Author Topic: Last Chance Canyon: 12 November 2016 (Read 12891 times)

RikRong · « **on:** September 09, 2016, 10:26:42 AM »

So, after running Last Chance Canyon with some of the guys from SCXF, I thought this would be a pretty cool trip for SCCX. This date isn't solid, but I thought a three-day weekend would be easier for some people, if not, we can move it to a better date. Last Chance Canyon is located near Red Rock Canyon state park, which is gorgeous in and of itself. There are campgrounds in RR and also in Jawbone Canyon OHV area and the adjacent Dove Springs OHV area. I don't plan on camping, since I'm only about 45 minutes from Last Chance Canyon. I'd like to turn this into a sight-seeing adventure also. There are many mines and camps in this area, as well as Burro Schmidt tunnel. LCC Canyon will only take a couple of hours to get through, but then it opens up into RR and BLM land that is chock full of stuff to see.

With all of that being said, 4WD, front/rear recovery points, and off-road tires will be my minimum requirements for this run. However, the rock gardens will require 4WD, a lift, off-road tires, and full armor (stock bumpers are okay, though). The way LCC is setup, you can bypass the rock gardens, but you still need 4WD and good tires to get through some of those sections. We had a near bone-stock Frontier with us, and he had no problems with the bypasses. Though, he did have good A/T tires.

Minimum Gear Req's for everyone:
- 4WD
- Off-road tires
- Front/rear recovery points
- CB, at minimum, HAM recommended
- Tire deflators
- Air compressor (we can assist, if you don't have one, but it makes things go more quickly if you bring your own)
- Recovery straps
Gear Req's for rock gardens:
All the above, plus:
- Sliders
- Full skids
- Rear locker will help, but is not required

Pics from my LCC trip:
http://www.sccxterra.com/smf/index.php?topic=3937.0
Alltrails.com page about LCC:
http://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/last-chance-canyon
Google Map of LCC:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Last+Chance+Canyon/@35.3605058,-117.9266999,14.23z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x80c1788eae8c8d1f:0xfaf8cfd7ea58aaf3!8m2!3d35.3682937!4d-117.9078454
Red Rock Canyon State Park
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=631
Jawbone OHV Area:
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/ridgecrest/jawbone_open_area.html

Attending:
1. Rick
2. Jordan
3. occupantX
4. Joe + 1
5. Morgan
6. Riz98

Tentative:
1. Sage Bromax

beedee · « **Reply #1 on:** September 09, 2016, 10:46:25 AM »

This sounds fun. I'd have to find a sitter for the baby since it is on a Saturday. I'll put it on my radar and see what I can do!

RikRong · « **Reply #2 on:** September 09, 2016, 11:43:02 AM »

Quote from: beedee on September 09, 2016, 10:46:25 AM

This sounds fun. I'd have to find a sitter for the baby since it is on a Saturday. I'll put it on my radar and see what I can do!

Awesome, hope you can make it.

GreenAcres · « **Reply #3 on:** September 09, 2016, 12:47:44 PM »

Looks great, though I'm not sure I meet the required spec. My tires are Cooper Discovery A/T, which though not purely street don't qualify as "off road", and my recovery points are the tow hook in front and the receiver in back.

So, I'll look forward to a later opportunity, because the area looks amazing!

RikRong · « **Reply #4 on:** September 09, 2016, 01:56:20 PM »

Quote from: Morgan on September 09, 2016, 12:47:44 PM

Looks great, though I'm not sure I meet the required spec. My tires are Cooper Discovery A/T, which though not purely street don't qualify as "off road", and my recovery points are the tow hook in front and the receiver in back.

So, I'll look forward to a later opportunity, because the area looks amazing!

Those tires will be just fine, as well as those tow points. While the front one isn't perfect, it will still work in a recovery situation.

For others that might be interested, I wouldn't normally post up so many "requirements," but after running this trail, I can't see anything less than 4wd really making it. If you're 2wd and want to do this, we could make two separate groups and allow the 2wd guys to run the trails outside and around LCC. However, someone would need to take responsibility and lead this group.

Quote from: beedee on September 09, 2016, 10:46:25 AM

This sounds fun. I'd have to find a sitter for the baby since it is on a Saturday. I'll put it on my radar and see what I can do!

I just re-read your post. Would Sunday work better? The date is tentative, I was basically just looking for any day during the long weekend.

knightrider · « **Reply #5 on:** September 09, 2016, 02:52:46 PM »

I'm in for this, probably camp out somewhere, maybe a campground if I must

RikRong · « **Reply #6 on:** September 09, 2016, 03:16:15 PM »

Quote from: knightrider on September 09, 2016, 02:52:46 PM

I'm in for this, probably camp out somewhere, maybe a campground if I must

There's a hodge-podge of BLM land around LCC, but I'm not quite sure what the map looks like. You might be able camp next to one of the many abandoned mine camps that are back there.

edit: Looking at the Dove Springs map, LCC appears to be BLM land and it opens up to more BLM land behind Red Rock. You can come in from the north or east side, head towards Burro Schmidt and hit that interior area without having to go through LCC.

RikRong · « **Reply #7 on:** September 13, 2016, 07:38:03 AM »

I'll also throw this out there for anyone. We have an extra bed and bathroom for anyone, if they'd like to stay the night before, the night after, or maybe even both. I know LCC is kind of a drive for most of you all.

Ghost65 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 13, 2016, 07:59:09 AM »

Thank you Rick for coordinating this!

I have a scheduling "black out" from 11/1 thru 12/26, so more than likely out for this.

However, having spent some time exploring this region, I highly encourage anyone considering this to just go! It is the perfect time of year, and so much to explore in the LCC area. Here are a few photos from a trip I took there with my son in 2012...

The Burro Schmidt Tunnel