Other than the crusty dude gathering at Death Valley, what would be some other good winter trips ideas? Wanderers from Socal and Arizona - where do you like to camp during the winter?
Winter Trip Ideas?
- Thread starter DirtyDog
- Start date
Kokopelli
Senior Member
Why SoCal and Arizona? You don't like to go to Banff, Jasper, etc in the winter? Where's your spirit of adventure........
OP
OP
Why SoCal and Arizona? You don't like to go to Banff, Jasper, etc in the winter? Where's your spirit of adventure........
I live in nasty winter conditions. I can pop the top in my driveway for that kind of fun.
I live in nasty winter conditions. I can pop the top in my driveway for that kind of fun.
highz
Retreaded
Other than the crusty dude gathering at Death Valley, what would be some other good winter trips ideas? Wanderers from Socal and Arizona - where do you like to camp during the winter?
How about a visit to Big Bend and drop by and see Ari?
How about a visit to Big Bend and drop by and see Ari?
camelracer
Contributors
Other than the crusty dude gathering at Death Valley, what would be some other good winter trips ideas? Wanderers from Socal and Arizona - where do you like to camp during the winter?
Playa Coyote
Playa Coyote
Argonaut20
Senior Member
- Joined
- May 24, 2009
- Messages
- 432
Cloudcroft, Ruidoso, Capitan, White Oaks, etc in New Mexico are pretty clear of snow through the winter, but storms can be sudden and intense.
SunMan
King Taco
Baja of course. Also been itching to check out Anza Borrego and the Mojave Road/Mojave Preserve.
Marc
Fire Proof
1.Anza Borrego
2.Red Rocks
2.Red Rocks
highz
Retreaded
Cloudcroft, Ruidoso, Capitan, White Oaks, etc in New Mexico are pretty clear of snow through the winter, but storms can be sudden and intense.
I live close to Cloudcroft. Some winters there's significant snow that can stick around. The last few winters have had very little snowfall, true, but the prediction this winter is for an el nino, which could mean more snow for us. Who knows? The Cloudcroft ski area might even be able to open. If Captain Leisure wants to avoid snow, Cloudcroft might not be the best bet this winter. Of course, if anyone wants to know the conditions around here, feel free to send me a message.
I live close to Cloudcroft. Some winters there's significant snow that can stick around. The last few winters have had very little snowfall, true, but the prediction this winter is for an el nino, which could mean more snow for us. Who knows? The Cloudcroft ski area might even be able to open. If Captain Leisure wants to avoid snow, Cloudcroft might not be the best bet this winter. Of course, if anyone wants to know the conditions around here, feel free to send me a message.
DD,
Based on Les' and KC's advice, we are planning to do Anza Borrego the week between Christmas and New Year. A prequel to the crusty dude gathering???
Ted
Based on Les' and KC's advice, we are planning to do Anza Borrego the week between Christmas and New Year. A prequel to the crusty dude gathering???
Ted
OP
OP
How about a visit to Big Bend and drop by and see Ari?
I've thought about that but Big Bend is pretty much on the other end of the Earth from my location. One day I'll get there. Is there backcountry there like Death Valley has (lots of backroads to explore by truck)?
I've thought about that but Big Bend is pretty much on the other end of the Earth from my location. One day I'll get there. Is there backcountry there like Death Valley has (lots of backroads to explore by truck)?
OP
OP
Thanks for all the suggestions. Anza Borrego sounds like the spot to check out.
Ted - I wish I could meet you guys that week but I will have family obligations.
Ted - I wish I could meet you guys that week but I will have family obligations.
Anza Borrego is our local fun spot in the winter. Look into Sandstone canyon,Split mountain and Mud cave area great spots. Coyote canyon is great at the top but you have water crossing and 2 rock sections to get through. Let me know and I will give you any info you need.
Barko1
Senior Member
I've thought about that but Big Bend is pretty much on the other end of the Earth from my location. One day I'll get there. Is there backcountry there like Death Valley has (lots of backroads to explore by truck)?
There are many backroads, some parallel the river others in different directions, and backcountry campsites along all. Rough and remote country, just what you'd like
Not a lot of paved roads really, 3 regular campgrounds. If you do ever head that way also check out Ft. Davis, Balmorhea, and maybe Big Bend Ranch State Park but I haven't explored that yet. This is by a backcountry camp
And lots of these
There are many backroads, some parallel the river others in different directions, and backcountry campsites along all. Rough and remote country, just what you'd like
Not a lot of paved roads really, 3 regular campgrounds. If you do ever head that way also check out Ft. Davis, Balmorhea, and maybe Big Bend Ranch State Park but I haven't explored that yet. This is by a backcountry camp
And lots of these
EdoHart
Grasshopper
Thanks for all the suggestions. Anza Borrego sounds like the spot to check out.
Ted - I wish I could meet you guys that week but I will have family obligations.
If you're going to Anza Borrego, you might as well hop over to the Salton Sea for a day. Or at least go to Sea View off of Hwy 62 in Joshua Tree National Monument. What time frame are you looking at?
Ted - I wish I could meet you guys that week but I will have family obligations.
If you're going to Anza Borrego, you might as well hop over to the Salton Sea for a day. Or at least go to Sea View off of Hwy 62 in Joshua Tree National Monument. What time frame are you looking at?
highz
Retreaded
I've thought about that but Big Bend is pretty much on the other end of the Earth from my location. One day I'll get there. Is there backcountry there like Death Valley has (lots of backroads to explore by truck)?
What Barko said. If you like DV, you'll like Big Bend. Hope you get there one of these days.
What Barko said. If you like DV, you'll like Big Bend. Hope you get there one of these days.
realbtl
Contributors
Funny you should mention Borrego, I was there this past Sun and Mon and it was beautiful as always. I scored one of the old rock cabanas (#104) and the weather was low 90s, quite a change from Montana when I left last Fri.
I found a gorgeous road from Joshua Tree to Mecca, can't remember the name/# but I was trying to avoid freeways the whole trip. 1317 miles from Bigfork MT to Borrego and only 50 miles of Interstate from where Hwy 93 joins I15 to Nipton cutoff on the CA border. Retirement is good.
Edited to add- If you see a big green truck with an ATC pulling a fat pig of a Uhaul trailer on I5 tomorrow or Fri that'll be me moving the last of my mom's furniture from Oceanside to my daughter in the east SF bay area. That will not be fun!
I found a gorgeous road from Joshua Tree to Mecca, can't remember the name/# but I was trying to avoid freeways the whole trip. 1317 miles from Bigfork MT to Borrego and only 50 miles of Interstate from where Hwy 93 joins I15 to Nipton cutoff on the CA border. Retirement is good.
Edited to add- If you see a big green truck with an ATC pulling a fat pig of a Uhaul trailer on I5 tomorrow or Fri that'll be me moving the last of my mom's furniture from Oceanside to my daughter in the east SF bay area. That will not be fun!
OP
OP
What time frame are you looking at?
I haven't figured that part out yet.
I haven't figured that part out yet.
Other than the crusty dude gathering at Death Valley, what would be some other good winter trips ideas? Wanderers from Socal and Arizona - where do you like to camp during the winter?
I've been to Parashant National Monument a number of times. It's north of the Grand Canyon, and runs close to Lake Mead. It covers a lot of territory, and some of it is low enough to be pleasant in the Winter. There are usually a lot of big fifth wheels around Whitney Pocket, which is where the pavement ends on Gold Butte Road. There are a lot of roads that run south, ending at Lake Mead or, farther east, the Canyon. I have some photos here.
http://picasaweb.google.com/sears.george/ParashantNationalMonument2005#
The Mojave Road that crosses Mojave Preserve is something like 125 miles, from Baker to Laughlin. There is a dry lake bed that may be muddy, plus some miles in the river. Not sure, but the maps show most of the 125 miles as 4 wheel drive or high clearance. You can do segments. I haven't seen much of the route personally.
I guess Trona Cliffs is an ATV spot. I ran across Amboy Crater last winter, but never got in there. I think it is BLM where you can camp.
George
I've been to Parashant National Monument a number of times. It's north of the Grand Canyon, and runs close to Lake Mead. It covers a lot of territory, and some of it is low enough to be pleasant in the Winter. There are usually a lot of big fifth wheels around Whitney Pocket, which is where the pavement ends on Gold Butte Road. There are a lot of roads that run south, ending at Lake Mead or, farther east, the Canyon. I have some photos here.
http://picasaweb.google.com/sears.george/ParashantNationalMonument2005#
The Mojave Road that crosses Mojave Preserve is something like 125 miles, from Baker to Laughlin. There is a dry lake bed that may be muddy, plus some miles in the river. Not sure, but the maps show most of the 125 miles as 4 wheel drive or high clearance. You can do segments. I haven't seen much of the route personally.
I guess Trona Cliffs is an ATV spot. I ran across Amboy Crater last winter, but never got in there. I think it is BLM where you can camp.
George
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