Author Archive
Dec
2009
Rodman Mountains Trail
December 7th, 2009 at 01:02 pm by admin in Jeep TrailsStarting Point: National Trails Highway (old Route 66), 3 miles east of Fort Cady exit on I-40
Finishing Point: National Trails Highway (old Route 66), 2 miles west of Fort Cady exit on I-40
Total Mileage: 34.8 miles, plus 2.2-mile spur
Difficulty: Moderate (3 out of 10)
Special Attractions:
- Trail travels a vehicle corridor through the Rodman Mountains Wilderness
- Extensive petroglyphs on the edge of the Rodman Mountains Wilderness
- Lightly traveled trail offers remote desert experience
- Chance to see raptors – particularly prairie falcons and golden eagles
- Bagdad Cafe, setting of the movie of the same name
History:
Newberry Springs, located near the start and finish of this trail, was a town that relied on passing trade almost from its beginning. The Mojave Trail passed to the north of today’s settlement and was a trading route for Indians before it became a vehicle trail. For thousands of years, people traveled between the coastal and Colorado River tribes, exchanging various items of value. They used water from the Mojave River near Newberry Srpings, known in the mission days as Rio del los Animas (Spanish for “River of the Spirits”).
Dec
2009
Daggett Wash Trail
December 4th, 2009 at 02:50 pm by admin in Jeep TrailsStarting Point: Pendleton Raod, 0.2 miles west of I-40 and Daggett
Finishing Point: Camp Rock Road, 10.1 miles south of I-40 and Daggett
Total Mileage: 15.3 miles
Difficulty: 3 out of 10
Special Attractions:
- Calico ghost town, located a short distance from the northern end of the trail.
- Spectacular hiking around Ord Mountain
- Prime desert tortoise habitat
- Desert wildflowers in spring
History:
Dagget, originally known as Calico Junction, was founded in 1860s. In 1883, it was renamed Daggett after John Daggett, then lieutenant governor of California. The name was changed to avoid confusion with Calico, located just to the north. As the Calico and Death Valley mines developed, so did Daggett. A 10-stamp mill was in operation north of town near Elephant Hill by the early 1880s. Transportation to and from Calico and Death Valley was a major problem until the famous 20-mule teams began hauling supplies to the mines and returning with ore. The steam-driven workhorse Old Dinah was less successful at hauling ore, and it failure brought about the return of the mule team. Calico went on to be the driving force behind Daggett. When railroads were built, transportation costs fell from $2 per ton to less than 20 cents per ton.
Dec
2009
Ord Mountains Trail
December 1st, 2009 at 05:46 pm by admin in Jeep TrailsStarting Point: Intersection of Harrod Road and Camp Rock Road, 3.9 miles north of California 247
Finishing Point: Barstow Road (California 247) at mile marker 63, 15 miles south of I-40.
Total Mileage: 29.7 miles, plus 1.2 mile spur to Yucca Rings
Difficulty: Moderate (3 out of 10)
Special Attractions:
- Upper Johnson Valley Yucca Rings Preserve Area of Critical Environmental Concern
- Stoddard Valley and Johnson Valley OHV Open Areas
- Rock climbing area at Sawtooth Canyon (New Jacks City)
History:
The Ord Mountains were named for Major General E O C Ord of Civil War fame. The gold mining district was established around 1870, though it was not a big producer at the time. Many mines can be seen across the mountainsides. Names such as Azucar, Gold Brick, Grandview, Ord Belt, Red Hill, and Alarm drew prospectors from near and far. Some mines, including the White Dollar, extracted tungsten during World War II and continued into the 1950s. In more recent times, rock collectors have found black crystals of mottramite near the Gold Banner Mine at Ord Mountain. Some well-formed chrysocolla pseudomorphs and chalcanthite have also been found near the Modesta Claim. The Ord Mountains region, located within the Bristol-Barstow trough, is a diverse area of rocks and minerals. It is bisected by the major Lenwood Fault. Other fault lines also run through the region.