Barstow to Stateline 2010

We have done this weekend run every year since 2008. It is a boatload of fun.

The usual trek starting outside Calico/Barstow, through Afton Canyon, past Devils Playground, through Kelso, up to Mid Hills Campground, stop in Nipton, then end at Stateline.

Grub, gamble, sh1t, load up, cross over the hwy, then mob the powerline back towards Fort Irwin and drop back in just before Calico.

We could leave early friday morning, camp out at Mid Hills on friday night, end up at Stateline saturday for lunch. End up at Calico in time for dinner on saturday.

We are looking at Friday 4/16.

********** UPDATE AS OF 4/12/2010 **********

There will be 2 parts to this run. The original crew will be heading out friday morning and camping out at Mid Hills Campground.

I will be leading a second crew early Saturday morning to rendezvous with the first crew at the campgrounds.

If you wanted to see the Mojave Desert but were initially unable to camp out, this is your opportunity to make the second half of the run.

Reply to this thread or PM me by Friday afternoon for meet up details.

****************************************

MEET UP INFO...

8AM SHARP at the dirt lot behind KFC at the Barstow Outlets on Friday 4/16...

Make sure you have a 5 gallon can of gas as there are no gas stations until you hit Stateline...

Mid Hills Campground charges $12 per campsite and there are some spots that can accomodate up to 4 trucks, so you can pitch in... the other spots hold 2 trucks...

153.110 race radio
ch 22 cb radio

 

what would be necessities for trucks that would like to join?

 

On Google maps, you can plug in the below coordinates to see the basic route we will take.

Starting Point
34.980794,-116.589754

Waypoint 1
34.978263,-116.577694

Drop into wash
34.987048,-116.560761

Manix Wash
34.97395,-116.538702

Ninemile Waterhole
34.995661,-116.475617

Mudhole
35.038238,-116.391307

Watercrossing - 2 feet deep
35.037949,-116.384892

Waypoint 2
35.044449,-116.304796

Devil's Playground
35.029041,-115.929222

Mid Hills Campground
35.127378,-115.436211

Nipton
35.458041,-115.273476

Stateline
35.607236,-115.378532

Trailhead
35.61072,-115.395051

Powerline Trail
35.618639,-115.405973

Where I broke my wheel
35.385469,-116.131114

Powerline end
35.061377,-116.429547

 

Think my truck would do alright with some front and rear king 2.5s and deavers? This sounds like alot of fun.

 

Supply list

1. 5 gallon jug of spare gas
2. Shovel
3. Lantern and flashlight
4. Completely sealed tent to keep out the tarantulas and scorpions
5. 30 degree sleeping bags
6. Firewood
7. 3 day supply of food and drink
8. $12 cash for campsite fees
9. Recovery strap
10. Race radio (due to lack of cell phone signal) is strongly urged to call out hazards, free roaming cattle, and in event of any separation. If you get left behind, it could take a while for us to figure it out and backtrack.
11. Full size spare tires
12. Offroad jack (floor jack or hi-lift)
13. GPS and topo maps of the area
14. First aid kit
15. Boots recommended

The terrain we will cover is very isolated. There is no cell service. We will likely not see any other people so if you have any emergency or somehow get separated, standard CB radio will likely do you no good. The bulk of the rigs that go with us each year are running race radios only, and not having access to the lead trucks can lead to issues.

For example, on one of our last runs, I had my radio turned down and did not hear the warning about a huge rock. I subsequently hit the rock at 50mph and bent the rim. Thank goodness for steel wheels.

The area is prerunner friendly and can be done with stock suspension, although there are some sections that the built trucks will get through a little faster.

This trip is truly a great run and is very refreshing.

Pictures from one of the past runs can be found at http://good-times.webshots.com/album/567280238pQvsDR

 

My first run through this was with Donahoe coilovers, shocks, and Deaver J59s...

 

that seems like a really fun run! when in april are you thinkin?

 

you definetly have a huge interest from me in this mike!

 

definitely after tax season...

tentatively Friday 4/23

waiting on the regular crew that goes to see if they are good with that weekend...

 

I don't have full size spares or a race radio though...


I'll have to look into one, do you have a link to a site where I can get a good, cheap race radio Mike?

 

Derek, you got a month and a half to get your spare...

Running 2 spares might be a good idea too...

As for radio, check Ham Radio Outlet...

I think some of the guys had good luck with Yaesu brand 2m radios...

 

I've got a 265/75/16 BFG All-Terrain that I can throw on my spare...does that count?

 

if it matches in size to the rest of your tires, then you are good to go...

 

Well the rest are 285, so it's a little off....

 

Your drive wheels have to match because the differences in circumference will pull your truck one way. You can mix the front tire sizes but it's not recomended.

 

Well, that's assuming something happens.



I am looking though, because I do need/want a full size spare. I just need to find a cheap used 285/75/16!

 

just get one at a mom n pop tire shop...

 

Ok. It's official.

The run begins at 7am on Friday 4/16/10 in Barstow.

 

Damn socal guys. I want to do something like this.

 

this is the kind of trip you come down to So Cal to participate in...

we would return on saturday late afternoon, so plenty of time to head home to Nor Cal on Sunday...