#8: [26-Jan-13]

#7: [28-Mar-11]

#6: [06-Jan-11]

#4: [28-Nov-09]

#2: [29-Aug-03]

#1: [29-Dec-99]

17-May-2007 -- I started my journey in Henderson, NV and drove south on I95 crossing into California and taking a right onto legendary route 66 heading toward the town of Goffs, CA. I parked on the side of the road at longitude W115.00.00. This would be my starting point. I headed to the CP at 6:30 AM. The temperature was a cool 72 degrees. This confluence point can be reached with a 4WD vehicle via the service road that follows the power lines and intersects another dirt road that Ross Finlayson described or you may ride a mountain bike along these same roads or other dirt roads either out of Goffs or roads that intersect route 66 between Goffs and I95. I opted to hike across the open desert and proceeded dead north since I was already on the right longitude.

The terrain is relatively flat which made the walking fairly easy. Sidestepping the sagebrush / bushes and cactus was no problem but I certainly would recommend you wear long pants as I did. About a quarter mile from my starting point I came upon the railroad tracks that parallel route 66. I had to wait to cross the tracks as a locomotive (4 actually) came by pulling what seemed to be a train 2 miles long. After crossing the tracks a barbed wire fence was the only obstacle. Between the railroad tracks and the power lines some 4.3 miles away, I crossed many dry washes that look to have a fair amount of water run through them during flash floods. The walking was pleasant with plenty of rabbits and small lizards. A fair amount of birds as well. I flushed a covey of quail in one wash. I didn’t see any tortoises or snakes though. I reached the power lines around 8:30. Shawn Fleming was correct about the crackling and static noise you hear crossing under the power lines. I did see a pair of red tailed hawks one of which was riding the thermals and the other perched upon the power line tower. I continued north toward the CP and came across the dirt road that Ross Finlayson rode his bike on. I reached the CP around 9:45, took my required pictures and decided to do a little orienting since the walk to this point had been so pleasant. There’s nothing around at all. Out here, I’m certain you wouldn’t see anybody for days.

Rather than head dead south, I decided to go on a heading of 137 degrees true to a point N34.56.58 x W114.56.41 for 4.7 miles. No special reason really. I came across another dirt road that headed generally toward the power lines. Definitely a 4x4 road. At this point, it was around 11:45 and the desert was starting to heat up. I turned on a new bearing of 233 degrees true which would take me back to my car some 4.1 miles away. The walking was still fairly easy crossing many of the small washes I crossed on my way to the CP. I got back to the railroad tracks and had to wait for two trains going in opposite directions before I could cross. I got back to my car around 1:45 PM for a total distance of 14.9 miles. The outside temperature at that time was 101 degrees. Take plenty of water with you. I carried 180 ounces with me and had only 40 ounces left by the time I got back to my car.

In the Mojave National Preserve.