My first big decision on this Overlanding adventure was to ignore the Piute Range Detour sign. We headed up and over the more challenging washed out route. We learned the value of 4 wheel low, a torquey diesel motor and our off-road trailers articulating hitch.
Our off-road vehicle is a 2020 Jeep Wrangler Ecodiesel. We towed our awesome Exventure XV-3 military spec trailer.
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We started on the Needles Highway (Highway 95) camped at Mid Hills Campground, another stop at Travelers Monument and finished the trip at Afton Canyon Campground.
Our Mojave Road Overlanding Adventure Commenced on Needles Highway (Route 95)
East to west, west to east it does not matter. Any starting point or direction you will find awesome overland travel. The desert landscape through Lanfair Valley is populated with a amazing quantity of Joshua Trees. Have you visited Joshua Tree National Park?
Driving In The Desert And Marvelling At The Changing Terrain
Mojave Road Overlanding will not get boring. Every few miles your be amazed at the varying terrain. Prepare for rocky trails, deep sand and hard packed trails.
Watson Wash Is A Good Challenge For Most 4X4 Overland Vehicles
Watson Wash is one of the Mojave Road challenges. We pushed our luck driving the washed out trail over the Piute Range. I decided to go around. I'm sure we would have made down the hill unscathed. It was late in the day, we were travelling solo and it was time to find a camp. We will get it on the next trip.
Desert Camping Does Not Get Much Better - Mid Hills Camp In The Mojave National Preserve
Mid Hills is a Mojave Road Camping Spot. Desperate to locate a campsite, we relied on the "Find" feature of my Garmin GPS Maps 66I, a crucial tool for desert survival, to discover Mid Hills. We had the entire place to ourselves. Following a fantastic camp dinner and campfire, we prepared for an extremely cold night in the rooftop tent.
Don't Take On The Mojave Road Overlanding Trip Without This Guidebook
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Why Tow A American Made Exventure XV-3 Off-Road Adventure Trailer?
The GVWR of a Jeep Wrangler is relatively low, especially when equipped with a Diesel engine. That adds 350lbs. The issue is bringing sufficient overland gear to ensure my wife's comfort without exceeding the Jeep's weight limit. The answer? Attach an additional axle in the shape of an impressive off-road trailer that will trail the Jeep wherever it ventures. Schutt Industries makes military and Exventure civilian trailers.
Related Content From Muddy Ruttzz
Patches Of Snow Visible Show The Desert Climate Can Be Very Cold In The Winter
It can indeed get cold in the desert! While many people associate deserts with hot temperatures, the winter months can bring severe cold, especially at higher elevations.
Garmin GPS Maps 66i Satellite Communicator Mounted On Dash Using Bullet Point Mounts
Navigation, communication and emergencies. My GPS Maps stays with me in and out of the Jeep on my off-grid travels. I can get out of a lot of jams. Even on a Sunday drive where cell phones don't work. Peace of mind.
Heading West From Mid Hills Campground: Keslo Cima Road
We had a fantastic evening at a wonderful campsite, followed by a stunning sunrise. Our Overland Expedition continues as we travel westward on Cedar Canyon Road. In the Mojave, there are several roads that cross the desert. Kelso Cima is one of them.
Mojave Road Historical Marker is near the intersection of Cedar Canyon Road and Kelso Cima Road.
West of Kelso Cima the terrain changes. Road gets sandy and we start to see large rock piles.
Signing the book at the Mojave Road Mailbox on our Overland Journey on the Mojave Road. (More info on the mailbox)
Passing the Cinder Cone Lava Beds on the way to Soda Lake. Route also crosses Kelbaker Road.
Soda Lake Crossing: My Biggest Worry Of The Trip
My wife was behind the wheel and just went for it. Soda Lake Crossing can be very hazardous. If the trail across is to wet it is possible to become severely stuck by sinking into the wet mud. It is important to stay on the trail and leave the Lake on either side pristine without tire tracks. Make sure to wash the minerals off when you get home.
I felt a big relief when we made it safely across Soda Lake and reached the Travelers Monument. The tradition when crossing the Mojave road is to leave your own rock on this pile that has been growing for years.
Keeping with the tradition we are placing our rocks on the Travelers Monument. Rocks can be personalized and have messages on them.
Plaque With Secret Message On Top Of Travelers Monument
If you want to know what message this plaque has on it you will have to cross the Mojave Road and see it for yourself.
Traveling west towards Afton Canyon will lead you through sandy paths and amazing Overland Trails. While journeying through the desert, you'll come across numerous trails branching out in different directions. To stay on course towards Afton Canyon, I relied on my Garmin device and the fence posts that had been buried long ago.
Water Crossing Way Deeper Than I Expected
When heading to Afton Canyon Campground, you will encounter 2 water crossings. Despite having watched videos and seen pictures before, the first crossing appeared deeper than expected on that particular day, making me quite anxious. After consulting the guide book, my wife confirmed that there was no alternative route unless we went back. With determination, she suggested proceeding ahead. Although the water level reached up to the door sills, we successfully crossed.
Some time ago this water crossing was filled in with rocks by the Park Service. I was fun but not very challenging.
We successfully crossed the Mojave Desert. Our night at Afton Canyon Campground was rainy, but fortunately, they had shelters available. These shelters allowed us to cook dinner comfortably, which was greatly appreciated.
As we were leaving, we were treated to a lovely rainbow sending us off. What an amazing adventure!
After spending 3 days on the Mojave Road, we transitioned from van camping to a Jeep and off-road trailer setup. Following a couple of trial camping trips to test our Jeep/trailer/gear combination, we felt prepared for a genuine off-road adventure. Although our first Overlanding experience on the Mojave Road made me quite anxious at times, our Jeep and trailer performed flawlessly. We pushed ourselves by disregarding the detour sign at Piute, enjoyed picturesque camping spots, and even encountered an unexpectedly deep water crossing. My wife took on most of the driving duties. Since that journey, we've embarked on numerous adventures and are looking forward to many more, hopefully as fantastic as our iconic Mojave Road expedition.
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This looks like an enjoyable and fun trip. Nice scenery and some challenging driving. (Bud Sprenger).