California Road Trip - Wandering 395, Joshua Tree, Mojave, Death Valley

Occidental

Occidental

Trail Master
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Clearwater Watershed, Idaho
We took a road trip between Veterans day and Thanksgiving weekend that included points along Hwy 395, Joshua Tree, the Mojave Preserve and Death Valley. I thought it may run three posts but the first part of the trip has already turned into two parts mainly due to lots of photos, so we'll see how it goes. The first part is up now, and factoring a trip that starts tomorrow, I hope to have the other posts completed before we travel for Christmas.

I'll post the links here as they are complete. I hope you enjoy following along.

Part 1: https://www.occidentalist.org/wandering-ca-395-2018-part-1/

Part 2: https://www.occidentalist.org/wandering-ca-395-2018-part-2/

Part 3: https://www.occidentalist.org/joshua-tree-2018/

Part 4: https://www.occidentalist.org/mojave-trail-2018/

Part 5 (final part): https://www.occidentalist.org/death-valley-2018/
 
Thanks Occidental
Looking forward to two. Would like to add enjoyed your White Rim post on y'all's site. Wonderful photos.

Russ
 
Thanks - that was a nice post about a good trip.
 
Very nice. Benton on a cold November day is hard to beat! Thanks for sharing and we are looking forward to the next installment! :)
 
I'm impressed that you drove up and down Silver Canyon. Most people would avoid this. Drove this a few times in a two wheel drive car. There were deaths while I lived down there that people lost power and rolled down the hill. It is at 13.7% grade. But a nice short cut.

I see a post about a bike race up and down, they do advise you have new brake pads on your bicycle. https://fatbikemammoth.com/2014/07/28/ride-report-silver-canyon-ride-bishop-ca/

Did you stop and look at the RR museum at Laws?

Enjoying your report!
 
It was knuckle biter for me going downhill. Steep enough at times I couldn't see the road in the big truck. Uphill looks easier unless you overheat.
 
Thanks Occidental
Nice trip report. Have y'all been over to the Great Basin National Park. There is a nice campground up top and also the Bristlecone pine.
There are also the Leahman caves. Which spot at Benton did you stay at?

Russ
 
Thanks all for the comments!


pvstoy said:
I'm impressed that you drove up and down Silver Canyon. Most people would avoid this. Drove this a few times in a two wheel drive car. There were deaths while I lived down there that people lost power and rolled down the hill. It is at 13.7% grade. But a nice short cut.

I see a post about a bike race up and down, they do advise you have new brake pads on your bicycle. https://fatbikemammoth.com/2014/07/28/ride-report-silver-canyon-ride-bishop-ca/

Did you stop and look at the RR museum at Laws?

Enjoying your report!
Click to expand...
Well.... I didn't realize how steep Silver Canyon would be until we got started on it. I studied it on the map and recognized the switchbacks in the 2nd half of the climb so I didn't go into it clueless or anything, but I really wanted to make the shortcut, so maybe I just told myself in the back of my mind "It'll be fine!". It was actually in great condition and we just putted up in in 4 low without any issue at all, it was an enjoyable drive with great views actually.

CougarCouple said:
Thanks Occidental
Nice trip report. Have y'all been over to the Great Basin National Park. There is a nice campground up top and also the Bristlecone pine.
There are also the Leahman caves. Which spot at Benton did you stay at?

Russ
Click to expand...
I have been over to Great Basin National Park, but most of my time there was as a kid before it was a national park (I grew up a couple hours north of there). I'd sure like to make it back, especially to hike Wheeler Peak.

We stayed in spot #1 at Benton. It was a great spot with a good view of the sunset, which we watched both nights from the tub. It doesn't get much better than that! We ended up stopping there on our way back home we enjoyed it so much.
 
Thanks Occ.
I really like the cacti’s out here, got get over there on a no holiday time.
Thanks for sharing.
Russ.
GBNP will probably be different, went on the Fourth of July, had to camp lower elevation. Was still beautiful, did a day trip up to wheeler. Thanks for site #
 
The next installment of the trip is up. This covers our journey across the Mojave trail, which I really enjoyed. It was one of those trips where you end it thinking you need to go back to see more details the second time around.
https://www.occidentalist.org/mojave-trail-2018/

One more post will finish up the trip. We went through Death Valley on the homeward bound leg, including a quiet Thanksgiving and a trip over Mengel Pass. Hope to finish that over the weekend.
 
Thanks for the stories of Joshua Tree National Park, It is a place that is close to population and can be loved too much. It has been many years since been there. 5 years in early 70's lived in Twenty Nine Palms and as a family would often day trips and camp in the park. All most never really a problem with crowds.

I read your next section on the Mojave Trail. Thanks for sharing this adventure. https://www.occidentalist.org/mojave-trail-2018/
 
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