Mining and camping trip in the Mojave Preserve.

Friday March 6th (arrive and setup camp)
Saturday March 7th
Sunday March 8th
Monday March 9th (head home)

OFFICIAL INFO!

The Mojave Safari meet will be held in the Mojave Preserve. The closest towns are Baker and Barstow. Both Baker and Barstow have several gas stations, so if we need food or fuel, there's no problem other than the drive. Please bring extra fuel in a container for your vehicle.



Friday (6th) afternoon/evening we will be setting up camp at Mid-Hills campground. Mojave National Preserve - Campgrounds (U.S. National Park Service)

DRIVING

From the 15fwy, exit Cima Rd.
Go south on Cima Rd 16 miles to Kelso Cima Road split
Go South on Kelso Cima road 5 miles to Cedar Canyon Road
Go west on Cedar Canyon Road 5 miles to Black Canyon Road
Go south on Black Canyon Road 3 miles to Wild Horse Canyon Road
Turn right (west) on Wild Horse Canyon Road and go about 2-2 1/2 miles to Mid-Hills Camground (right side)

Here is a map with roads and approx distances.
http://www.nps.gov/moja/planyourvisi...facilities.pdf

Please be prepared for undriveable conditions to the campground if you don't have a high clearance vehicle, especially without 4 wheel drive.

* Facilities: picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, trashcans, and drinkable water. 26 campsites.
* Fees: $12 per site per night, $6 for Golden Age/Access Passport holders.
* Reservations: not accepted. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Campground rarely fills.

I will cover the campground fee, since i plan on being the first one there. Please bring a tent and at least a zero degree sleeping bag. If you have room in your vehicle, please bring a good amount of firewood to share.

Ive done some research on the roads we will be traveling, and a stock 4x4 SUV or truck should be fine for the majority of the trip. Things may get a little hairy around the Piute range area (if we go there), and those with 4x4 rigs are welcome to take some of the more challenging routes out in the park.

THINGS TO SEE

I put this map together with the locations we are going to see. Google Maps

Here are some of the locations available to us within the park. Some are looked over by the park, but most are unmaintained. If the location is clickable, that means ive inserted a link that will open a page to more info/pics on the site. Check it out!

Aiken Mine and lava tube (actual ladder going down into lava tube)

Evening Star Mine

Morning Star Mine

Goldome Mine

Hart Mine

Barnwell Well

General Patton WWII Airstrip

Fort Piute

Bonanza King Mine

Mitchell Caverns

Vulcan Mine

Rex Mine

Kelso Depot

Theres a lot more out there i havent listed. I will give everyone a list of coordinates to GPS when we get out there

MISC STUFF

VEHICLES: Please bring a 4x4 if possible. Its always wise to pack extra drinking water and fuel for your vehicle.

CB radio will be channel 1, for those who have it. 2-way FRS/GMRS radios will also be channel 1. Please bring some sort of radio.

Food. Please bring your own food. Fruit and dry meats are great for daytime snacks. Lipton makes pouches of rice you can boil and mix with a can of tuna, etc. Sandwiches are always a great idea. Keep in mind that we are only out there for a few days, or whatever time is left when you decide to show up. Do yourself a favor and pack accordingly for the amount of time you will be staying. Packing food home always sucks. For those of you who camp often, disregard my recommendations, :P

Gear. Everyone should have some sort of shelter, being a tent, or a vehicle. It can get really cold out there, so a sleeping bag rated at 0 degrees may be wise. I just want to make sure everyone is comfortable and safe. If you dont have the proper gear, please post in the southwest forum and see if someone has stuff you can borrow.

Well i guess thats it for now. Please use this thread to offer additions to the trip, or discuss any concerns. Also, everyone who is going to attend should RSVP. I will give everyone who RSVPs my phone number a few days before the event for anything they may need it for.