Firefight911 Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 I've batted around the idea and now need to put some traction to the wheels. Anyone have an interest in perhaps having a camp trip to Joshua Tree National Park???? If so, when would the collective think a good time would be? Here's a link for the park - LINKY I was thinking we could get one of the group campsites, bring some food, Scotch, wine, etc. and have a Blazing Saddles around the fire pit time. Let's add some input from those knowledgeable as well as interested and see if we can't put something together for Spring or Fall. Weather at end of April and October seem to be ideal from a temperature stand point. Link to comment
azkaisr Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 I would most likely be in for a weekend in April. I know we had discussed another AZ trip then but if we could get some of you CA people (other then Nerd...I mean Coo...I mean that guy Leslie is married to) to show up I am in. Link to comment
johnlt Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Sounds good to me. It's only about 5 hours from Tucson but it's been several decades since I've been there. Hwy 18 through Big Bear is a great run in good weather. Besides, maybe Whip can bring the motorhome. I know he wants to check out how the injectors are doing!! Link to comment
Firefight911 Posted January 6, 2009 Author Share Posted January 6, 2009 25' limit on length per website. How big is that beast???? I'm getting excited!!!! On the phone with Jamie. She is also!! Let's look at April or May. Link to comment
FlyingFinn Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Absolutely positively IN. The AZ campout was a magnificent success and will be hard to top. But I'm willing to try :-) -- Mikko Link to comment
johnlt Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 25' limit on length per website. How big is that beast???? I think that 25' would just barely cover the width! Link to comment
** Chris ** Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 25' limit on length per website. How big is that beast???? I think it is about 40', not counting the trailer. This sounds like fun, but damn that is a long way from Richmond. Link to comment
Firefight911 Posted January 6, 2009 Author Share Posted January 6, 2009 This sounds like fun, but damn that is a long way from Richmond. No, it's not! LINKY Hee hee hee Link to comment
Huzband Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 This sounds like fun, but damn that is a long way from Richmond. No, it's not! LINKY Hee hee hee Okay wiseguy, how far is it from Jacksonville? Link to comment
** Chris ** Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Not as bad as I thought it was. Directions Link to comment
Twisties Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 We'd have slight chance for April, a better chance for October. When do the Ocotillo bloom? I'd like to see that! Link to comment
azkaisr Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Chris, you are welcome at the house anytime, and I have a special rate that I charge you all. While that is still a big chunk of the 1400, you would have a good meal and a guest room. Ocotillo's tend to bloom after it rains Jan. They are interesting plants. Diane and I saw some next to the house the other night as we were hiking that were starting to bloom since it rained the day before. Amazing how they go from being sticks to having leaves and blooms in what must be less then 2 days. Link to comment
Whip Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 I could be talked into it in April if someone will visit Pattons Training Ground with me. Besides who needs camping gear, Palm Springs is across the highway. Link to comment
azkaisr Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 This sounds like fun, but damn that is a long way from Richmond. No, it's not! LINKY Hee hee hee Okay wiseguy, how far is it from Jacksonville? You couldn't handle all the corners that I-10 takes through Phoenix Danny so we are safe. Link to comment
keithb Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Huzband Only 2,350 miles by freeway or a 5 hr. flight. I-10 ALL THE WAY. No chance of getting lost. Phil I like the selection of Joshua Tree Nat. Park. It is a neat place. Mary and me rode through there 3 years ago. It is a big rock climbing mecca not to mention the Joshua Trees. Unfortunately, I cannot comment on the campground since we just rode through there on the way to Palm Springs. For the motel crowd there is a couple of hotels in Twentynine Palms. Maybe I will do a recon ride out there and scout it out for the group if there is enough interest. Historically, if the weather holds true, April would be a good time to go. The temps are good with almost no rain. IN, if it happens!!!! P.S. Whip, thanks for posting pics. Link to comment
azkaisr Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 I could be talked into it in April if someone will visit Pattons Training Ground with me. Besides who needs camping gear, Palm Springs is across the highway. Only if you promise to not bring up the war Link to comment
Whip Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 We can go rock climbing!!!!!!!!! Link to comment
keithb Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 "I could be talked into it in April if someone will visit Pattons Training Ground with me. Besides who needs camping gear, Palm Springs is across the highway." Count me in on Patton's training ground. And no, Palm Springs is 70 miles away. Link to comment
Whip Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 "I could be talked into it in April if someone will visit Pattons Training Ground with me. Besides who needs camping gear, Palm Springs is across the highway." Count me in on Patton's training ground. And no, Palm Springs is 70 miles away. The entrance may be 70 miles.....the NP is across the highway. linky Link to comment
Twisties Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 "I could be talked into it in April if someone will visit Pattons Training Ground with me. Besides who needs camping gear, Palm Springs is across the highway." Count me in on Patton's training ground. And no, Palm Springs is 70 miles away. The entrance may be 70 miles.....the NP is across the highway. linky hhhhmmmmm that CA243 CA74 thing through Pine Cove looks scary. I wouldn't want to ride that on my RT. There's more curves there than on I-10! Link to comment
** Chris ** Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Chris, you are welcome at the house anytime, and I have a special rate that I charge you all. While that is still a big chunk of the 1400, you would have a good meal and a guest room. I appreciate the offer. My attendance will depend on a lot of things. Mostly the date. Will you be riding out there if you go? Link to comment
keithb Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Ca. 243 and Ca. 74 (Ortega Highway) are EXCELLENT rides. Ortega is best between I-5 and I-15 and east of Hemet, Ca. to Palm Desert. Route 371 is not bad either. There is also a great road at the south entrance of Joshua Tree N.P. at I-10 that goes to Mecca, Ca. Once you get to Mecca get on Rt. 111 south and go around the east side of the Salton Sea towards Brawley, Ca. There is a nice run from Twentynine Palms to Old Rt. 66 at Amboy. Link to comment
Twisties Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Ca. 243 and Ca. 74 (Ortega Highway) are EXCELLENT rides. Ortega is best between I-5 and I-15 and east of Hemet, Ca. to Palm Desert. Route 371 is not bad either. There is also a great road at the south entrance of Joshua Tree N.P. at I-10 that goes to Mecca, Ca. Once you get to Mecca get on Rt. 111 south and go around the east side of the Salton Sea towards Brawley, Ca. There is a nice run from Twentynine Palms to Old Rt. 66 at Amboy. Caught the 29 palms to Amboy part last year. That's where we ran into the Nomads and hightailed it outta there. Really, I'm thinking there should be an UNRally in this area. You got Mt Laguna, The Glass Elevator(Anza Borrego), the roads mentioned above, the wide open Mojave, Rte 66, The Santa Monicas, more roads I've not heard of, all within about 2 hours. Some great looking roads up in the San Bernardinos too. I'm thinking I could ride this area for about a month, but I really would like to do some hiking and camping in JT too. Jan Link to comment
russell_bynum Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 For street riding, Joshua Tree wouldn't really be my first choice...you'll have to ride quite a long way to get to anything good. Unless you just like the bike open desert thing...there's lots of that and if you're into it, then it's great. I'd say the best street route would be going back out Box Canyon to Mecca, around the Salton Sea to Borrego Springs, and then up the Glass Elevator and over to Julian or something like that. There's certainly some good stuff there, but a whole lot of nothin' in bewteen. We've been across Old Dale road (dirt) quite a few times in the truck and Jeep. It's generally doable on a GS and there's a bunch of old mining ruins along the road that you can stop and check out. I've never been across it on the bike, but I don't recall anything that would be too challenging. Ocotillo Wells OHV area is just on the other side of I-10 across the Salton Sea, and that's zillions of acres of OPEN land (i.e. ride wherever you want...no need to stay on trails). One concern would be weather. Early enough in the year that it isn't hotter than the hinges on the gates of hell during the day and you're likely to freeze your ass off at night...and vice versa. I would guess late March/Early April is probably the best time, but I haven't looked at the temperature data to see for sure. Distances can be long and fuel sparse, so if you're got a dualsport, now would be a good time to start shopping for a bigger fuel tank. At this point, I'll register a "maybe, but probably not" It all depends on what's going on with Steven/work/Lisa's work/etc. I don't have a good feeling about being able to go, but we'll see. Link to comment
AdventurePoser Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 25' limit on length per website. How big is that beast???? I think that 25' would just barely cover the width! It's so big the front and rear are in two separate time zones... Steve in So Cal Link to comment
tgregg Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Sounds good to me. For me it is the ride to and from and the company while there. Link to comment
Silver Surfer/AKAButters Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 I could be talked into it in April if someone will visit Pattons Training Ground with me. Besides who needs camping gear, Palm Springs is across the highway. Okay! I'm in. No more sleeping outside for me. Link to comment
Silver Surfer/AKAButters Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Ca. 243 and Ca. 74 (Ortega Highway) are EXCELLENT rides. Ortega is best between I-5 and I-15 and east of Hemet, Ca. to Palm Desert. Route 371 is not bad either. There is also a great road at the south entrance of Joshua Tree N.P. at I-10 that goes to Mecca, Ca. Once you get to Mecca get on Rt. 111 south and go around the east side of the Salton Sea towards Brawley, Ca. There is a nice run from Twentynine Palms to Old Rt. 66 at Amboy. Caught the 29 palms to Amboy part last year. That's where we ran into the Nomads and hightailed it outta there. Really, I'm thinking there should be an UNRally in this area. You got Mt Laguna, The Glass Elevator(Anza Borrego), the roads mentioned above, the wide open Mojave, Rte 66, The Santa Monicas, more roads I've not heard of, all within about 2 hours. Some great looking roads up in the San Bernardinos too. Don't forget the CHP. Link to comment
tgregg Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Palm Springs is really not very close as I remember. But there are lots of motels outside the park. http://www.joshuatreechamber.org/membersearch.asp?SearchString=lodgingbtn Link to comment
russell_bynum Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Palm Springs is really not very close as I remember. But there are lots of motels outside the park. http://www.joshuatreechamber.org/membersearch.asp?SearchString=lodgingbtn There's really not much that's close on the freeway (south) side of the park. Twentynine Palms on the other (North) side should have a fair number of motels and such. Depending on where we camp, Twentynine Palms might be a longer ride from there to camp than if you stayed on the East side of Palm Springs/Indian Wells/etc. Link to comment
tgregg Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I've never gone into the park off I-10. I've always entered at the town of Joshua Tree. It has been a really long time since I've been there. It is 85 miles from home, perhaps I need a reason to go. Let's do it! Link to comment
russell_bynum Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I've never gone into the park off I-10. I've always entered at the town of Joshua Tree. It has been a really long time since I've been there. It is 85 miles from home, perhaps I need a reason to go. Let's do it! The visitor center is near cottonwood spring, on the I-10 side of the park. It's maybe 5 minutes from the freeway (if memory serves). I'm not sure where the campgrounds are relative to that. I believe there's one actually at Cottonwood Springs and I know there are some fairly primitive camp sites elsewhere in the park. Phil...what did you have in mind? Link to comment
FlyingFinn Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 My attendance will depend on a lot of things. Mostly the date. Just bring her along. That's what I do. -- Mikko Link to comment
azkaisr Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Chris, you are welcome at the house anytime, and I have a special rate that I charge you all. While that is still a big chunk of the 1400, you would have a good meal and a guest room. I appreciate the offer. My attendance will depend on a lot of things. Mostly the date. Will you be riding out there if you go? Odds are I would ride out and see if I could get Diane to take the jeep there to go explore or maybe the Mr. G. Link to comment
** Chris ** Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Odds are I would ride out and see if I could get Diane to take the jeep there to go explore or maybe the Mr. G. Would you be taking the I-10 route or something more interesting? Link to comment
JerryMather Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I'm IN if this is done sometime after I get my little KLR back from my brother, that's being used in Mexico for the winter. Link to comment
StuGotz Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I'm in if it's warm enough, gas is cheap enough, I can get the time off without losing pay, and I've finished my 42000 service by then... MB> Link to comment
Firefight911 Posted January 7, 2009 Author Share Posted January 7, 2009 I'm in if it's warm enough, gas is cheap enough, I can get the time off without losing pay, and I've finished my 42000 service by then... MB> Anything else powder boy?????? Link to comment
StuGotz Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 And you bring the chili... MB> Link to comment
Firefight911 Posted January 7, 2009 Author Share Posted January 7, 2009 And you bring the chili... MB> You're on!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment
Firefight911 Posted January 7, 2009 Author Share Posted January 7, 2009 Phil...what did you have in mind? I'm more in to the idea of fellow ship, friend ship, comedy, and good people on this one but, I'm always up for a good ride as well. How's the weekend of April 24, 25, 26, 27 OR May 1, 2, 3, sound to everyone???? Come when ya want, stay as long as ya want, leave whenever, etc. Link to comment
Heck Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 And you bring the chili... MB> You're on!!!!!!!!!! Hey Phil... Ya think ya gonna have a bike by then?? Link to comment
Silver Surfer/AKAButters Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 [quote name=Heck Ya think ya gonna have a bike by then?? [/quote] I'm more in to the idea of fellow ship, friend ship, comedy, and good people on this one but, I'm always up for a good ride as well. Doesn't sound like a bike is in his plans. Prolly wants to ride ours. Rich Link to comment
Huzband Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Hey Phil... Ya think ya gonna have a bike by then?? Ppphhhtttt!!!!! Are you kidding? Why do you think he's even trying to put this together? He just wants to rub his shiny new red hot rod in everbody's face. Naner-naner, mine's newer'n yours. Luv ya, bro. Link to comment
Spartan Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Phil...what did you have in mind? I'm more in to the idea of fellow ship, friend ship, comedy, and good people on this one but, I'm always up for a good ride as well. How's the weekend of April 24, 25, 26, 27 OR May 1, 2, 3, sound to everyone???? Come when ya want, stay as long as ya want, leave whenever, etc. These dates, the ride, the good people and the National Park all sound great. I'm in! Link to comment
Twisties Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Phil...what did you have in mind? I'm more in to the idea of fellow ship, friend ship, comedy, and good people on this one but, I'm always up for a good ride as well. How's the weekend of April 24, 25, 26, 27 OR May 1, 2, 3, sound to everyone???? Come when ya want, stay as long as ya want, leave whenever, etc. We are OUT for the April weekend. Sounds like the May weekend could work. Link to comment
azkaisr Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I can do either but the weekend of the 24th and 25th are birthdays for the Englishman and me. Nothing would be better than to taunt him about being older then me in person. Well maybe if I could taunt him while drinking the last Arrogant Bastard in the cooler. But that is borderline cruel and we are being nice this year. Link to comment
keithb Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Don't forget Spring Torrey is right around the corner on May 15, 16, 17, 2009. Link to comment
wbrissette Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I went through Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree, 29 Palms on Hwy 62 this past fall. I was amazed at how much things had changed (I was stationed in 29 Palms back in the early 80's and hadn't been back since), yet at times how much things have stayed the same. It was called Joshua Tree National Monument when I use to go there. But since I lived in 29 Palms, we always entered the park from hwy 62. Can't go, but have a great time. It's a bit too far for me at that time of year. Wayne Link to comment
azkaisr Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Don't forget Spring Torrey is right around the corner on May 15, 16, 17, 2009. Thats a good point if we are trying to get away for both. That would make me lean towards the April dates Link to comment
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