Early January Run - Red Rocks Canyon State Park

[Mrs Bozly]

Red Rocks Canyon State Park is located 25 miles northeast of Mojave on Highway 14, near Cantil. Signage indicating the turnoff is clearly visible on Highway 14. Temperatures during the day around 50's going down to 20's at night. Camping is available but other accommodations are close in Mojave about 15 miles down the road.

Red Rocks Canyon State Park

When: January 8 - 10. 2010
Trails from Wells Book

Bonanza Gulch #73 - Moderate
Time: 5 hours
Distance: Entire route covers 27.6 miles. Shorter trail is 15.7 miles

The first half of the route through Bonanza Gulch is easy. Second half crosses remote, mountainous terrain where the trail is narrow and rocky in a few places. Route finding is complex so pay close attention to directions. Suitable for most stock SUV's with high ground clearance and low range gearing. DO NOT go alone.

Opal Canyon #74 – Moderate
Time: 4 hours
Distance: 20 miles

One section of Opal Canyon is very narrow, steep and rocky. Part of Last Chance Canyon follows a sandy wash where you’ll need to air down. Trails suitable for stock, high clearance four wheel drive SUV’s. Remote location: DO NOT go alone.

Rand Mountain #75 - Moderate
Time: 4 hours
Distance: 17.2 mile loop

Lower portion of the trail is easy, but as you climb higher into the mountains, the trail becomes narrow, steep and rocky in places. Suitable for aggressive stock, high clearance four wheel drive SUV’s. Not for wide oversized vehicles. Light brush may touch vehicle. Use caution: many open mine shafts are located throughout the area. Route finding is complex with many crisscrossing roads at the top of the mountain.

All these trails are Moderate. Your vehicle should at least have a 3" Lift, Skid Plates and All Terrain Tyres, Lift Jack and First Aid Kit.

[manoweb]

I will probably be on my Honey Moon at that time, otherwise I would have joined - for sure.
I was thinking to do the Mojave road "solo" at Thanksgiving and I've been to the Death Valley not too much time ago. Definitely worth it.

I don't know your idea exactly, but a couple of observations:
- 3 days (including probably the time to go back to the bay area) will in my opinion be sufficient to have just a little grasp of a small part of the Death Valley or the Mojave. I would not try to visit both.
- Unless you stick to the warmest places of the DV, I wouldn't be surprised to find below-freezing temperatures, and possibly a lot of snow

I will post a link to some pics in case somebody is interested.

[Mrs Bozly]

I will keep that in mind. I have a couple of different trails in mind depending on the interest. Send pics as they are always good to see.

[sonof40]

I'm interested but a little far off to commit as yet. Staying tuned.

[DivnGirl]

I'm in the preliminary planning stages of a National Parks road trip this summer, including the Mojave on my way to the Grand Canyon and beyond. If you end up going, I'd love to see pics!

[manoweb]

"Mojave" and "Summer" in the same sentence... make sure you are prepared!!!

[manoweb]

So this first trip to DV was: saline valley - lippincot pass - racetrack - ubehebe crater - scotty's castle - stovepipe wells
http://www.manoweb.com/alesan/viaggi/deathValley200811/

This second trip was: eureka dunes - steel pass - hot springs - lippincot pass - racetrack - hike to ubehebe peak - cucomungo canyon (we had to go back because of the snow)
http://www.manoweb.com/alesan/montagna/DeathValley-20090213/

The third trip: ballarat - pleasant canyon "loop" with hike to porter peak - goler canyon - mengel pass - butte valley with hike to striped butte. The second night we stayed at the "geologist cabin"
http://www.manoweb.com/alesan/montagna/DeathValley-2009/

[cypilk]

That's pretty neat.

[A.J.Cruiser]

Wow...i bet it was a nice experience for you guys...too nice

[magicthechemist]

I love DV...I will try to make it.

[MOTORDRIVE]

Just returned from there last week and should be up for another run by Jan. Did the Pleasant canyon loop started in Balarat and back down thru South Park. Videos to follow. Whats your game plan Bozly?

[manoweb]

Hey I did exactly the same. People were scaring us with that narrow part with the cliff at the side but at the end it was nothing special, but surely scenic! The main problem in my opinion was the jungle in Pleasant Canyon that could scratch the FJ...

[Bozly]

I'll be there as a passenger if I'm not on the Eastern Side ice climbing,

just ridin' and havin fun...