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  1. 1MK

    ExploreDesert - Southern Emigrant Trail

    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...
  2. 1MK

    ExploreDesert - Into the Mojave - Baker Area

    Ahhh yes. It's finally time to dive into an area that I've wanted to check out for years and years. Not only has it been a long term project mapping it out, but also collecting text, articles and photos that document the rich history that's associated with this portion of the Mojave desert. This...
  3. 1MK

    ExploreDesert: Picacho

    Sometimes you just need to get away. This weekend was one of them. Heading out of town on a holiday weekend wasn’t originally planned. Staying away from the crowds and keeping around the house was originally the idea, but that went out the window. I was tired of the mountains and the desert was...
  4. 1MK

    ExploreDesert: 4th of July in the Eastern Sierra's

    It was roughly a month before this trip began that it was in the talks with Candace, Ashley, Bravo and I. Some vague plans and ideas were in place but other then that it was going to be a “play it by year” kind of trip, which is sort of unheard of from my personal strategy. Usually everything is...
  5. 1MK

    ExploreDesert Goes Skamper

    Just picked up my first camper and couldn't be more stoked. Been on my mind for quite some time on how versatile a popup camper would be in a offroad/adventure setting. Few weeks ago I began the process and started research - and of course found this sub-forum and gained a lot of motivation and...
  6. 1MK

    ExploreDesert: El Paso Mountains & Mining District

    I can't believe it's been over two years since the last trip report. A lot has happened in that time - moving, career change and all the various life obstacles. The biggest one for the adventure/vehicle side of things was selling the Tacoma, out of a need of necessity and a different focus going...
  7. 1MK

    FOR SALE: Overland Ready 2005 Tacoma TRD Off-Road

    Entertaining the idea of selling the Tacoma and going a different direction. Camping and exploring will always be in my blood but thinking a bigger platform will work better for my family. I'm not forced to sell either, so if it doesn't no big deal. Just means I can enjoy our adventures...
  8. 1MK

    ExploreDesert - Black Mountain & Calico

    After a hectic month, Candace and I were eager to get away for a weekend and mentally reset ourselves. Wanting something local we decided on the high desert – more specifically the Black Mountain and Calico Mountain area. Just up the 15 freeway to Barstow, we found ourselves in the dirt roughly...
  9. 1MK

    ExploreDesert: Arizona Hassayampa Plain, Harquahala & Vulture Mountains

    Some good friends of ours moved to Arizona nearly two years ago to Litchfield Park, just west of Phoenix. Since their time there, we’ve visited a few times and even made a day trip out to Lake Pleasant, but haven’t ventured any further then that. There were talks about doing a offroad/camping...
  10. 1MK

    ExploreDesert: Into the Mojave

    I’ve always had a deep fascination for the Mojave desert. I suppose it’d be hard not to after spending countless car rides along the 15 and 40 freeways as a kid, staring out the window when boredom set in. Imagination going wild – thoughts of cactus, scorpions and snakes. Mirages tricking the...
  11. 1MK

    ExploreDesert: Alabama Hills - Laurel Lakes - Mono Lake - Bodie - Coyote Flats

    This trip to the Eastern Sierras was originally planned to take place last summer as a way for us desert dwellers to escape the heat. But as our departure time grew closer, personal plans began to change and ended up not working out. In a way, it was better that way - giving me time to refine...
  12. 1MK

    ExploreDesert - Keeping it local - Back to Old Dale

    Sometimes it's not about the big trips. Time off work, mileage, cost and complexity limits the amount you can get out there and enjoy the outdoors. While it's fun to chase the over-landing dream and cover as much distance as possible, it's also a great time and a bit more relaxing to keep it...
  13. 1MK

    ExploreDesert - Cuddeback - Ridgecrest - Trona Pinnacles

    Three weekends in a row? Why not? Death Valley, Tierra Del Sol and now a trip to the Trona Pinnacles. With only a week to plan this one out, it felt a bit thrown together. Usually our trips are pieced together over the course of a few weeks or sometimes months depending on where we're going...
  14. 1MK

    Found a great water pump solution

    So, our camp chiefs (girlfriends) have been asking for a better working water system. After pricing out different options and trying to piece together parts, I found this bad boy on Amazon. Designed for a 5 gallon water bottle, it works perfect on the FrontRunner jerry can. 28 bucks for a push...
  15. 1MK

    ExploreDesert - Death Valley - Saratoga Springs to Eureka Dunes

    Death Valley. The birth place of Explore Desert and The Adventure Continues. An idea born around good friends, a warm campfire and cold beverages. It's been a little over a year since our first documented trip last February, an experience that started something new. New plans. New places. New...
  16. 1MK

    The Adventure Continues - Sedona to the Grand Canyon

    ExploreDesert - Sedona to the Grand Canyon Read it on our website here: www.exploredesert.com _______________________________________ Sometimes a sudden change in plans can be a good thing. Our original intention for the 3 day Memorial weekend was to drive out to a town just west of Phoenix...
  17. 1MK

    Lake Mohave to the Mojave Road: A Weekend Adventure

    Full Album Here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/125556024@N05/ (Big thanks to Alissa R. for getting all the GoPro shots) It's been quite a few years since the last time I've done the Mojave Road. Not only had it been too long, but I've never experienced the trail proper. Always felt a rush to...
  18. 1MK

    Portable fridge, open truck bed and vibrations

    Just picked up a Waeco CF-50 with the travel bag. Really nice unit and has been working great for the last couple weeks keeping my beers icy cold. I'm going to be mounting it in the back of my Tacoma for our trips. It's an exposed bed with a bed rack and RTT on top. How do these fair with...
  19. 1MK

    Death Valley - February 2015

    Full Album https://www.flickr.com/photos/125556024@N05/sets/72157650507638850/ It started sometime last year, the idea of venturing north and out of our typical Southern California back-country. The talk of a new frontier, new sights and wonder whats around the next corner. Anza-Borrego to the...
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