Friday, February 26, 2010

Kokopelli Rides Again

The Kokopelli ATV club master file has just been updated to include their latest ride: The Mesquite to Overton For Lunch Loop. A nifty trip the group took to show that it could be done. In fact there were several trails that have been added as it has been awhile since it was updated.   [For a free Google Earth file of this route see: Kokopelli ATV Club Master Map]

Hugh led the group along trails which most seldom remember. That's too bad because it is a ride which is very close to Mesquite (hence can be done without "trailoring") and has the typical amount of scenic value which we've come to expect… and even more than one might think.

And actually, it comes with an added benefit — LUNCH! The loop allows for a ride into the ATV friendly town of Overton where you can shop, patronize the filling stations and restrooms as well as have a meal at a well known diner. [Follow the track! We'll make it a geocache with benefits!]

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Ride 22: Narrows, Fisherman's Cove and Sierra Club

Probably one of the more bizarre days we've ever spent on Gold Butte, this one left us reeling from the irony. Click the link and download the Google Earth map so you can follow along.   [For a free Google Earth file of this route see: Ride 22: Narrows, Fisherman's and Sierra Club]

Actually, this ride had several purposes. One, to check out a "new closure" which people had been reporting to us and see if it was true and if there was a work-around. Two, to check on several of the most complained about (for closures) trails in the Upper GB riding area. And, of course, three just to see our favorite "100 acre woods."

[A fourth goal was to check further on the Mud Wash Petroglyphs – which I promised I would report on in a future posting.]

You see, there are only two or three of the BLMs closures which…

Sunday, February 21, 2010

BLM: Overton Town Meeting

After the great meeting the BLM put on in Mesquite the other week, Gordon and I took a ride down to Overton to see what those good people had to say — there were both some similarities and differences and a very important new revelation (see below).

Differences: There were refreshments — What's up with that? Even though we didn't get any at the Mesquite meeting, we both decided to take the high road and not sulk… well too much.

Secondly, it may just be my perception, but those guys seemed a bit more…

Friday, February 19, 2010

Ride 21: Devil's Cove - Lake Mead

The rides down Gold Butte, despite being long on an ATV, never cease to amaze and inspire the rider.   [For a free Google Earth file of this route see: Ride 21: Cottonwood Wash to Devil's Cove]

The ride to find Cottonwood Wash has been on my "to do" list for 3 whole years but Gold Butte is such a looong ride, and there are sooo…

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Ride 20: Kurt's Grotto - Black Wash Loop

Gordon and I rode with some people who hadn't been into the Kurt's Grotto area before, to show them some of the local sites. Our first stop from Whitney Junction was to ride just a short distance toward Whitney Pockets and see the CCC dam.   [For a free Google Earth file of this route see: Ride 20: Kurt's Grotto - Black Wash Loop]

I must have ridden by the thing 20 or more times (even looking for the "petroglyphs by the CCC structure") but never saw it. The trail goes down between two berms just as it turns a little corner, and the "Water Trough" as well as the Rock Dam is just up on top.

If you keep to the left on the shoulder you will see a parking area on the top of the shoulder, by the water trough. The dam is a short hike through the crack in the rock. You can tell it must have taken a great amount of effort to construct. They sure don't build them with this amount of effort any more.

From the top of the dam you can see yet…

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Ride 19: Lime Kiln to Budweiser Fence

It really was a great day for a ride when we finally were able to get out of winter snowbird headquarters for an afternoon's ride in the mountains. The snow had stopped falling, the clouds had dissipated and the sky was bright blue   [For a free Google Earth file of this route see: Ride 19: Lime Kiln to Budweiser Fence]

After more days inside out of the rain than snowbirds are entitled to endure we decided that it was even…

Thursday, February 11, 2010

New Web Home: OffroadingHome.DJmed.net

After a frantic couple of weeks - Offroading Home has now found a new home on a shared server.

We received a grant from a group of frequent offroad users who enabled us to obtain the DJmed.net domain and "stay on the air" - so to speak. Of course email addresses and other link URLs will change and there is a lot more work to do to smooth things out.

However, go take it for a spin at: http://OffroadingHome.DJmed.net/ and see what you think. It goes without saying that if you see any problem with links or display, please let me know.

I suppose for the next few weeks ATT will still have the old site up; but, be sure and bookmark the new site because the old one wont work forever.

[And thanks to my friends at: Forgotten Nevada for your moral support during these trying times - (love your weather station.)]

Monday, February 8, 2010

BLM Town Meeting for RMP Input

Huh? One of the problems in understanding what is going on around here is all the acronyms people throw around. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is holding a series of town meetings to gain "input" for the 3-year Resource Management Plan (RMP) covering this whole area from Mesquite down to California.

The ATV club heard about the meeting being held in Mesquite a few nights ago (last Thursday) from circulars being passed around the local "conservation" community. And I have to say that, for an event which only had a couple of days notice to the "riding community," it sure drew a lot of us off the trails!

There were over a hundred people…

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Black Rocks


Do any of you know how many coal black rocks, of this shape and size, there are on the trail between Whitney Junction and Kurt's Grotto?


I DO!


[And it's WAY more than you would think!]

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Ride 18: The "Where Am I Now" Loop

Our Utah friends decided to stay for a second ride around the area but couldn't get as early a start as the day before. Where to go? The "Where Am I Now" Loop!   [For a free Google Earth file of this route see: Ride 18: "Where Am I" Loop ]

At least that's my story and I'm stickin' to it. The ride is one you can take from Mesquite in a "strong" half-day and crosses…