3rd Annual Red Canyon Trail Run ( Sat., Oct. 17 )

All,

Once again, myself and co-host @Silverlogic are planning on running the Red Canyon "Jeep" Trail this fall for our 3rd annual run. It is 2WD friendly and a mid-October run on Saturday, October 17 will make for cooler temps and should be before the winter rains start in earnest. Our first year, we had 13 rigs and last year we reached 19 rigs ( 18 Yotas and a ballsy Subaru ). The trail can handle a larger group without issues. Our goal is to run the trail and then spend time at the abandonded Eagle Mountain Railroad Trestle. Some can choose to stay overnight and camp near the trestle or inside one of the canyons leading up to the trestle.

The only potential issue for 2WDs is a large hill that will require a running start and some huptza to gun it. We've only had one issue which was a Nissan Frontier, but got up after a the running start. If necessary, there will be plenty of 4WDs that winch, or help tug your way up, but that really shouldn't be necessary. Rigs in stock configurations and tires can do this trail.

Once again, we will meet near the trail-head at the General Patton Memorial Museum at Chirico Summit at 9am. There is a Chevron here, so you can top off on fuel, get snacks, drinks, visit the restroom, etc. If you want to check out the Patton Museum, get there earlier. If you don't understand why Gen. Patton has a musuem there, read up on it as it's a rather fascinating historical story. Here's the museum's address:

9 am @ Chevron
62510 Chiriaco Rd, Indio, CA 92201

From there, we will cross I-10 to Pinto Rd, to the tail-head, air down for anyone that wants to, and then @Silverlogic will lead the way for the railroad trestle. The distance from the trail-head to the Eagle Mountain Railroad Trestle is approximately 19.2 miles ( 13.2 miles officially on the Red Canyon Jeep Trail ) and takes about 1.5 - 2 hours to get to the trestle depending on how often we stop. We should be there with the sun high on the Western side of the trestle which should make for some good photo opportunities.

When we're finished, there are several exit points to include the same trail out, Summit Road which essentially follows the old rail line North to the I-10, or Southwest to the canal and following that back towards Indio which would allow for a visit to the abandoned places along the Salton Sea. Last year, folks went in each direction and total round trip off pavement would be approximately 36 miles.

Here is information from TraillsOffRoad.com

SR2013 - Red Canyon Trail
Rated: 2-3 ( easy )
The Orocopia Mountains Wilderness Area was once home to one of the largest military bases in the world, while today it is home to some of the most beautiful scenery that Southern California has to offer, including the Red Canyon. The Red Canyon Trail takes you through this wilderness area bobbing and weaving its way through the desert and up and over the mountains to where the Red Canyon resides. This splendid trail is perfect for people new to off-roading up to the most experienced 4x4 enthusiast. Because of the ample amount of wilderness and BLM land, this trail is a great start to exploring the area, or just to get away for a weekend. Thus the next time you are near Palm Springs or the Salton Sea, think about checking out Red Canyon.

TrailsOffRoad.com link
https://www.trailsoffroad.com/trails/2225-sr2013-red-canyon-trail

Here are a couple of videos from my dashcam:

https://youtu.be/T0WwZgonZ-8
https://youtu.be/Puf05kuEptE ( entire trail, start to finish )

Google Map Info
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/33....2m2!1d-115.6204686!2d33.5501581!1m0!3e0?hl=en

Here 's a link to last year's run:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2nd-annual-red-canyon-trail-run.630955/
** NOTE: Lots of photos on the last few pages.

 

Committed Participants:

@Norsemanvike
@Silverlogic
@Samus
@rdy_1up +1
@spicytacooc
@IMC87
@FreshMexicanTaco +2
@JoseSMR +1
@eccracer104 +1
@erice
@kyle11863 +1
@Richie Rich
@DarkonRhoe
@Dmedina2322
@ellocodetroit +1


Tentative:

@amansker
@stmpjmpr
@Tacoma1997White4x4
@Helpme
@patdeezy
@franzgod
@rigoberd
@Tombiology70
@AY_ARONTRD
@S2KON2
@DannTheMan
@elmontemike
@Giodude5 +1


Possibly Camping Overnight:

@ellocodetroit
@eccracer104 +1
@erice
Non-TW Member +1
@Tombiology70
@AY_ARONTRD
@S2KON2

 

I always look forward to this trip! It's great fun.

 

I'm a newbie hoping to make it. Is this trip wife-friendly? Or would she be the only female?

 

It is wife friendly, and she won't be the only woman.

 

you can throw me on the tentative list...

 

put me on MAYBE!

 

All added to the tentative list.

 

Hm, put me for a maybe too

 

Added.

 

Yeah i’ll be an ingame decision coach put me on the tentative list

 

Added

 

Put me on the list! Barring any last minute issues I'll be there. I've been wanting to do this one since missing last year's trip.

 

Added to the committed list.

 

Add me to the tentative list. There is a 25% chance I might have to schedule myself to work on 10/17. If I do go, I'll plan on camping there. Thanks.

 

I want to go, but headed out on another trip this weekend.

@LukeCC @IDKS @ZachRockz y'all should go!

 

This weekend or "that" weekend?

 

October 17th weekend. Headed to Goblin Valley.

 

Wouldn't "Goblin" Valley be better on Halloween? Just say'n... ,

 

@Helpme