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c.traveler2

Moreno Valley,Ca.

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Posted: 04/24/13 01:48pm

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7 Bros On The Mojave Road
Part1

In the words of Jeff Reynolds, “Bros, The stars have aligned and the BROS. trip over the Mojave Road is on”

Planning of this great expedition started in late February with an e-mail from Jeff (jefe4x4). Jeff having done this ancient native trail during the covered wagon era became the leader of this grander adventure.

For those who don’t know what Mojave Road Trail;

Mojave Road Trail , “Native American” used this route to the west coast seashore hundreds of years before any Europeans had ever landed in this country. The route was created by finding, drinkable, natural water sources, for in the desert water is life and finding their way around natural barriers. Europeans ended up following pretty much the same route. From our research, Mojave Road Trail is fairly close to its original route.

What make this expedition more unusual is that three cab over truck campers, two hard sides and one Outfitter pop-up, we would be accompanied by Rey’s 4-Runner in which we could use as a fast mover incase anything did happen.
Neither Jeff nor I could find anything on the “net” about cab over TC traversing this trail.

On March 14th we met at Barstow Station in the late afternoon. The Mojave Crew consists of Jeff, Matt, Jerry, John, Rey, Jim and Alex. John was running late due to a major accident down the hill and would catch up with us near Avi Casino in Fort Mohave.
Video1,click pic

A quick stop at the local Walmart for some ice and other items. The drive out to Avi Casino was uneventful on the I-40 , John was able to catch up with us as we just got on the Needle Hwy.
[image]

We had dinner at the casino in their café, the food was very good. Crossing over the Colorado River into Arizona we fueled up and headed out from there to find a campsite for the night.
[image]

The morning of the 15th was greeted with a magnificent sunrise, I (Alex) was up early for this.
video,click pic

This video is of our first day travel on the Mojave Road Trail and is long (18 minutes).
[image]

Nature came in with the yapping of coyotes in the distance as our group started to move around and get ready for the days adventure.
[image]

Wandering around our chosen campsite were several wild flowers in bloom.
[image]

With the sun making time upwards, we had to get going. John would take the lead since he had the way points downloaded on his GPS system.
[image]

The rest of us would follow.
[image]

Through sandy washes and narrow valleys we were lead by John’s trusty GPS. Not long into the day we had our first in counter of two-desert rider zipping pass our caravan.
[image]

Stopping somewhere on the trail for Matt and Rey are going to bike it for a while.
[image]

Many of the locals stood up and took notice as this strange group passed by.
[image]

Trail markers were few and far apart.
[image]

Before we knew it crossing, CA95 laid ahead.
[image]

A few miles west of CA95 Jeff would show his long acquired skills and experience.
Video,click pic

Leaving the BLM part of Mojave Trail and into Mojave National Preseve.
[image]

We followed the rocky road up to Fort Piute [image]

Alex is bring up the rear, had to stop for photos, the rest of the group was parked and dispersing to see the ruins of not so long ago.
[image]

Catching up with everyone else, I soon was out exploring the area.
[image]

Heading into the valley, wanted to find some open water down in the creek. Matt was a lot farther down the trail and would run into him.
[image]

I did find an open spot showing the water surface, a small one.
[image]

Abundance of vegetation was to be seen around and nearby of the creek.
[image]

Back at the dirt parking area the guys had broke out food, time for lunch.
[image]

With full bellies, we said good-bye to Fort Piute, Matt continues on riding his bike.
[image]

Mojave Road dead ends at Fort Piute and we had to find our way around the mountain to pick Mojave Road back up.
[image]

The dirt pass road would be a good climb and cobble stone much of the way.
[image]

Nearing the summit of this little canyon trail Matt was waiting for us to arrive.
[image]

Soaring above us a Turkey Vulture was wondering if we would be his next meal.
[image]

Taking a short break to stretch our legs we could see a long and very straight road laid before us.
[image]

A sandy pathway greeted us with several wash crossings.
[image]

Our group came across a side feature that was unknown to us an abandon bus and items.
[image]

Once again, a couple of two-wheeled desert crossers came zipping pass us.
[image]

Mojave Road Trail has presented some interesting challenges for TCs, with below the grade level terrain combine with a lot of off camber ground.
[image]

Nevada Southern Rail Road has a marker on our route.
[image]

Placed there by the Billy Holcomb Chapter.
Onward we go, Rey’s 4 Runner gets a little air under the right rear tire.
[image]

Surround by assorted vegetation, all having needle like points to create lots of pin stripping.
[image]

After a long day we settle down in a sandy wash, Jeff cooked a great dinner.
[image]

My personal thanks to Jeff Reynolds for inviting me along and for the use of photos in this TCTR, I’ll have part 2 ASAP.

* This post was edited 04/24/13 07:36pm by c.traveler2 *

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SpknTC

Pacific Northwest, Wa.

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Posted: 04/24/13 01:50pm

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scrolled the pics...Awesome!! Now to go back and read the story. Thanks for sharing!

Great write up! Love the group photo & the leaning TC. Yikes!
And the coyotes yipping in the background is a beautiful sound.

* This post was edited 04/24/13 02:03pm by an administrator/moderator *

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ecoast

NW NJ's Highlands

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Posted: 04/24/13 02:14pm

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I like the bus pic.

classic.

07 5.9 CTD & 2000 Northstar Laredo TC towing 87 Samurai ORV on dual axle trailer

thundercloud

Durango, CO

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Posted: 04/24/13 02:20pm

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ecoast wrote:

I like the bus pic.

classic.

Happy TC'N,
David
____________________________________________
2006 Dodge Ram 3500 MegaCab 4x4 CTD 6-speed
2008 Bigfoot 25C9.4SB, Xantrex XADC 60, AM Solar 200 watt SunRunner system, Mach8 Cub, Honda eu2200i, Rigid Industries LED lights

sabconsulting

High Wycombe, UK

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Posted: 04/24/13 02:21pm

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Great report and nice to see the video inserts too.

Love the bus photo.

Steve.

'07 Ford Ranger XLT Supercab diesel + '91 Shadow Cruiser - Sky Cruiser 1
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brirene

midwest

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Posted: 04/24/13 03:00pm

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Great tr! I'll bet you guys had a blast!

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“Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living." Miriam Beard

cewillis

Tucson, az, usa

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Posted: 04/24/13 03:13pm

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c.traveler2 wrote:

Come on -- how did all those bullets miss those big targets?

Cal

1stgenfarmboy

Southern tip of ILL

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Posted: 04/24/13 03:28pm

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What a special thing....kinda makes me well up a bit.

thanks for posting.

1993 Dodge W350 Cummins with all the goodies
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