1MK
ExploreDesert
Three weekends in a row? Why not? Death Valley, Tierra Del Sol and now a trip to the Trona Pinnacles.
With only a week to plan this one out, it felt a bit thrown together. Usually our trips are pieced together over the course of a few weeks or sometimes months depending on where we're going. Nonetheless, we made something work and gave ourselves some options to work with. Friday brought in some wicked weather, pouring rain and strong winds made us second question our decision. In the end, threw caution to the, errr, wind and went for it.
The drive up the 395 was miserable and rather sketchy. Lifted vehicles and RTT's make for a horrible combination when contending with violent side gusts. Add blinding oncoming lights and swerving semi's and it was a real thrill just getting to our turn off point - just past Kramer Junction where we touched dirt to head east towards Harper Valley. A few rock piles known as "The Buttes" would serve as a makeshift barrier from what felt like a hurricane blowing through.
Not much sleep was had that night. Brutal winds punished the roof top tents, rocking the vehicles for hours and the flapping canvas was so loud that not even ear plugs could drown out the sound. Not sure what time it was, but the FAS (fast moving air; we like to avoid the "w" word while camping) eventually stopped and exhaustion took over. Woke to a clear and cool morning and was happy to see that the Tepui suffered no damage. Was somewhat expecting to find something bent or torn but that wasn't the case.
Harper Valley and the Black Mountains are visible far off in the distance.
Although our Oxx Coffeeboxx didn't arrive in time, we still managed to bring a brewer and enjoy a warm cup of joe to start the day.
The days mission would be to make it from Kramer Junction to the Trona Pinnacles, all on dirt. A few things to stop and see along the way and our first destination would be the goldfish pond at the McDonald Well. The recent rain was welcomed once we started moving since there was very little dust.
Next up was quick trip through Bird Springs and to the Husky Monument.
"In 1987, Jim Erickson passed on to his next adventure. Family and friends, knowing how much he loved to ride the Cuddeback area, buried his 390 Husky, and scattered his ashes to the four winds and blue skies of the desert. Since then, many other riders have been memorialized here."***
We spent some time here looking over all the plaques, pictures and the homemade ornamental memorials. Family and friends have done an amazing job making sure their loved ones would not be forgotten.
After paying our respects, we continued our journey.
Made our way down the valley towards Cuddeback dry lake. Upon getting closer, it wasn't completely dry and tracks indicated that mud could be a problem. Put the vehicles in 4-Hi and hammered down. A bit of wheel spin but made it across no problem.
With only a week to plan this one out, it felt a bit thrown together. Usually our trips are pieced together over the course of a few weeks or sometimes months depending on where we're going. Nonetheless, we made something work and gave ourselves some options to work with. Friday brought in some wicked weather, pouring rain and strong winds made us second question our decision. In the end, threw caution to the, errr, wind and went for it.
The drive up the 395 was miserable and rather sketchy. Lifted vehicles and RTT's make for a horrible combination when contending with violent side gusts. Add blinding oncoming lights and swerving semi's and it was a real thrill just getting to our turn off point - just past Kramer Junction where we touched dirt to head east towards Harper Valley. A few rock piles known as "The Buttes" would serve as a makeshift barrier from what felt like a hurricane blowing through.
Not much sleep was had that night. Brutal winds punished the roof top tents, rocking the vehicles for hours and the flapping canvas was so loud that not even ear plugs could drown out the sound. Not sure what time it was, but the FAS (fast moving air; we like to avoid the "w" word while camping) eventually stopped and exhaustion took over. Woke to a clear and cool morning and was happy to see that the Tepui suffered no damage. Was somewhat expecting to find something bent or torn but that wasn't the case.
Harper Valley and the Black Mountains are visible far off in the distance.
Although our Oxx Coffeeboxx didn't arrive in time, we still managed to bring a brewer and enjoy a warm cup of joe to start the day.
The days mission would be to make it from Kramer Junction to the Trona Pinnacles, all on dirt. A few things to stop and see along the way and our first destination would be the goldfish pond at the McDonald Well. The recent rain was welcomed once we started moving since there was very little dust.
Next up was quick trip through Bird Springs and to the Husky Monument.
"In 1987, Jim Erickson passed on to his next adventure. Family and friends, knowing how much he loved to ride the Cuddeback area, buried his 390 Husky, and scattered his ashes to the four winds and blue skies of the desert. Since then, many other riders have been memorialized here."***
We spent some time here looking over all the plaques, pictures and the homemade ornamental memorials. Family and friends have done an amazing job making sure their loved ones would not be forgotten.
After paying our respects, we continued our journey.
Made our way down the valley towards Cuddeback dry lake. Upon getting closer, it wasn't completely dry and tracks indicated that mud could be a problem. Put the vehicles in 4-Hi and hammered down. A bit of wheel spin but made it across no problem.
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