Ty, sorry missed your post. Didn't get to see this one. Where is it and what does it say about it?

John I agree with your suggestion. We'll use Ocotillo Wells SVRA as our base camp.



Ok, this one sounds interesting too and is in the general area. Thanks for the suggestion Oleg & Ty.

These trails are all near but definitely not next to each other so there wil be some drive time to and from basecamp each morning/evening.

So far we have interest from....
Tyson & crew
Jason A
Nick R
Steve D
DRX350
Spencevans
Eurosonic
Grasscat
Carlos
Kirk

And I haven't even posted this on any of the other forums yet. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cyclops.gif" alt="" />

Here's my recommended route for one of your days. Start at Oriflame Canyon off the highway at Banner it starts at a higher mountainous elevation and slowly drops into the desert floor so you get a good variety of scenery. There's a gate at the entrance but should not be locked (required to be unlocked due to fire route)once you drop down into the desert continue east until you reach the S-2 hardball and turn left (northish)drive a few miles to the entrance of pinion mountain on right(trailhead marked by sign)do pinion mountain trail and then when you drop into fish creek, turn right and go out towards split mountain. Turn right on the back entrance to the diablo drop-off trail. climb up diablo drop off if you can make it. Dont be scared to use throttle on the second sandy part, you'll need it. At the top take in the view and take photos of the "badlands" if you still have time, now your now right near the mudcaves check those out if you have time, then go out back to the S-2 via Canyon Sin Nobre, and head back to Ocotillo wells.

Also recommend South Coyote Canyon Like Holger Said that should be on a day your not doing pinyon. Maybe pair that one with Calcite Mine..difficulty can vary on that one due to wash outs.

Smugglers Cave is pretty bad <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" />too but its way south and away from your planned base camp the border patrol presence there is a little heavy there due to its proximity to the border and yes there are smugglers in the area. You can shoot at the base of the mountains over there so if thats part of you plans you can there. The terrain is very different over there and there's some hard core options.

Nice. I like what you're proposing!

I know there is no bypass for the squeeze but are there bypasses for the other 'difficult' obstacles? Just trying to understand so I can set expectations accordingly since I'll have a range of experience with me and some won't want to run the more difficult trails. I'll either setup an easier run for those who don't want to do this run.


I agree that's it's probably too far south so for now, it's not something I'm heavily considering.

No bypasses for the hard stuff but there's not much. I've done the above route with a Gen1 LWB with 31's and an LSD. The squeeze is simply a case of having a good spotter. Heat attack hill, balls and common sense. The most difficult with be the climb up diablo drop off which is doaable with LSD or some one in the group with a winch although I have seen open diffs get up with momentum.

Ray, I checked the Amazon - indeed, the price is ridiculous. For Utah edition they want $254.78... wow... I am rich !

I'll try to browse through my GPS files and I'll see what I have.

Ray, I also can lend you that book, if you like. Let me know.

We are looking forward to this run... I plan on bringing the whole family this time (little ones included)

Been working on the trailer for the trip... should be ready in a few weeks! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Justice, that's what I thought. I'm not worried for me, I'm just curious for the rest who may not be as daring (aka crazy) as others on the trip LOL.

Oleg, thanks for the offer! I may take you up on it. Or maybe you can send me pics any descriptions you have in the book of the trails we'll be doing (once I've finalized them).

Carlos, Is Claire coming too? Wow!

I've already determined to do 2 of the runs (each doing multiple trails) described by Oleg and Justice. They work out well based on their difficulty, geography, & distance. Still finalizing which runs we'll do for the 3rd day of wheeling. Once I have that, I'll post up each one with descriptions, waypoints, etc.

OK, sure, give me a call or send me PM or else, if you need it.

Hey what part of this did you miss?