Imperial and Cibola National Wildlife Refuge Areas

[ttora4runner]

After a number of vehicle issues (still have a gas issue to fix) over the past few months, I was finally able to get out and pre-run a trail for a camping trip that I've been trying plan. Just NW of Yuma, Arizona is road named "Red Clound Mine Road" named after the old mine that is located in that area. The road traveses though the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge, Yuma Military Proving Ground, state land (I think) and finally ending in the Cibola National Wildlide Refuge in California.

The trail mainly follow a number of washes, the main one being Clip Wash. The trail can mostly be run in 2wd, until the end where 4wd is required in a spot or two. More so after a rain. The dirt/gravel road portion of the trail is roughly 43 miles, with another 46 miles of paved road back to the interstate (not including milage to get there). Left my apartment about 7:45am and returned home around 2pm.

It was a nice, cool day to out and do some exploring. No one else was on the trail.

These are some of the photos:

Panoramic Photo's first (I'm still learning the whole photo stiching thing)

- Palo Verde Point

On the way to Red Cloud Mine

Red Cloud Mine Area

Trigo Mountain Area

 

[ttora4runner]

- Painted Desert Trail - The actual trail itself is roughly 1.3 miles and takes about an hour to complete. I'll be hiking this trail fully on another day.

- Green Patch

- YPG sign, either you cross get off the main road on either side your in trouble. This area ends aways from the mine.

- I always wondered what happened to my car.

 

[ttora4runner]

- Red Cloud Mine Area

- Random rock wall along the way

 

[ttora4runner]

- The portion of the trail near the end is the hardest part of the whole trail. Last year on the Yuma4x4 run out there. We ran into a group of older people whole decided to turn around at this point. At the last little waterfall area the BLM had stacked rocks to allow them to get their trucks though. **Warning** shameless plugs of my vehicle included.

A little play area

 

[ttora4runner]

- The ending of the trail begins

- Trigo Mountain Wildness Area (not sure of the rules of Wilderness Areas). There is possible primavtive camping before the the wilderness area.

 

[ttora4runner]

- Cibola Lake and Colorado River

Anyone for a ride, to bad once you go out you have to come back the same way

Hoped you all enjoyed the photos (I'm kind of picture crazy). The rest of the photo's can be found here: http://s162.photobucket.com/albums/t257/wormholegamma/Clip Wash Recon 1-3-09/

 

[SOAZ]

nice T!!! :luxhello:

 

[MountainBiker]

Excellent pictures and report! Yet another place to add to my to-do list!

 

[ttora4runner]

Took a brief hike today with my brother on the "Painted Desert Trail" just upon entering the Imperial NWRA. The trail itself is only about 1.3 miles, according to the sign it says at a lessurely pase you can walk it in 1 hour, we did in 45 minutes.

Overall, the trail wasn't too bad (wasn't marked to well in some areas), morning and evenings would be good time to go to see all the colors. Here are a coupel of photos:

No idea if this goes anywhere:

 

[ttora4runner]

A couple from today, while searching for a good camping location.

 

[ttora4runner]

It's been 16 years since I last visited this area (can't believe its been that long) but yesterday I made a return trip to the area and drove Red Cloud Mine road out to the Trigo mountains. Even though its been that long I still remembered the even with forgetting my map at home and the Gaia App having some issues after Red Cloud Mine.

Quick hike to stretch my legs after the 3 hour drive.














Back out on the road to get ahead of a Jeep group that arrived at the trail.









Red Cloud Mine.

 

[ttora4runner]

Not quite the same shot as last time.








Even though it was a lot of driving for one day, it was well worth the trip to see some old territory.

If there is a next time I'll make sure to air down my tires to smooth out the trail.

 

[jim65wagon]

I've been to the KofA area and around Quartzsite but I've not been to Cibola. Looks like I might have to add that on my list