Mash5
Trail Grom
***You Must Have a Ticket to Attend this Event***
Presidents Day 2025 Tour of Mojave
The desert is a land of mystery, a land of little forgiveness, and a place where dreams have blossomed and withered.
Presidents Day 2025 Tour of Mojave
The desert is a land of mystery, a land of little forgiveness, and a place where dreams have blossomed and withered.
Join us as we attempt a west-to-east traverse of one of the old west’s most legendary overland routes. The old Mojave Road, also known at various times as Old Government Road and the Mohave Trail, is a historic route and present-day 4x4 road across Mojave National Preserve in the Mojave Desert.
If you have never been to this area, you will be astonished by the stories of its early settlers and the trials they endured just to survive in this picturesque but overwhelmingly hostile landscape. If you are an experienced Mojave desert explorer, we invite you to join us and share your experience with us.
This will be a quick travers with long days in the saddle interspersed with stops to do some moderately strenuous exploration of some of the natural and historical sites along the way. Families are very welcome, and kids will have a great time being explorers. I plan to bring my wife and three boys, 9, 13, and 17.
Trip duration: 2 days
GPX File: Download Link
Trip leader: Mark Ashurst @Mash5
Meeting Time: February 15th - 08:00
Meeting Location: Afton Canyon Campground (35.03889, -116.38292).
Group size: We are limiting this trip to five vehicles, so there are only four slots available. We will try to keep on a schedule each day to see everything on our list and complete the trail. Too big a group slows things down, so I ask that you only sign up if you are committed and will show up. If there is more interest, we can start a waiting list in case of dropouts.
Vehicles: A high-clearance 4x4 is required. No all-wheel-drive SUVs unless they are highly modified. Most stock 4x4 vehicles should be fine. At least one rated recovery point on the front of your vehicle is required. Front and rear is preferred. A working full-size spare tire is required. Some way of airing your tires back up is required. Plan to be self-sufficient. Please reach out to me if you have any specific questions.
Food: Please plan to eat breakfast before we get on the trail each day. We will take a brief lunch stop at midday sometime at one of the locations we plan to visit. Please keep it simple and quick (~30 minutes), as we will want to get back on the road to keep on schedule. Dinners will be the time to get a bit fancy if you are inclined. We will be trying to make it to camp well before dark so we can enjoy a bit of campfire time. The days are frustratingly short this time of year, though, so we may be rolling in late if things don’t go to plan. Once the group starts to form, it's always fun to plan some meals together, and sharing what you bring is always encouraged.
Documents: Valid driver's license, vehicle registration
Firearms: If you carry a firearm, it should always be concealed and stored safely. Shooting is not part of this trip and is basically prohibited on the Mojave National Preserve. You are responsible for following all applicable laws as you cross through several legal zones.
Pets: Well-behaved pets are welcome and must always be under your control.
Fuel: The planned route is only about 150 miles, but it is all off-pavement, and things may not go as planned. If you have a vehicle with good range, you will probably be fine fueling up in Barstow or Yermo. If you have a bigger vehicle with a smaller tank, you may want to plan to carry some extra as a backup. I would want to have about 300 miles of available road range to comfortably make it to the next fuel after you get off the trail.
Medical Info / Emergency Contact: Please print a copy of pertinent medical information and emergency contact information (for at least two persons) on a card or piece of paper and attach it to your visor.
Comms: We will use GMRS channel 5 (462.6625 MHz) as the guide channel for vehicle-to-vehicle communication and maybe HAM 146.52 MHz for some talk around. Installed radios are encouraged because of their better range and reliability, but handhelds can work if you have a way to charge them or extra batteries. Please let me know if you don’t have one, and we can help you find a solution.
Firewood: Barring a fire ban, which is unlikely this time of year, if each vehicle brings a small bundle, we should have plenty for the group to have a nice fire at camp. Collecting and or cutting firewood is prohibited.
Personal Packing List
Normal camping items such as sleeping bags, etc.
Hiking shoes
Warm Clothes (Expect daytime highs from 75-55 and nighttime lows as cool as low 50s)
Rain jacket/poncho
A good hat
Plenty of wag bags. (Technically, human waste can be buried at least 6 inches deep; toilet paper needs to be packed out.)
At least two days' supply of water (1 gal per person/day). Some of this can be in the form of drinks. Gatorade keeps my kids hydrated cause they will drink it more than water.
Cooking fuel (propane/butane)
Vehicle packing list
First aid kit, w/ medicine for diarrhea and stomach issues
Vehicle fire extinguisher
Recovery gear
Air compressor
Shovel
Spare tire
Tire repair kit
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