Trail Report: Mojave Desert Exploring

[mkjeepers]

[COLOR="Blue"]I did a little exploring in a new area this Thanksgiving weekend - the Mojave desert southeast of Baker.

This is a very scenic area, making you think you were in Utah. There has been a lot of mining activity in this area in the past, and there are lots of remnants of old mine sites in the various mountain ranges.

Believe it or not there were many other visitors all through out the area we traveled. This area ia all in the Mojave National Preserve with travel restricted to existing roads. This turned out to be an awesome scenic area to visit.

Link to slideshows[/COLOR]

[COLOR="blue"]Lava Beds[/COLOR]
http://s304.photobucket.com/albums/n...view=slideshow

[COLOR="blue"]Mid Hills[/COLOR]
http://s304.photobucket.com/albums/n...view=slideshow

[COLOR="blue"]Providence Mt Mines[/COLOR]
http://s304.photobucket.com/albums/n...view=slideshow


[COLOR="blue"]A few pix[/COLOR]

Afton Canyon




Lava Tubes




Aiken Cinder Mine








Kelso Station


GOvernment Holes


Rock Springs Cabin




Hole in the Wall




Providence Mts


Bonanza King Mine










Hidden Hill Mine




Hidden Hill Spring




We made it to the road just before dark.

[4xfiend]

Beautiful pics! Gotta be pretty cool squeezing through that drive-thru mine.

[Mitch]

Mike,

Looks like you had fun with the kids! Great pictures and a neat area to explore. I already talked to Dave about running out there in the next couple of weeks. Can't wait.

Mitch

[mkjeepers]

Mike,

Looks like you had fun with the kids! Great pictures and a neat area to explore. I already talked to Dave about running out there in the next couple of weeks. Can't wait.

Mitch

[COLOR="Blue"]We did a 500 mile loop from port to port. It took 15 hours.
mk[/COLOR]

[Mitch]

I think that we'll stream line it a little and mainly check out the mines. I think there are another 40 or so that you missed! This desert is so amazing. Thanks Mike.

Mitch

[mkjeepers]

Remember the only gas is in Baker, Ludlow and Needles.
mk

[LEADFOOTjosh]

Mike,

Looks like you had fun with the kids! Great pictures and a neat area to explore. I already talked to Dave about running out there in the next couple of weeks. Can't wait.

Mitch

MITCH!!! you have my number... i expect a call..

[Mitch]

Josh,

I'll make the call. I need to check the upcoming weekend schedules and the weather and I let you know.

Mitch

[LEADFOOTjosh]

Josh,

I'll make the call. I need to check the upcoming weekend schedules and the weather and I let you know.

Mitch

ohh i know you will mitch.. i was just JOSH'in you.. lol.. get it.. jk..

[Roger]

Hey Mike,

Great photos! I love that area. My wife's family owns 80 acres in the middle of the Preserve. The Eastern Mojave has a lot to offer. You could spend a month out there and not see it all!

[flatpoint]

Need to get out there....How deep does the Bonanza run?

[headhunter]

Another great place to play!

Gotta love livin' in SoCal!

So many people don't understand why we love it here. This is just one more example.

I really like caves and lava tubes. They've got some really cool lava tubes in Craters of the Moon National Park. I'll need to find these.

Thanks for sharing that.

Christian

[mkjeepers]

Need to get out there....How deep does the Bonanza run?

[COLOR="Blue"]It goes in about 300-400 feet. THere is a rock slide near the bottom before the turn around point.

mk[/COLOR]

[jpflat2a]

you just missed the snow storm on Saturday

[mkjeepers]

[COLOR="Blue"]I quess we timed that one just right. As we were driving up the 40 it looked VERY stormy where we were just at. Funny.

mk[/COLOR]