What a Trip GAK's Mojave Trail 2024

[SaltyMethods]

Planning our yearly off road trip and instead of doing Death Valley this year, we're doing the Mojave Trail.

Question, do any of you guys know if we can get to the bottom of this "volcano" feature? We want to spend one day doing some games out there. Like cornhole, horseshoes or some shooting. We thought it would be rad to do it at the bottom of this volcano.

Any insight on this would be awesome. Thanks!

 

[troysladeck]

On OnX that area is listed as "Mohave Wilderness - No Motorized Use"

 

[SaltyMethods]

Shizzle... That sucks. Looks badass down there.

On OnX that area is listed as "Mohave Wilderness - No Motorized Use"

 

[dwphoto]

That whole area is awesome... I have never been out to that volcano. I've always wonder how many more lava tubes are out that that are just off the radar... just trolling on google maps... looks like there are a bunch of roads that can get you close.

I think the peak on the right might be it ? this is from lava tubes

Not sure if the there is any tours running but something I've always wanted to do was scope out Mitchell Caverns. I know you have to make a reservation.

@sdecurti ? you know about this zone at all ?

 

[theycallmeWALLY]

Be mindful of shooting on the preserve as well. Not legal unless hunting I guess.

Just saying this in case you're trying to set up camp somewhere. It'd be best off the preserve.

 

[Motiracer38]

Over a decade ago we camped in that area, had a fire with gasoline shenanigans and lit off a few freedom pops into the hills. Broke camp early the next morning and ran into a Ranger coming up the road looking for some unruly campers with a list of violations. We pointed them towards a group of unsuspecting overlanders and high tailed out of there.

 

[Gdeyarmond]

Planning our yearly off road trip and instead of doing Death Valley this year, we're doing the Mojave Trail.

Question, do any of you guys know if we can get to the bottom of this "volcano" feature? We want to spend one day doing some games out there. Like cornhole, horseshoes or some shooting. We thought it would be rad to do it at the bottom of this volcano.

Any insight on this would be awesome. Thanks!


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When are you hitting the Mojave Trail? We are going over Thanksgiving

 

[SaltyMethods]

11/13-11/18 we got nine guys going

 

[SaltyMethods]

Leaving for Mojave Desert tomorrow through next Monday. If any of you are out there and you see a roving group of 7 vehicles with guys wearing matching gay-ass colored shirts, stop by for cold frosty one. We'll be on frequency 144.050.

 

[dwphoto]

Leaving for Mojave Desert tomorrow through next Monday. If any of you are out there and you see a roving group of 7 vehicles with guys wearing matching gay-ass colored shirts, stop by for cold frosty one. We'll be on frequency 144.050.

sounds epic. I expect a full trip report!

 

[SaltyMethods]

 

[Turboyota]

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Jesus Christ that’s a lot of stuff!!! 69 bottles of whiskey and 420 beers?

 

[Gdeyarmond]

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How's that net do holding all your crap down? I'm sick of ratchet straps....sick of them!

 

[Gdeyarmond]

@SaltyMethods how did that gator net-looking thing work for you?

I got even more sick and tired of ratchet straps while doing the Mojave Road. I had to check them anytime we stopped....pissed me off.

 

[SaltyMethods]

@SaltyMethods how did that gator net-looking thing work for you?

I got even more sick and tired of ratchet straps while doing the Mojave Road. I had to check them anytime we stopped....pissed me off.

It's worked out really well for me. Even with that on top, I still have to strap things down underneath just because of their weight and/or worth. Doesn't help that I don't have a real tailgate anymore. The only thing I would have to say that is a drawback is the straps are long and even though I do my best to try and tie up all the slack, sometimes they come unwrapped and drag on the ground. The strap clamps do a pretty good job in keeping things tight.

 

[dwphoto]

@SaltyMethods did you guys explore that zone any more?

 

[SaltyMethods]

Another great GAK trip in the books. We did 6-days, 5-nights. We logged 491 dirt miles. Ate and drank like spoiled kings. No real day ending mechanical issues for anyone and the weather was just good enough to keep all our spirits high. 7 vehicles and 9 guys.

7 guys left from San Diego, 1 guy from Tahoe, 1 guy from Vegas. Tahoe and Vegas guys left from Vegas to meet the rest of us in the town of Yermo. We dropped off our two tow vehicles in a secured yard and went East on the 40 freeway to Ludlow, our starting point.


First destination was the megaphone and already a spectacular view.



Campsite #1. Dope little enclave surrounded by lava rock. Perfect spot to keep us out of the moderate/heavy cold wind at night. First night dinner menu: Smash burgers.




Day 2 - Off to the lava tubes/caves. Pretty cool. Dark enough that we had to bring our headlamps and flashlights. We only checked out the closest one. We wanted to get back on the trail and cover some ground.


Checked out some abandoned mining spots and equipment. Nothing really worth getting out of the trucks for though.






Our buddy decided to take the "road less travelled" and smash up his front clip and pop his front passenger tire.


Night 2 - Camp. Tonight's menu: Korean BBQ

"Gay Bar"

"I'm not drunk. You're drunk!"


Day 3 - On our way to Primm Valley and beyond...!!!
Time to wake up your co-dawg.


(continued...)

 

[SaltyMethods]

Day 3 (continued...)



Lunch break and Jack pull time.


More poor life choices made by Mr. Ched.

Picked up a straggler along the way. Wasn't much of a conversationalist but I didn't mind. She wasn't hard on the eyes and laughed at most of my jokes.


Flexxxin' for the boys?



Incredible views and colorful evening sunsets.



#9 YO! (Ninths GAK trip so far)



Nightime wheelin...




Campsite 3 - Menu: Massive ribeye steaks from my buddy's ranch out in Idaho. Too Boo Koo for me.

(to be continued...)

 

[Gdeyarmond]

We were out there over Thanksgiving....cold as hell overnight!

 

[SaltyMethods]

Night 3 (continued...)




Day 4 - Cold nights and cold mornings. Layer up for the mornings and night time. Get about 1-2 hours during the day to layer down and enjoy the sun. Windy most of the days.




My passenger left me for another one of our group. I guess when I started talking about settling down and having a family she got all weirded out and wanted to find someone who still loves to party. That bitch.








"Hey Dave! Do something super cool and not gay." {Dave goes full gay}



Ched's handiwork from a couple nights prior.


Popped rear tire. Nascar tire change crew. Time of change: 23 minutes and 69.9 seconds.



Then.... Later on, we get a radio call to stop. Ched has misjudged the perfect straight trail on top of a moderate angled downhill. Come back to investigate and see this.

So I make sure to document this royal fuck up from all sides.


(continued...)