5th annual North Islanders Desert Rendevous

[beaver steve]

Well kids, the trees are changing color and the forecast is for the worst winter in 20 years for the west coast...you know what we're thinking. Fun in the sun.

Once again we're planning a dual sport trip south with the RV's to the warm deserts of California, Nevada and Arizona. This year some of us will be going before Christmas for six weeks and others for the month of January, no set time period. There may be a core group of 4 or 5 couples heading down mid December with plans to meet another 2 couples down there with a possible base camp this year near Phoenix.

Like we have said before there's always a standing open invitation to all who want to join us. Fully outfitted RV's are a must as we're camping in the desert with limited services nearby. Keeps it cheap and the annoyances of the locals to a minimum. Most of our camp sites are free.

Here's the trip report from last year.

http://www.dualsportbc.com/forums/sh...-the-dez/page9


Here's the trip report from 2009

http://www.dualsportbc.com/forums/sh...r-another-year

[SouthPoint]

WOW! I am going to start shopping for an RV.....

[bajaman]

We are in.......

[beaver steve]

Hopefully 'eagleguy' can show us around the ride sites north of Phoenix.

This looks like a good one:
http://www.riderplanet-usa.com/atv/t.../ride_9984.htm

Maybe we could find another impossible hill...

bs

[eagleguy]

Looks like I better get a lighter bike to hang with you guys! You can check out nightstalkers ride reports for the area too, he's the MAN.

[R2Beamer]

Looking forward to another great riding holiday in
the deserts

[beaver steve]

This looks familiar.

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=739961


Our girls actually like sand. Go figure.

[beaver steve]

Well folks, there's snow on the ground now in Courtenay and 5cm in the forecast for tonite and we're down to the three week countdown.

So here's just a note on our plans for those curious campers with questions who may be joining us...up to eight couples now, a new record...wow.

We will be hitting the road on or about the 15th with two other couples heading down around the same time. Other couples will be heading down around the end of December/early January. And the rest we will be meeting down there at various times and places.

Make sure all maintenance is done on the bikes, trucks and RV's and even though there's lots of shops to get repairs done if needed we are out in the desert...been there, done that. Pets should have all their shots and paperwork done for the border crossing, we've never been asked but the possibility is there. Bajaman and his missus know where there's a good vet down there. We suggest buying extra vehicle and health insurance...BCAA has both as well as RV towing if your vehicle becomes disabled. You should also have passports for the border, not sure if it's required now. We have a paramedic and motorcycle mechanic traveling with us so most emergencies can be sorted out pretty quickly.

On the road we take the I-5 all the way to Bakersfield, cut across the Tehachapi Pass to Mohave on the 58 and then work our way down through San Bernardino and Palm Springs on the I-10 to the Salton Sea State Rec Area. It takes us about 2-3 days of steady driving with overnight stops at Seven Feathers truck stop in Canyonville, southern Oregon and the Walmart in Bakersfield for groceries. There are about three passes to get over en route so snow tires are a good idea. We usually arrive at the rec area on the third day and stop at Headquarters Center to dump our holding tanks, fill up with water, wash the rigs and use the wifi...also a nice Visitor Info Center there to visit hosted by Canucks. Then we head for the Salt Creek campground about 10 minutes down the road and park on the beach of the Salton Sea, throw on the shorts and flip flops, crack open a cervesa and watch the pelicans soar by...

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=639

We usually stay around there and Slab City for a week or so and then make our way towards Brawley for supplies, dump stations, internet etc. From there we head an hour west for Ocotillo Wells ORV park and Borrego Springs...hopefully a stop in Julian this year for some world famous apple pie. Hope to meet up with these guys between Xmas and New Years:

http://socal.ridersonline.org/

Glamis Dunes is next with camping at Tumco gold mining ghost town. After this things get really flexible. In past years we have gone to Yuma, Fortuna Pond, Yuma Proving Ground Senator Wash and Quartzsite...all places we would go again.

Phoenix is in the plans for mid January, a place many of us haven't spent much time in before. Friends of ours bought a 5 acre rancho in Surprise which may be available to us to use as a base camp for a week or two. 'Eagleguy' will meet us there hopefully to provide some guided riding into the Superstition Mountains and Tonto National Forest...looking forward to that.

Heading home at the end of January I don't really want to talk about but here goes. Some of us may go through Parker and Lake Havasu towards Laughlin and Vegas. Others may want to head directly across the I-10 and retrace the same route home or go across the Mohave on the I-40 from just north of Lake Havasu to Barstow. A stop at Calico ghost town is worthwhile if you're going this route.

For those who are interested, the Parker 250 Best in the Desert race is on the 6th January , Laughlin has a SCORE desert race on the 13-15th and there's a M.O.R.E.(Mojave Off-Road) race on the 21st in Barstow...the likes of Jesse James and Robby Gordon may be there.

Hope this helps, me and Vel look forward to seeing you all down there.

You can text or phone us with any more questions at:250-218-5160 and our e-mail is: velandsteve@uniserve.com



bs out

[gaffergasser]

I have been on the hunt for a new bike and am interested that you are on a xcw, have you had any problems down south being on an unplated bike ?

[beaver steve]

No, it's plated.

[gaffergasser]

very nice..

[eagleguy]

hey steve, I gave you bad info awhile back. the site to check for good ride reports in Az is NSRides.com, cheers, S

[beaver steve]

Yeah, kinda wondered about that. Will check it out, thanks Steve.

[beaver steve]

Here`s another good ride that Dave suggested...looks like fun.

http://www.district37ama.org/dualspo...0130-hd250.pdf

[beaver steve]

Still my favorite video from Glamis.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFnf17cp3Eg

What a zoo...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWingqZT340

[bajaman]

We are in.......

....maybe....it better start snowing alot more...getting more and more and more work everyday...good that we are busy...not good for heading south...

[beaver steve]

Hmm, hoping for the best...or the worst I suppose(snow). Supertrucker called last week telling us they can`t go.

[beaver steve]

This may be cool spot to dry camp near Borrego Springs. Popular with the RVers.

http://members.tripod.com/airfields_..._E.htm#borrego

[eagleguy]

That is the area on the way to Split Mtn, I saw mostly private land past the Iron Bar, all the way to the end of the pavement. From there as you go south, if you turn left along the train tracks from the gypsum plant, you can camp out there. It is about 8 miles from hwy 78 to the tracks. This is the way to get to little Ocotilla town, 1 gas station, sometimes closed. It is 30 miles of dirt and sand along the tracks, but there are lots of side trails, some end up in the bombing zone! stay out.

[beaver steve]

Was thinking more like the Clarke Dry Lake Bed near pegleg corner and Coyote Mountain...saw lots of RVs in there other years.

Out towards Split Mountain we followed those railway tracks to Superstition last year. Got to watch the Blue Angels during their practice routine.

[eagleguy]

OK, I have stayed in Peg leg, but on the other side of the S2 is where the best riding is. The Clarke dry lake rd. goes past the quarry, to rockhouse cyn. but dead ends. I also have stayed just east of Peg leg, before the truckhaven turn off. Have you ridden Timble trail and east to the rugged part of Truckhaven, almost to the Calcite mine area?

[eagleguy]

OK, I have stayed in Peg leg, but on the other side of the S2 is where the best riding is. The Clarke dry lake rd. goes past the quarry, to rockhouse cyn. but dead ends. I also have stayed just east of Peg leg, before the truckhaven turn off. Have you ridden Timble trail and east to the rugged part of Truckhaven, almost to the Calcite mine area?

[beaver steve]

No, thats all new areas we havent explored...hopefully this year. Looks like some good slot canyons in the Calcite Mine area.

[bajaman]

I want to goooooooooo!!!!!!!!

[beaver steve]

Well, whatcha waiting for...

Looks like our base camp in Surprise is a go, Vel chatted with the owners last nite and they are fine with it. Will post the address here soon.

Ok, the cost will be $10 per nite with power and water if needed and the address is:31637 N. 169th Ave., Surprise. Do a search on Google Earth and it should work. Lots of room for everyone.