Our first April adventure in Afton Canyon was about the quiet peace of an easier solo run in the Mojave on the way to Vegas, taking those roads we used to drive past. This April 18th, El Paso Mountains trip was about the comradery of a more challenging group effort. If you recall from earlier posts, Carlos of my my_offrd_adv fame included us in his family and friends group. This was the second trip for the group this year, but the first I could share in. We had six vehicles for this eight plus hour adventure : Carlos (bright blue lue JLU), Gene (2-door white Rubicon), Bob (Bronco Raptor), Al and Jenette (Gladiator), Chad (Colorado Trail Boss), and me in the “Wastelander.” It was a good group, and this was not the first time part of the group for any of us.
Pre-Gaming
Most of my Mojave adventures have been off of the 15 between OC and Las Vagas. This took us to the otherside of the Mojave north of Lancaster and west of Edwards Air Force base. We staged in Mojave, CA the night before. This was a great opportunity, not only did it make it harder to get through a Friday work day anticipating the pre-trip trip, but it gave us an opportunity to connect with our fellow adventurers. We got to have dinner together at a not so bad fast food place, and breakfast the next day at the Comfort Plus we all stayed in at Carlos’ recommendation. It set a great tone. Bob had his RC Bronco out climbing rocks in the parking lot before the run, there was laughing and connecting and lots of anticipation. It wasn’t just meet up and go, it was a a real treat. I was reflecting back on that rough outing and nearly falling off the mountain event that Carlos saw before offering to bring us along. A year later, I’m feeling much more secure as an off-roader and grateful to have connected with such great people.
Lesson 1: Don’t skip the “social staging.” Getting to know the group over a meal is as important as airing down your tires.
The Borax Mine and The “Trail Boss” Fender Mod
The Mojave is full of hidden gems. We saw several on outing, I am only mentioning some of what we saw (saving some for the next time we make this run). We got off highway 14 at Sierra View Rd. Just across the highway from McIvers South Trailhead and the Dove Springs OHV Area. We aired down, disconnected our control arm and were ready to go. It was a beautiful day just getting to the trailhead, and continued the whole day.
About a quarter of the way in, we hit the Holly Ash Mine area. It was a great break, and there was some interesting mining equipment laying around making for interesting images. The mine was not for any silver or gold, but for sedimentary pumice that was ground into a powder and used for things like cleansers, toothpaste, insulation, plaster and other uses. The wholes were pretty neat to go in. This was not some deep in the earth tunnel (that comes later), it was pretty cool to see and walk in.
While we were at Holly Ash Mine Chad had mentioned hearing some rubbing in some of the climbs. There was some wheel articulation, but nothing taking us out of the easy level. Still, we wanted to watch things. Then we headed to the Bonanza Trail Post Office, a still standing building from the depression era mining camp era. That is where we found Chad’s Colorado Trail Boss had a rear wheel clearance issue. There was not enough clearance in his wheel wells under full compression, and the inner fender lost the argument with the tire. It was a jagged mess of plastic aimed at the tire and a bit of bend in the metal. If we had continued, it was one good bump away from shredding a tire and/or more substantial vehicle damage. This was particularly tough since this was the first time the Trail Boss was out on the trail.
Lesson 2: Wheel/Fender clearance is a binary state. You either have enough or you don’t. The trail will eventually tell you which one it is.
This is where the group dynamic kicked in. We were discussing what to do, and there was a bit of a “not sure” thing going on. Bob didn’t overthink it. He just got in there and bent it into place with shear will and determination. Bob is a problem solver. He got it a lot of the way there, but some tools were needed. We pulled out a crowbar and a hammer and went to work. Bob’s Hammer was a Bronco branded hammer, which was kind of cool. Makes me want to get Jeep branded tools (depending on the price if you are reading, Mopar) There’s a specific kind of blunt-force “trail surgery” required to keep a rig moving. I was impressed to see it. Chad was incredibly gracious about it, choosing to stay with the group rather than turning back. If I ever take damage like that, I hope I handle it with that much grace.
Lesson 3: Damage happens. You need trust, fortitude and tools. Rigs take damage. Trust is maintained by group compassion, the driver’s composure, and a problem solver’s willingness to swing a hammer.
The Desert Tortoise and The Long Climb
We went for a good while across different terrains, even dropping back to 4H for a bit of speed over some flat terrain. It was beautiful. On the way we came across a Desert Tortoise crossing the road (don’t ask me why it was crossing the road). These are endangered, and it was pretty cool seeing one. Like responsible off-roaders, we cut the engines, waited for the local to clear the track, and just took a breath (and a picture or two).
Next up was a massive ridge climb (at 35°24’34.8″N 117°52’49.1″W if you are following along on Google Maps). We pushed through a sustained12° to 18° vertical ascent (with occasional 18° roll). I watched two vehicles do it before me, but those angles can still get your blood going. It was a good 2 minute climb, and you just know to keep goin. Carlos radioed the don’t stop message as I was 80% up. No worries here, I had no thought of stopping. Reaching the top opened up to a 360-degree vista that reminded me why I finally got this Jeep. It is about the climb and the view. Man, it is beautiful out there!
Lesson 4: Trust the momentum and the moment. On a long, steep ascent, hesitation is your biggest enemy. When the lead rig tells you “don’t stop,” you listen. Then take in the view.
The Solitary Path: Burro Schmidt’s Tunnel
After a dusty lunch, we traded the rigs for a walk through the Burro Schmidt Tunnel. It’s a half-mile of solid granite, dug by one man with a pickaxe over 38 years. Walking through that dark, narrow shaft in the middle of a mountain puts your own “challenges” into perspective. I couldn’t help but think about the earthquakes he must have felt while deep in that rock. It’s a mysterious, somber piece of California history that makes an 8-hour drive feel like a trip through time.
Lesson 5: Mysteries abound in the Mojave. There is no real good reason why this tunnel exists. It remains a mystery. They are worth finding. They give perspective and can carry you across time.
Desert Wanderings And “The Narrows”
The desert doesn’t care about your OnX “planned” route. We hit some closed trails and ended up wandering through alternate paths. This is where I hit my biggest test of the day: a 27° roll on a side-slope. Lynn, the world’s most composed co-pilot, didn’t say a word until we were back on level ground. “You hit 27,” she said calmly. I think I hit that last a year ago when nearly sliding off a mountain. Today, it was just another data point on the inclinometer. Not really, it was scary. But it was not so scary as before. LOL!
Through this wandering, the team radioed back and forth helping each other on tough passes. Al and Jenette really shined here, with Jenette hopping out and providing a bit of spotting. I definitely appreciated the generosity they showed throught the trip.
The “Narrows” was the capstone of the trip. We had found our trail again, but so had the winter weather eariler this year. We hit a spot where there was a sharp drop requiring followed by a hard left. We had to consider the wider stance of Bob’s Raptor and the longer wheelbases of the Gladiator and Colorado. Alternately, we could back up 5o yards, and go over a challenging rock path that Carlos affectionately called just a “Cobblestone Path”. To be honest, I thought the rock garden was going to be tougher until Carlos did it first and put that thought to bed. Following the rock garden, we had some pretty narrow spots with some big, unmovable rocks that could threaten damage to underbodies, rock sliders (though they are for rock protection) or body if you slide off or didn’t turn just right.
It was pure teamwork. We collectively plotted a course, identified the tough spots and came up with solid plans of how to get through Carlos and Gene spotted maginficently. We moved as slow as we could and only as fast as was required. It took about 40 minutes to get through that quarter mile. A couple of skid plates and rock sliders earned their names, but no one took any new damage.
Lesson 4: Trust your co-pilot and spotters. They will guide you right.
The rest of the trail was pretty easy over some dry lake beds and flat terrain taken in 4H. We hit the pavement 8.5 hours after we started. Several of us called this on as epic (me among them). It was the most fun I have had off-roading and I am grateful to be part of this group. Stay tuned for more lessons and and adventures.
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