After our last trip in triple digit heat, we really wanted a change not only in the weather but in the landscape. We figured heading to higher elevation with some actual trees would be nice.
Our plan was to head up to Hungry Valley SVRA in Gorman California and test out a new Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel 3.0 on the 4x4 test track. After putting the Jeep through it's paces we would head up to Dutchman Camp on Alamo Mtn. The next day we would travel northwest to Carrizo Plains National Monument and explore/camp there the last day/night. Well, plans never work out the way you want! But that is where all the Adventure starts!
So, we arrive at the main gate of Hungry Valley SVRA and advise the ranger where we are headed. I politely tell them that we are headed through their land and up to Dutchman camp (otherwise we will have to pay, when we are just passing through). The ranger at the gate replies "No you're not". I drop my head and know exactly what has happened. I reply "let me guess, the gate is closed?" Yep. Apparently Alamo Mtn received a few inches of snow and incapable vehicles traveled up and were stuck, sliding and causing a traffic jam up on the forest road. The ranger told us that the local Sheriff had to go up the night before we arrived and close the gate to the mtn at midnight. This was a complete let down because this was Memorial Day weekend and that had meant that the regular SVRA park was going to be swamped. Even in the bad weather.
After searching for hours for a primitive camp away from the dirt bike crowds and heavy party animals with no luck, we finally left the SVRA and received a full refund on our overnight fee. Our plan was to head over to a less crowded area, Lockwood Valley near Frazier Park CA. This would mean traveling a bit further northwest, but would put us closer to Carrizo Plains for the next day. So we all agreed it would be much better. After refueling and topping off our tanks we arrived at our new camp location. Chuchupate Campground.
Beings that the weather was not so favorable for the weekend warriors, we had many spots to choose from. Not super primitive, but we were happy enough just to be away from the Memorial Day riff raff.
Our view from camp.
Relaxing in the only sun we could find to keep us warm.
It was colder outside than in our fridge.
Dixie enjoying the many smells the mountains have to offer.
The weather wasn't too bad. We had light sprinkles and scattered showers throughout the night. Luckily we had a huge oak tree that we could take shelter under. Don't ask me why there was a fire pit under the tree. It doesn't make any sense to us whatsover.
We also were fortunate to have the awning on the trailer to prepare meals under. So needless to say we had a good time regardless of what the weather threw at us.
Pete opted to cook dinner the first night. He cooked up his world famous Penne in Vodka sauce with grilled chicken. It was very tasty and super filling. The pasta was the perfect choice for a 36 degree evening. It kept our bellies warm the rest of the night.
There was a small section of snow that later melted. In the early morning we received some hail, but it didn't last long.
Cool shot of Pete staying warm around the fire with temps getting down near freezing.
Yosh, Dixie and I staying warm around the fire.
The next morning we awoke to drizzle and more light rain. Our roof top tent kept completely dry. James setup his tent under the large oak tree and was dry also. Pete setup his bed in the back of the '08 Grand Cherokee and had plenty of room compared to earlier model Grand Cherokees.
Water beads on the tent. Dry on the outside. Thick canvas did it's job.
After a steaming hot cup of coffee James prepared a great breakfast with sausage links, eggs, bacon and potatoes with peppers. With our stomachs filled, we were once again ready to take on the day and break camp to head on to Carrizo Plains.
Departing first nights camp with a great view of Lockwood Valley.
On our way up over Mt. Pinos to Carrizo Plains we head quite the adventure. The fog was so thick that we couldn't see much in front of us. The rain slicked highway and low visibility kept our speeds down and because of that we made terrible time. We didn't mind too much because we rather come home alive with a story to tell rather than the other.
Video clip of the fog...
Once down the mtn we started entering into the plains. It was a strange feeling, going from tree's and 6,000 feet to rolling grasslands and 2,000 feet in a matter of hours. It felt like we just transported ourselves across the country to another state. This did not look like California!
A little trip back in time at a stop at Old Reye's 76 gas station long closed on highway 166.
We arrived at Carrizo Plains National Monument around noon. The rain was falling heavily and we all had to make a judgement call if we wanted to indeed camp in the rain/muddy weather. We agreed to head up to the nearest point of interest and take a break , eat lunch and then decided whether we would tough it out.
Heading northbound on Soda Lake Rd.
The Carrizo Plain, 100 airline miles (160 km) north of Los Angeles, California is an area by-passed by time.
Soda Lake, its centerpiece, is a glistening bed of white salt, set within a vast open grassland, rimmed by mountains.
The plain is home to diverse communities of wildlife and plant species, and is an area culturally important to Native Americans.
It is traversed by the San Andreas fault, which has carved valleys, created and moved mountains, and yet close up, is seen in a subtle alignment of ridges, ravines and normally dry ponds.
Wait a minute.. we were traveling this road while it was raining?
Once we arrived at Traver Ranch we tried to take cover from the windy rain and eat lunch.
Shot of Traver Ranch and the equipment that has been there since the 1940's.
The newest building on the ranch, the Travers built the home in the early 1970's. The ranch house is fenced off and boarded up to protect an important bat refuge that exists inside the old home!
Some old shacks/barns just sit adjacent to the ranch house.
At this point we had 2 options. We could tough it out and camp like we had planned in the muddy rain slicked valley with no trees or we could head southeast to Pete's home in the middle of the mountains where it was dry. We took a vote. It was unanimous. Pete's place it was. We finished our lunch, took our time heading back out of Carrizo Plains and then headed back to his place via Bakersfield and the Grape Vine.
On the way back south i snapped this pic of a fault line that cracked the earth open. Pretty wild to see in person. Makes a human feel small and insignificant.
Once at Petes home, we proceeded to pull all the rigs in his driveway. It looked like the offroad Indy 500 was about to begin.
I broke out the bbq and still had the camping mentality. Broke out a few beers and a 3.5 pound tri-tip. It may not have been primitive, but it was good enough for me. Spending time with friends, discussing adventures and enjoying their comradery is what it is all about anyways.
It's not often you get to have a tail gate party on the back of a 1960's M-715 army truck!
While i grilled the tri-tip, Yosh was roughing it in the house making mashed potatoes and marinating the veggies. I ended up grilling the peppers at the end of the grilling session and carving up a wonderful last night meal for the trip. Once again we were stuffed and could barely move, but extremely satisfied.
Shot of the tri-tip on the portable gas grill.
After a good nights sleep with sleeping bags on the floor (yes thats roughing it), we headed for home the next morning. We left somewhat early in the day because we knew that traffic would be a nightmare. Arriving home without much traffic to speak of, we were exhausted and ready to go back to work. Ok, we aren't really ever ready to go back to work. Everyone made it home safe and all enjoyed the trip. s
Special thanks to Pete for offering up his house and being the great host to a bunch of dirty, off road campers.
Until next time, happy trails!