This event promises to be the most memorable in the club’s history. In 2002, on our West Mojave Trek, we experienced the 48-mile stretch from Baker to Barstow. That trip had the highest attendance of all our events to date, with 12 vehicles and 21 people. Make sure to read The Promotion AND The Review from the West Mojave Trek, by clicking Photos at the left side of this page and selecting those links. That will provide you with a taste of what this area is like.

A long time in the making, this 2-day event offers a camping opportunity and the chance to do only the western segment or the entire 130-mile Mojave Road, finishing near the Colorado River.

Photos by Jim Carvin
Mojave Road is the most important desert route in California and played a significant historical role in the years 1860-1880. Scarcely a trail in spots, it is the old covered wagon route that the majority of pioneer settlers used to reach the west coast. Since May of 1981, a rugged group coined "The Friends of the Mojave Road" has been laboring to mark and document this now recreational trail. As we traverse the expanse it covers, and we see the tremendous number of cairns (rock pile trail markers) and posts that they have planted to keep us on course, you’ll grow to appreciate the awesome efforts by these rugged individuals. During my previous journeys, I have marked waypoints in my GPS for the entire so we can’t get lost even if some of the cairns are missing.

I highly recommend obtaining the Mojave Road Guide by Dennis Casebier. It is available at Allied Services in the city of Orange (714) 532-4337. It is also available at some public libraries. I’ll have my copy of the book in the Eastside Four Wheel Drive Club booth, inside the Pavilion, so stop by to have a gander and see what we’re doing!

By reading this classic publication, particularly the introduction and pages 150-213, you will gain some insight into not only the trail itself, but also into the historical events that shaped our California past. The Mojave Road Guide will make your journey even more enjoyable and uplifting.

Our journey will begin with a brief drivers meeting near the trailhead. Definitely fill with gas in Barstow before arriving at the meeting place, so the group will be ready to roll after the meeting. We are scheduled to begin at 9:00 for a long day of adventure and will leave on time, so don’t be late.

Our off-roading begins just outside Barstow, as we begin trudging through the Mojave River Floodplain with all its smooth sand. We’ll be motoring eastward through a vast desolate expanse, passing caves and crossing Soda Dry Lake. Somewhere along the line we’ll have lunch, so bring sandwiches, drinks and snacks. Incidentally, there are no facilities for "pit stops" (there are no toilets out there), so be prepared with paper, soap, and water.

Our first segment ends near Baker, where we may all gas up and where some of you will, no doubt, depart from the group. For those of you who choose to continue, the camping opportunity will be a very primitive one (no campground or facilities, as my favorite camping spot south of Baker is in a smooth dry wash). Camping this time will require very little equipment or preparation, as we can eat at a restaurant in Baker. So, no need to pack a lot of food or cooking utensils. All we really need is a sleeping bag, a small tent, and a folding chair. We won’t even need to scavenge for firewood if everyone brings a couple of Duraflame or Pine Mountain fireplace logs. So don’t shy away from camping, because it won't be a hassle. I am hopeful of a warm and balmy evening, sitting around the campfire, sharing tales, and picking a little worship on the guitar. There, it is almost always a clear night under the stars. We’ll pray it won’t be windy. The alternative to camping is to book a room at the Bun Boy Motel in Baker.

Sunday morning we will be off to an early start, as we cover the remaining 82 miles of trail, which is much faster-going than the western segment. We will be passing cinder cones and lava flow, Cima Dome, Rock Springs (where I will attempt to locate an old "geocache" my brother planted several years ago), many mines, and Piute Gorge. Time permitting, a short jaunt up to the high elevation New York Mountains will be another nice experience. Our journey ends about 9 miles south of Laughlin near the Colorado River.

Selected side trips may provide moderate challenges for thrill seekers and entertainment for spectators. No Adventure Pass or other special permit is required for this area.

This event is open to STREET-LEGAL 4 WHEEL wheel drive vehicle or in possession of any quads or motorcycles will be allowed.

I invite you to join us in a most memorable crossing through this isolated, poorly charted, and seemingly limitless stretch of God’s creation. There is no organization that offers a guided 4 wheel drive tour of this nature. Mojave Road should never be traveled alone. You won’t want to miss this event! Please sign up in the Pavilion or call me for the meeting place location and other important details necessary to join our expedition.

-"Jungle Jim" Carvin

To ensure that our outings are safe and comply with all local, state and federal regulations of the areas we use, the following guidelines apply:

ONLY STREET-LEGAL 4 WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES ARE PERMITTED

ALL VEHICLES MUST BE OPERATED AT ALL TIMES BY A RESPONSIBLE LICENSED DRIVER

We regret that no other types of vehicles can be allowed on the outings. If you own dirt bikes, quads, dune buggies, or just like to thrash your 2 wheel drive, then Praying In The Dirt, another of our Extremeside Ministries at Eastside, is the place for you. Please check the Family Life Ministries page in the Eastside.com website for info about their upcoming events.