Joshua Tree Tour –by Jungle Jim

On the morning of our trip everyone met at the TA/Arco truck stop there on Dillon Road, and after some of us had breakfast we headed out to our Pinkham Canyon 4x4 Trailhead. There we had our first photo op after airing down the tires.

Those participating were:

The trail starts at the bottom of a long canyon, narrow in some spots as it winds around boulders gaining elevation. Due to rains since the prerun, one month previous, the trail had changed slightly, and some of the GPS waypoints that I had marked were unrecognizable. Nevertheless, we made our way up to the top of the canyon without incident.

The weather couldn’t have been nicer. Temps in the 70’s and a fresh breeze just strong enough to blow our dust off to one side.

This trail goes through miles of desolation as it leads from the Indio area to the high desert. Once we climbed out of the wash we went through a vast area of wildflowers, high chaparral, yucca and ocotillo trees and various cactus. Toward the end of this trail we came up on another group of fourwheelers who had stopped to help a desert tortoise out of danger.

Our next stop was the Cottonwood Springs station to Joshua Tree National Park, where we paid the entrance fee and were able to use a real restroom. From there we traveled s short distance up the pave road and then began our trek up the “sand freeway.” Anticipating a mushy ride of many miles, we aired down some more. However, the rains since the prerun had hardened the sand, losing the roads claim to fame. Here a new high speed element was added to our events. I think many of us reached speeds of over 50 mph for about 10 miles. I know I did. We zipped past Midway well so fast I didn’t even see it this time.

At the end of the “freeway,” we found the Brooklyn Mine Jeep Trail, and since we all had formidable rigs this time, I didn’t even ask if anyone wanted to stay behind and watch.

We all stuck it in low range for the first time of the trip as we climbed up the old Los Angeles Mine trail to the top of a high ridge and out came the folding chairs and lunch. This was a great place for a panoramic in all directions. Toward the south we could see our access trail running off in the distance. It was also a great place for kids of all ages to throw rocks.

There was a constantly increasing breeze which eventually started blowing some of the vacant chairs away. But we did have a real nice lunch up there before it got too windy.

From there we went back to the fork in the road and the “Hall of Fame” sign and then on to Brooklyn Mine. This trail is a narrow, steep, rocky trail that goes up to a work area littered with old tanks, etc., and then down to an old rock mine cabin.

On the way down we spotted another group of fourwheelers who had an elaborate array of targets set up. We stopped long enough to say hi to them and find out that they go there once a year. All of us made the Brooklyn Mine Jeep Trail, unscathed!

After a short backtrack, we were back on Old Dale Road, which slowly meanders and climbs through a now inactive mining settlement before picking up speed on its way to a secret hidden sand dune. You have to know where this one or you’ll never find it.

Everybody went crazy at the sand dune! I think everyone made it up some part of the dune, although some were too timid on their first shot and had to back down for a more aggressive running start. I was standing there talking with Kathy and we noticed Bruce White really doing a flat-out bonsai run at it. He flew to the top and I mentioned that was a little overkill. Then, we noticed that his hood was up. Come to find out, his gas pedal was stuck to the floor.

Right about then I got word on the radio that someone on the back side of the dune was stuck and needed assistance. So John Laird and I went over there and found Floyd in his Toyota buried to the axles in the loose sand. Evidently he was following someone else who had to back up, so he had to stop. Once you lose momentum in the sand, there’s no way to go but back down. He must of tried to continue up when he hopelessly buried it. For having 24 psi in street tires, I think that he was doing really good to make it that far!

On the first attempt, I was unsuccessful at pulling him out, as his rig was much heavier than mine. So, down went my tow bar on to the back of John Laird’s truck and between the two of us  and with Floyd in gear this time (12-wheel drive), he came out easily.

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A sand dune is the easiest and most likely place to get into trouble, either getting stuck or breaking down, as it’s easy to get carried away with too much throttle. Adrenaline always gets pumping there, and it’s easy to find yourself showing off to one degree or another. At this point I was getting a little anxious to get everyone out of there before we all took turns getting into trouble. We were all getting a little crazy.

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It was beginning to get late and the clouds were seriously threatening, so I took a vote on which way to head out to the highway –the quick way or the hard way. It was almost unanimous to go the hard way, which we did. This was another trail similar to the Brooklyn Mine trail, and everyone made it okay. It was a beautiful ride out, with many side trails and another small mining district in there that would be fun to come back and explore sometime. As we followed the canyon trail northward all the way out into the high desert, it rained off and on.

Stopping about a mile short of Highway 62 we found a spacious flat area to air the tires back up. We all took turns using the air compressors of those who brought them, as it lightly sprinkled. By the time we finished that chore, the sun was out and it was beautiful again. However looking off to the west we could see some major black clouds that we knew we would have to negotiate on our way back.

We all split up at that point and hit the highway westward. There were a lot of Joshua trees on Highway 62 as we headed out toward Interstate 10, so we finally did get to see some.

The weather held out pretty good until the end of the day and then it finally rained like crazy on I-10 on the way home.

This was an outstanding adventure. I wish everyone could have made it.

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