Day Trip: Desert Wildlife Refuge 200 miles off road
The last several weeks have been really busy and I have not had a chance to get out as often as I like. Today we planned a 60 mile off road adventure that all my friends backed out off. Since it was just myself and the kids and we were not limited by the slower pace of others we spent a little more time exploring than originally planned and covered 200 miles of dirt.
Original plan was to run Alamo Rd in its entirety, and shoot a timelapse, then hit up some side trails along the pavement on the way back home.
Until a couple months ago the dry lake bed section of Alamo Rd has been closed off to traffic due to impassible conditions both wet and dry. I have not had a chance to chat with the rangers as to why the road is not open after a 5-8 year closure but I knew that this is something that I always wanted to drive in its 78 mile entirety.
After a brisk 44 mile drive the Sub still looks remarkably clean.
Dry lake bed was soft and fluffy sand with deep ruts from traffic when it was wet as well as numerous puddles and very wet areas of standing water at the shallowest part.
After successfully navigating the dry lake we came to this lovely area of formations I have never seen in the desert before.
Not sure if these are eroded by wind, water or both but its a great little area of hundreds of little caves.
These caves are about two feet tall, 3-4 feet wide and 2-3 feet deep.
78 miles went by really quick and we arrived at Pahranagat NWR.
Natural springs and lots of water along with two very large reservoirs not pictured, this really is a wildlife oasis.
There are many signs stating that the dry lake area becomes impassible when wet and sometimes impassible when dry. This is what the rangers use for both the dry lake recovery as well as moving supplies and equipment in the marsh area. There is a second one hiding on the left side of picture.
Found an old cabin.
After a closer inspection it appears that this old cabin is now a bat habitat.
And on even closer inspection there are carvings in the wall of the structure.
Not sure what this is supposed to be.
Many of the rocks on the front of the building have carvings.
Looks like the awning was built after the carvings have been discovered to slow down the erosion.
I do not hunt but good to know that there is a designated hunting area within the National Wildlife Refuge.
I am in the medical field, Tue, Thur, Sat dialysis is normal to me but designated hunting days, is that normal or specific to this area?
There were numerous trails off Alamo Rd, so we decided to turn around and take the 78 mile trail back but this time exploring all the side trails on the way back. The sign on left in the background says "NO SHOOTING NEXT 72 MILES"
More fun looking eroded sandstone.
I have more pictures, so this adventure will continue in part 2.
Stay tuned for more shenanigans!
