By: Gary Karp

Photo book of the Trail ride (Click here for more pictures!)

The East of 29 trail started off a little shaky.  First, the run itinerary had an error, so most everyone who RSVP'd thought we were leaving town on Saturday morning at 8:00 am when the actual time was 8:00 pm Friday night. Friday night at 7:00pm saw me still trying to pull my trailer out from the side of the house.  I pull the trailer out from the side of the house using the front of the Jeep, since maneuverability is greatly increased.  My new front bumper has a receiver in it that is 2 inches above the original one.   When I tried to lift the trailer onto the ball, the rear of the trailer hit the dirt, not allowing me to put the tongue on the ball. In the dark, I had to dig a trench so the rear of the trailer would go down farther and allow the front to come up higher.  Finally I got the trailer out to the street where it could be loaded.  Then the rain hit (and the lightning and thunder).  I was starting to think that this wasn't my night. Luckily, my good friends, Beth and Brian, came to the rescue.  I talked to Brian and he agreed to lead everyone out to the camp 12 miles east of 29 palms.  The plan was to catch up with the group somewhere around 29 Palms. The whole group hit major rain on the trip out to 29 Palms (so did I), but I did catch up to the group in the town of Joshua Tree (a little ways before 29 Palms).  After getting some gas, we all made for our campsite.  We were all set up by 11:00 pm  The next morning (at 6:00 am), we were all awakened by the sound of gunfire.  Three people were target shooting a mile away. The ricochets sure sounded a lot closer.  By 9:00 am, Jules Castron, John Strege, and Lance Hanania showed up and we were ready to hit the trail.  The total number of vehicles was 12; a pretty good turnout.  The weather was really pretty.  White and dark clouds and blue sky, with occasional sprinkles from far away clouds. We started the trail by climbing a small hill and going down the other side.  This, as it turns out, was a preview of what the whole day would be like.  Unlike most of the trails that we normally run, this trail was built by a four-wheel drive club over thirty years ago.  The trail winds around the desert in a large circle, but the trail loops back very close to itself several times.  This is a great trail for the leader and the tail since we were able to see everyone at one time or another.  There are a few steep downhill sections that test the brakes and nerves of Jeeps and drivers respectively.  The steepest and longest hill was very loose, very steep, and really pretty long.  The club made short work of it though, and we were soon ready to eat lunch.  After lunch, we continued along the trail to a spot known as Hill #9.  This is a short, steep climb out of a wash.  Most people had no trouble with this spot.  One vehicle took a long bypass, and one was strapped up.  From this point on, there was a little rock crawling, but nothing too difficult.  We got back to camp at 5:30 am where some people drove back home, but most stayed the night to experience Sunday's ½ day run.  On Sunday morning, we found some sand dunes to play on, and then we followed David Elliott into a cool canyon where the road just fizzled out (right about where he got stuck/temporarily detained?)  Since we didn't have to winch the vehicle out, (just the rock under his Jeep) I don't believe David is eligible for the cowbell.  We got some rain on the way home.  There were actual mud streams running across Highway 62 in Joshua Tree and Morongo Valley.  We were sure glad we were driving our 4 Wheel Drives!!  I had a fun time leading this trail, and I believe that everyone had a good time.  If you couldn't make the trip, I would highly recommend the trail for next year.  

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