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Trip Report: FROM CACTUS TO PINES
Which took place on October 4, 2008

From Cactus to Pines –by Jungle Jim Carvin

Photos by John Laird & Eric Newman
The trailhead for this event was way out in Lucerne Valley at around 3000 feet above sea level. Participants left home before sunrise to make it to the 9:00 start of this event, a journey that would take us from the dry, dusty desert up to the tall pines at over 8,000 feet. Being that there was no prerun for this trip, and that there were numerous flash floods that thundered down Rattlesnake Canyon, it was unknown how passable the trails would be. The anticipation added to the adventure. Since my Jeep is geared down for the trails, it doesn't like to go fast on the highways, and Dave Nichols, who didn't mind going slow followed me out from Anaheim Hills. It was nice having some newcomers who recently got their Jeeps come along.

Those participating were:
 


"Jungle Jim" Carvin (Eric Newman rode along)


Cameron and Jeff Moritz in their debut


"always ready for more" John Haupt


Dave Nichols in his debut


Phil Meckley and Family in their debut


Ally, Stacy and John Laird (no, they didn't forget their Toyota)

After a brief drivers meeting, we headed up Rattlesnake Canyon. We weren't the only ones on the trail, and when we caught up to another group of a half dozen rigs, we decided to take a break.

Some people got hungry fast. That's one happy father and son!

We climbed up the canyon of giant boulders, rock and sand, up some often-treacherous waterfalls, and then through the Joshua Tree grove at about the 4,000 foot level. Here the trail turns into a "freeway," and it feels good to pick up speed after all the bumpy rocks.

Another thousand feet higher, and we came to a favorite lunch spot in this area, originally discovered by Bruce White and myself on a prerun a few years ago.

These guys who are really roughin' it! (Eric Newman at right)

Just before the final grinding climb to the summit, there is a very cheap cabin with a very expensive view. As always, it's open and is complete with bunks and a sign-in book for passers by to log in their names and wisecracks. It's another great place to stop and hang out a while, as nobody really wants the day to end.

So it was onward and upward to the summit (right) where we aired the tires back up, shifted back out of 4WD, and readied the rigs for the highway. A little adrenaline going up Rattlesnake, wonderful vistas, relaxing breaks, no vehicle damage or failures... all in all, a perfect day!

See the promotion used for this event.