kpanza
1/2 ton status
Ok Guys and Gals, I was asked to make one, final thread for all of us going to the Blazer Safari, so here it is.
(This is kinda long, but hopefully informative!)
First of all, for a refresher, this trip is being held out at Truckhaven Hills on the weekend of October 5-7th! I have posted directions several times in the other posts, but here is a simplified version:
From North: I-5 south to the 210 (Pasadena) Freeway East. 210 East to the 10 East. Take 10 East just past Palm Springs to the 86S Expressway. From there it is 32 miles south on the 86S to "North Marina Drive". And remember, you stay on 86S THE WHOLE WAY (don't get off like was posted on here a long time ago) When you reach N Marina Drive, turn right, and the road ends in about 1/2 mile, turns to dirt. Most likely we will be setting up where the paved road ends - if not, continue on the dirt road and you will see us ahead. Just for your knowledge, you will see the sign for "Salton City" BEFORE you reach N Marina Drive, by about 1/2 mile or so...
From the South there are several ways depending on where exactly you are coming from, so maybe some of the guys coming from that way can help me out??
Also, there IS a place to get gas (it was open last time I was down there 3 weeks ago) within a couple of miles. There is also a small mini-mart place close, although I can't vouch for what they have. If you are needing groceries, your best bet is probably stopping somewhere in the Indio area.
The camping situation is best described as "bring everything you need"! In other words, it is a "Primitive" camping area, no shelters, no bathrooms, no showers, no running water. Those of you who have EZ-Up type shelters would be smart to bring them for those in your parties that want to get out of the sun for a while. Also, bring plenty of water/drinks/ice, for this IS a desert! Some of us So Cal guys are going to try to bring firewood, so those of you coming long distance don't have to worry about packing that.
Temperatures are expected to be in the high 90s daytime/low 60s at night. Scattered Thunderstorms are expected Tuesday/Wednesday, so we might get LUCKY and have some MUD if all goes right! Last February I was there and some of the washes were gooey mud! Keep those fingers crossed!!
Don't forget the sunblock!!
Cell phones don't work too well out there, so don't count on them. We will be monitoring CB CH 4, so those of you with CBs can try that. I am sure that those of us who get there early Friday will go out and "explore", so if you get there and see an empty camp, try to reach us, or look for the dust. However, please don't go too far away from camp if you are alone, as it is VERY easy to get lost back there! I know, because we got lost last time!
Several people have inquired about bringing quads, motorcycles, etc - please, bring them! This is just a big excuse for us to go have fun, so bring whatever you have fun with!
The type of wheeling out here is typical desert terrain for the most part. There aren't many rocks at all, so this is not a "rockfest". It is mostly soft dirt and sand, with terrain features that resemble "mini-mountain ranges". There are hundreds of washes in the area.
And lastly, this terrain is generally "do-able" by all types of 4 wheelers. Sure, there are lots of areas that will test most everyone, but just about anyone can come out here and have fun. There are all kinds of optional obstacles for those who want them, and for those just looking to have fun, well you won't be disappointed!
Food situation - we agreed way back when that it was easier for everyone to just bring their own food, makes for much easier planning that way. I am sure a few of us will bring some "extras", so feel free to bring your specialties and share, that always makes it fun! I find that when I go out in the desert environment, I usually don't eat as much due to the heat, but that's just my observation. And what I do like is cool, juicy stuff, lots of fruit and things that don't make you so thirsty.
Whew!! If anyone reads all of this, you win a prize!! ha,ha Man, my fingers are sore!! Well, hopefully that covers most of it, but if anyone has anything else to share, please do!!
One last thing, maybe the So Cal guys can indicate who is able to bring firewood?? That way we can gauge how much we will have.
Also, if everyone else would take a minute to "confirm" their plans to attend, that would be cool. And please indicate what time/day you think you will be there, that way we can try to include as many people as possible in the wheeling and whatever else!
Oh, and one other important thing - Budweiser or Coors??
I'm sure I can find enough ice to keep a keg cold for at least Friday night, anyone interested?? (See, if people don't read my whole speech, they will miss this IMPORTANT info!!)
This looks like it will be a fun trip!
Ok, I know you are all tired of reading this, so if I think of other things I will post them later. And if anyone else wants to add anything, please do!!!
Keith
(This is kinda long, but hopefully informative!)
First of all, for a refresher, this trip is being held out at Truckhaven Hills on the weekend of October 5-7th! I have posted directions several times in the other posts, but here is a simplified version:
From North: I-5 south to the 210 (Pasadena) Freeway East. 210 East to the 10 East. Take 10 East just past Palm Springs to the 86S Expressway. From there it is 32 miles south on the 86S to "North Marina Drive". And remember, you stay on 86S THE WHOLE WAY (don't get off like was posted on here a long time ago) When you reach N Marina Drive, turn right, and the road ends in about 1/2 mile, turns to dirt. Most likely we will be setting up where the paved road ends - if not, continue on the dirt road and you will see us ahead. Just for your knowledge, you will see the sign for "Salton City" BEFORE you reach N Marina Drive, by about 1/2 mile or so...
From the South there are several ways depending on where exactly you are coming from, so maybe some of the guys coming from that way can help me out??
Also, there IS a place to get gas (it was open last time I was down there 3 weeks ago) within a couple of miles. There is also a small mini-mart place close, although I can't vouch for what they have. If you are needing groceries, your best bet is probably stopping somewhere in the Indio area.
The camping situation is best described as "bring everything you need"! In other words, it is a "Primitive" camping area, no shelters, no bathrooms, no showers, no running water. Those of you who have EZ-Up type shelters would be smart to bring them for those in your parties that want to get out of the sun for a while. Also, bring plenty of water/drinks/ice, for this IS a desert! Some of us So Cal guys are going to try to bring firewood, so those of you coming long distance don't have to worry about packing that.
Temperatures are expected to be in the high 90s daytime/low 60s at night. Scattered Thunderstorms are expected Tuesday/Wednesday, so we might get LUCKY and have some MUD if all goes right! Last February I was there and some of the washes were gooey mud! Keep those fingers crossed!!
Cell phones don't work too well out there, so don't count on them. We will be monitoring CB CH 4, so those of you with CBs can try that. I am sure that those of us who get there early Friday will go out and "explore", so if you get there and see an empty camp, try to reach us, or look for the dust. However, please don't go too far away from camp if you are alone, as it is VERY easy to get lost back there! I know, because we got lost last time!
Several people have inquired about bringing quads, motorcycles, etc - please, bring them! This is just a big excuse for us to go have fun, so bring whatever you have fun with!
The type of wheeling out here is typical desert terrain for the most part. There aren't many rocks at all, so this is not a "rockfest". It is mostly soft dirt and sand, with terrain features that resemble "mini-mountain ranges". There are hundreds of washes in the area.
And lastly, this terrain is generally "do-able" by all types of 4 wheelers. Sure, there are lots of areas that will test most everyone, but just about anyone can come out here and have fun. There are all kinds of optional obstacles for those who want them, and for those just looking to have fun, well you won't be disappointed!
Food situation - we agreed way back when that it was easier for everyone to just bring their own food, makes for much easier planning that way. I am sure a few of us will bring some "extras", so feel free to bring your specialties and share, that always makes it fun! I find that when I go out in the desert environment, I usually don't eat as much due to the heat, but that's just my observation. And what I do like is cool, juicy stuff, lots of fruit and things that don't make you so thirsty.
Whew!! If anyone reads all of this, you win a prize!! ha,ha Man, my fingers are sore!! Well, hopefully that covers most of it, but if anyone has anything else to share, please do!!
One last thing, maybe the So Cal guys can indicate who is able to bring firewood?? That way we can gauge how much we will have.
Also, if everyone else would take a minute to "confirm" their plans to attend, that would be cool. And please indicate what time/day you think you will be there, that way we can try to include as many people as possible in the wheeling and whatever else!
Oh, and one other important thing - Budweiser or Coors??
This looks like it will be a fun trip!
Ok, I know you are all tired of reading this, so if I think of other things I will post them later. And if anyone else wants to add anything, please do!!!
Keith
maybe in a few months if there is another i'll come out, and bring some friends who are really into wheeling, especially that terrain.. I love that type of desert terrain, thats what Ocotillo Wells is all about (about 1hr from where I live)... Im about 1.5hrs south of the 10 freeway.. take some pics !
