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The go fast stuff is how I got into the desert. Built a "prerunner" back in the early 2000's, then turned it into a race truck and used to race in the old MDR (Mojave Desert Racing) series, then back to a desert rig. That truck was the very reason I've revisited so many areas in my recent...

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Speaking of Google Maps, you can actually see much of the original trail through the epic satellite imagery. Super cool to see. A bit further up is one of the greater obstacles the travelers encountered – Box Canyon. Now into Blair Valley, you can rejoin the trail for a short...

First stop was the Vallecito Stage Station County Park. A tremendous amount of history surrounds this site and the nearby area, and you can even camp in basically the same place as so many did in the part. Due to covid, they have the station closed up but they did leave out the informational...

Up early once again. Sometimes not by choice. At my work, we do a 9/80 schedule and we have a bit of flexibility of when we start. I like going in early, like I’m putting my hands on hardware at 4:00am early. Plus side to that is I’m off at 1:00pm. Works out great for me as I like having the...

Tried to find the old grave marker of the Frank Fox but came up empty handed. It was getting later in the day and I was looking forward to finding camp & relaxing. Continued down the Southern Emigrant Trail, then turned up Vellecito Creek to find a solid spot tucked amongst the mud hills...

I spent a bit of time here, breaking the law, breaking the law. Parked at the top of the hill and put away the phone, camera and any sort of modern convenience. Not a sound other than the slight breeze working it’s way through the vegetation. How many people have been through here? What was the...

And then more signs. Sigh. Facing me – “No motorized vehicles”. AHHHHHHHHHH. Other side was Keep Out and warnings about the unexploded ordnance. I found myself in a pickle. Just above, in this very post I said that I respect signs and whatnot, yet I’m about to go against my own word. Yikes. It...

Time to play the sign game. This is on the Emigrant Trail.The first set says Warning – The area behind sign – May be contaminated with exploded military ordnance. About all I can make out on it. I ventured a little further up and was greeted with a few more, these being a bit more pronounced and...

Continuing along the West Mesa, you enter a grey area of land ownership/boundaries – The Carrizo Impact Area. Used by the Navy as an air-to-ground bombing range during World War II and the Korean War, then turned over to the State Park in the late 1950’s. Let’s touch a little bit on...

After putting in some overtime hours at work, decided I’d take off to Anza Borrego and do a little over night trip for my birthday. Along the southern border of the park an old overland route makes it’s entry into the parks border and works it’s way north. While the Southern Emigrant Trail isn’t...

The group of usual's on this type of adventure were posted up in Johnson Valley, and being it was New Year's Eve it only made sense to bring in the new year with some friends. Decided to cut through the Mojave Preserve and make a back entrance via Camp Rock Rd. Solid way to bring...

Woke to another killer morning. The weather really added character to the desert, especially when the sun shined through. Only a little bit more of exploring to do today before starting the journey home, which is always a bummer. But, at the same time the comforts of home, a shower and a real...

I didn't really intend to stay here for the night, but upon arriving and getting a good vibe, some nice weather and a few cold snacks while exploring, I decided to stay. Most of these cabins have a journal where those that pass through can write about there experience there, this one...

Reconnected with the Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad bed and wrapped around the Silurian Hills to the south. Bunch of mines liter the mountains and would really like to spend some more time in the future and explore them. The old mining cabin is still intact and in excellent...

The next stop was something I was looking forward to. My inner mining history nerd meter was absolutely pegged. The Amargosa/Salt Spring mine - the oldest Anglo gold mine in Southern California. There's a walking trail and signs explaining the surroundings along the way. I copied what each of...

Basically I use Google My Maps, Google Maps & Caltopo.com. For routes and waypoints, I use Google My Maps. I don't use or import any tracks or waypoints from other sources. I create all my own. Caltopo is great for different topographic maps. I use this for research and discovery. Then, the...

Negative. There's no license as there isn't any alcohol on site. There's no sales or people working. It's really just a spot people have built as a hang out. The only true "desert bar" that I know of is in Parker, AZ.

Never looked to see what history, if any, is tied to the little desert bars. I believe they are either memorials or put up at random by locals for a place to go hang out. As far as location, I never give stuff away, but there's plenty of information within the post to be able to figure out...