Quickie to Lone Pine, Burro Schmidt

[kjp1969]

UPDATE: TRIP COMPLETED JUNE 14-15, 2008

This will be as much a shakedown cruise for the Bronco as an expedition-ette. Once I'm sure everything is battened down and shipshape, its on to Death Valley, Mojave, etc. But for now. . .

The plan is to grab the two older daughters (8 and 6), leave in the afternoon, and arrive in or near Lone Pine in the evening. Dinner, a quick swim (motel) and to bed. Early the next morning we'll jaunt up to the Manzanar camp for a little history lesson, then across Reward road to the Reward mine for some tame underground exploring. Then down the dirt roads on the east side of the valley, perhaps the salt tram area, down to Burro Schmidt's tunnel (more tame exploring), and home.

I fully expect them to sleep the entire way home.

I welcome any comments on the plan- that's why I'm posting.

When? When I can find time. This weekend is out, perhaps the May 30-June 1 weekend.

 

[MuddyMudskipper]

Make sure to check the temps for the area before you go.

You may also want to check the talc mines and cliff cabin out on your way up to Schmidt's Tunnel.

 

[Streakerfreak]

Wow! That place looks really interesting.

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

I fully expect them to sleep the entire way home.

Sounds like a great trip. My dad took my brother and I on a tour of the National Parks in Utah and Az when we were about those ages. If you ask him we spent the entire time with our heads under blankets playing the first generation hand held video games. We had a blast.

 

[kjp1969]

Bump- Looks like a "go." It's getting hot up there!

 

[ntsqd]

The "Friends of Jawbone" Map, available at Jawbone Station for $3 (last time I bought one), is invaluable for touring that area.

 

[kjp1969]

The "Friends of Jawbone" Map, available at Jawbone Station for $3 (last time I bought one), is invaluable for touring that area.

Thanks for the tip- I have the choice of taking hwy 14 Lancaster route or 395- route, and you just helped my decision.

 

[kjp1969]

Trip Report

Trip Report: Overall things went well, but I was way too ambitious in the itinerary. Out of 4 goals, we hit two. But it was a great father's day and the kids had fun. All photos are posted on my blog- I posted them there in a new way which makes them impossible to transfer over here. Rather than redo everything, clicky: http://mandamus.typepad.com/onefullplate/.

Here's the short version:

We spent Saturday night before father's day in Lone Pine, and Sunday morning brought a quick trip to Manzanar Japanese Internment camp. Its difficult to explain that one to an 8 and 6 year old. But they were more focused on some freaky little beetles.

Then a dirt road jaunt across the Valley to the Reward mine, an old mine site that’s not on all maps, and isn’t entirely visible from the main road. Here’s what you can see: A couple of old hoppers and water tanks.

The main mine entrance isn't visible from the road. You have to climb up a narrow and rutted track for a half-mile or so. The last portion might be passable in a 2wd with some skill or roadbuilding, but I just bumped up in 4Lo.

D1 quickly labelled the Reward Mine the “Freak Out Mine,” and for good reason. This place is incredible- it's like the mountain is opening its mouth and beckoning you inside. From research I’d learned that you can supposedly drive your truck into the drift for about a quart of a mile until the tunnel opens up into a room where you can turn around. If you’re brave or drunk. We, one dad, one 8 year old and one 6 year old, were not brave or drunk. I had visions of the fuel pump giving out in the belly of the mountain a quarter mile from the opening and 12 miles from the nearest paved road. One of those stories you read about on the news and think “that guy is a bad dad.”

Instead, we left the truck outside, had our little safety huddle, armed up with no less than 5 flashlights (2 spares), and headed into the mine on foot. That, it seems is easier said than done. You see, at some point in every mine, you get to the point where you can’t see the entrance behind you, and it hits you: the sunlight is gone, the sound is gone, it’s cold, and you really get the feeling that You_Shouldn’t_Be_Here.

D1’s self preservation instinct kicked in first, my own wasn’t far behind. D2 was full of beans, and perhaps smelled blood in the water with D1, because she would have charged forward full speed.

Needless to say, we retreated back to the entrance and futzed around with the relics and stuff scattered about. Further down the hill we discovered the miners recycling bin.

We tried for a climb up Cerro Gordo Road, but on this steep and slow grade, the Bronco's temperature gauge started to climb. Granted, it was about 95 degrees out and I had the a/c running, but rather than counter it I decided to turn around and head for lunch. I may have a hi-flow water pump in my future- the rest of the cooling system is brand new, and the symptoms suggest its a water flow issue.

The girls were tired and hungry by that point (when aren't they hungry?) and so we headed down to the Ranch House in Olancha for lunch. A couple of videos later, we were home, and just in time for Father's Day dinner!

In addition to missing Cerro Gordo, we didn't stop at Burro Schmidt's tunnel. We'll probably head back in the fall when its cool.

 

[ujoint]

Sounds like you had a good time, that's a great area to explore.

 

[kjp1969]

Many thanks to Jim (teotwaki) for providing a TON of info on the Salt Tram and Cerro Gordo area. Even though we didn't get there this time, we will next time!

 

[nwoods]

Kevin, I really enjoyed reading your blog. I'd like to go wheeling with you some time. I like your attitude, and focus on the kidos.

Cheers,

NW

 

[kjp1969]

Kevin, I really enjoyed reading your blog. I'd like to go wheeling with you some time. I like your attitude, and focus on the kidos.

Cheers,

NW

That's a plan- are you in Orange County? I'd really like to head up to Santiago Peak one of these days. Its pretty much just fire roads, but the views from up there should be killer on a clear day.

 

[nwoods]

That's a plan- are you in Orange County? I'd really like to head up to Santiago Peak one of these days. Its pretty much just fire roads, but the views from up there should be killer on a clear day.

Yeap, neaby Nixon's Library. And yes, they are

I am leading a trip up to Papoose Flats July 5-6 (and maybe Friday too) for my Land Rover club. Our club policy is to let the Trail Leader have discretion about allowing non-Land Rovers to attend. Since I'm the trail leader, I keep an inclusive, open-door policy and would welcome you and the girls to join us. I'll have my family along with for that one.

Papoose flats: (note, I've never been there yet)

My family:

 

[kjp1969]

Bah, I'll be out of town for the holiday weekend. Thanks anyway though. It would be fun to hang out with the LR people, and my kids would probably like to see some of those young faces as well.

 

[teotwaki]

Many thanks to Jim (teotwaki) for providing a TON of info on the Salt Tram and Cerro Gordo area. Even though we didn't get there this time, we will next time!

You'll get there eventually! I loved the pictures of those smiling girls!!