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.
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!

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

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!

We took a day off and toured the Goblin Valley State Park and hiked the Wild Horse Slot Canyon trail.

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.

Barry Goldwater , Yuma, Az

Barry Goldwater , Yuma, Az
Jan. 13, 2013
  Barry Goldwater Air force Base, is south of Interstate 8, and you need a permit to ride in this area. You will need to stop at the Air Force Base,  in Yuma and have your title of your OHV, Drivers License, proof of ins.  On the days you will ride, you must call the number and report it. When you are out riding, you might see U.S. Border Patrol out there. You might see some illegals.
  There was a map to follow thru the desert on trails and roads, we even came across old spent shells, and army tanks.  Down one trail we found a mock middle eastern town, with buildings, train tracks and helicopter.

70 degrees temps for January was great.  Day trip of 40 miles, we saw Betty Lee Mine, a natural water tank and a hollowed out rock, which resembles an igloo.  The DANGER sign was at the entrance, but this was the area we had a permit to ride into??!!

INFORMATION>
LOCATION>   NEAREST CITY=Tucna   DIRECTIONS=South of Interstate 8
AREA >   TYPE OF LAND=-desert  , OWNER=  Barry Goldwater Air force Base
QUALITY >  Pro many trails / Con-you must get the permit and call, could be dangerous with illegals, long distances /  Length of stay 2 / Rating-stars 3 of 5
TERRAIN>  MILES OF TRAILS, hills / dunes / forest / mud / dust / water crossing /elevation     TRAIL MAINTENCE   / SQ. MILE AREA -/  NEAR BY TRAILS- 
REGULATIONS> Permit required-yes, but no cost / Camping at RV park .
FEE>  Entry-must have permit $0
KEY SERVICES> Camping / Gasoline / Diesel / First Aid /  Water /  Dump / Food=
SIDE TRIPS>Yuma Territory Prison, Date Farm

Yuma Territory Prison, Yuma, Az

Corral, Derry La

Sandstone Multiple-use trail - Corral and Lotus Camp, Derry La
Nov 25. 2012
   Sandy trails, rolling hills, hickory and oak trees in the creek bottom and pine trees on the hill tops. We rode over to Lotus camp, 30 miles, along the way the sandy trails felt like we were snowmobiling. At the creek crossings, there were bridges to cross, probably 52 inches wide. We were the only ones riding and the leaves were falling.

Note the width of the bridge, to small for side by sides.

 

INFORMATION>
LOCATION>   NEAREST CITY=Derry   DIRECTIONS=Off Hwy 59
AREA >   TYPE OF LAND=-mud, forest,, OWNER=  Kisatchie Nat Forest
QUALITY >  Pro- camping and marked trails / Con- low miles /  Length of stay 1-2 days / Rating-stars 2 out of 5
TERRAIN>  MILES OF TRAILS, hills / forest / mud / water crossing  on bridges           TRAIL MAINTENCE  - yes 
REGULATIONS> Permit required / Camping /whip / helmets req. / width req.
FEE> Camping-$3 / ATV permit $5 per machine
KEY SERVICES> Camping / Gasoline / Diesel / First Aid /  Water /  Dump / Food=Derry

Enduro Camp, Carvens, La

 Enduro Camp, Cravens, La

Nov. 19, 2012
  At this campground, you can park where you would like, under mature pine trees. The trails start right at camp.  The area is sandy, hilly, forested with hardwoods and pine. We left at 9am and returned by 4pm, and only went 20 miles. We rode on the Mogual trail, thru mud pits, bottom lands, watching out for wild hogs that are rutting, looking for acorns. Beware, they can be dangerous!  We came across a Retired Sargent Major, Pete Jones, from the near by Fort Polk Army Base.  He volunteers' his time picking up garbage on the trail (such a shame, people throw out cans and paper in the woods). He was a wealth of information about the area.
  Next day we rode the Fullerton trail to the Fullerton Cemetery, and back on the Enduro trail, 30 miles. When we arrived on a Monday, there was only 2 campers, by Wednesday, it grew to 30 campers.  It was Thanksgiving week, and the folks from New Orleans, come north to make it a week of riding in the woods. They were so friendly, and invited us right into their group to share their food and watch football!  We still keep in touch!

INFORMATION>
LOCATION>   NEAREST CITY=Cravens, La   DIRECTIONS=North of Hwy 10
AREA >   TYPE OF LAND=- forest  , OWNER=   Nat Forest
QUALITY >  Pro-marked trails, nice scenery / Con- would like more miles of trails /  Length of stay 2-3/ Rating-stars3 out of 5
TERRAIN>  MILES OF TRAILS, hills / forest / mud  / water crossing /     TRAIL MAINTENCE   / SQ. MILE AREA -/  NEAR BY TRAILS-  yes
REGULATIONS> Permit required for riding $5 per machine
FEE> Camping –$0

Loran/Claiborne, Forest Hills, La

Loran/Claiborne, Forest Hills, La
Nov 17, 2012
   This is a very nice campground, at least 30 large sites, pine trees, picnic tables, firegrills, firepits and vault toliets. There is a fee for camping and riding the trails. There is also a large parking area for staging.   Since hunting season was on, we wore orange vests and caps.  The temps were 65 and low of 45 degrees, and foliage in full color
  The area has sand, large pine trees, hardwoods, small rolling hills and well marked trails
Camp Claiborne is also an old World War II army camp. The trails make several loops, with no riding off trails.

INFORMATION>
LOCATION>   NEAREST CITY=Forest Hills   DIRECTIONS=
AREA >   TYPE OF LAND=- forest , OWN= Nat Forest
QUALITY >  Pro marked, scenic trails / Con- not many miles /  Lenght of stay 1-2 days   RATINGS 2-3 out of 5 stars