Thanx for the pics. Any time to cap off some rounds?

Great pics as usual Paul!. I love getting out to the desert but have not been able to for awhile. I do look forward to your posts.

Is that the ford across the Mojave River at the Afton Canyon  campground?  I don't think I've ever been there when there wasn't about 15" or more water in there.  Never less than that.  The other fords later on are the ones that give you an idea how much water is under there.  Only once have I seen water all the way down to bridges at the far end of the canyon.

Nice LCI water cans

Oh,  Nevermind.  You're retired Mil.

In the I.E............

.........ED

     Paul if I'm not mistaken  but I believe you took over Huell Howser's job for California Gold .

     Always looking forward to your scenic postings.

I have no use for this worthless group of extortionists.

This also applies to sierra club, center for biological diversity, greenpeace & the epa (environmental pollution agency).

ED

The first time I was out there, the posts were not in place and the ford was a bit of a by guess or by golly location.  IIRC it was a November and there was still about a half inch of ice around the edges where it hadn't been broken up by the vehicles.  There were several vehicles there trying to decide just where to go and how deep it really was.  The ice was an indicator that most used to decide NOT to wade out and find out. A sand rail came out the other way and slowed down and the driver said, "There's only about 6" of water in there."   And came on through, turns out there was about a foot and a half, several inches above his seat and the seat of the buggy.  "He did in fact confirm that it was in fact ice and not chunks of glass floating out there.

For you guys that have never been out to Afton Canyon, that portion of the road is used by the UPRR for service vehicles so it is almost always in good shape.  And with the exception of that ford can usually be traversed by street vehicles.  In the summer when the ford is at it's shallowest most decent clearance 2 wheel drive vehicles can head out into the canyon.  The second forward is usually much shallower. and often dry.  I wouldn't however go out in the river bed at any time without at least one support vehicle to help you get out of the sand and gravel.  It might not be real quicksand, but it comes about as close as you will find in some areas.  It's not that far out of Barstow on I-15 on the way to Vegas.

Hey Paul I would like to take trip like that is there any info you can give me as far as maps or gps locations go??? And also do you think i would need 4wheel drive or will my silverado with a good set of BFG AT'S work???

Afton Canyon is about the third or fourth off-ramp after Yermo on I-15 north from Barstow toward Las Vegas.    You should have no problems with your truck out to the end of the canyon with your truck, you can probably then get back to I-15 either on Basin Road, or out via the Rasor Rd Off-Highway vehicle area.  The operative word there is "probably"  it would have been a piece of cake the last few times I was out there but that was a few years ago.  If you Google Maps "Afton Canyon" it goes to the Afton Canyon "station on the RR.  (There is nothing there anymore).  but if you web Google Afton Canyon, you'll get several good links.

Another place you definitely can go out there is Rainbow Basin  National Natural Landmark.  North of Barstow along Ft. Irwin Rd., to Fossil Bed Rd, and then west to Rainbow Basin Rd.

The signs say no trailers or RVs.  A very very good driver might be able to do it, if you can navigate in very crowded parking lots.  But regular vehicles can make it.

Street tires may make it but ATs are good to go.

That is one of the few things I really love about CA, the scenery.  CA is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to, it just sucks that it is populated by a ton of morons.  

One of the most fun times I have had there, in the 6 or so times I have been, riding quads around this


And then skiing down this

Nice Xterra, Paul.  I am an active member of Souther California Land Rovers, and I appreciate a well set up rig.  Yours looks great, and great pics.  Maybe I will see you out on the trail someday.  I would recognize your truck and will say "HI" if I do.

Love the pics. You have inspired me to take a trip to do the Mojave Road in the next couple of months.

I'm hoping towards the end of april or may at the  latest. Any later and I will wait till fall. Last year some guys from work and I went on a overnight trip to the calico mnt. area ........... in july. yeah, it a tad bit warm at 110 all day.