Barstow to Vegas

Alright guys. I've been thinking about setting up a trek from Barstow to Primm (state line) for a while now, keeping off the highway for a fun filled weekend adventure. Finally got around to planning a route via google earth, and it seems to be pretty straight forward as far as getting there. About 130 ish miles through the desert.


What I'm looking for here:

Who all is interested in joining on the adventure.
Dates: We will meet up in Barstow the morning of Saturday April 20th (at a denny's or something and grab some grub). Drive through the desert to state line and pop out on the highway for the last 30 miles into Vegas. Stay the night and return on Sunday the 21st.

Rig Requirements/ Suggestions:
I've never been on these trails before, so... discretion is advised as far as what you may need on your truck. What to bring with you in your rig.
- 4x4 Don't think it will be necessary, but it can't hurt. From what I know about the area from looking at satellite pics and growing up riding dirt bikes in the surrounding desert, it shouldn't be necessary. The route I'm planning on seems pretty simple, though I did try to make it interesting by going through a few passes where 4x4 may make things easier on you.
- Extra fuel. I know I will be bringing at least 10gal of spare fuel, just in case. Like I said, I've never done this before, and you can't be over prepared.
-CB radio or some other sort of communication system so we can keep in contact between vehicles.
- Sleeping Bag. I'm gonna bring one just in case. You never know what can happen out on the trail, and I don't plan on leaving anyone behind. That being said. I'm not responsible for anything that happens while out there.
- Food/ Drinks. Along with your sleeping bag as far as the in case sh*t happens part of the day, it may come in handy to have some waters/ gatorades, as well as something to snack on.
- Recovery Gear. Depending on whether or not my buddy is going to drive his 4 runner or not. He will either have a hi-lift and tow straps, or we will throw them in my rig. If you got it, bring it just in case.


The Plan:

Once a date/ weekend is decided upon, my plan is to meet up in Barstow that Saturday morning and caravan a few miles on the highway to the Yermo exit where the trail starts. From there we don't touch the pavement until state line (Primm), roughly 130 miles away. Based on my previous experience, riding a dirtbike 160 miles from barstow to laughlin, which took us about 4-5 hrs, I would imagine the journey will take about the same amount of time.

We arrive at state line Saturday afternoon, hop on the highway for the last 30 miles into Vegas, hang out/ drink/ gamble/ have a good time, and spend the night.

Sunday morning, we meet back up and begin the return trip. I plan on returning the same route that we came, unless I can find an alternate/ better/ different route worth taking, back through the desert to barstow. Those that have had enough are more than welcome to hop on the highway the whole way, but that's not my plan.


The Route: After doing my own research and talking to a few people, I've got a general route planned.
We will exit the 15 in Yermo at the Minneola exit and depart along Powerline Rd on the north side of the freeway. Basically we will follow that the entire way until we drop into Primm. There is a section on google maps that says the trail doesn't connect at 2 points, but we will be able to make it through if you take a closer look.

And That's It. Like I said, the date is up for discussion, just want to do it before its too hot, and my suggestion is sometime in April/ early May.

Add your name to the list





1: snowsk8air2

 

Maybe for me depending on the date

 

That could be a fun trip, one to remember. Could you post the route?

 

Dates are open for discussion so make a suggestion

 

Yeah, should be fun. I'll try to add the route later in the week. I'll have to re-map it out since I didn't save it the first go around.

 

Depending on snow conditions up in the mountains, (I want to go to Mammoth or Tahoe beginning of April) weekend of 6,13 or 20 are all Im good for.

 

Should make for some good prerunning. Definatly interested

 

bump to get some peeps interested

 

X2...no suggestion. just waiting to see whats decided.

 

I'm wide open on weekends so I'm up for anytime. Later the better cuz I need to save. Currently unemployed for the next month or two so it'll be tough, but I'm sure I can make it work.

Might be a stupid question so dont flame me.... since this is a 100% offroad/desert adventure, what type of suspension is required to successfully complete this trio without doing damage or holding anyone back. I'm guessing LT would be ideal, and MT will probably suffice, but for the time being I'm just rocking some 5100's still I can get some King MT. Don't wanna be the weakest link and slow everyone down

 

I'm sure a MT or LT kit would make the trip a lot quicker, but I'm on 5100's as well. It's all about how you drive it. You should do just fine.


And if everyone is pretty open as far as dates go. Why don't we plan on heading out the 20th and returning the 21st?

 

Hotel in Vegas or sleep in our trucks/camp? I wanna hit the strip if I go too bad this can't be a leave Friday, stay in Vegas Friday and Saturday night and come home Sunday. But less people would probably go if we did that. Just wanna make a Vegas trio worth the gas

 

Get with RJallday..i believe he has the main route that everyone takes saved on GPS file. and I'm sure he can send it to you..CB radios wont so shit out there unless you're all bunched together...keep in mind usually when peeps do this run they will usually stagger the start of each vehicle by like 1 minute or so because of dust and visibility issues. So if you have a big group comms by CB is useless. Ideally everyone should have a ametureHAM/race radio.

 

Last time I was in Vegas coming back from our vacation we stayed at motel 6 by the airport and the room was 64 bucks which is nothing

 

I'm down. Open on the weekends so this should be a fun trip

I hope the LT guys don't expect us MT guys to keep up though

 

Sleep in Vegas or at state line, depending on what everyone decides, I'm game either way. State line should be cheaper though. Only way friday would work for me would be to do a night run, which fun as it would be, I'm not familiar enough with the area to lead that.

 

Perfect. Looks like we should have a good group. Yeah, me being the one setting up the run, I intend to lead the trek,unless there is someone with us that clearly is more qualified. And me sitting on 5100's, I don't even consider myself a MT, though I know I could out drive a fair bit of the more built rigs than mine.

So, what I'm trying to say, is it doesn't matter how bad ass your truck, if you can't drive it.

Excited with the interest people are having in the trip!!!!!

 

So what are we thinking people?????? Pop out on the road in Primm/ State Line, and just stay there or go the extra 30 min on the highway into Vegas just to pay more to stay and hang out/ drink for the night???

 

If I drive that far, my ass is gonna have a few drinks and walk the strip. Maybe blow a few bucks on striper... I mean casino slots

If this is a straight turn around im probably not down. At least 1 night there. If we can arrive before it gets too late, spend a few hours in Vegas, sleep a cheap ass hotel or in our trucks (prefer piled in a cheap hotel) then head back after checkout the next day. Just my opinion

 

Yeah, definitely staying the night at a hotel. Just wasn't sure if people wanted to hit the strip or not. For one night, I'm fine with staying at state line and gambling/ drinking/ chilling there since it will be cheaper.

All depends on what everyone wants to do. We'll wait and see what the general consensus is.