Jeff Strickland wrote:
> Los Coyotes is closed, as far as I know. There was a fire there (Warner
> Springs) last week on the road leading into the reservation.


Been closed for over a year now. Indians are getting casino money and
don't need the $25 fee they were charging anymore. Word was they were
going to fix it up (campground restrooms were totally trashed) and
start a horse camp operation.

Too bad, it was a great place to wheel.

 

Jeff Strickland wrote:
> Los Coyotes is closed, as far as I know. There was a fire there (Warner
> Springs) last week on the road leading into the reservation.


Been closed for over a year now. Indians are getting casino money and
don't need the $25 fee they were charging anymore. Word was they were
going to fix it up (campground restrooms were totally trashed) and
start a horse camp operation.

Too bad, it was a great place to wheel.

 

Jeff Strickland wrote:
> Los Coyotes is closed, as far as I know. There was a fire there (Warner
> Springs) last week on the road leading into the reservation.


Been closed for over a year now. Indians are getting casino money and
don't need the $25 fee they were charging anymore. Word was they were
going to fix it up (campground restrooms were totally trashed) and
start a horse camp operation.

Too bad, it was a great place to wheel.

 

Jeff Strickland wrote:
> Never, that's NEVER, go into the desert alone. That's without another
> vehicle, not a passenger in your Jeep.

Well, that puts a crimp on folks who have no friends <g>.

Agreed it's risky, so is driving the highways to get there. Also risky
is solo backpacking, trekking and ocean voyaging, but there's rewards
in solitude that may outweigh the risks. There's good books on this
subject.

That being said, don't be foolish. Have a properly equipped reliable
rig, trip plan filed with somebody, enough camping gear, clothing
(dress appropriately, cover up), lots of *water* & food to survive
comfortably several days unasissted; even for a day trip. In a half
day you can get out to where it might as well be a million miles back
to civilization if there's a problem. Water is critical, split it into
several (sturdy, not supermarket jug) containers, so you don't lose it
all if you spring a leak.

Visit the ranger station on the way in and take the search out of
Search and Rescue, and drop by or call after you're out. BTW, the Anza
Borrego rangers have never told me soloing is a no-no.

Don't push the 4-wheeling aspect of it, don't go through an obstacle
that's difficult or can't be traversed the other direction. Don't get
lost (which means always knowing the way back, not where you are), or
start to get lost. Learn basic orienteering skills, *then* buy a GPS.
Take your time when wheeling and hiking, think slow and safe.

Stick to known trails that are travelled by others at least every few
days. Be especially careful when in new territory, get nervous if
there's no fairly fresh tire tracks in front of you. If things go
wrong, stay with your rig, don't try walking out (never during mid-day)
unless it's just a mile or two on the trail, not cross country. Have
the weather sized up, especially the possibility of rain. A 406mhz PLB
is a wise investment.

Don't jump into solo desert exploring inexperienced, go on lots of
trips with old hands first to get the hang of it. Be in good health,
or become so. Be in tune to your body, at the first sign of heat
related problems, stop, find shade, cool off, drive out if need be. If
you're friendless, there's lots of places with group campsites, busy
4-wheel runs and easy dayhikes to practice. Especially practice sand
driving if you're going into sandy country; learn how to read sand and
judge what's too soft by walking on it. Getting stuck in sand is
surprisingly easy, and it changes with moisture content. There's
outfits that offer wheelin' classes which get into winching, self
extraction, steepness and off camber limits, etc., get a feel for such
things and then don't approach the limits when soloing.

-----------------------------

And NEVER, NEVER go out into the desert alone when you have wheelin'
friends available <g>. With several rigs, the risk drops
substantially, you can go off the beaten path, tackle knarley trails
and/or go really deep into the wilderness safely, relax a lot more and
have ten times the fun. If you're a solitude nut, wheel a half mile in
any direction from the group camp, and you've got plenty!

 

Jeff Strickland wrote:
> Never, that's NEVER, go into the desert alone. That's without another
> vehicle, not a passenger in your Jeep.

Well, that puts a crimp on folks who have no friends <g>.

Agreed it's risky, so is driving the highways to get there. Also risky
is solo backpacking, trekking and ocean voyaging, but there's rewards
in solitude that may outweigh the risks. There's good books on this
subject.

That being said, don't be foolish. Have a properly equipped reliable
rig, trip plan filed with somebody, enough camping gear, clothing
(dress appropriately, cover up), lots of *water* & food to survive
comfortably several days unasissted; even for a day trip. In a half
day you can get out to where it might as well be a million miles back
to civilization if there's a problem. Water is critical, split it into
several (sturdy, not supermarket jug) containers, so you don't lose it
all if you spring a leak.

Visit the ranger station on the way in and take the search out of
Search and Rescue, and drop by or call after you're out. BTW, the Anza
Borrego rangers have never told me soloing is a no-no.

Don't push the 4-wheeling aspect of it, don't go through an obstacle
that's difficult or can't be traversed the other direction. Don't get
lost (which means always knowing the way back, not where you are), or
start to get lost. Learn basic orienteering skills, *then* buy a GPS.
Take your time when wheeling and hiking, think slow and safe.

Stick to known trails that are travelled by others at least every few
days. Be especially careful when in new territory, get nervous if
there's no fairly fresh tire tracks in front of you. If things go
wrong, stay with your rig, don't try walking out (never during mid-day)
unless it's just a mile or two on the trail, not cross country. Have
the weather sized up, especially the possibility of rain. A 406mhz PLB
is a wise investment.

Don't jump into solo desert exploring inexperienced, go on lots of
trips with old hands first to get the hang of it. Be in good health,
or become so. Be in tune to your body, at the first sign of heat
related problems, stop, find shade, cool off, drive out if need be. If
you're friendless, there's lots of places with group campsites, busy
4-wheel runs and easy dayhikes to practice. Especially practice sand
driving if you're going into sandy country; learn how to read sand and
judge what's too soft by walking on it. Getting stuck in sand is
surprisingly easy, and it changes with moisture content. There's
outfits that offer wheelin' classes which get into winching, self
extraction, steepness and off camber limits, etc., get a feel for such
things and then don't approach the limits when soloing.

-----------------------------

And NEVER, NEVER go out into the desert alone when you have wheelin'
friends available <g>. With several rigs, the risk drops
substantially, you can go off the beaten path, tackle knarley trails
and/or go really deep into the wilderness safely, relax a lot more and
have ten times the fun. If you're a solitude nut, wheel a half mile in
any direction from the group camp, and you've got plenty!

 

Jeff Strickland wrote:
> Never, that's NEVER, go into the desert alone. That's without another
> vehicle, not a passenger in your Jeep.

Well, that puts a crimp on folks who have no friends <g>.

Agreed it's risky, so is driving the highways to get there. Also risky
is solo backpacking, trekking and ocean voyaging, but there's rewards
in solitude that may outweigh the risks. There's good books on this
subject.

That being said, don't be foolish. Have a properly equipped reliable
rig, trip plan filed with somebody, enough camping gear, clothing
(dress appropriately, cover up), lots of *water* & food to survive
comfortably several days unasissted; even for a day trip. In a half
day you can get out to where it might as well be a million miles back
to civilization if there's a problem. Water is critical, split it into
several (sturdy, not supermarket jug) containers, so you don't lose it
all if you spring a leak.

Visit the ranger station on the way in and take the search out of
Search and Rescue, and drop by or call after you're out. BTW, the Anza
Borrego rangers have never told me soloing is a no-no.

Don't push the 4-wheeling aspect of it, don't go through an obstacle
that's difficult or can't be traversed the other direction. Don't get
lost (which means always knowing the way back, not where you are), or
start to get lost. Learn basic orienteering skills, *then* buy a GPS.
Take your time when wheeling and hiking, think slow and safe.

Stick to known trails that are travelled by others at least every few
days. Be especially careful when in new territory, get nervous if
there's no fairly fresh tire tracks in front of you. If things go
wrong, stay with your rig, don't try walking out (never during mid-day)
unless it's just a mile or two on the trail, not cross country. Have
the weather sized up, especially the possibility of rain. A 406mhz PLB
is a wise investment.

Don't jump into solo desert exploring inexperienced, go on lots of
trips with old hands first to get the hang of it. Be in good health,
or become so. Be in tune to your body, at the first sign of heat
related problems, stop, find shade, cool off, drive out if need be. If
you're friendless, there's lots of places with group campsites, busy
4-wheel runs and easy dayhikes to practice. Especially practice sand
driving if you're going into sandy country; learn how to read sand and
judge what's too soft by walking on it. Getting stuck in sand is
surprisingly easy, and it changes with moisture content. There's
outfits that offer wheelin' classes which get into winching, self
extraction, steepness and off camber limits, etc., get a feel for such
things and then don't approach the limits when soloing.

-----------------------------

And NEVER, NEVER go out into the desert alone when you have wheelin'
friends available <g>. With several rigs, the risk drops
substantially, you can go off the beaten path, tackle knarley trails
and/or go really deep into the wilderness safely, relax a lot more and
have ten times the fun. If you're a solitude nut, wheel a half mile in
any direction from the group camp, and you've got plenty!

 

Mark wrote:
> Jeff Strickland wrote:
> > Never, that's NEVER, go into the desert alone. That's without another
> > vehicle, not a passenger in your Jeep.
>
> Well, that puts a crimp on folks who have no friends <g>.
>
> Agreed it's risky, so is driving the highways to get there. Also risky
> is solo backpacking, trekking and ocean voyaging, but there's rewards
> in solitude that may outweigh the risks. There's good books on this
> subject.
>
> That being said, don't be foolish. Have a properly equipped reliable
> rig, trip plan filed with somebody, enough camping gear, clothing
> (dress appropriately, cover up), lots of *water* & food to survive
> comfortably several days unasissted; even for a day trip. In a half
> day you can get out to where it might as well be a million miles back
> to civilization if there's a problem. Water is critical, split it into
> several (sturdy, not supermarket jug) containers, so you don't lose it
> all if you spring a leak.
>
> Visit the ranger station on the way in and take the search out of
> Search and Rescue, and drop by or call after you're out. BTW, the Anza
> Borrego rangers have never told me soloing is a no-no.
>
> Don't push the 4-wheeling aspect of it, don't go through an obstacle
> that's difficult or can't be traversed the other direction. Don't get
> lost (which means always knowing the way back, not where you are), or
> start to get lost. Learn basic orienteering skills, *then* buy a GPS.
> Take your time when wheeling and hiking, think slow and safe.
>
> Stick to known trails that are travelled by others at least every few
> days. Be especially careful when in new territory, get nervous if
> there's no fairly fresh tire tracks in front of you. If things go
> wrong, stay with your rig, don't try walking out (never during mid-day)
> unless it's just a mile or two on the trail, not cross country. Have
> the weather sized up, especially the possibility of rain. A 406mhz PLB
> is a wise investment.
>
> Don't jump into solo desert exploring inexperienced, go on lots of
> trips with old hands first to get the hang of it. Be in good health,
> or become so. Be in tune to your body, at the first sign of heat
> related problems, stop, find shade, cool off, drive out if need be. If
> you're friendless, there's lots of places with group campsites, busy
> 4-wheel runs and easy dayhikes to practice. Especially practice sand
> driving if you're going into sandy country; learn how to read sand and
> judge what's too soft by walking on it. Getting stuck in sand is
> surprisingly easy, and it changes with moisture content. There's
> outfits that offer wheelin' classes which get into winching, self
> extraction, steepness and off camber limits, etc., get a feel for such
> things and then don't approach the limits when soloing.
>
> -----------------------------
>
> And NEVER, NEVER go out into the desert alone when you have wheelin'
> friends available <g>. With several rigs, the risk drops
> substantially, you can go off the beaten path, tackle knarley trails
> and/or go really deep into the wilderness safely, relax a lot more and
> have ten times the fun. If you're a solitude nut, wheel a half mile in
> any direction from the group camp, and you've got plenty!

That was some great advice. We actually did go out to Joshua Tree last
night. We didn't have any problems until after dark, and we got hung
on an rock in the middle of soft sand. That was a nightmare. I didn't
get home tell 4:00am last night, but it was still a blast.

Chris Maness

 

Mark wrote:
> Jeff Strickland wrote:
> > Never, that's NEVER, go into the desert alone. That's without another
> > vehicle, not a passenger in your Jeep.
>
> Well, that puts a crimp on folks who have no friends <g>.
>
> Agreed it's risky, so is driving the highways to get there. Also risky
> is solo backpacking, trekking and ocean voyaging, but there's rewards
> in solitude that may outweigh the risks. There's good books on this
> subject.
>
> That being said, don't be foolish. Have a properly equipped reliable
> rig, trip plan filed with somebody, enough camping gear, clothing
> (dress appropriately, cover up), lots of *water* & food to survive
> comfortably several days unasissted; even for a day trip. In a half
> day you can get out to where it might as well be a million miles back
> to civilization if there's a problem. Water is critical, split it into
> several (sturdy, not supermarket jug) containers, so you don't lose it
> all if you spring a leak.
>
> Visit the ranger station on the way in and take the search out of
> Search and Rescue, and drop by or call after you're out. BTW, the Anza
> Borrego rangers have never told me soloing is a no-no.
>
> Don't push the 4-wheeling aspect of it, don't go through an obstacle
> that's difficult or can't be traversed the other direction. Don't get
> lost (which means always knowing the way back, not where you are), or
> start to get lost. Learn basic orienteering skills, *then* buy a GPS.
> Take your time when wheeling and hiking, think slow and safe.
>
> Stick to known trails that are travelled by others at least every few
> days. Be especially careful when in new territory, get nervous if
> there's no fairly fresh tire tracks in front of you. If things go
> wrong, stay with your rig, don't try walking out (never during mid-day)
> unless it's just a mile or two on the trail, not cross country. Have
> the weather sized up, especially the possibility of rain. A 406mhz PLB
> is a wise investment.
>
> Don't jump into solo desert exploring inexperienced, go on lots of
> trips with old hands first to get the hang of it. Be in good health,
> or become so. Be in tune to your body, at the first sign of heat
> related problems, stop, find shade, cool off, drive out if need be. If
> you're friendless, there's lots of places with group campsites, busy
> 4-wheel runs and easy dayhikes to practice. Especially practice sand
> driving if you're going into sandy country; learn how to read sand and
> judge what's too soft by walking on it. Getting stuck in sand is
> surprisingly easy, and it changes with moisture content. There's
> outfits that offer wheelin' classes which get into winching, self
> extraction, steepness and off camber limits, etc., get a feel for such
> things and then don't approach the limits when soloing.
>
> -----------------------------
>
> And NEVER, NEVER go out into the desert alone when you have wheelin'
> friends available <g>. With several rigs, the risk drops
> substantially, you can go off the beaten path, tackle knarley trails
> and/or go really deep into the wilderness safely, relax a lot more and
> have ten times the fun. If you're a solitude nut, wheel a half mile in
> any direction from the group camp, and you've got plenty!

That was some great advice. We actually did go out to Joshua Tree last
night. We didn't have any problems until after dark, and we got hung
on an rock in the middle of soft sand. That was a nightmare. I didn't
get home tell 4:00am last night, but it was still a blast.

Chris Maness

 

Mark wrote:
> Jeff Strickland wrote:
> > Never, that's NEVER, go into the desert alone. That's without another
> > vehicle, not a passenger in your Jeep.
>
> Well, that puts a crimp on folks who have no friends <g>.
>
> Agreed it's risky, so is driving the highways to get there. Also risky
> is solo backpacking, trekking and ocean voyaging, but there's rewards
> in solitude that may outweigh the risks. There's good books on this
> subject.
>
> That being said, don't be foolish. Have a properly equipped reliable
> rig, trip plan filed with somebody, enough camping gear, clothing
> (dress appropriately, cover up), lots of *water* & food to survive
> comfortably several days unasissted; even for a day trip. In a half
> day you can get out to where it might as well be a million miles back
> to civilization if there's a problem. Water is critical, split it into
> several (sturdy, not supermarket jug) containers, so you don't lose it
> all if you spring a leak.
>
> Visit the ranger station on the way in and take the search out of
> Search and Rescue, and drop by or call after you're out. BTW, the Anza
> Borrego rangers have never told me soloing is a no-no.
>
> Don't push the 4-wheeling aspect of it, don't go through an obstacle
> that's difficult or can't be traversed the other direction. Don't get
> lost (which means always knowing the way back, not where you are), or
> start to get lost. Learn basic orienteering skills, *then* buy a GPS.
> Take your time when wheeling and hiking, think slow and safe.
>
> Stick to known trails that are travelled by others at least every few
> days. Be especially careful when in new territory, get nervous if
> there's no fairly fresh tire tracks in front of you. If things go
> wrong, stay with your rig, don't try walking out (never during mid-day)
> unless it's just a mile or two on the trail, not cross country. Have
> the weather sized up, especially the possibility of rain. A 406mhz PLB
> is a wise investment.
>
> Don't jump into solo desert exploring inexperienced, go on lots of
> trips with old hands first to get the hang of it. Be in good health,
> or become so. Be in tune to your body, at the first sign of heat
> related problems, stop, find shade, cool off, drive out if need be. If
> you're friendless, there's lots of places with group campsites, busy
> 4-wheel runs and easy dayhikes to practice. Especially practice sand
> driving if you're going into sandy country; learn how to read sand and
> judge what's too soft by walking on it. Getting stuck in sand is
> surprisingly easy, and it changes with moisture content. There's
> outfits that offer wheelin' classes which get into winching, self
> extraction, steepness and off camber limits, etc., get a feel for such
> things and then don't approach the limits when soloing.
>
> -----------------------------
>
> And NEVER, NEVER go out into the desert alone when you have wheelin'
> friends available <g>. With several rigs, the risk drops
> substantially, you can go off the beaten path, tackle knarley trails
> and/or go really deep into the wilderness safely, relax a lot more and
> have ten times the fun. If you're a solitude nut, wheel a half mile in
> any direction from the group camp, and you've got plenty!

That was some great advice. We actually did go out to Joshua Tree last
night. We didn't have any problems until after dark, and we got hung
on an rock in the middle of soft sand. That was a nightmare. I didn't
get home tell 4:00am last night, but it was still a blast.

Chris Maness

 

Remember go out alone, that same problem in the summer time would
have been your death.
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Chris wrote:
>
> That was some great advice. We actually did go out to Joshua Tree last
> night. We didn't have any problems until after dark, and we got hung
> on an rock in the middle of soft sand. That was a nightmare. I didn't
> get home tell 4:00am last night, but it was still a blast.
>
> Chris Maness