theksmith 5,778 Posted December 20, 2009 Open to everyone! Joshua Tree National Park (near Indio, CA) Friday 2/19/2010 - Sunday 2/21/2010 (and optional days for those that wish to stay and explore) Easy 4x4 trail runs, Sightseeing, Hiking Tent Camping for 2 nights (or more*) General Info:Location: http://maps.google.com... Website: http://www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm Detailed Area Map: http://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/upload/jotrmap.pdf Photos: http://www.terragalleria.com/parks/np.joshua-tree.all.html Trip Details:A group will caravan from Phoenix, AZ area on Friday (2/19). If you are coming from another area, we can work out where best to hookup. We'll tent camp Friday and Saturday night. Saturday and Sunday will be spent doing some easy 4x4 trails and some hiking for those that want. This should be a great trip for photography as well. On Sunday (2/21) afternoon, we'll leave the Joshua Tree National Park area and head home. We will be trying to get centrally located first-come camping in JT, due to all reservable spots being taken. If not available, there are a couple BLM options open to us. We will decide there. There is a $15 park entrance fee, and camping is probably around $15 per night as well... bring your dollars! *There are a few folks who wish to stay longer and explore more trails, so there may be an additional 1 or 2 days of tent camping optional. GPX file of trails: http://www.offroadpassport.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=186&d=1266452664 Meeting Locations & Times: Meet at Love's Truck Stop at 9:00 AM on Miller Road, just south of the I-10. Map: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=loves+travel+center+1610+South+Miller+Road&sll=33.450063,-112.589607&sspn=0.257524,0.528374&ie=UTF8&hq=loves+travel+center+1610+South+Miller+Road&hnear=&ll=33.434521,-112.589006&spn=0.064393,0.132093&z=14&iwloc=A It will take us about 3 1/2 - 4 hours depending on how slow we drive. Google says 3 hours, but that's based on doing 75 on the freeway the entire way and some in our party can't do that. If we get separated the rendezvous point is just north of the I-10 on the Cottonwood Spring Rd (the entrance rd to the park). Map: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=1610+South+Miller+Road,+Buckeye,+AZ+85326-6429+%28Love%27s+Travel+Stop%29&daddr=33.662425,-115.80225&hl=en&geocode=FeIe_gEdyvtJ-SFLAet1EyjikynROs0gnkorhzHPS30UVAB0uQ%3B&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=16&sll=33.663746,-115.798581&sspn=0.016502,0.033023&ie=UTF8&ll=33.509339,-114.241333&spn=2.115974,4.22699&z=9 Attending:Lifes a Jeep Number7 & DZJeepChic TheKSmith Russ Chung gearhead Scottl Ladybug 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theksmith 5,778 Posted December 20, 2009 The Backcountry Adventures CA book has 5 trails within/near the Joshua Tree NP area. I highlighted the trails on the attached map. Here's what the book says about them. In GREEN - Berdoo Canyon Road 15 miles, 2 hours 900 - 4400 ft 4/10 difficulty 8/10 scenic Long winding canyon In RED - Geology Tour Road 11 miles, 2 hours 3300 - 4600 ft 2/10 difficulty 9/10 scenic Self guided geology auto tour In PINK - Pinkham Canyon Road 21 miles, 2.5 hours 1400 - 3400 ft 3/10 difficulty 8/10 scenic Sandy canyon trail between Colorado and Mojave deserts In BLUE - Old Dale Road 26 miles, 3 hours 1300 - 2500 ft 4/10 difficulty 8/10 scenic Rough trail in Dale Mining District In YELLOW - Brooklyn Mine Trail 12 miles, 3.5 hours 1200 - 2500 ft 6/10 difficult 9/10 scenic Challenging trail through rugged Pino Mountains Extensive remains of several mines ...all of these mines have remains that are substantial and photogenic If you know of any other trails near here that we should look into, please let us know! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mbuckner 208 Posted December 20, 2009 Please mark me as an "attendee" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lifes a Jeep 1 Posted December 20, 2009 I picked up a National Geographic Map for the Joshua Tree National Park. It has a lot of detail and could help with planning the trip. I'm looking for places to camp outside the park. I'll bring the map to the BBQ run on January 3rd. Or we could meet some other time to discuss. When it comes to planning a trip, I don't mess around. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lifes a Jeep 1 Posted December 22, 2009 I found some info about camping on some BLM land outside the JT park. It's nice to have options. There are two areas listed in this PDF. One of them does not allow camp fires. The other one allows a small fire in the fire ring. We'll need to bring our own firewood. http://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/upload/overflow.pdf BLM Camping South of Cottonwood Spring Drive six miles south of Cottonwood Visitor Center; pass the park boundary sign and, just beyond the aqueduct, turn right or left on the water district road. Camping is allowed west of the cottonwood road, south of the water district road, and north of Interstate 10. Camping is also allowed east of the cottonwood road and adjacent to the south side of the water district road. Camping is also allowed south of Interstate 10, on both the east and west sides of Box Canyon Road. Small fires in contained fire rings are allowed. Bring your own firewood. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
samwhite 1 Posted December 23, 2009 Please sign me up Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Russ Chung 54 Posted December 29, 2009 I've only been to the area twice; the first time was to the Old Dale Mining District on BLM land just north of the park. We visited the Iron Age Mine, but didn't enter the National Park: Gold Crown Road in the Old Dale Mining District: Iron Age Mine: The second visit was on a moonless night, so I didn't see much of the park. We started in Twentynine Palms, crossed the park and ended up in Coachella. This was on Brooklyn Mine Road: A desert critter on Mecca Dale Road: A Joshua Tree: Berdoo Canyon: Berdoo Canyon by dawn's early light: Palm Springs from Berdoo Canyon Road: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dzJeepChic 2,897 Posted December 29, 2009 Cool pictures, thanks Russ! I for one want to be sure we do Berdoo Canyon. It's named after my hometown of San Bernardino, CA., and it just looks like fun. d Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gearhead 693 Posted January 4, 2010 Hi, Can you please sign me up? Thanks! Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lifes a Jeep 1 Posted January 5, 2010 I found the Berdoo Canyon Trail in Charles Wells's Southern Cali Backroads guide. The book also includes GPS and some general trail info. If anyone is interested, I can post the pics and GPS. I figure the GPS will not hurt to post because this is a National Park trail and I can't see it hurting. Let me know if interested. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
