Nightmare Gulch Club Trip

[Torxhead]

For the past 10-15 years our club has been going to the Red Rock Canyon State Park in So. Cal on the last weekend in October when the weather is just perfect. The Gulch is the most popular, but there are other trails and destinations in the park. The first attempt into the gulch ended with a fried electric fuel pump and another guy had his alternator quit, then his shift linkage came undone, so a tow back into camp was done. We then headed up to the Talc mine(Ghost Town Explorer) Which is completely white on the inside. There is also an outstanding view overlooking the local mountians and valley below. This is where the ashes of a recently departed club member were spread followed by passing around a bottle of "Gentleman Jack" which was gone in no time. It was an emotional moment. By then, it was time to head back to camp where the day was finished off with the usual campfire, b.s., and more drinks. The next day it was back to the gulch which is always a blast to do, this time the only mishap was a flat tire which fortunatly was on someone elses rig. Other places we head to in the park are Burro Schmidt Tunnel(Burro Schmidt's Tunnel - DesertUSA) and the The Bickel Camp(Walter Bickel Last Chance Canyon - Mojave Desert - DesertUSA).

 

[mtnwhlr]

Great pics looks like alot of fun and a great way to end a summer thanks for sharing

 

[Old Dog]

looks like a good time.

 

[hole]

Great pics! Thank you for sharing

 

[73CJ]

Nice job

Thanks

 

[Cornfed]

For the past 10-15 years our club has been going to the Red Rock Canyon State Park in So. Cal on the last weekend in October when the weather is just perfect. The Gulch is the most popular, but there are other trails and destinations in the park. The first attempt into the gulch ended with a fried electric fuel pump and another guy had his alternator quit, then his shift linkage came undone, so a tow back into camp was done. We then headed up to the Talc mine(Ghost Town Explorer) Which is completely white on the inside. There is also an outstanding view overlooking the local mountians and valley below. This is where the ashes of a recently departed club member were spread followed by passing around a bottle of "Gentleman Jack" which was gone in no time. It was an emotional moment. By then, it was time to head back to camp where the day was finished off with the usual campfire, b.s., and more drinks. The next day it was back to the gulch which is always a blast to do, this time the only mishap was a flat tire which fortunatly was on someone elses rig. Other places we head to in the park are Burro Schmidt Tunnel(Burro Schmidt's Tunnel - DesertUSA) and the The Bickel Camp(Walter Bickel Last Chance Canyon - Mojave Desert - DesertUSA).

Awesome pictures - thanks - love the Jeep!

 

[Torxhead]

Thanks for the comments guys, now I have to plan and get ready for another trip, finding the time is the hardest part.

 

[submoa]

Looks like a great trip Torx. Where is your club based out of?

 

[Torxhead]

Looks like a great trip Torx. Where is your club based out of?

Jeeping Jeepers Jeep Club

 

[73CJ]

Torx Wow! I'm green with envy.

 

[Torxhead]

Update on the closure, from my previous run report,this was the closure order was issued by the state:
http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/24524/files/Nightmare Gulch Closure Notice 10-22-13.pdf
Usually every August-September the desert thunderstorms washout the old trail and create a new one, usually more challenging than before. It was quite disapointing to say the least. So now the state must determine how to correct a dropoff that was created by these storms. From the pics I have seen by someone hiking in is a dropoff that would not be an issue for a fairly well setup Jeep,but could be a problem for motorcycles or side-by-sides. This canyon is also called a bird of prey habitat and is closed during the summer and the first half of each month after that. Going thru provides some awsome views of these birds, I have even seen the rare California Condor soaring around. There are some great trails and weather in this part of the country, we just have to put up with the people who control them.