Mojave Road - December 26-29

[Kato Baggins]

As a celebration of our 10th anniversary, my wife and I are planning on doing the Mojave Road from east to west December 26-29. We'll be coming from the Central Coast of California to the Laughlin/Bullhead city area on December 26, spending the night and heading out in the morning of the 27th. This will be the first time for us. We're new to overlanding but not backpacking or camping.

The only part of this trip that has me a little antsy is the Mojave River water crossing. I've ordered a snorkel for my ZR2 Tracker and will take some time to seal up any electrical bits under the hood.

Does anyone have any experience making that crossing around Christmas? If so, how deep has it been? And since it's always better to travel in groups, is there anyone else interested in going with us during those dates?

 

[VCeXpedition]

Previously we took a stock Chev Colorado through there when it was 35-40" deep with no problem for him, I don't think you'd need a snork for that. The bottom of that crossing is solid, set up a good bow wave and keep your speed up and you should have no problems.

You will want to evaluate the Soda Dry Lake crossing when you get there. If it has been a wet season so far, take care when you cross there, it might be dry at the east end but it does have a tendency to get wetter as you go west. It will most likely be dry, but it's another point of caution for you.

For the most part, cell phone reception is nill until you get near Baker.
It's a good time of year to go, may be a bit cold at night, prepare for that for sure. Enjoy and take lots of pics.



Dan.

 

[Eric Neal]

As a celebration of our 10th anniversary, my wife and I are planning on doing the Mojave Road from east to west December 26-29. We'll be coming from the Central Coast of California to the Laughlin/Bullhead city area on December 26, spending the night and heading out in the morning of the 27th. This will be the first time for us. We're new to overlanding but not backpacking or camping.

The only part of this trip that has me a little antsy is the Mojave River water crossing. I've ordered a snorkel for my ZR2 Tracker and will take some time to seal up any electrical bits under the hood.

Does anyone have any experience making that crossing around Christmas? If so, how deep has it been? And since it's always better to travel in groups, is there anyone else interested in going with us during those dates?

Kato, my wife and I are also planning to be on the Mojave Rd in late December 2017. Our route, however, is West to East and our start date is December 27 thru... well... we're not certain about our end date since we like to explore and play. In other words we typically stay very flexible and fluid with our schedules and planning. Our interests are more along the observing scenic vistas and identification of "flora and fauna" we encounter as we go along. Trecia (my bride) is a retired biology educator and naturalist (among other things) so you can imagine how "nature" oriented we are.

After Mojave we're heading to Death Valley for 3-5 days for more adventure. Hope to see you guys on "the Road".

 

[Irving Zisman]

You wont have any issues at the water crossing. I just went through it a few weeks ago and it was only about 25 inches deep. Unless we get a large amount of rain between now and when you are going, which is highly unlikely, there will be no issues. This was in late October:

 

[Eric Neal]

Thanks for posting that info Irving.

 

[Kato Baggins]

Kato, my wife and I are also planning to be on the Mojave Rd in late December 2017. Our route, however, is West to East and our start date is December 27 thru... well... we're not certain about our end date since we like to explore and play. In other words we typically stay very flexible and fluid with our schedules and planning. Our interests are more along the observing scenic vistas and identification of "flora and fauna" we encounter as we go along. Trecia (my bride) is a retired biology educator and naturalist (among other things) so you can imagine how "nature" oriented we are.

After Mojave we're heading to Death Valley for 3-5 days for more adventure. Hope to see you guys on "the Road".

Great, Eric! I hope to we cross paths as well. We'll be doing as much sightseeing as we can along the way. What will you be driving. We'll be in a silver and black Chevy Tracker ZR2.

 

[Kato Baggins]

You wont have any issues at the water crossing. I just went through it a few weeks ago and it was only about 25 inches deep. Unless we get a large amount of rain between now and when you are going, which is highly unlikely, there will be no issues. This was in late October:
View attachment 39853

Thanks for the recon. I'll kept my eye on the weather out there and haven't seen any rain this month. So, I'm going to assume that the water levels are similar. We will at least drive to the Afton water crossing and scope it out. But 25 inches shouldn't be a problem for our little Tracker. However, the 44 inches the NOAA website reports the water level is would be problem.

 

[Overland California]

Make sure you extend your differential, transmission, and transfercase breathers. Those stockers will pull water in through the seals.

 

[Eric Neal]

Great, Eric! I hope to we cross paths as well. We'll be doing as much sightseeing as we can along the way. What will you be driving. We'll be in a silver and black Chevy Tracker ZR2.

Driving a 2002 dark blue Ford Ranger 4x4 with RTT on bed rack so the RTT mounts below to cab roof line.

 

[Eric Neal]

Here's another pic w/ tent closed up

 

[Kato Baggins]

Here's another pic w/ tent closed upView attachment 40059

Nice! I'll be looking for you. Here's ours. Roof lights and snorkel installation are imminent.

 

[Kato Baggins]

Make sure you extend your differential, transmission, and transfercase breathers. Those stockers will pull water in through the seals.

I was pleasantly surprised to find out the ZR2 model had breather tubes to the top of the radiator for the front diff and tranny. The read diff goes up behind and into the rear bumper area somewhere. I don' know how high that one goes but it is at least as high as the top of the rear bumper.

 

[Traveling Together]

I just drove the trail last week in a stock T100. I was nervous about the water too. We made it across without issue, but I did walk it first to check the depth all the way across. It was about 32 inches at the deepest point.

 

[Kato Baggins]

I just drove the trail last week in a stock T100. I was nervous about the water too. We made it across without issue, but I did walk it first to check the depth all the way across. It was about 32 inches at the deepest point.

Thanks so much for the update! :)

 

[accelerometer]

I just crossed it about a week ago and it's not deep at all. Here is a vid my friend took:

 

[smritte]

I've done this trip a few times around new year. Last year I spent 4 days going West to East. If it rains just before, I would be more concerned with Soda Dry Lake. The mud was only about 4-5 inches deep and our group was sliding sideways for the half (ish) mile across.
I wish we had a quad copter following, my trailer kept whipping off to the side. A few time's it went almost 90 degrees. As much fun as it was, I'm glad we didn't get stuck. In the future I will never cross it again wet, I will route around it. A year later I still find areas with mud. The high alkali in the mud means rust on everything and it dries like concrete.
This year I'm taking a small group going East to West, staging out of the casino the 29th and starting the trail the morning of the 30th. I may or may not have my trailer.

Have a fun and safe trip
Scott

 

[Kato Baggins]

Thanks, gentlemen! I've got my eye on weather stations in the area and will definitely avoid Soda Dry Lake if there's rain before or during the time we are there. I'll be installing the snorkel this week for the Mojave River crossing. These reports are bolstering my confidence we will be able to get across without incident, these reports and a snorkel...and a couple tubes of dielectric grease. ;)

 

[Eric Neal]

Hey Kato, our plans, being fluid, have now changed. I won't be hitting the Mojave Road until a week later than originally planned.

Hope you guys have a great trip. Sorry I'll miss meeting up with you.

 

[smritte]

I'm hitting it Friday morning from east to west. may see you there.

Scott

 

[Go2AllThePlaces]

How was the weather in late december?