last 10 years.

ryan

 

[macmcintire]

Ryan,

If I had known I would have saved the balloons for you. I just tossed them in the garbage along with a bunch of beer cans I hauled out for some lazy previous campers in the area who don't know what it means to "leave no trace."

Mac

 

[rypett]

mac -- Maybe next time ...I'm sure there will always be more balloons to be found out there and always more trash to be found too :\

r

 

[Ed in Montana]

Thanks for the great trip report! We will be down in the Mojave National Preserve in two weeks, if it ever stops snowing here and the roads clear up!

 

[Christopher Thwaites]

Hi Mac,
Thanks for the pics and report. Ruth and I are headed down on the 22nd for a week and will camp in Caruthers Canyon as well. The van looks great with the lift. Have you tried out any big rocks yet?
Chris

 

[macmcintire]

Chris:

I used my locker twice, for a total of ten seconds, going into Caruthers Canyon. I probably didn't need it but it kept my tires from spinning. There were a couple of spots where having the lift was needed. I would have knocked off the flimsy metal running board I had on my van before the lift.

Have a great time. If you get to Vegas look me up.

Mac

 

[Christopher Thwaites]

We will avoid Vegas.....no disrespect. My folks lived in Henderson before they died and I spent enough time there over the past 15 years to not ever need to go there again. I love the surrounding countryside however.
I'll bet with the rear lockers and airing down you can get into...and out of most places a 4wd can. Maybe add a winch and away you go. I'm sure we will cross paths again someday.
Chris