Southern California Club Xterra
Southern California Club Xterra => SCCX Xcursions => Topic started by: RikRong on September 09, 2016, 10:26:42 AM
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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
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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!
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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.
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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!
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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.
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.
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I'm in for this, probably camp out somewhere, maybe a campground if I must :(
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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.
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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. O0
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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
(http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae195/DzrtX/Thanksgiving%202012%20Road%20Trip/DSC_0048.jpg) (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/DzrtX/media/Thanksgiving%202012%20Road%20Trip/DSC_0048.jpg.html)
Plate commemorating Mr. Schmidt's efforts
(http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae195/DzrtX/Thanksgiving%202012%20Road%20Trip/DSC_0047.jpg) (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/DzrtX/media/Thanksgiving%202012%20Road%20Trip/DSC_0047.jpg.html)
Close to the end of the 2,000' solid granite tunnel
(http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae195/DzrtX/Thanksgiving%202012%20Road%20Trip/DSC_0044.jpg) (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/DzrtX/media/Thanksgiving%202012%20Road%20Trip/DSC_0044.jpg.html)
GhostX tackling Last Chance Canyon
(http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae195/DzrtX/Thanksgiving%202012%20Road%20Trip/DSC_0028-1.jpg) (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/DzrtX/media/Thanksgiving%202012%20Road%20Trip/DSC_0028-1.jpg.html)
View from above, looking north
(http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae195/DzrtX/Thanksgiving%202012%20Road%20Trip/DSC_0032-1.jpg) (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/DzrtX/media/Thanksgiving%202012%20Road%20Trip/DSC_0032-1.jpg.html)
Copper ore stripes everywhere
(http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae195/DzrtX/Thanksgiving%202012%20Road%20Trip/DSC_0034.jpg) (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/DzrtX/media/Thanksgiving%202012%20Road%20Trip/DSC_0034.jpg.html)
Watch out for the "rattlesnares"
(http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae195/DzrtX/Thanksgiving%202012%20Road%20Trip/DSC_0016.jpg) (http://s971.photobucket.com/user/DzrtX/media/Thanksgiving%202012%20Road%20Trip/DSC_0016.jpg.html)
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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
Tentative:
1. Morgan
BTW...this is how you post a run folks... :)
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Thanks for the pictures John. Hopefully, this will help convince more people to join this trip. lol
I was astonished at the amount of copper ore stripes around the area. There was quite a bit in the tunnel, with a lot of rust/corrosion as well. This place is a geological wonder ground.
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Put me down as "tentative" Rick, plus my better half. I'll make sure I can swing the time off work. Thanks for putting this together! I've been dying to get out and explore this area. I'm with knightrider in the sense that I'll probably camp one night at least. It's a long drive to do a one day turn.
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Put me down as "tentative" Rick, plus my better half. I'll make sure I can swing the time off work. Thanks for putting this together! I've been dying to get out and explore this area. I'm with knightrider in the sense that I'll probably camp one night at least. It's a long drive to do a one day turn.
Will do. Hope to see you all out there.
Some additional things to note: the closest gas is at Jawbone and it's expensive. For those coming from San Diego or any other location that comes up the 395, I believe Kramer Junction is the last gas stop and it's about 45 minutes away. Mojave and Ridgecrest both have gas but are about 20 minutes away, east or west. I believe there is a also a gas station north of Red Rock on 14, but I'm sure it's expensive. Just keep these things in mind when you are looking at planning for this trip.
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For those attending, I'd like to get a visit to Bickel Camp in while we're back there. There is a caretaker back in place at the camp. If you plan on attending, and if you'd like, please bring something to donate to the caretaker; paper goods, firewood, water, etc.
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Sure thing, I'll plan on doing so.
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Veteran's Day Weekend. I may be able to do this one.
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Veteran's Day Weekend. I may be able to do this one.
Awesome! Let me know, and I'll add your name to the list.
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After putting up a post on the Explorers of the Mojave Desert FB page, there were a few camping places suggested. They also said dispersed camping is okay wherever you could find a spot.
Holland Camp:
http://deathvalleyjim.com/2012/12/28/holland-camp/
https://www.google.com/maps/place/El+Paso+Mountains/@35.4377355,-117.8334081,14z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x80c170a77a8e1255:0xbbf6b40a04c38762!8m2!3d35.4377373!4d-117.8158985
Jonie-Jack cabin in Bonanza Gulch:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bonanza+Gulch/@35.4344199,-117.9004886,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x80c177973c646b89:0x135addad4ab37d20!8m2!3d35.4344032!4d-117.8917338
http://deathvalleyjim.com/2013/08/20/bonanza-gulch/
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Count me in :)
What is the planned meetup spot and time? I may drive up there Friday night after work and stay somewhere closer, then dont have to get up so early Saturday...
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Awesome! We're going to meet at Last Chance Canyon Rd at 9 on Saturday. Knightrider and JFanaselle are talking about camping, but I'm not sure which nights. Take a look at the links above, there is also a ton of BLM land to camp. Last Chance Canyon Rd should be on the Google Maps link in the OP. I'll add your name to the list.
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Hey Rick - what time on Saturday do you think the off-roading and exploring activities will conclude? Childcare is becoming a bit of an issue for me on this trip now that my parents moved away (the in-laws both work, so they aren't as flexible with having Gavin as often as my parents were, especially for multiple days/nights). It's about a 3 hour drive to the meet spot from my house. So we'd have to leave about 5:00 am Saturday morning (to allow time for gas/breakfast stops, or any unforeseen delays), which means Gavin would have to go over to the in-laws' house Friday night.
So I don't think we'll be able to camp after all - we'll likely have to head home at the end of the day and get Gavin from the in-laws late Saturday evening. The other option is to bring Gavin along and camp Saturday night with him, but he's not a very seasoned camper yet and it would likely be a burden on the rest of the camping group, which I don't want to put anyone through. I think he probably needs a couple more "family" camping trips before he's ready to camp with the group.
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Hey Rick - what time on Saturday do you think the off-roading and exploring activities will conclude? Childcare is becoming a bit of an issue for me on this trip now that my parents moved away (the in-laws both work, so they aren't as flexible with having Gavin as often as my parents were, especially for multiple days/nights). It's about a 3 hour drive to the meet spot from my house. So we'd have to leave about 5:00 am Saturday morning (to allow time for gas/breakfast stops, or any unforeseen delays), which means Gavin would have to go over to the in-laws' house Friday night.
So I don't think we'll be able to camp after all - we'll likely have to head home at the end of the day and get Gavin from the in-laws late Saturday evening. The other option is to bring Gavin along and camp Saturday night with him, but he's not a very seasoned camper yet and it would likely be a burden on the rest of the camping group, which I don't want to put anyone through. I think he probably needs a couple more "family" camping trips before he's ready to camp with the group.
BLUF: The only set plan I have is for the main canyon, Bickel Camp, and Burro Schmidt Tunnel. After that, it's wide open
Joe, it'll probably take us about 2 hours to get through the main part of the canyon. After that, I was just planning on looping around to Bickel Camp and then Burro Schmidt tunnel for lunch and exploration. We can loop off the hill after the tunnel and back down to LCC Road if you need to head out at that point, then the remainder of us can duck back into the hills. We can also do Burro Schmidt and come back down to Bickel. However, from the tunnel side you only have easy access to 14, if we loop back down the hill from the tunnel, it'll give you easy access to 395. I'm willing to work with whatever time you need.
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We wouldn't need to leave any earlier than you for the day Rick, so no worries. Just wondering when you planned on calling it a day yourself. My wife is talking with her mom about it now, and it looks like she may actually take Gavin for both nights after all. I'll let you know.
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seems like a cool area to check out. For some reason I always thought that LCC was a more technical trail.
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We wouldn't need to leave any earlier than you for the day Rick, so no worries. Just wondering when you planned on calling it a day yourself. My wife is talking with her mom about it now, and it looks like she may actually take Gavin for both nights after all. I'll let you know.
Okay sounds good. Honestly, I'd like to leave before dark and that's fairly early during this time of year.
seems like a cool area to check out. For some reason I always thought that LCC was a more technical trail.
LCC itself if pretty technical, but the hardest parts have bypasses. However, the rest of the area does have some technical parts, but there is also a lot of sight-seeing sites back there too.
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I need to get up there and scope it out. I won't be able to this time around with you guys though.
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I need to get up there and scope it out. I won't be able to this time around with you guys though.
It's definitely worth checking out. Look into Friends of Jawbone, they sell a pretty detailed map of the area.
https://www.jawbone.org
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the whole area up there gets pretty complicated actually.. especially if you were to decide to go up there in an OHV (dirt bike, SideXSide etc.) there are so many area linked together.. Jawbone, Dove Springs, Red Rock Canyon S.P, Cal City, Rand Mountain Management Area, Spaingler Hills, & Grass Valley.
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This is just under two weeks out, so bumping this to the top for anyone else that might want to attend. We'll meet at Last Chance Canyon Rd. at 0900 on Saturday, work our way through the canyon, to Bickel Camp and then to Burro-Schmidt tunnel. Depending on time, I thought we could do lunch at the Tunnel, but if we're at Bickel Camp for a while, we can eat there too. I don't really have a set schedule, we'll just go with the flow.
Reminder for those attending, please bring something to give to the Camp caretaker, firewood, water, canned goods, etc. Thanks!
Map:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Last+Chance+Canyon/@35.3682919,-117.925355,14z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x80c1788eae8c8d1f:0xfaf8cfd7ea58aaf3!8m2!3d35.3682937!4d-117.9078454
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From what I have heard offline, there are several people planning to attend and planning to camp either Friday or Saturday night. So I think some coordination is in order for anyone who wants to camp together, just to ensure that we're not all spread out and camping around the same general area when we can easily have a nice group setting.
So, here's the plan for the wife and I - We are leaving the house by noon on Friday and traveling up to the general area. We'll spend some time exploring along the way and plan to arrive around sundown (or earlier, if camping). Our plan was to stay at a hotel somewhere unless others are camping in the area and wouldn't mind some extra company. On Saturday morning, we'll be at the trailhead at the scheduled start time. We will not be camping Saturday night as the wife and I have other plans in the area Saturday evening. So we're up for a Friday evening camping session if anyone else is planning the same.
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Oh, slight correction to what I said earlier. Don't do canned goods, but definitely water, firewood, or paper products.
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Also planning to find a hotel for Friday night somewhere in town of Mojave, I'll probably leave after work unless I can get my sh!t done early :)
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If your going to stay in Mojave be sure to bring bug spray and bed bug dust before you use the beds. :o You may want to rethink the location and stay in Palmdale or Lancaster instead.
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If your going to stay in Mojave be sure to bring bug spray and bed bug dust before you use the beds. :o You may want to rethink the location and stay in Palmdale or Lancaster instead.
I'm glad you noticed this, I didn't even see that he mentioned Mojave. However, definitely do what Woody suggested. Stay in Palmdale, near Ave P/Rancho Vista/Antelope Valley Mall area or there's a nice hotel right of the 14 on Ave I. In-n-Out is right across the street. I'd offer up my spare bedroom for Friday night, but we won't be getting back from Universal until late that evening.
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We're out for Friday night. Based on the wife's schedule with work (and her inability to get Friday morning off), we've decided that we'll just make the drive up early Saturday morning instead of fighting the Friday Vegas traffic just to be 2 hours closer on Saturday morning.
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Also planning to find a hotel for Friday night somewhere in town of Mojave, I'll probably leave after work unless I can get my sh!t done early :)
Ridgecrest has nice hotels as well.
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Final bump before this weekend. Should be a fun trip, can't wait to see you all out there.
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Looking forward to it so much I even got new tires :) (Too much slipping and sliding on my A/Ts while following Painroller and Fixitguy through Rattlesnake canyon!).
See you there!
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Looking forward to it so much I even got new tires :) (Too much slipping and sliding on my A/Ts while following Painroller and Fixitguy through Rattlesnake canyon!).
See you there!
Awesome! Looking forward to seeing you out there. O0
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Add me to the list if it isn't too late. I'll be driving up early Saturday morning from San Diego.
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Add me to the list if it isn't too late. I'll be driving up early Saturday morning from San Diego.
It is not, we'll see you in the morning.
I can't remember what CB channel we use, but I'll be on ch16 CB and 146.535 on HAM. Also, my cell is seven 0 one 330-9910. Looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow.
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The wife and I pulled an audible and drove up to Ridgecrest this evening. Probably going to hit up the Trona pinnacles around sunrise before heading over to the meet spot. Well be on 146.535 on the way over. See you guys in the morning!
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The wife and I pulled an audible and drove up to Ridgecrest this evening. Probably going to hit up the Trona pinnacles around sunrise before heading over to the meet spot. Well be on 146.535 on the way over. See you guys in the morning!
I'm sure that was a sunset to remember. See you all in a little bit.
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