TR: Mojave Desert, to HWY 12, NOTOM RD, HWY 50

We spent the last couple weeks spending our Thanksgiving traveling the back roads from So Cal to Colorado Springs trying to avoid as much freeway as possible, and trying to keep warm while doing it. Funny how I always wear flip flops, but this trip I never even thought about them. Instead of driving to Vegas from San Diego Via the 15 freeway we decided to head the back roads to Route 66 to the Amboy crater




there is a nice somewhat level parking lot with walking paths around


we decided to just camp right in the parking lot, nobody around and the stars were just amazing


its a pretty easy hike to the crater, although my guide book said you could drive to it but that is long gone.


we just tackled the crater head on


it was pretty sketchy in places, but we Made it to the top (its a lot easier if you hike around the backside)


there are some great lava formations




The next day we headed into the Mojave National preserve to check out the Kelso Sand Dunes


Of course all our shoes came right off, and sand was everywhere










nearing the top


hero shots

views looking west


and north, soda dry lake in the far distance

and south


we continued on through Aiken Mine Rd




to this stellar campsite at the Lava Tube






we even had a storm roll in for some great desert pics
















we continued on Aiken Mine Rd, up to the mine which was pretty sketchy with all the sharp volcanic rocks and the road being washed out in several places, definitely a 4wd required road

the mine




abandoned camper shell of long ago

this road passes through some dense Joshua tree forests


we followed it all the way to Cima Rd and the 15 fwy. It was nice to be able to air back up at the gas station there in about 10 minutes as they have an air hose that is always running with plenty of air


we continued on through Primm and to Lake Las Vegas, as I had to work the next several days in Vegas,

From there we headed to Brian Head, UT to catch the opening day $25 lift tickets, and just camped in the parking lot for a couple days






continuing on and avoiding the freeways, we headed east on hwy 143 to Hwy 12

and decided to check out the lampstand





found a nice campsite with no snowcat noise during the night :)


the lampstand


temps for most of the trip: we kept it pretty toasty inside the camper, the wave 3 heater worked in combination with the furnace, and we really liked the carpet kit which made the camper feel cozy


we headed out through the Burr Trail


and headed NE on Notom Rd


it should be renamed rubberneckers road as I almost drove off the road in several places checking out the scenery






we continued on and hit HWY24 and ended up in Grand Junction, CO. We remembered last year Gunnison National Park has free winter camping so we had to keep to our zero dollar budget on campground fees, and had some more snow play fun



we headed on HWY 50 to a sweet little spot on the Arkansas River,
I can only imagine how crowded this place can get in the spring/summer
and we had it all to ourselves
along hwy 50

and the Arkansas river


we always have to make time for a little b-ball


we spent thanksgiving in Manitou Springs, CO, my aunts driveway looking up towards Pikes Peak


and caught a bunch of that weather heading home, it sure was nice paying in the low $2 range for diesel :)


I am really so glad I went with the Torklift system these last couple years, I always used the happijacs and wished I would have made the change sooner. It is so nice to be able to adjust the fast guns on the fly, as the road conditions for us change frequently which require different tensions. Thanks Torklift


some hitch hikers we picked up, and yes I put the rubber mallet to use :)


hope you all enjoyed the trip, until next time
Nolan