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Bradshaw Trail Overland Trip Starts With A long Drive To Southern California
Winter is the time to Overland in Southern California. Desert weather is more agreeable then. A time to avoid the extreme heat although it can be brutally cold. First camp was actually a rest area off Interstate 10 in Palm Springs. Next day I would visit the BLM office there for maps and information.
Heading East From Palm Springs To The Red Cloud Mine Exit
The Bradshaw Trail Overland Route actually begins near the Salton Sea. Its origins were connecting San Bernadino to the gold feilds and a stagecoach route through the desert. See more about its rich history here. Limited in time I chose to start East of Desert Center by taking the Red Cloud Mine exit off Highway 10. Summit Road is the Trailhead. After a few miles it intersects with the Bradshaw Trail.
Invited to learn about Rockhounding: Meet up at Wiley Wells Campground
Great excuse for taking out the Jeep (not that I need a excuse.) I had one day to explore this section of the Bradshaw Trail. Planned Camp was near Blythe California at Wiley Wells Campground. There, next day, I would meet 2 freinds to learn about digging for Geodes or Desert Diamonds.
Intersection Of Summit Road And Bradshaw Trail National Back Country Byway
I followed Summit Road south over a series of washes for about 11 miles. Dry conditions made it easy, might be a different story if it was raining. Any 4WD or AWD vehicle with reasonable amount of clearance would not have a problem. Intersecting here with the Bradshaw Trail it was time to turn west and head towards Wiley Wells Camp. I have reached the Chuckwalla Bench.
Way Off The Grid In The Chuckwalla Bench: A C E C - Area Of Critical Enfironmental Concern
Reaching this point you are now way off the grid in a unspoiled pristine desert. There are forces at work that want to develop the renewable energy potential of this area with solar and wind. Others want preserve it as is and have the Government designate this area National Monument. Hopefully they can work together.
Be Ready When Going This Far Off Grid: Easy Driving But The Remoteness Requires Being Prepared
The driving is easy if you stick the the actual Bradshaw Trail. There are many roads off the trail that have higher difficulty ratings. I have not checked those out yet. I will definitely be back to do that. For now I have to blast through to meet my freinds. No matter what being this far out demands being prepared. Here are some items I carry every time I head out.
Extra Water
Protective Clothing
Sattelite Communication Device (Works Without Cell Signal)
First Aid Kit w/Snake Bite Kit
Extra Fuel (I Carry 5 gallons Deisel In Gerry Can)
Recovery Gear - Minimum - Shovel, Traction Boards Kinetic Recovery Rope.
Recovery Gear - Optianal - Winch, Sand Anchor, variety of soft shackles and straps.
Tools
Spare Tire
Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range To The South
The Bradshaw Trail borders a bombing range to the south. Controlled by the Navy it is used to practice with munitions. Like the sign says stay out. Sometimes stuff doesn't explode when it hits the ground but it might if you make contact with it.
Once Known As The Gold Road: A History Of Mining Operations
Mining operations have gone on throughout Chuckwalla Wilderness. A wide range of minerals have been found here including Gold. It is also home to the Famous Hauser Geode Beds. Mining information here.
The Bradshaw Trail Is A Gateway To Many More Desert Overlanding Routes
The BLM sign says "Discover Your Public Lands" - "Welcome To The Colorado Desert." When I took this trip to Southern California time was short. A return visit is being planned and I will set aside a longer period of time to explore. Here are a few of the Overlanding routes available.
Summit Road C041
Red Cloud Road
Augustine Pass
Chuckwalla Springs Road
Corn Springs Road
Dupont Road
Ashley Flats
Government Pass
Gasline Road
Gerdes
Amy's Wash
Graham Pass
Wiley's Well Road
Arriving at Camp In The Dark Again: Desert Sunset and Dark Sky
It would have been awesome to explore the many trails I passed by on my way to Wiley Wells Campground. This trip was really about my chance to learn about Rockhounding for Geodes. I had to make my way to Camp before it got to awfully late so I could meet my freinds the next day and explore the Hauser Geode Beds. I had Previously camped and explored Corn Springs and made one of my first videos. There will be more trips to the Bradshaw Trail and Chuckwalla Wilderness.
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