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Kiwi Wayne

New Years Ride to the river and beyond

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I have a "walk about pass" from Dec 27-31 which I intend to use for an adventure ride. If there is interest from others I am flexible as to route/bike etc. I am thinking day 1 Viejas Grade, down Orroflame, across Ocotillo Wells area then Bradshaw Trail over to the river. 

From there I am lost and need help. I would like to work my way north up the river to Laughlin and do the Mojave Trail cause its awesome. From there head south through Joshua Tree area I will be taking camping gear but am not opposed to hoteling it either.

If I ended going alone I would probably switch to more adventure bike friendly as I don't have the balls of others to ride in the Dez alone.

The wife got a new knee for Christmas so will be at home on house/dog watch. I now know what to get her next Christmas!

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what size bike are you on?  If skinny bike take red cloud mine over to Blythe If adventure bike 650 and larger take Kofa over to Parker

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I'll probably be out at my river shack in Bullhead City 29th - 1st......easy to take Mohave Rd. over to Kelbaker and then roll on pavement down into 29 Palms/Joshua Tree......we rode back from LA-B-V that way ~10yrs ago......

Also easy to ride along the river from Needles north to the AVI Casino (on AZ. side of river)....once you reach AVI jump to NV. side of the river to head up to Laughlin.....

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Nice. I've been wanting to do something like this for a while too, heading out the Bradshaw Trail towards Blythe. It looks like they have cabin rentals in Ehrenberg, just south of Blythe on the AZ side.  We've been talking about dry camping at Lk. Martinez during that time this year too. Red Cloud Mine Rd. is a great little bike DS road on the AZ side, leads right into Martinez. I'm interested. 

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Hope somebody can join ya. I Can't make this date but like the ride plan. I'm curious how you end up going. I'll try to dig up some notes from a past ride. 

Many suggested options on this thread. Thanks again guys!

 

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All good info, Thanks

I guess about now is a good time to get into the GPS mapping thing. I was hopping Pastapilot would join. Hes a pro.

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Kiwi, I'll be wandering around that area between xmas and Jan 7.  Not yet sure which 2-4 days of riding will match schedule (but your schedule might work).  Since I just did Bradshaw, I will likely do a loop or 2 that will include either red-cloud, Kofa, and/or Picacho.  I plan to truck camp (either remote, pirate, or RV campgrounds (Fountain of youth is very comfortable and clean if you do Bradshaw) and may have a driver to help with misc. drop-offs and pick-ups to keep my ride on almost all dirt, and to carry all camping gear, firewood, coolers, Large gas cans, ... etc.  I could help shuttle the extra gear of others if a plan comes to fruition. First night may be from, and return to, winterhaven, or Imperial Dam, or near the Ghost town at Castle Dome.  I will watch the thread (I do not plan to ride a vstrom, it will be a more dirt oriented bike).  I could also consider a northward, one-way ride trek, from WinterHaven to Laughlin (Kiwi, Buy a GPSMap 78 or similar, and maybe Crawdaddy or DanRider, or ??? will offer a couple tracks that would guide your first GPS tracking experience - I may have a couple snippets of tracks in the southern region, and I have Bradshaw tracks from a couple weeks ago to give you).  Cheers.

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I've been wanting to explore the area between N. Glamis and Blythe for a while. I think I'm going to get in on Crawdaddy's 'Core For Kid's' event out there on Jan. 27th, new format 'Poker Run' sounds fun.  And run out the Bradshaw Trail towards the river one day while there.  A Descanso to Laughlin run would be epic for me.  I hope your not done figuring it out yet.

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Hey Kiwi, sounds like you have alternative game plans. And wildwood, the Bradshaw area ride with Crawdaddy sounds like a good time.  I will likely drive solo to Winterhaven-ish (tomorrow or next), and ride from that area north (eastside, cross river, and then south, cut over to picacho) to do a loop (I think Cibola is the only closest bridge besides Imperial Dam) east side to west side.  I haven't checked mileage yet.  I would like to avoid the pavement to Blythe just to gas up, so I might carry rotopaks, or 2-3 MSR bottles so I could immediately turn south upon crossing the river (at levee and river roads - I hope to heck that actually is an open bridge since I haven't been there). I would plan to have a brew while sitting at the picacho boat launch. I could just do a partial of any of the above just to follow side roads till they end just to wander around - as opposed to a distance ride.  Laughlin from Descancso could still be considered, but only if 90%+ dirt- would need to get tracks.  If any SDAR riders can add info or options that should be considered in that area, feel free to chime in. Cheers. 

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The bridge at Cibola was open the last time  I went up there.  Palo Verde is just north of the crossing and there is a gas station there.  You don't need to go all the way to Blythe which is around 20 miles further.      Old Palo Verde Rd is just  west of 78 for the return if you want to stay on the dirt.  It will take you all the way down to where Ogilby hits 78, then cut over to Picacho.  Already packing to head out to Super with the family or I would be asking to join you.  Have a great ride.

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Thanks dstss, that is great info.  Gas on route - yahoo, didn't want to ride to Blythe, and a cool looking ravine wash route along "Old" palo verde road, and then a lower cross over 78 to find misc. dirt roads along east side of ogilby. On google earth, there looks to be a straight shot down to indian pass to enter picacho from the north (maybe a pole line?). 

I will assume that when you said that you are going to Super - to mean superstition.  Last Friday I rode Ocotillo to Painted Gorge to super (mostly to ride that section that has gates locked january to June for birthing) (must have been a major wind storm a week ago as I made "first" tracks along the almost 70 miles. Big, and many, sand drifts across roads (except that damn rocky section  "hard climb for this newbie" on the trail up that north east side of super to climb to the ridge!)  But the new tracks were super cool, except some major quicksand on the side of super coming back down on the west. Once, my entire bike sank instantaneously to almost top of tires. I can't recall ever being tossed from a bike and landing so softly - haha, but sand Everywhere -  I will be cleaning air filter tonight!). Maybe that is silt, not sand! And, hard to see it coming up and how big and steep it invades the road when goggles create a bit of a "white out" effect.

Safe and fun riding to you and family. 

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If you are making good time on the way back to Picacho, I'd suggest a cool detour.   About a mile or two north on 78, from where Ogilby hits 78 is Black Mountain road. Take it east.  It is a graded/rough paved windy road up to the transmit towers on top of the hill. The road itself is fun enough with lots of twists and turns. The view from the top is fantastic.  To the east you see hills all the way to the river.  To the west you see the expanse of the dunes all the way from Glamis to Mexico.  Just go back the way you came. Avoid the temptation of the dirt road leading down the backside of the hill.  Worst hill i have ever been on.

As for Old Picacho Road, it is a lot of fun through the Palo Verde wilderness, then becomes a graded road all the way down to Ogilby.  There are some fun trails off the side.  Some good riding over in that area.  

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Thanks again.  Great info.  I may target this friday (12/29/17) for the loop.  Should be nice along the river, .....both sides  :)   

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