More Desert stuff

[rufrdr]

Were the chain installers on site to put them on for you for a 'small' fee? We won't go to Tahoe, Mammoth, or Big Bear in the winter, too many skiers. Summer is when it is best at the mountain resorts so my wife and I can take our dogs and go hiking in the mountains. Fewer people and the prices are lower.

I do venture to the local mountains in the winter to play in the snow but when I get back to my 1,100 ft altitude at home I've left the snow behind!

[ovenpaa]

Good to see you venture off road in the Jeep.

In my part of the UK the average 4x4 is a BMW X5 or VW Tourag that is the second car used exclusively to take the kids to and from the school which is usually less than two miles from home. Also to scare the hell out of me by drifting onto myside of the road whilst the driver (Always cute and blonde) who is holding a mobile phone in one hand takes the other hand of the wheel to wave an apology to me, by this time I am starting to feel rather vulnerable on my motorbike and heading towards the verge and safety or oblivion...

[Watcher]

I spent a day fishing on Lake Crowley in Nevada a few years ago. Thing that amazed me was looking into the distance all round me and seeing mountain ranges. Such a vast country. Not that good at heights though so some of the roads were a bit of a problem.....

[Christel]

I am so not envious of this nature.

Not.

:55:

[rufrdr]

I guess we'll keep this thread going for awhile...

Another desert trip out to an area known as Jawbone canyon. This is also a mix of BLM and state land and is open to motorized exploration. The area has several cabins that are open to anyone's use. The rules are first come, first in for 48 hours, then it must be vacated for the next crew. The cabins are in pretty bad shape and will probably fall down one of these days. I did this trip around 2000 and then again about a year ago. We start at the remnents of a ranch and the watering point. The derelict water pump windmill tower is laying the sagebrush blown over years ago. The trail starts out in the high desert and climbs to about 7,000 ft or so where it is cooler and green.


The trip in 2000 or thereabouts. My son in this picture is now 18. The watering cistern in in the background


Same place in 2011

The civilian conservation corps made the cistern during the great depression. Still standing! We were there the same month and day as the CCC workers inscribed their mark in the concrete

Lots of snakes out that day. This one wasn't dangerous


These two are - we saw another 2 or 3 rattlers on the trip besides these two

The area burned over several years ago and is still struggling to grow back


Approaching the cabin

Our goal! I wouldn't want to spend the night here - too many mice in the place

[25Pdr]

Hi Rufrdr..
More great Photos - Thanks - Great to have all that wilderness to freely roam. It would seem too that the Jeep Wrangler is the Vehicle of choice with its long travel suspension.

I've just noted that the Garage nearest to Jawbone Canyon is selling Gas at $3.69 a Gallon, here in the UK Gas/Petrol cost the equivalent of $8.24 for a US Gallon.

[Harrier1980]

I seem to remember that when we were there, we drove south on the 95 through Quartzsite, and a part of it was 44 miles(!) of dead straight road

[rufrdr]

At $8.24 a gallon of gas I wouldn't be making too many desert trips (or any trips) in the Jeep! It gets about 10mpg off road and 19 on the highway if I keep it below 65mph.

[rufrdr]

My wife and I like the mountains too. We vacation in the San Bernardino mountains for a full week just about every summer. Hiking and off roading are always on the schedule.











I'll take a break from the vacation photos for awhile....

[ovenpaa]

Look at that rock outcrop! I was a very keen climber for many years and always carried some lightweight climbing slippers with me when i was in the car so if I spotted something and it looked doable I would climb it. Looking back on it now I took some risks but had some great fun as well.

Thank you for posting the pictures.