DIRECTIONS

Take the 10 freeway east past Palm Springs. Do not take Hwy 62 to Joshua Tree. Keep heading east about another 27 miles and exit on Dillon Rd. Turn right into the 'Coachella Travel Center'. This is a good size truck stop and has various places to eat and buy last minute supplies. Make sure you fill up with gas.

MEETING TIME

We will be meeting for breakfast at the Coachella Travel Center at 8:30 Saturday.

There will be a drivers meeting at 9:30 in the parking lot and we will head out by 10:00 sharp, convoying north on Dillon Road towards the park. We will be airing down for comfort and would suggest doing the same.

SATURDAY MORNING TRAIL

The first trail will be Berdoo Canyon Road. This starts in about 6 miles with a right turn off Dillon Road. The first 3.9 miles winds past the ruins of the Berdoo Camp, which was established in the 1930s by the builders of the California Aqueduct. Unfortunately, the entrance to the trail has become a dumping ground for trash and old appliances. The trail continues for a total of 11.5 miles and offers various terrains from sand and washboard to rocky outcrops. Some obstacles may require careful negotiation.

Berdoo Canyon Road ends at Geology Tour Road, which starts with a 6-mile one-way loop and will be a left turn only. The trail then climbs from Squaw Tank, another 5.4 miles up to Park Blvd, which is a paved road. We will break for lunch at one of the many picnic spots along the way.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON TRAIL

After a lunch we will continue east on Park Blvd for about 5 miles and then make a right turn on Pinto Basin Road. This is also a paved road and continues through the park in a southeasterly direction for about 22 miles. This is the sightseeing portion of the trip and we will convoy at a leisurely pace, - the speed limit is 35 mph - stopping from time to time to view the 'exhibits'.

We will eventually reach a 4-way intersection and make a sharp left turn off the paved road onto Old Dale Road. The first 11 miles cross Pinto Basin, a flat, sandy dry lakebed. Leaving the basin, the road climbs a steep hill, and then crosses the park boundary. A number of side roads veer off toward old mines and residences. This will be the most challenging part of the trail. The climb is littered with loose sharp rocks and eroded with deep ruts. This might be a problem if we weren't driving Land Rovers. Assistance will be available if needed. Once through that part of the climb, the trail levels out and features what we have nicknamed a 'play area' on the way to the camp.

After a total 16 miles of Old Dale Road we will stop for the day and make camp. This is on BLM land outside of the National Park boundary and has no facilities. There are a couple of homemade fire rings and lots of rocks for the kids to climb. This is a remote area, bring plenty of water and don't forget firewood. Day and night temperatures can vary greatly so bring appropriate clothing.

For those who prefer a mint on their pillow, we are at this point, about 7 miles from Hwy 62, 15 miles east of Twentynine Palms. The trail is marked Gold Crown Road where it meets Hwy 62.

SUNDAY MORNING TRAIL

We will break camp early Sunday and head out by 9:00am. We will backtrack along Old Dale Road and climb down towards Pinto Basin. About 5 miles from camp we will make a left turn onto Brooklyn Mine Jeep Trail. This is a challenging trail through the rugged Pinto Mountains. It has a very loose, low-traction surface, with uneven camber and large embedded rocks. Drivers should be experienced in negotiating these conditions. Vehicles should have differential protection and adequate recovery points, front and rear. Spoilers and running boards should be removed. While the trail is not continually challenging there are obstacles beyond the capabilities of an inexperienced driver and potentially dangerous and damaging to the vehicle. The trail is rated 6 out of 10 for difficulty by Backcountry Adventures. It is about 12 miles and will take about 3.5 hours to complete, emerging at Hwy 62.

For reference, Berdoo Canyon Road and Old Dale Road are rated 4 and Geology Tour Road is rated 2.

MEALS

Bring whatever food and drink you will need for Saturday lunch on the trail and dinner at the camp, Sunday breakfast at the camp and lunch on the trail if necessary. The weather should be quite mild but bring plenty of water - at least 3 to 4 liters per person. We will try and arrange some kind of group barbeque for Saturday night, pending RSVPs (BYO provisions).

PREPARATION

Vehicle preparation is essential for any trip and even more important when driving your vehicle hard in the middle of nowhere. Be sure to check all the usual things - fluids, tires, brakes etc. If you have any over-heating issues, please address them before considering this trip.

Preventive maintenance is the key to getting home without a flatbed. Even if you don't know how to change a hose or a belt, at least carry a spare so someone who does know can help you. Tools are good especially that lug nut wrench. Make sure you know where it is.

Link to map:

http://www.us-national-parks.net/images/josh.jpg