OAUSA Net – 10/26/17 & 11/2/17 – Destination Camping in the Mojave Desert

[toms]

NOVEMBER 2, 2017 UPDATE

Last week we mentioned that our topic the following week would be motorcycle camping, and we had every intention of doing so. Unfortunately, our net control operator and lead speaker is not able to make it. We will reschedule the net for another time.

For those who listened last week, you know that we were not able to cover the two areas of the Mojave Desert that were planned - so, this week we will wrap things up. The 'discussion this week will start with post #9 and move to 10, 11, and 12.

ORIGINAL POSTS

The official start of the desert season is Oct 15th. From now until about April 15th is the best time to visit the desert.

There are numerous desert destination for 4-wheeling, camping, exploring or just drinking coffee around the campfire in the morning.

We encourage each of you to post pictures and descriptions of your favorite desert destination.

One of my favorites is Death Valley. I will be posting pictures.

BTW one of the larges events hosted by Death Valley is just in 2 weeks. The Death Valley Encampment is Nov 08 to 12, 2017. The pre-encampment is Nov 05-07, 2017. If you hurry you can just make. Sponsored by the Death Valley ‘49ers the goal is to expand awareness of Death Valley and celebrate the pioneer spirit. http://www.deathvalley49ers.org/events.htm

[toms]

Death Valley

Recent Updates
• Keane Wonder Mine is re opening. Official ribbon cutting during the DV Encampment
• Mesquite camp ground - closed - no date for reopening. This will impact the encampment
• Scotty’s closed until 2019
• NV 267 Closed until 2019
• Senior life time pass now $80 - same price as America the Beautify annual pass. Prior to August it was $10.


1. MAP

Map

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2. 49'er

Harry Wade Exit

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Bennett Long Camp

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Fish Canyon

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[toms]

Gohler Wash, Barker Ranch, Charles Manson

Panamint Flat Dry Lake

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Gohler Wash

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Ranch before the fire

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Ranch after the fire

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Barker Bath Room where Manson was hiding

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[toms]

Mengel Pass, Geologist Cabin, Striped Butte

Mengel Pass

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Geologist Cabin

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The Hunt for the Death Valley Germans
By Tom Mahood
http://www.otherhand.org/home-page/sear ... y-germans/

Striped Butte

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Burros

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[toms]

Chloride Cliff

Going up Chloride Cliff

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South to Bad Water

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looking West

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[toms]

Red Pass & Titus Canyon

Red Pass

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Looking NW from Red Pass

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[toms]

Ubehebe, Tea Kettle Junction, Race Track

Ubehebe

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Race Track Road

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Tea Kettle Junction Early

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Tea Kettle Junction now

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Race track 3

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[NotAMog]

If you are at the Geologist's Cabin when the light is right in the late afternoon, you can see the Ogre in Striped Butte.

[DaveK]

MOJAVE DESERT

The boundaries of the Mojave Desert may not be as well defined as the property lines for your home, but there is general agreement on it's size - and it is huge. The map below shows the general boundaries, including huge portions of California, Arizona, Nevada and to a somewhat lesser extent, Utah. While many regard the desert as inhospitable, desolate and foreboding, it is not always so. In fact, the desert has been home to a variety of human occupation, and it continues draw the adventurous traveler and those who wish to call it home.

Many parts of the Mojave remain undeveloped and remote, and the perfect location for exploration, camping, hunting, hiking, sightseeing, and for some, home. And, for those who know the desert, you know that it offers a truly diverse climate, topography and vegetation. Elevations that range from below sea level to mountain peaks that approach 12,000feet ASL. The climate varies from some of the hottest temperatures on earth to snow in the winter.

The deserts of the Mojave are as diverse as the people who have been there. Over the centuries it has been used for mining, homesteading, routes from the east to the west, scenes for famous western towns, hunting, movies and TV shows. Many years ago American Indians also used the area extensively. Today the area is a mix of public and private land, but it is always worth a visit. Every season has something unique to offer.

Covering the full extent of the Mojave's offerings would be the subject of multiple nets, and it is even a stretch for us to narrow it down to certain areas - but we will do our best. For this net, I will cover a portion of this desert, generally referred to as the California East Mojave, which includes the Mojave National Preserve. This area has a rich history, and a full appreciation is not possible without some knowledge of what has happened and who made it happen. For those who have traveled here, give us your impressions.

From the Digital Desert, http://mojavedesert.net/description.html

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[DaveK]

CLIMATE

It's no secret that temperatures in the Mojave are hot, but that is often only the summer side of its personality. Winter time, especially in the high desert (above about 5000 feet) usually involves snow and well below freezing temps.

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VEGETATION


Vegetation includes forests of pinyon pine and juniper, some of the largest areas in the world of Joshua trees, your common creosote plant areas, and, of course, a huge and painful collection of cacti. From a purely personal view point, the Cholla cactus, in all it's varieties, is the most troublesome. It seems that the flower of the Cholla includes a generous potion of needles, which fall off when the flowers die. When distributed by the wind and rain, these little nasties are everywhere, including the very place you choose to sit down.

Pinyon Pine and Juniper

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Cactus

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Joshua Trees, aka Yuccas

In the heart of the Mojave National Preserve, lies the Cima Dome, which rises 1,500 feet above the surrounding desert and provides ideal habitat for the world's largest concentration of Joshua trees. A hike, which starts near the WWI Memorial, leads to the top of the Dome and offers a spectacular view of these trees.

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