It’s been quite a few years since the last time I’ve done the Mojave Road. Not only had it been too long, but I’ve never experienced the trail proper. Always felt a rush to complete it, often driving by the points of interest and going by what I’ve heard from others. Didn’t help that the vehicle used was built more around going fast then cruising. So with summer not far off and wanting to get another trip in, I got to planning and gathered any history I could find. In my quest for understanding what the Mojave Road truly was, I ended up purchasing The Mojave Road Guide by Dennis Casebier, not so much for the directions, but for the work he put into researching the past. The facts, stories and pictures were amazing and gave some great insight to further my research. In the end I took what info I wanted to share and printing customized copies so everyone in our group could see the pictures and learn as we drove through the historical trail.
We ended up meeting at Chris & Alissa’s house. Gave us a chance to talk over the trip, thoughts, ideas and excitement for what lie ahead.
Meeting at Chis & Alissa’s house
Friday nights destination was a few hours away, but with the heat getting ready to turn up in the desert and the boat covers ready to come off, what better place to start out adventure then camping on Lake Mohave. Knowing we have a boating trip set for next month on the lake made it that much more exciting, getting a peak at out summer fun. Our cut through Twenty Nine Palms didn’t pay off, as we hit a road block on the 66 that sent us back tracking in order to get on the 40.
Our drive through Twenty Nine Palms through Amboy
Road closure
Finally we made it, around 1:30 A.M. Everyone that was tired towards the end, woke right up once we hit dirt. Cold beverages and a warm fire welcomed us as we setup camp and enjoyed the starting point of our trip.
Milky Way over Lake Mohave
Not a bad place to wake up in the morning…
We enjoyed our morning breakfast while we took in the view. As hard as it was to leave, we had to get our journey started. A long day stood before us, not to mention the questionable weather in the forecast.
Nine Mile Cove
Most of the road leading into the Lake Mohave area was a blast! Although they suggested that 4wd was recommended, we never needed it.
Quick stop for a group picture.
Front left to right: Ashley, Ryan, Sean, Emily, Alissa, Chris, Candace & Kyle
Hard not to look back at the blue water
Desert was in full bloom.
Slight detour to Palm Gardens for much needed gas, then hit a power-line trail that would drop us off on the Mojave Road.
As mentioned in the beginning of the adventure report, everyone got their their own “history guide”. When the power-line trail intercepted the Mojave Road, we stopped to read the story of how the road became what it is today. Starting back when the Indians used it all the way through to when it was opened as a recreational trail. It made the entire experience that much more interesting, knowing when and why this was all created.
“Front old Indian footpath to modern day recreation trail”
As we finished our history lesson, we loaded up to begin our journey on the Mojave Road.
January 2016
Route 66 now open from Amboy to Essex but still closed from Essex to I-40. I “donated” $268 to the California Highway Patrol by trying to sneak through last year. I could have followed the railway instead as there’s a graded sand road all along it. I did that from Cadiz to Amboy this year.
I didn’t help myself by being nasty to the Officer and I regret my behavior now. I would have received a ticket anyway but he (and I) didn’t need the grief.