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SCEB Inaugural Point to Point (aka "Overland") Run planning

ntsqd

ntsqd

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So Cal Broncos OG
So, planning this first run. I'll take point for this one, but I'd like some input on where, when, and how. I'm thinking of a weekend trip for this first run; meet up Friday evening somewhere and be at the end of the route by noonish Sunday. With some experience the following trips can/will be longer. We should also limit this to no more than 6 rigs. I've no idea if that limit will be reached or not.
 
To run the MT at a reasonable pace it needs to have 3 days set aside for it. Likely won't use all of all three days, but the only time that I've run it in two or less I was with only one other rig and it is a serious pre-runner. I would suggest that the MT be the second or third such trip, rather than the first.

Make the first trip a bit shorter for several reasons. First being that the gear chosen may not work out as expected and will likely need some adjustment. Second is that it takes some endurance to drive days like that back to back when you're also setting up and taking down camp each night. Some won't need a shorter, simpler trip. Others will absolutely need it to refine their gear and thoughts/processes. Getting breakfast and camp tear-down down to under an hour isn't going to be easy for everyone. If the group is going to leave the camp spot by 9am each morning some are going to need to start pretty early.

If y'all are unswayed and still want the MT to be the first trip then let's do it, but plan it for a long weekend. Expect that this time of year a long weekend due to a Federal Holiday is going to have a lot of traffic on the route. Middle of the week would be best, but not many of us have that option.
 
Good points @ntsqd.
If I can make my schedule work I'm up for anything. So just set a date. Late March & beyond will be a bit tough on my schedule🤠
 
@ntsqd, I'm pretty ignorant (perhaps blissfully) to the "local" 2+-day overlanding routes. Is there something other than the MT you'd suggest as our virgin trip?

Chris
 
I'm sure that some of the overloaded crowd have some set routes, but I've no idea what they might be. I have various projects that I've been working on, but not anything designed to be an introductory, 2 day trip.

The other day I was playing around with OnX to see how it differed from Gaia, and laid out an ~85 mile route from the fuel stations in Lucerne Valley to the Desert Megaphone with a couple interesting spots along the way. That might be a bit strenuous for the first day of a first trip, although a reasonable amount of the distance in it is either two lane paved or high speed dirt.

Which is why I was asking for suggestions about what people want to see or go to. We could run only part of the MT, that would be one option. Another would be to refine what I laid out in OnX and extend it to 2 days in length. From the Megaphone getting over to Michell Caverns & Hole in the Rock might be an option. Going West thru Afton Cyn is another.
 
There are some places out towards 29 Palms That offer some mining sites. Looking like about 43 miles of trails + the distance there & back. Wouldn't be too hard to loop all these in together. All are moderate 3-4 rated trails 🤠

Old Dale Road​

Brooklyn Mine - Joshua Tree​

1937​

Doberman Mine aka 1947​

Lorman Mine Aka Gold Crown Mine ​

​

 
That long, straight section of Old Dale from the pavement corner inside the NP NEN to the mtns has been washboard misery as far back as I can recall. Was last there in '08, so it [EDIT: the road] might have changed a little since then but I doubt it.
Something to keep in mind is that the NP's are a little more diligent about enforcing their 25 mph limit on dirt roads. My observation is that JTNP is more diligent than DVNP just because of vast number of dirt road miles in DVNP. The problem with 25 is that at that speed you're not "on top" of the washboard and instead are getting hammered by it. They've been called "4-40 Roads" for decades because you either go 4 or you go 40. I don't advocate 40 unless that's what it takes to smooth out the ride. Varies with the road, but usually something between 30 and 40 will do it. That old cliche' Land Rover saying, "As slow as possible, as fast as necessary" really does mean something.
i-RmCN2SL-S.jpg

Looks like we could access the mines w/o going into JTNP much if at all.

Still need to look up the last two.
 
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Having trouble finding the Doberman Mine, have you got some coords?

Sample route attached. Should be able to open it in google maps and any GPS software.

GPX viewer
 

Attachments

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34°06'48.9"N 115°42'37.2"W
AKA 1947 Looking at your route, you have us finishing on Doberman Mine.

​

 
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I don't understand, in both OnX (where the route was created) and in Gaia the route starts and ends at two different places on CA62. Those coords in both put a marker on CA62 near the end point, but not on it.
What does "1947" reference?
 
1947 is the "official" trial name according to Trails OffRoad.
Looking at your route in OnX, where it Y's out to the East from 1937 OK Mine Road, that becomes 1947, but OnX shows it as BLM 1951.

Edit: I stand corrected: The way pointed trail is 1947. The 2nd map below from OnX is more detailed and I was able to find 1947 marked in orange & the blue is your route.. sorry for the confusion but it looked very similar on the map I was originally glancing at .

1737831804098.png1737831980933.png
 
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I'm interested in going, is the Feb. date confirmed? I plan on attending ETDS, so that would be cutting it a little close for me. March would be rad.
 
I had to find the OnX settings that showed those route numbers.

We don't really have a route, yet. Feb 28th is probably too soon. The Mar 14 date looks more promising to me. I've not been paying attention, when is ETDS? I know it's the weekend before, but that doesn't mean anything to me.
 
Any interest in:
Integratron?
Giant Rock?
Pisgah Crater?
Amboy Crater?
Desert Megaphone?
Kelso Dune?
Kelso Depot?
Hole in the Rock?
Mitchell Caverns?
 
I have never been to any of those places (I ain't originally from 'round here). So yes, interested in all of them. And for the record, just because I'm not very helpful in picking a place to go, doesn't mean I can't help organize/plan or do any "heavy lifting" to put together trips. I'm genuinely in this as doer, not just a follower.
 
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