ExPo Trophy Extended Overland Route Thru Joshua Tree

[flyingwil]

Well Tony and I extended our overland route through Joshua Tree since he was on the way to AT to get some kickin' suspension mods done to the trailer.

Looking at all the maps it shows an alternate way into the park, however it was dark and we failed to find the south eastern entrance so in on the street we went after camping in the BLM land to the south of the park. Boy was it windy!!!

The next day we woke up and headed into the park...

After checking in at the ranger station we headed down Pinkham Cayon (our attempt into the park) to return back up through the road. The trail was easy... a stock 4x4 could make it. It was very sad to see the lack of trail ethics and it will be interesting to see how long this trail remains open.

From there we followed Pinto Basin Rd. towards our camp, Jumbo Rocks. We stopped at points of interest along the way as seen below:

Cholla Cactus Garden:

More to follow....

 

[flyingwil]

Our Camp that night at Jumbo Rocks:

After camp we headed to Key's View, and as Tony would say "Golly, what a view!" We also stopped for lunch along the way...

From there we headed to Barker Dam and did the 1 mile hike.

More to come....

 

[flyingwil]

From there we headed down Queen Valley Rd. to exit Berdoo Canyon.

Berdoo Canyon was disgusting as soon as it hit BLM land. I have never seen a trail as littered as this. We had a few points where there was at least one tire every 500 feet for a good half mile. I'm pretty sure we were lucky enough to see the trails we ran as I don't give either trail too much longer before they get closed down due to other peoples stupidity.

All and all it was a lot of fun.

 

[Corey]

More great pics, looks like a great time Wil.

 

[awalter]

I heard through the grapevine that Gear might try to hook up with you Wednesday afternoon. It looks like that didn't happen.

Nice pics Wil, thanks for not including the litter.

 

[HenryJ]

Nice pictures! Any story behind the No Swimming sign? Hard to see the panorama of what is behind the scenes there.

 

[flyingwil]

More great pics, looks like a great time Wil.

Thanks, I'm sure Tony will post up some pictures that will blow mine out of the water!!!

I heard through the grapevine that Gear might try to hook up with you Wednesday afternoon. It looks like that didn't happen.

Nice pics Wil, thanks for not including the litter.

Yeah, we never hooked up with Justin and Miles...:smilies27

Nice pictures! Any story behind the No Swimming sign? Hard to see the panorama of what is behind the scenes there.

That's the Barker Dam... I think there is water there in other parts of the year, but I found humor in the no swimming sign when we got to where there was supposed to be water and it was bone dry.

 

[tdesanto]

Hmmm...sounds like the pressure's on.

Here goes:

Breakfast: the most important meal in the morning:

Bacon...good; peppers: good; eggs: good.


Heading south into the mountains and into Berdoo Canyon:



Nearing the end of our route in Berdoo Canyon


You gotta love all the different plant life:



petroglyphs:



Wil admiring the view of the Salton Sea and San Andreas Fault at "Keys View."

 

[flyingwil]

Breakfast: the most important meal in the morning:

Bacon...good; peppers: good; eggs: good.

Didn't I take a better picture of the AM breakfast?:victory:

 

[tdesanto]

Didn't I take a better picture of the AM breakfast?:victory:

I'm not sure what you're talking about. eepwall:

 

[flyingwil]

I'm not sure what you're talking about. eepwall:

I call bologna on that one! Any updates on the trailer from AT yet?

 

[tdesanto]

I call bologna on that one! Any updates on the trailer from AT yet?

Yes, I talked to Scotty a couple hours ago. They're on schedule. I should be able to pick it up Friday.

 

[kjp1969]

Nice pictures! Any story behind the No Swimming sign? Hard to see the panorama of what is behind the scenes there.

Funny, I've never seen Barker Dam dry before. In the spring and early summer (at least) it's a proper lake, supposedly a temporary home to lots of migratory birds. Historically it was a manmade reservoir used to water cattle.

 

[RoundOut]

Awesome pics, guys!

It appears that the overheating issue with the factory gauge was a non-issue. Thank God for your Scangauge II, huh? Glad you all gad a great trip.

.

 

[tdesanto]

Awesome pics, guys!

It appears that the overheating issue with the factory gauge was a non-issue. Thank God for your Scangauge II, huh? Glad you all gad a great trip.

.

Yes, the Scangauge II has paid for itself many times over. It was still strange driving it with the OEM temp guage pegged at "H"; however, it was just psychological at that point. I was really glad to have the real information provided by the Scanguage to help put my mind at ease.

The engine was fine and performed well throughout the whole trip. The new 4.9 gears really made a difference in towing power.

I'll put in a new sensor or whatever it needs when I get the truck back home next week.