Mojave National Preserve

(Keywords: ATV, Off Road - California)

Featuring:
The Mojave Road
a.k.a. Old Government Road

It is hard to imagine anyone traveling this stretch of high desert back in the day of horse drawn wagons and marauding indians. Early crossings by the white man were met with hardships due to the desolation, heat, lack of water, and the inherent danger of travel in a land where intruders are not welcome.

Today there is little concern about being ambushed by inhospitable natives, but the trappings of desert wilderness prevail. Only skilled drivers in well equipped vehicles, enjoy safe travels with minimal inconvenience. To those who plan well, come the rewards of experiencing history preserved:

Petroglyphs (Waypoint MR040A) at Indian Well,

Strange "Triangles" (Waypoint MR128A) prehistoric Indian site.

And the natural beauty of:

Kelso Dunes (Waypoint MR059A) rose-colored sand hills,

Cinder Cones (Waypoint MR081A) and lava formations in the potentially active Cima Volcanic Field, and

Joshua Tree Forests (Waypoint MR0478).

Download this GPS map of the Mojave Road Recreation Trail as a complement to the Mojave Road Guide and the latest information, which can be obtained from official sources.

Click on the binoculars to see a screenshot of Google Earth showing the view from above Soda Lake looking WSW, down Afton Canyon.
GoogleEarth_Image.jpg (Approx. 70 KB) opens in a new window.

GPS Map

Download the free GPS Map in GPS eXchange (.gpx) file format, which can be read and transferred to your GPS using free GPS software. (The .gpx file will appear in a new window where you can File > Save as... on your computer)

GPS Map Details

File Name: mojave.gpx (130 KB)
Revised: 25 January 2006
Class B1 Data
Waypoints: 144 (road features and locations of interest)
Routes/Tracks:

A) Colorado River to Piute Creek (271 routepoints, 23 miles)
B) Piute Creek to Rock Spring (206 routepoints, 26 miles)
C) Rock Spring to Marl Springs (160 routepoints, 20 miles)
D) Marl Springs to Travelers Monument (341 routepoints, 30 miles)
E) Travelers Monument to Afton Canyon Campground (484 routepoints, 20 miles)

Warning: This GPS data is intended for use with mapping programs and handheld devices. You should not depend on GPS as your sole means of naviagtion. Batteries die, so could you. Don't be caught without a paper map of this area and compass. Read more disclaimers here.

References:

These GPS waypoints and routepoints were determined, best as possible, by comparing descriptions found in Dennis Casebier's "The Mojave Road Guide; An Adventure Through Time" to features shown on aerial photographs of the area. Casebier's guide includes detailed route descriptions, great photographs and more information about the road's history, geology, flora, and reminders of common sense for off-road driving.

For more info and to purchase The Mojave Road Guide, click here.