December 13, 2013

Gustafson & Mauws Month Trip-Drove Trucks 2,000 miles and rode our ATV's 415 miles

December 13, 2013 to January. 12, 2014
1.    Casa Grande, Az
2.    Cross Road, Empire Campground, Parker, Calif.-rode 12 mi.
3.    LaPaz County Campground, Parker Az.-rode 30 mi.
4.    Ron & Yvone Heresford Lot, Golden Valley, Az.-rode 48 mi.
5.    Davis County RV Park, Bullhead City, Az.
6.    Dumont Dunes, Tecopia, Calif.-rode 90 mi.
7.    Lakeside Casino, Pahrump, NV/Las Vegas/Death Valley 2days
8.    Tecopia Palms, Tecopia, Calif.
9.    Rasor OHV, Baker, Calif.-rode 69 mil
10.    Johnson Valley, Lucerne, Calif.-rode 58 mi.
11.    Joshua Tree Lake Campground, Joshua Tree, Calif/toured park
12.    Ocotillio Wells, Salton City, Calif.-rode 91 mi.
13.    Boondocking, Pomosa Rd, Quartzsite, Az.-rode-17 mi
   Larry and Geri and Elmer and Henrietta always wanted to ride in southern Calif. so after some planning, off go!!!

The first stop #1 Cross Road, Empire Campground, Parker, Calif.-rode 12 mi. The only reason we didn’t ride more here was because of the queer regulations. You can camp on the river side of the road, and you can ride on the mountain side of the road, and not camp there. So in order to camp and ride, we would have to load our machines, drive 100ft or more, and unload!!!!!!   So off we went up the dirt mountains, around some old mining roads. It was like riding on a rollercoaster, but we found an Oasis in the middle of the desert landscape. Palm tree galore and a bubbling stream running thru this small valley.

us, riv bk cp rv bk
stadging P1020648
Mt view up the hill
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   Oasis, in the middle of all this rock.  Wild life come to the cool shade and water.                       
mt & P trees palm trees

December 5, 2013

Stage Station and Homestead, Eloy, Arizona

  Another trip to the Eloy area of Newman Mountains, parking is by this old water tower. We found an old Stage Station and Homestead.  The old fence made of mesquite is still in place for the Stage horses as is the building or home. This was a very interesting area to see. Check out the balancing rock at the bottom, most of it is sitting on a few pebbles!
water tank stage stop
mesquite corrall sign
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Several times in our travels we have come across water stations for wildlife.  The BLM will place these funnels to collect the water and the animals can get to the access.
game water funnel game water
cactus  point P1020563
sag skeleton A saguaro can produce 40 million seeds during its life. The saguaro tiny seed can survive under a nursery plant like this Palo Verde tree (Always Green). The cacti grows slowly under the shade and protection from the sun and frost. Then the Palo Verde tree dies off. Adult saguaro live for 80-125 years, weighing 6 tons  This saguaro has died, shed off it’s tough outer layer. So all that remains is the light wood ribs!

November 21, 2013

Newman Mt, Eloy, Arizona-

                                                                                                           : hyperlinks for more information
   We left Casa Grande, Az. and drove 40 miles to Eloy, the skydiving capitol of USA.  This is a diverse area to ride through. There are Petroglyphs on several peaks and rock piles.  The Beer Memorial and the Memorial for Lt. James L Hart  (1947-1975) joined the U. S. Air Force in 1973 and served with the 96th Flying Training Squadron as an instructor pilot. On March 21, 1975, Second Lieutenant Hart was flying out of Williams Air Force Base with a student pilot. When the plane malfunctioned just south of Coolidge, Arizona, Jim stayed with the plane so that his student could bail out and parachute safely to the ground. Unfortunately, this delay in exiting the aircraft allowed the plane to crash and cost Jim his life.   There are numerous trails around this area, be watchful for or immigrants passing thru.
many pet. lar chola

The Petroglyphs                                                      Very tall Cholas, Larry showing size

October 31, 2013

Florence, Arizona

   Today we drove to Florence, Az. and drove up the Diversion Dam Rd to the staging area. This is on the northeast end of town, right by McDonalds, where we meet and have breakfast. We drove 6mi. There are numerous trails in this area, it is best to go with a friend or use Charles Wells guide book. On the Atvs we went to the end of the road over a bridge and up the wash to the waterfall and lava rock wash. The waterfall is actually a drop off of about 25ft in the wash. There are many black lava rocks around this area. We followed one of the many wash trails down to the Gila river. Today the level of water was low on the Gila river. There are mountains/hills with an array of colors, yellow, red and brown. Soil types are limestone, iron and shale. We passed the old railroad bridge today. Other rides included old mining towns, the famous Box Canyon, Martinez Wash and several coke ovens.
lava rock-001 LarryGeri  Florence Az-001
Gila river-001 RR tressell-001
gang P1020422-001
Here are a few of the Box Canyon, make sure there is no heavy rainfall previous to your ride,
 this area can flood, yes, even though the wash is bone dry!
mt BC 00001
la box cayon canyon wall
P1020534 atv tr
INFORMATION>
LOCATION>   NEAREST CITY= Florence, Az   DIRECTIONS=As least 5 staging areas
AREA >   TYPE OF LAND=-desert , OWNER=  BLM,                                            QUALITY >  Pro – many miles and diverse riding / Con none/  Length of stay 4-6 days / Rating-stars - 5 out of 5
TERRAIN>  MILES OF TRAILS, hills / dry washes / dust /  river water crossing /elevation change-yes                                                                                       TRAIL MAINTENCE   / SQ. MILE AREA –1,000 /  NEAR BY TRAILS- Numerous
REGULATIONS> Permit required / Camping- commercial or dry camp /whips recommended / helmets req.-no / width req.- no
FEE> Camping / Entry-No
KEY SERVICES> Camping / Gasoline / Diesel / First Aid /  Water /  Dump / Food=Florence
SIDE TRIPS>State Park in town, Prison store

October 13, 2013

San Rafel Swell, Green River, Utah

San Rafel Swell, Green River, Utah
Oct 12, 2013-60miles

   Here we are at San Rafel Rift or Swell, which is 30 miles south of Green River, Ut.  The Goblin Valley State Park and Little Horse slot canyon is also at the end of the road.  We found some places to boondock on BLM land.  We met a large group of OHV campers at the dry camp area, they have been coming to this area for decades.  We rode the Behind the Reef trail, a 50 inch trail.  After 18 miles, it dipped in to a canyon, where they built a ledge to continue on. This was the spot indicating 50 inch trail!

temple mt-001 Petroglyph 2500AD
main camp Urainiam camp
P1020349 balanced rock top
balanced rock 1 P1020292
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We took a day off and toured the Goblin Valley State Park and hiked the Wild Horse Slot Canyon trail.

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GV St Pk Goblin St Pk

This was the time frame when the Boy Scouts leaders tipped over one of the sandstone goblins. They might look fragile, they are very stout!

DIRECTIONS: 11 West of Green River on Int.70, south on Hwy 24, turn on the road of Goblin Valley State Park.  When the Park road turns L, south, go straight ahead and you will find a big boon docking area with toilets and the trail head.