Fossil Falls 4 That…It Was a Cool and Windy Morning Interesting, Depending on Your Viewpoint

DESERT NO. 99 J UNE 2004 EXPLORERS

4WD SECTION OF THE MOJAVE RIVER VALLEY MUSEUM Cabin is well-marked and the cabin itself is unlocked and has a visitor register. It is quite clean and in very good shape. The parking area and tiny turn-around loop are going to offer a real space-utilization problem when Hallett Newman, his family and friends, and our small group of Desert Explorers meet there on the weekend of May 15 for our dinner and camp- TTRRIIPP out. Clearly, some vehicles will have to be parked alongside the road, away from the cabin. After we finished our inspection and signed RREEPPOORRTTSS in as visitors, we continued up-canyon to the turnoff to the Barker and Meyers Ranches and Goler Canyon Pre- on to those ranches. Bill Ott showed me where Charles Manson was hiding (under the sink) at In this issue: Run the Barker property when he was arrested. The Meyers Ranch is fenced and seriously posted as • Goler Canyon Pre-Run 1 April 22, 2004 private property, so we stayed on the road. • Lookie-Loos at Little Lake 2 • Re-Subscribers 3 Led and reported by John Page We decided to have lunch at Mengel Pass so • Little Petroglyph Canyon 3 continued farther up-canyon. The road above • Ayers Rock 3 T WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT …NO , STRIKE the turnoff: a) deteriorates, or b) becomes • Fossil Falls 4 that…it was a cool and windy morning interesting, depending on your viewpoint. There • Rondezvous Auction Results 5 • Trip Schedule 5 IIwhen Bill Ott and I met at the Desert Empire are a number of tight, rocky turns and other • Next Meeting 5 Fairgrounds at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday before places where we needed to be careful of the • Future Trips 6 the Rendezvous. Using the map that had been placement of our tires and of our vehicles’ • The Pink House 6 sent to Rendezvous-ers, we talked about staking clearance over rocks and around outcrops in • Searles Valley Museum 6 • Lone Pine Concert 7 claims on the nice grassy, shady, protected area the roadbed. Fun! • Manzanar 7 that had been assigned to the tent campers. We had a late (1:30 p.m.) tailgate lunch at • Mojave Road 7 Fortunately, we decided to wait until our return the pass near the Mengel Monument, a cairn of • DE Hams 8 • Where am I? 9 from the pre-run, later that day. rocks over the remains of Carl Mengel. • E-mail list 10 The drive through Trona and • Fine print 10 Ballarat and south about 14 miles to the Goler Canyon turnoff was uneventful, although both the Searles and Panamint valleys were shrouded with the dust that was raised by the fero - cious wind. Two minor “rockfalls” were the only obstacles encountered on the way to the Newman Cabin. A two-wheel-drive vehicle might have a bit of a struggle climbing the second, but they posed no problem to our 4wd steeds. Issue Number 99 The turnoff to the Newman Digital Photo by John Page Newman Cabin Digital photo by Bob Martin Digital photo by John Page Bear feet? Baskets? Bra? Then we turned around and returned examples of atlatls. Snake’s Head pictograph site at Little Lake to the Fairgrounds where Marilyn Martin We drove to the next picked up our CB chatter and guided us petro site at the into the fine, open parking lot that we south end of Little were to call home for the next three Lake dubbed “The nights. Snake’s Head”. It was even more pro - lific, and included Lookie-Loos at some pictographs as well. Little Lake Little Lake sparkled in the breeze, traffic By Sue Jaussaud whizzed by out on Highway 395, and we were all feeling H BOY , OH BOY , I FELT LIKE A KID IN A so smug to be on the Digital photo by John Page candy store! We were in, behind inside, after all those OOthe locked gate and the “keep out” years of being out - Our host Bruce Ivey at Little Lake signs. Our host, Bruce Ivey, was waiting side-looking-in. for us at the entrance to Little Lake Ranch Time flew by. and directed our large group of vehicles After a stop at an to the ranch’s clubhouse. Our gracious area where obsidian hostess, Elsie Ivey, invited us in. Bruce flakes covered the welcomed us and gave a short talk about ground, we drove to the ranch. He and Elsie are part of a our lunch spot, group of owners of this private inholding alongside volcanic that includes more than 1,200 acres. It is cliffs by the lake. now a hunting club, as evidenced by the Here, picnic tables many display cases on the walls that con - awaited, and –oh, tained a variety of ducks. Knowing our glory! – there were interest in rock art, Bruce told us that restrooms with flush some of the petroglyphs here are 9,000 toilets! During years old. Also, we were surprised to lunch, we presented Digital photo by John Page learn that Little Lake is spring fed, and our hosts with a does not receive any water from the copy of the book, Little Lake Ranch house Owens River. “These Canyons Are Full of Ghosts”. They please close the gate,” was their only After a quick look around, we walked were delighted to meet the author, request. Wow! We took a leisurely look a short distance from the clubhouse to the Emmett Harder, who was part of our around, strolling down to the lake and out basalt cliffs, where wonderful rock art group. on the dock. The cliffs at the picnic area awaited. Cameras clicked, and the more Shortly after lunch, Bruce told us that revealed more rock art. Some of us agile in the group scrambled up the cliff they had an appointment in Bishop and checked out yet another site complete face for a better view of the numerous would need to leave, but said we could with slicks, yoni’s, and maybe even a petroglyphs, which include many fine stay as long as we wanted. “Last one out, “birthing rock”. 2 DESERT EXPLORERS 4WD S ECTION OF THE MOJAVE RIVER VALLEY MUSEUM NO. 99 J UNE 2004 more were the Please welcome back orders of the day H.S. Barsam Fresno for our little group of 20 to gain admittance Finally, it was time to head back to the to the China Lake fairgrounds in Ridgecrest. We closed the Naval Air Weapons gate and, with one last look at Little Lake, Station for the tour of headed south. Little Petroglyph Our profound thanks go to Bruce and Canyon. We thank Elsie Ivey for all their efforts in making Anne Stoll for liaising this unique adventure possible for us. with the Maturango Museum and the Navy several months Photo by Allan Wicker Little Petroglyph in advance to cover all the “post 9-11” Little Petroglyph Canyon Canyon requirements and for spending time get - Hemisphere. Characteristic elements of ting us started on our adventure on the this area are sheep, lots of sheep, with April 24, 2004 actual day. She’d prepared us, so we were horns to the front, the weighted atlatl, pretty stoic about the seemingly repetitive intricate anthropomorphs, and abstract, by Ann Fulton precautions. shield-like patterns. Estimates on dates Our “command-approved” guides for the drawings range from 16,000 years ECURITY CLEARANCES , IDENTITY VERIFICA - were Lloyd and Sherlyn Brubaker, Leslie ago to as late as the 1800’s...one of the tions, vehicle searches, and check - and Lynn West. They patiently took us few certainties is that some of the designs SSing lists once, twice, thrice, and through the processing and guided us, at predate others by considerable numbers last, to the canyon, of years. But the who and the wherefore where they provided and the why-they-stopped-doing-what- excellent informa - they- were-doing are lost in time. tion about the rock This visitor’s conclusions: It is exhila - art and made sure rating studying petroglyphs, even when we didn’t climb the you have to keep your feet in the sand at walls in trying to get the bottom of a canyon. After all, that sea - surer shots of the soned, atlatl wielding, eternally vigilant petroglyphs. Lloyd is hunter up there on that block of basalt an enthusiastic may be keeping his eye on you too. retired science teacher and gave us some personal per - Ayers Rock spectives and elabo - rations on the By Bob & Marilyn Martin Photo by Allan Wicker uniqueness of the Coso Range draw - Shirley at the waterfall ings...in a nutshell: T 9:00 A.M. SHARP A WELL -ORDERED Lesson 1. Rock group consisting of John Page, Bill art never gets old. AAOtt, Lorene Crawford, Betty and Lesson 2. Dario Sanchez, Jerry & Joni Harada, Jim Mysteries abound. Proffitt, and Bob and Alicia Wieting fol - Lesson 3. lowed us up Highway 395 to the rest stop Some visitors may at Coso Junction. After a brief pause, we sense spirits of the were on our way east on the Coso Road. past lingering in The last time we were there the BLM had these “galleries.” placed an Ayers Rock sign on the paved The Coso Range road at the junction with the dirt road canyons contain the leading to the Rock. We later found out highest concentra - that the BLM had removed the sign. It’s tion of rock art hard to understand why they would (more than 6,000 remove the sign when their web site gives Photo by Allan Wicker images) in the directions and mileages to the Rock. The Hunter? Western bureaucratic mind works in mysterious 3 DESERT EXPLORERS 4WD S ECTION OF THE MOJAVE RIVER VALLEY MUSEUM NO. 99 J UNE 2004 Digital photo by John Page Digital photo by Jim Proffitt BLM entrance sign Ayers Rock Jerry managed to Savage, Bill Ott, and I took the time on find a rattlesnake, Sunday to visit Fossil Falls. but I don’t think that Only Don Putnam can remember the was what he was Owens River rushing down this channel looking for. during the spring runoff from the eastern We had brought our Sierra; and, because it carried abrasive lunch so we con - sand and dirt, polishing the lava into a sumed it in the shade jungle of distorted, black-and-brown of Ayers Rock and pieces of abstract art. enjoyed cookies fur - The parking lot, brick pit toilet, two nished by John Page. picnic benches, interpretive sign, and After lunch it was trailhead are a short distance from 395. back to Highway 395 You can’t see anything unusual unless you and a pause along walk the two-tenths of a mile to the top of the old road by the falls. All of us did that walk, even Digital photo by Jim Proffitt where Little Lake though the temperature was uncomfort - Ayers Rock pictograph ( too bad we can’t print in color) Hotel stood to look ably high. Chuck and Jeanice left after a ways! for the petroglyphs. Couldn’t find them. good look at the Falls, then Bill, Nan, and In any event we passed the turn-off Then we paused along the highway to even though it looked to me like the road show everyone the old trail that climbs the we took before. Soon we were at the lava flow. guard gate to the China Lake Navy Base. John Page had left us at the highway to My navigator kept insisting that was the scout Fossil Falls for his tour Sunday, so gate where we took a dirt road to the left we had met our 10% loss. last time. But we turned around and went back to the dirt road. Jerry said that was the method used the last time he had been Fossil Falls there also, so I was following the pre - scribed method of travel. Following Neal’s April 25, 2004 Rule we parked on the turn-around road leaving enough space for another vehicle Led and reported by John to pass, should one appear. Page A short hike on a well-traveled trail brought us to the pictographs. Sunny VERY TIME YOU DRIVE NORTH ON 395 TO Hanson had told me there were some fish, backpack, ski, or clean out the shelter caves under the boulders above EEcasinos at Tahoe or Reno, you pass Ayers rock so I went looking. Found two within a few feet of a picturesque little of them. Lots of broken flakes of obsidian canyon in a lava field, the head of which is and blackened earth. Bruce Ivey had told called Fossil Falls. You’ve most likely seen us yesterday that there was no natural the sign at the turnoff and promised your - obsidian in the area so all pieces had self to visit the spot when you have more Digital photo by john Page been brought in by humans. Bob and time, which is never. A small group, con - Alicia, John, and Jerry also poked around. sisting of Chuck and Jeanice Kalbach, Nan The Falls 4 DESERT EXPLORERS 4WD S ECTION OF THE MOJAVE RIVER VALLEY MUSEUM NO. 99 J UNE 2004 Digital photo by John Page Digital photo by John Page Down stream from Fossil Falls Lava from the parking lot I went “upstream” to look for rock rings, Members contributing items were Peggy Crawford, Joe Daly, John Downing, metates, and obsidian chips. We found an Kelley & Craig Baker, John & Ann Fulton, Leonard Friedman, Ann Fulton, Janet abundance of obsidian chips, but nothing Jean & Sunny Hanson, Vicki Hill, Bob & Hand, Jean Hansen, Vicki Hill, Nancy else. For information see Sue Jaussaud, Neal & Marian Johns, Ron Hoopes, Charles Hughes, Mary Hughes, http://www.ca.blm.gov/ridgecrest/fossil.h & Linda Lewis, Ron & Kim Lipari, Nancy Bob Jaussaud, Sue Jaussaud, Marian tml. MacLean, Ed & Maxine Manes, Bob & Johns, Neal Johns, Sally Kinsey, Dave We ate lunch on one of the picnic Marilyn Martin, Debbie Miller, Bill Neill, Legters, Nancy MacLean, Bob Martin, tables, then headed home: Bill to his Bob Oliver, John Page, Don & Myrtie Marilyn Martin, Dave McFarland, Debbie campsite at the fairgrounds, and Nan and Miller, Chuck Mitchell, Terry Ogden, Bill I south on 14 to L.A.. Ott, Jeanette Patterson, Jim Proffitt, Don Putnam, Myrtie Putnam, Alan Romspert, Dario Sanchez, Nan Savage, Anne Stoll, Al Desert Explorers’ Next Meeting Walter, Carol Wilcher, Allan Wicker, and Ding Wicker. Rendezvous Alan Romspert’s Start thinking about next year and all 6:00 p.m. Tuesday July 27 those items that would make a good con - 605 North Pomona Ave. tribution to our silent auction and make Silent Auction Fullerton more space at your house for more use - 714-870-0946 ful junk. Results Alan P. Romspert Silent Auction Heje

WENTY -TWO MEMBERS /FAMILIES CON - Putnam, Alan Romspert, Nan Savage, tributed one hundred items for the Allan Schoenherr, George & Anne Stoll, TTauction. Forty lucky(?) individuals Alan Thompson, spent over $750.00 for eighty-nine of and Allan & Ding these items. I want to thank all the partic - Wicker. If I missed ipants, both donors and buyers for mak - anyone I apologize, ing this another successful auction. but you didn’t fol - low directions and put your Desert Explorers name on the back of the bid Trip Schedule sheet. July 3-5 Coyote Flats Sears Those individu - August 7-9 Bodie Back Roads Martin als contributing October 16-17 Pahrump Petroglyphs Martin to the Desert Explorers trea - sury were; E. Berry, Shirley Bolin, Paul Photo by Allan Wicker Condon, Lorene Bidding frenzy 5 DESERT EXPLORERS 4WD S ECTION OF THE MOJAVE RIVER VALLEY MUSEUM NO. 99 J UNE 2004 REPAIR MEMO TO ALL DE’ers: fashioned way with a SASE. SASEs will be HERE ARE TWO CANYONS WITH PETRO - From Neal Johns returned in late June. glyphs just east of Pahrump. I was You really only need two tools: Pets only with Leader’s permission. TTshown one of them by friends in WD-40 and duct tape. Pahrump and the other by the Stolls. The If it doesn’t move and it should, use the first is accessed by a very rocky rough WD-40. If it moves and it shouldn’t, use Goodbye God. road. On the way there is a side canyon with a large cabin and spring we will visit. the duct tape We’re going to We plan to the spend the night at the pet - roglyph site so we can get pictures with Bodie morning and evening sun. FFuuttuurree With enough time we may visit the unusual museum west of Johnnie as well or as Devils Hole and Ash Meadows. Write or e-mail me to sign up and get TTrriippSS meeting instructions All trips require a four- Good! wheel drive vehicle and a working CB unless otherwise By God we’re going Searles Valley specified by the trip leader. Non-complying vehicles will Museum not be allowed on trips. to Bodie Leaders may authorize a vari - (Museum sponsored) From Sue Jaussuad ance at their discretion. August 7 - 9 Leaders: Marilyn & Bob HE SEARLES VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY Coyote Flats Martin Museum and Gift Shop in Trona is CB: 33 TTlocated off the main highway. It's easy to find if you keep an eye out for the (south end) 10,000 HAT PARAPHRASES WHAT A LITTLE GIRL was said to have written about mov - brown "Museum" signs that point the way. ft. elev. ing to a new, wicked, raw mining These fine folks went the extra mile for us TT during our Rendezvous weekend: First, camp in Eastern California. (Museum sponsored) treasurer Sharon Hartley sent over some Meeting time changed to 12 noon Bodie is now a California State Park, wonderful vintage postcards of Little and is one of the better preserved ghost Lake, free of charge. Then, I got the last- towns as a result. It is at 8400’ and should minute idea of taking a group over to July 3 - 5 be comfortable at this time of year. We Trona to visit the museum on Sunday Leader: Ken Sears will also visit Aurora founded in 1860, when they are normally closed, and CB: 13 remote enough that both California and called Sharon at home after 9 p.m. on Nevada claimed it. The dispute resulted in Saturday night to see if it was possible. it being governed by officials from both She graciously consented, and when we IKING , FISHING , EXPLORING , OR JUST states until 1863 when a survey deter - arrived Sunday the ladies of the museum relaxing. We will meet at Big Pine mined it to be in Nevada. Dogtown, had it open and were ready to answer our HHon Saturday at 12 noon and return Copper Mountain, Star City, Belfort and many questions. We were all very to Bishop early Monday so the working Masonic are other sites we may visit. impressed with the informative displays in people have a chance to beat the crowds Meeting location and time will be sent to the museum. At the last Desert Explorers’ returning to Los Angeles. the first 10 to sign up due to limited meeting, we voted to contribute $500.00 To sign up, contact Ken Sears the old- campsite space. to this worthwhile organization. If you find yourself in the area, do plan to visit. You'll be glad you did. Visit Desert Pahrump Petros Explorers on the (Museum sponsored) The Pink House Web! October 16 - 17 Leaders: Bob & Marilyn See more pictures and in Martin ON 'T MISS "T HE PINK HOUSE " color! Antiques and Collectibles, a new CB: 33 DDshop owned by Maggie McShan in http://desertexplorers.org Needles, CA. From I-40 eastbound, exit at West Broadway, and at the end of the off 6 DESERT EXPLORERS 4WD S ECTION OF THE MOJAVE RIVER VALLEY MUSEUM NO. 99 J UNE 2004 ramp, turn right. Go over the Interstate, the United States during WWII. pump 8, not pump 6 as she thought. They and you'll see large athel trees (non-inva - Four-wheeling through the area gives finally got that straightened out, but dur - sive Tamarisk) on the right. "The Pink one a certain land-view perspective; flying ing all the excitement that caused, Ed House" sits just behind them. Maggie says in a heavy (commercial) airliner at drove off without having put his gas cap she's open "part of every day when the 30,000 feet gives an entirely different per - on. And that came back to haunt him. open sign is out." spective. A few years ago, I was thrilled to Left the Needles Road at about 9:30 be able to fly south from Bishop to Los a.m. Each member of the convoy had a Angeles directly over highway 395 at Motorola Talkabout for communication. Lone Pine June 11,000 feet. I was right-seat in a 14-place They worked well, and were used contin - trimotor, the last model of only 200 tri - uously. Fundraiser motors built from the 1920’s to 1950. Stopped at Granite Springs, where Ed Recollection of the ecstasy of the flight described its history, and who’d visited From Sue Jaussaud still gives me goose bumps. that spot in the “olden days”. We then For you four-wheelers and/or aviation ventured on to Piute Springs, explored the buffs willing to do a little exploring, the outpost, corral and surrounding area, OU 'RE INVITED TO JOIN US ON SATURDAY , airstrip that serviced Manzanar is directly and ate lunch under the mesquites - great June 5th, 2004, for our gala night in to the east of highway 395 across from the place for an overnight camp. YYsupport of the Lone Pine Film entrance. The now unusable airstrip is That was followed by the jog back, and Festival. Enjoy dinner and a concert under clearly visible from the air even though around the mountain on the Cable Road. the stars in the Alabama Hills. Catered sand and desert brush cover much of the I believe the stretch from the Power Line dinner by Rossi's Steakhouse, and music tarmac. Not having personally explored Road to the outpost’s ruins was the rough - by the "Comstock Cowboys" in concert. the area on land, I am unable to give addi - est part of the road we traveled over, on Donation $75.00 per person. tional directions for access to the airstrip. the entire trip. Don’t think many who’ve Earlier in the day, there will be a Home The Manzanar National Historic Site traveled it would disagree. Tour of unique homes of Lone Pine, start - Interpretive Center opened April 24, While driving west of Lanfair Road, Ed ing with the "Round Up" at Boulder Creek 2004. The National Park Service now has radioed that his engine was cutting out Resort. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Donation available an excellent descriptive badly. We stopped, and went back to sur - $18.00 per person. brochure of the site (sans mention of the vey and kibitz. Finally came to the conclu - For information, please call the Lone airstrip) which may be obtained by writ - sion that the duct tape covering the spot Pine Film Festival office at 760-876-9103. ing to: Superintendent, Manzanar where his gas cap was supposed to be National Historic Site, PO Box 426, wasn’t allowing air into the tank. A hole Independence, CA 93526-0426; or going was punched in the tape, Ed got back in, Manzanar National to www.nps.gov/manz. To contact the tri - started up the truck, and it ran just fine. motor folks call (800) 493-3003. Later that day, we arrived at Watson Historic Site Wash. Must be a 90 degree drop off the ridge, and into the wash. The Jeep in the By Reda Anderson Mojave Road lead slid all the way down, as did the other vehicles. This is a perfect place for By Mike Hayes a photographer to get “action shots”. ROM MARCH 1942 TO NOVEMBER 1945 , Mariana managed to get one, but she was the Manzanar internment/relocation (MOE Member) the only person able to do so. FFcamp was located in Owens Valley Rock Springs was the next spot to 200 miles north of Los Angeles on high - FOUR -VEHICLE CONVOY , CONSISTING OF A check out, but maybe because subcon - way 395. Manzanar ‘processed’ through 2000 Wrangler, stock except for big - sciously, everyone wanted an excuse to its gates 11,070 of the 120,000 Japanese AAger tires, a ’97 Explorer, a ‘76 Chevy come back, we passed it up, and contin - citizens and aliens interned throughout Pickup and a 2000 Cherokee took off ued on to the turnoff to Mid Hills camp - from Kingman shortly after 8 a.m., April ground. This campground has everything 12th. We were packed and ready for the the casual camper would need – water, trip from the Needles Road to Afton toilet, wood for a fire, fire pit, rangers. Getting older is like Canyon, and possibly beyond on the Only two vehicles were allowed per visiting an all-you- Mojave Road. site, so Bob, Mariana and Ed stayed can-eat buffet. What Participants included Ed Edwards, should be hot is cold, Rich Gerow and Donna Coggan, Bob and Desert Explorers what should be firm is Mariana Needham, and myself. Newsletter We got to Laughlin, at the gas station limp, and the buns are across from Harrah’s where we met up Editor: Bob Martin bigger than anything with Ed, and topped off our tanks. Ed had Asst. Editors: Marilyn Martin, else on the menu. a little trouble getting across to the atten - Marian & Neal Johns dant that he was pumping gas out of 7 DESERT EXPLORERS 4WD S ECTION OF THE MOJAVE RIVER VALLEY MUSEUM NO. 99 J UNE 2004 across the street from Rich, Donna and travelers had deposited, (some really Desert Explorers with Amateur Mike. It was here that Mike realized that interesting items) signed in, took pic - the two camp stoves he’d left behind tures and continued on to the point at Radio Licenses (Hams) Pete Austin ------Diamond Bar -KF6FZD would have been nice to have. Pulling out mile 80.8 where the lava flow meets up JanetAustin ------Diamond Bar -KF6FZE his trusty Sterno can, and with Rich’s with Willow Wash. We’d dropped Craig Baker ------Sylmar -KC6KKR encouragement, he lit the can, placed a down to 4wd through the wash out of George Baskevitch ------Laguna Beach -KD6CPY couple pieces of 2X4 on each side, and necessity, and finally got to the lava Steven Bein ------Culver City -K6MBP Sid Blumner ------Upland -W6LUC proceeded to heat a cup of water for his flow around noon. Stopped, filled our Jim Byrne ------Chatsworth -KE6RFR first freeze dried meal. Well, the wood faces and explored the rocks for an Herb Clark ------Mission Viejo -KF6EAU responded to fire as wood is known to do, hour, then continued on. We got to Lorene Crawford ------Redlands -KD6TLO but not before his water started boiling. Volunteer gate about 3 p.m. There’d Joseph A. Daly ------Saugus -KG6GCW That made Rich hilariously happy, which been suggestions earlier to go on into Donna Fruh ------Artesia -KQ6KO Chuck Kalbach ------Phelan -KE6TAT was good. He needed a good laugh as Baker and have a beer before crossing Jerry Kerns ------Los Alamitos -KG6DBQ something he could fall back on while he the lake, so we headed north past the Bob Martin ------Phelan -KD6BRL was intimately engaged with Soda Lake the Cowholes into Baker. We parked at Jim Proffitt ------Garden Grove -WB6FXG next day. that city’s General Market, where Bob Don Putnam ------Newberry Springs -KC6SMI Morning of the second day dawned said he and Mariana were going to stay Ken Sears ------Cerritos -KD6UHY Bob Thille ------West Hills -KF6OWH bright and chilly. The campground is in a hotel that night. That hadn’t been Brad Thompson ------Valencia -KA6UED around 5000 feet high, so warmth comes planned, but to keep the integrity of Betty Wallin ------Desert Hot Springs -KD6CY slowly. the group, the rest of us opted to stay Bob Younger ------Santa Barbara -N6VMN Bob had found a good spot above our too. We got rooms at one motel for a campsites to look north, over Pinto Valley, low price, with conveniences to match. vable surface. We gathered up the wood so we all oohed and aahed, took pictures, The following morning, at 8:30 we and stowed all the equipment, and headed and started back on our journey. were off again, heading South to the lake, back to Volunteer Gate, with Donna dri - We got a little confused after we turned and at 9:00 we were off, heading west. The ving the Wrangler, and pretending to enjoy left, back onto Cedar Road, but eventually first few miles were like driving on a dry every minute of it. She has a Grand straightened ourselves out. Coming to the hard top road, and I was beginning to Cherokee, but opted for the Explorer for Kelso-Cima Road, we decided to take the think the hazard of getting bogged down the trip. Now, maybe she’ll trade the GC more scenic route, so we traveled a cou - was greatly overstated. The Wrangler was for a Wrangler, (or a Samurai). ple miles north, through the roaring in the lead, followed by the Explorer, then Bob and Rich had lowered air pressure metropolis of Cima, then west, through a Ed’s Truck from Hell, and the Cherokee on the Ford and Cherokee to 20 lbs ear - gate by a power station, and continued on brought up the rear. At about mile 4, just lier. I don’t know if that would have made a narrow dirt trail, through another as Casebier cautioned, we encountered the difference with the Cherokee, but the Joshua tree forest. muck. Mike radioed back that things were Ford was riding low anyway, so it probably Finally got to Marl Springs. Explored getting sticky, and to keep moving. He was didn’t matter. the site, then took another one of those just a couple hundred yards short of the North again, to Baker, then west to “wrong roads” south and west for a mile monument when that dreaded message Rasor Road, and south. At one point on or so. Seeing that we weren’t encountering came over the airwaves. “I’m stuck”, from the road, Bob, bringing up the rear, any cairns, we headed back to Marl Rich in the Explorer. The Wrangler’s dri - radioed that we’d missed the turnoff to the Springs. Reading the book, and looking at ver immediately did a 180 and returned to Granites, so we doubled back, picked up maps, we finally figured out what we’d the Explorer where the Jeep promptly set - the road, and visited that spot. It’s a great done wrong, and corrected ourselves, tled itself into the muck. Two stuck vehi - place to take a food break, so we did. looping around the Marl Mountains and cles. This was really getting to be a Rich, Mike and Donna drove out to the silently thanking Casebier and his people challenge. We hooked up a tow strap from monument to see the plaque and add our for the cairns. Got to the mailbox, and the Ford back to Ed’s TFH (Truck From rocks to the pile. The plaque was well- spent time looking through what previous Hell). Ed chose Bystander status, so Mike worth seeing. seated himself in the truck, tightened the Got back to the Granites, picked up the strap and laid pedal to metal, and very other travelers, and headed for Shaw Pass. quickly the Explorer was on firm ground The road was rough, and had one short, Actually, you can again. Next came the un-mucking of the rough downhill slope, (which could be have a healthy sex Wrangler. Mike and Bob cleared the mud made to look hazardous if a photogra - as best they could from under the under - pher’s camera was held at a certain life well into your carriage, put wood under the tires and angle). At about mile 107, we came to a later years. Assuming Mike tried getting it out. Got maybe one low sand hill. Actually it seemed pretty you can stand the foot, then it settled back down. That left high when seated at its foot. We goosed sight of people your the remaining option of tow strap and TFH our putt-putts up the sandy slope, and age naked. once again, and that Chevy did a bang up stopped to look out over the floodplain. At job, with Mike doing the truck thing while that point Mike took another “wrong Bob steered the Jeep back on to the dri - road”, heading more south, along the 8 DESERT EXPLORERS 4WD S ECTION OF THE MOJAVE RIVER VALLEY MUSEUM NO. 99 J UNE 2004 ridge of sand. That error was corrected a moment that deserved a lot more humor Driving on decent road, we finally got quarter mile further, and we did our nor - than it got at the time. Bob waved his sight of the railroad, cruised alongside it, mal 180’s to get back onto the right road, arms while Mike suggested one of the went under the bridge, drove across a which we didn’t find. We headed north group grab a pair of binoculars and look couple rivulets, and were enjoying spec - and west, past some structures at the foot to the south. A lot of frustration on both tacular color in the canyon when Ed of Mollhausen Mountain, then westerly ends. And that was just the beginning. radioed that his truck quit. We all for maybe a mile. At that point Bob and They finally spotted us, and between stopped, got out of our vehicles, gathered Mike took the Wrangler out to scout for radioed directions and homing instincts, round Ed’s Truck From Hell, opened the right road, leaving Mariana, Ed and the entire group finally got back together. hood and discovered that while going his TFH and Rich and Donna with their Then Mike began to back off the knoll. over some rocks, the battery had Explorer on a hill, where we could spot And he got stuck. bounced out of its seat and torn a hot them when we found what we were look - Nothing but smiles from the others as wire. With Ed in the background, kibitz - ing for. Finally decided on a road that had he tried to rock it out. It hurt when Rich ing, Bob, Mike and Rich finally got it back a couple posts erected nearby, and Mike offered to pull the Jeep out with his in place, using bungee cord and electrical drove his Jeep to the top of a nearby knoll Explorer. Then, remembering a situation tape. We also discovered another of Ed’s to signal the others to come on over. They in the past when a similar situation secrets. Rich noted a second battery in were much less than a mile as the crow occurred, he looked down at his gear the engine compartment, and asked Ed flies, and we saw them clearly. The radios shift lever and realized he wasn’t in 4wd. what it was for. He replied that it gave him gave us contact, so we told them in what (There’s a saying about “Humble Pie”). use of an electric blanket, (inverter?) and direction to look. We thought we’d be Anyway, we all got back on line, and music to enjoy in the evenings! He has it easy to see; after all, we were wearing headed out, once again noting that the all in that truck – power, comfort ...... brown clothing, and had the black book gave fully adequate instructions on Wrangler right beside us. It was a how to get to Afton Canyon. to be continued Where am I? The May winners: Alan Romspert and Allan Schoenherr, Joan Steiner, Paul Bakkom, Dave Given. Answer: Downtown Zzyzx, California Bob Peltzman is lost again. "Where Am I?" He says he went left when the rest went right and is completely lost. Send your guess as to where this is to Bob at: [email protected] (with the word "Lost" in the subject), and he will send me the names of the first three peo - ple to correctly guess the location along with a different lost image to publish in another newsletter. Your answer to Bob should let him know what area he is in such as “The southern part of Death Valley near the Devil’s Golf Course.” Some good folks to know... Mojave River Valley Museum Colorado River Historical Society and Museum http://www.mvm.4t.com 220l Highway 68, Bullhead City, AZ Dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Located in historic 1940's Catholic Church the scientific, historical and cultural heritage of (520) 754-3399 e-mail: [email protected] the Mojave Desert. www.eco4wd.com . [email protected] Exhibits: steamboats, early ranching, mining, I Harry Lewellyn leads desert trips and teaches off- Mojave Indians, Hardyville, gifts. Open daily, l0:00 Discover Baja Travel Club highway driving through several Orange County a.m. to 4:00 p.m. AZ time Closed Mondays. (800) 727-BAJA and on the web at colleges. He also stocks good maps and books, and a I www.discoverbaja.com killer tire repair system that is worth i ts weight in Great newsletter, spectacular insurance prices, gold. Friends of the Mojave Road weather and road reports, etc. I 37198 Lanfair Rd.G-15 Essex, CA 92332 • (760) 733-4482 I Friends of the Eastern California Museum http://www.mdhca.org/ Map & Compass Independence, CA Historian Dennis Casebier writes desert guidebooks, [email protected], (714) 647-2352 Check them out! Open weekends. Old farm leads trips, builds museums(!) and has other odd Navigation Classes by David Mott. machinery, bookstore, reference library, great old habits. Newsletter subscription is $20. I photos and Owens Valley memorabilia. Nice folks, I too. The Pink House" Antiques and Collectibles Searles Valley Historical Society Museum and Gift Owned by Maggie McShan in Needles, CA. Maggie I Shop says she's open "part of every day when the open sign In Trona just off the main highway is out. Shoshone Museum Association I I 118 Hwy. 127 PO Box 38 Shoshone, CA I

Organizational Fine Print and Choice Pieces of Potentially Useful Info

General Trip Information contact for Subscribers having or wanting to go on a private trip. 1. The Mojave River Valley Museum has two sections (groups) that explore the desert environment (Museum Potluck: There will be a Potluck on Saturday night of our weekend trips unless otherwise noted by the Leader. membership required): Trip Details: Participants may be required to send a SASE to the trip leader to receive information on trip meeting a. The Desert Explorers, who use 4WD vehicles and cover the Southwestern states and Mexico/Baja, camping out place and other details. A SASE is a self addressed stamped envelope. wherever nightfall catches them. The trips are led by numerous experienced Desert Explorers subscribers. The Finances: The cost of preparing and mailing the Desert Explorers newsletter is covered by the annual subscription Desert Explorers newsletter is available for $18 a year. fee as are extraordinary out-of-pocket expenses by Trip Leaders or members, which are incurred as a result of b. The Mojave River Explorers, who establish a base camp in the Mojave desert, usually with motorhomes and Desert Explorers activities. These expenses include costs of telephone calls, office supplies and postage but do not trailers, and make daily 4WD/2WD sorties, attempting to find seats for those without 4WD vehicles, returning to include any travel expenses, vehicle damage or personal injures. Other extraordinary expenses must be camp each night. The trips are led by experienced Museum members who, collectively, have spent decades authorized by the Executive Committee. learning the hidden wonders of the Mojave. Their newsletter is available for $7/year from editor Gene Stoops Hot Tips for Leaders: (760) 253-2419. 1. The leader is responsible for sending the trip announcement and trip report to the newsletter editor. The write-ups 2. You MUST be a member of the Mojave River Valley Museum to attend a trip. Membership applications are should be detailed enough so the participants will know what to expect and, if possible, have enough included in every newsletter on the back of the last page. information in it so that a SASE is not necessary. (See the ones in this issue for examples.) 3. When you join a trip, you agree to abide by the decisions and directives of the leader throughout the trip or until 2. Try not to schedule trips on the first weekend of the month. This weekend is used regularly by the Mojave River such time as you inform the leader that you are leaving the group to proceed on your own. The leader may, if Explorers for their outings. his decisions or directives are not followed, inform a participant that his participation in the trip is terminated. 3. Try not to use a reservation system or vehicle limits unless absolutely necessary. This will save paperwork for 4. The Desert Explorers is a family oriented 4WD organization. Spouses and kids are welcome. Friendly dogs are OK everyone. Request a SASE if necessary for sending out further trip details, meeting place, time, etc. as specified below. Trips will meet and depart from somewhere near the trip route, usually not from the Museum. 4. Support your other leaders’ trips (by attending) or the Trail Gods will get you. 5. To receive the Desert Explorers’ Newsletter, send $18 for a subscription to Marilyn Martin, PO Box 291759, Phelan, CA 92329-1759. Make the check out to Desert Explorers. 5. Maximum loss (vehicles or people) is 10% per trip. Communications: CB is required and is the normal mode of communications between vehicles on a trip. Channel 13 6. Leaders, please put your CB channel 13 (or other channel if circumstances prevent using Desert Explorers’ is the Desert Explorers’ channel. Its a good idea to monitor it whenever you are driving so that other members channel 13) in your trip write-up. can contact you should they spot your vehicle on the road. Dog Policy: Weekend Trips: There is normally one major trip each month. This will be the trip on which you can look around Dogs can become a problem in camp mainly because of the large number of them and the sometimes blind eye and find old friends, new friends, collect debts, flirt with other wives/husbands and lie about other trips. There of their humans. Therefore, and forevermore we will have a Dog Policy so that shy leaders will not have to may be another trip during the month for people who have time for it or can’t make the main trip. The purpose make ad hoc policy. of all this is to generate more coherence as a group and get everybody to know everybody. We stole this idea from 1. Bringing a dog on a trip requires the ADVANCE PERMISSION of the Leader! the Mojave River Explorers. Don’t forget their fixed-camp trips on the first weekend of the month. 2. Dogs will be leashed/confined during happy hour & mealtimes. Trip Coordinator: John Page. Send your trip proposals to John. John will resolve any time conflicts and maybe bug 3. People with dogs will be expected to clean up any poop in the campsite. you if you are late with a promised trip write-up. He will also coordinate private trips for subscribers upon request (see below). 4. Dogs that fight, harass wildlife, eat small children etc., will be confined and banned from future trips. Private Trip Point of Contact: We publish reports of subscribers’ private trips in order to fill the pages, encourage you to get out into The Great American Desert, and to amuse and entertain you. Some trips, because of time or limited number of people, are not suitable for official Museum trip status. Our Trip Coordinator is the point of

10 DESERT EXPLORERS 4WD S ECTION OF THE MOJAVE RIVER VALLEY MUSEUM NO. 99 J UNE 2004 •Our Fearful Leaders•

Reda Anderson Dusty P.O. Box 158 El Segundo California 90245-0158 310-322-5098 [email protected] Robb Anderson RawbananaRob 1161 W. Duarte Rd. #4 Arcadia California 91007 626-572-6015 [email protected] Robert Bolin Stamp Licker 1606 Corsica Pl. Costa Mesa California 92626 714-549-4361 [email protected] Shirley Bolin Stapler & Folder 1606 Corsica Pl. Costa Mesa California 92626 714-549-4361 [email protected] Lorene Crawford The Smile 128 Anita Court Redlands California 92373 909-793-1004 [email protected] Paul Ferry El Cocinero P.O. Box 1428 Point Roberts Washington 98281 360-945-2004 [email protected] Vicki Hill Glyphartist 26111 Parmelee Ct. Hemet California 92544 909-927-6476 [email protected] Bob Jaussaud Sue’s Husband & Co-Chairman P. O. Box 789 Lone Pine California 93545 818-585-6468 [email protected] Sue Jaussaud Toby Feeder & Co-Chairman P. O. Box 789 Lone Pine California 93545 818-585-6468 [email protected] Marian Johns Woman of Considerable Will 406 Lytle Creek Road Lytle Creek California 92358 909-887-1549 [email protected] Neal Johns Chm. Emeritus, Aridologist, Asst. Ed. 406 Lytle Creek Road Lytle Creek California 92358 909-887-1549 [email protected] Chuck Kalbach Zanjameister 9930 Johnson Road Phelan California 92371 760-868-6059 [email protected] Jay Lawrence Quicksand Guy, Editor Emeritus 530 Ohio Ave. Long Beach California 90814 562-439-5323 [email protected] Bob Martin Newsletter Editor P.O. Box 291759 Phelan California 92329-1759 760-868-6606 [email protected] Marilyn Martin Subscriptions & Newsletter Prooferer P.O. Box 291759 Phelan California 92329-1759 760-868-6606 [email protected] Homer Meek Heroic Hiker 25905 Matfield Dr. Torrance California 90505-7323 310-326-3168 [email protected] Dan Messersmith M.O.E. Chief & Jeep Sleeper 2945 Leroy Avenue Kingman Arizona 86401 928-757-8953 [email protected] Debbie Miller Roadrunner 710 Orangewood Lane San Dimas California 91773 909-989-6748 [email protected] Bill Neill Tamarisk Eradicator 4900 E. Glenview Ave. Anaheim California 92807-1141 714-779-2099 [email protected] John Page Ajg., Webdude 3675 Gingerwood Ct. Thousand Oaks California 91360 805-493-1128 [email protected] John Perko Red Runner (aka Baja Blaster) 1017 Grandview Ave. Ojai California 93023 805 640-9132 [email protected] Ana M. Romero RawbananaAna 1161 W. Duarte Rd. #4 Arcadia California 91007 626-821-0044 anamarie [email protected] Alan Romspert Flower Child 605 No. Pomona Ave. Fullerton California 92832 714-870-0946 [email protected] Allan Schoenherr The Good Allan 414 Bluebird Canyon Dr. Laguna Beach California 92651 949-494-0675 [email protected] Diane Sears Webchick Emeritus P.O. Box 4689 Cerritos California 90703 562-404-1772 [email protected] Ken Sears Money Man P.O. Box 4689 Cerritos California 90703 562-404-1772 [email protected] Anne Stoll Canologist 143 Monterrey Drive Claremont California 91711 909-621-7521 [email protected] George Stoll Lens Cleaner 143 Monterrey Drive Claremont California 91711 909-621-7521 [email protected] Donald Sweinhart Mr. Nice P.O. Box 23061 Santa Ana California 92711-3061 [email protected] Betty Wallin Secretary & Blender Queen 68200 Calle Bonita Desert Hot Springs California 92240 760-329-2403 [email protected] Allan Wicker Photo Phreak 1430 Sitka Ct. Claremont California 91711 909-445-0082 [email protected]

Museum Membership Application - Send a separate envelope to and a check made out to: Mojave River Valley Museum Association, Inc. PO Box 1282, Barstow, CA 92312-1282 • Phone: (760) 256-5452 Family - Annual ------$20.00 entitles family to all privileges of membership (One vote per Annual Membership) including Museum Newsletter, ten per cent discount on publications sold by the Museum, participation in Association activities. Individual - Annual ------$15.00 Name Spouse Address Children City State Zip Phone ( ) E-Mail

D e s e r t E x p l o r e r s n e w s l e t t e r s u b s c r i p t i o n f o r m To subscribe for one year to the monthly newsletter of the Desert Explorers of the Mojave River Valley Museum send check for $18.00 made out to: DESERT EXPLORERS , to Marilyn Martin, PO Box 291759, Phelan, CA 92329 Name Spouse Address Children City State Zip Phone ( ) E-Mail Ham Call Sign You MUST be a Mojave River Valley Museum member to go on field trips... See above:

11 DESERT EXPLORERS 4WD S ECTION OF THE MOJAVE RIVER VALLEY MUSEUM NO. 99 J UNE 2004 DDEESSEERRTT EEXXPPLLOORREERRSS OF THE MOJAVE RIVER VALLEY MUSEUM Marilyn Martin • PO Box 291759 • Phelan • California • 92329-1759

for the for stuff send Deadline 0 please!!! s June 1 wsletter i g... July ne somethin FLASH ! see if ¡ date to cription ur subs ew!!! heck yo d to ren C you nee

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