SCLR Rattlesnake Canyon

May 8, 2004

About the Location:

Rattlesnake Canyon is a unique 17 mile non-wilderness corridor trail that takes you through the Bighorn Mountains Wilderness along side the eastern foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains. The trial offers a rare transition between yucca and Joshua tree covered desert floor as the Bighorn Mountains tower along side the canyon.

Meeting Time/Place:

We will meet at the Parking Lot of Carrows Restaurant in Yucca Valley at 8:00am Saturday May 8^th. There address is 57044 29 Palms Hwy Yucca Valley CA 92284 GPS Coordinates: (34.09.23N 116.29.34 W)

Yucca Valley is a small town that has a bit of everything. There is a supermarket, fast food places and plenty of gas stations to fill up before the run.

Accommodations:

This is a one day trip but if you plan to stay in the area after the run or before, Yucca Valley has various Inns and motels. Or for camping, Joshua Tree National Park offer may camping areas and is only 20 minutes from or meeting location and where we will eventually end the trip.

What to Expect on the trail:

Rattlesnake Canyon trail is generally easy for the first several miles but as we pass Two Hole Springs the trial will become more moderate with rocky crossings, soft sandy washes, and narrow passages as we gain elevation (approx.2400 feet) through the Canyon. Pin stripping from is very possible throughout the canyon.

Stock Land Rovers are encouraged (Freelander Excluded) and with careful spotting will get through the rocky sections relatively easy. As for Running Boards, well they are not recommended but if you have them you can still make it with a spotter through the rocky sections without much sacrifice.

Food/Water:

Please bring Lunch and water for those in your party. Dinner is available in Yucca Valley or Pioneer Town on the way home.

Itinerary Saturday May 8th:

8:30am Meet at Carrows Parking Lot (If planning on breakfast please plan accordingly)

From there we will head up to the trail head (which is 26 miles from the meeting location).

Once we pull off the road we will line up to air down. We will continue through the canyon and stop for lunch at around 12pm. We also may stop at a couple of places to look around and allow time to explore a bit of the surroundings further in the canyon. This trip also offers some exciting challenges for more experienced drivers through some other side spurs and through Hearbreak Ridge towards the end of the canyon. Time permitting we may do some of the other trails in the area.

The end of the trip will take us to Pioneer Town a functioning town originally built as a movie set back in 1946. We will stop there to look around and to regroup before departing home. Also there is a place to get a bite called: Pappy and Harriet's Pioneertown Palace. Take a look at http://www.pappyandharriets.com.

Directions from Orange County:

91 East to 60East to 10East to 62E to Meeting location. Approx.100 miles

Contact and Communications:

Ron Darwish

Contact me for any questions at ron@offroadtuff.com

Cell Phone 714-401-8785

For communications we will be using FSR Channel 2, and CB channel 24.