Ocotillo Wells Section

Glamisman · Post by **Glamisman** » Sun May 01, 2005 10:24 pm

I was wondering, how many people go to Ocotillo Wells and/or other hard pack desert as well as the sand and if there could be a new sub heading for such in the Forum Index?

Mr Big Wrench · Post by **Mr Big Wrench** » Mon May 02, 2005 11:01 am

Been there 1 time and plan on some more trips.

Glamisbound · Post by **Glamisbound** » Mon May 02, 2005 6:53 pm

Glamisman...Good idea. My best friend and his family love Ocotillo and my family and I love Glamis. Since we always camp together, we ended up spending half our time in Glamis, the other half in Ocotillo. I second the motion to start a new board for Ocotillo, afterall, there are dunes at Superstion and Blow Sand (well, it's a hill that's made of sand anyway).

Mr Big Wrench · Post by **Mr Big Wrench** » Tue May 03, 2005 1:28 pm

Its about 1 1/2 hours closer to My house, so I plan to make a few more trips next season. I was there in Nov 04 and weather was real nice.

Glamisbound · Post by **Glamisbound** » Tue May 03, 2005 1:34 pm

It's a hour closer for me, which is approximately 33% closer. Makes a difference when the kids and wife are involved. Plus it's a lot easier, and safer, for the kids to learn how to ride. Plus riding hard pack is fun too!!

Mr Big Wrench · Post by **Mr Big Wrench** » Wed May 04, 2005 1:18 am

For Me its the Wife and Grand kid, Won't let them ride at Glamis Yet.
They need more experience.
There is a neat ride thru a canyon, near where we camped, nice and easy for all the kids and wifes that are not into the rough stuff.

Glamisman · Post by **Glamisman** » Wed May 04, 2005 3:06 pm

There used to be an excellant ride at ocotillo wells ... start up blow sand, go down the back, hang a left at shell reef expressway for a few miles then another left up a really neat tall narrow canyon ... never really checked it out, was always going too fast through it

, follow it up to the track that parallels the road back to the ranger station, get some water, repeat 6 or 8 times. The last time I tried a number of years back the expressway was closed going ...west?... is it still closed ?

Unfortuanatly some knuckleheads have forced the owner of the airplane graveyard to fence in his stuff so that tour is out.

The canyon through the mud hills is lots of fun.

Pumkin Patch and the mud pots are alway on the list.

There haven't been any hippies at the hippie camp for quite a few years now.

Is the palm tree still growing at the oasis ?

Post by **LoBuck** » Wed May 04, 2005 11:29 pm

Moved.. Welcome to the new Ocotillo Wells forum.

Keep posting and create some new topics

Mr Big Wrench · Post by **Mr Big Wrench** » Thu May 05, 2005 1:12 am

Been to the Pumpkin Patch, and several canyons. Also over to where the Bikes do there stunts, I was there, but I don't think I could find My way back

Glamisman · Post by **Glamisman** » Thu May 05, 2005 10:53 am

The is an excellant map for the Ocotillo area at the Ranger Station. It shows all the main dirt paths and points of interest.

The one thing you have to watch out for is the presence of high speed trucks and buggies flat tracking it on the expressways when you cross at intersections.

Sand Commander · Post by **Sand Commander** » Thu May 05, 2005 1:57 pm

Dirt? Rocks? I don't know......

DSTMULE · Post by **DSTMULE** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 11:19 am

Shell Reef Xpressway is a 100mph dirt road to some people.
Which is Fun, but there are Familes putting along w/kids.
Many times i've come across quads / bikes running at speed that are oblivious to my sandrail coming there way

I did almost get hit by a Big Ford truck out there that never slowed down. If i could have caught him...........But everyone needs to ride with Both Eyes Wide Open !

DSTMULE · Post by **DSTMULE** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 1:34 pm

Goat trail is right across from Desert Ironwoods and was open in past years. Very nice ride and it has a Large Crack in rocks that you could climb up into. Last year went through there in a jeep and we could here a loud humming, when we got closer to crack we decided not to go further, Bees.....many.....and not Happy so keep your eyes / ears open.

DSTMULE · Post by **DSTMULE** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 11:26 pm

Went out last weekend, Spent an hour picking trash up around our campsite...amazing what people leave behind.

glassman · Post by **glassman** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 10:29 am

Hey, I'm new to the site and have enjoyed reading and have picked up a few good tips here and there.....

I do most of my riding in the dirt and rocks up around Cal City / Randsburg / Ridgecrest and I'm looking for some new scenery.

A friend has been trying to get our small group headed south and suggested O. W. as a good place to bring the families to get accustomed to the sand.

Does anyone have any pointers for a first timer?

Thanks!

Kevlar · Post by **Kevlar** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 10:47 am

Have you Tried Johnson Valley? Similar to Ocotillo but better sand hills.

glassman · Post by **glassman** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 9:55 pm

Thanks Kevlar. I checked out the link to your pics. It looks like just the ticket and not too far a drive for us.

I'll definately put it on the list. Now I just have to get my daughter's buggy up and running again after last weekend's meltdown.

Post by **LoBuck** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:40 pm

Just wanted to say.. Welcome to the board glassman

glassman · Post by **glassman** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 9:44 am

Thanks LoBuck, I wish I knew about the ASA a long time ago. First thing I did after watching the video I stumbled over on-line was to join and send in my $25.

Now I'll push my buddies to join as well.

Keep the rubber down.

f-BOB · Post by **f-BOB** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 10:45 am

glassman wrote:Hey, I'm new to the site and have enjoyed reading and have picked up a few good tips here and there.....

I do most of my riding in the dirt and rocks up around Cal City / Randsburg / Ridgecrest and I'm looking for some new scenery.

A friend has been trying to get our small group headed south and suggested O. W. as a good place to bring the families to get accustomed to the sand.

Does anyone have any pointers for a first timer?

Thanks!

Not a enough sand at OW to warrant paddles. There are several sand hills though and if you like a variety of terrain, it's the place to go. It's also warmer (generally) this time of year than J.V. but that's a personal preference of mine.

No extra water available (unless you stay at the RV park across the hwy), bring plenty, if you go. There are pay showers at the two established camp areas, and a dump station at the ranger station, but it can get crowded. Camping is allowed virtually everywhere except at Blow Sand Hill (why anyone would camp there is beyond me, but...). There are a couple little stores with ice, beer $$, soda, some groceries, and some parts, and a cool little salloon (The Iron Door) with ice cold beer. Non-holiday weekends are great, not too many people. Have a fun safe time if you go out, and welcome to the board.

DSTMULE · Post by **DSTMULE** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 11:39 am

Went out last Thursday evening, quiet and nobody there...then Friday night, people camped 1/8 th mile away and the music goes till 4 am

I was up at 6am and leting buggy warm up, I do hope it didn't disturb there hangover.
of course, these people left there trash behind, I wouldn't expect them not too.
Maybe I'm getting too old?? but I don't mind buggys & Bikes at 3 am going by but that constant Thump Thump Thump music ! Guess i need to change camping spots...Does anyone else run into this problem? if Not...I want to camp with YOU ( and i will be quiet )

BakerKlan · Post by **BakerKlan** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 1:50 pm

DSTMULE wrote:Went out last Thursday evening, quiet and nobody there...then Friday night, people camped 1/8 th mile away and the music goes till 4 am
I was up at 6am and leting buggy warm up, I do hope it didn't disturb there hangover.
of course, these people left there trash behind, I wouldn't expect them not too.
Maybe I'm getting too old?? but I don't mind buggys & Bikes at 3 am going by but that constant Thump Thump Thump music ! Guess i need to change camping spots...Does anyone else run into this problem? if Not...I want to camp with YOU ( and i will be quiet )

Igorance is all around us my friend. I sometimes wish I could make these ignoramuses disappear with a wink but alas there'll ALWAYS be more to replace them

DSTMULE · Post by **DSTMULE** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 2:53 pm

Your right, BakerKlan

Probably kidding myself if I think a change of camping spots will eliminate THUMP THUMP.......I just wonder..what are they singing ( if you can use that term ) about ?

My friend had a 357 and we briefly thought of shooting the radio when they went for a ride, but came to our senses.

crash · Post by **crash** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 3:21 pm

It may be a tough situation when there are only two camps for miles,but you should probably just have called it into the rangers. There ARE rules about noise in camp you know.

DSTMULE · Post by **DSTMULE** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 4:42 pm

I have spoken to a ranger about just that in the past, but to get hold of one at 2:30 in the morning is tough....they do have a afterhours# but I would think that is for emergencys? not a complaint about loud music.

Guess it goes back to treating people the way you would like to be treated? some people just don't give a crap, it's all about them.

vdubduner · Post by **vdubduner** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 8:17 pm

same thing happen to use holloween at glamis,thumping music just sucks,and at 4 am i almost put acouple rounds over there heads,and this at the north side of the highway at the canal.

gelwell · Post by **gelwell** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 12:23 pm

Glamisman wrote:There used to be an excellant ride at ocotillo wells ... start up blow sand, go down the back, hang a left at shell reef expressway for a few miles then another left up a really neat tall narrow canyon ... never really checked it out, was always going too fast through it , follow it up to the track that parallels the road back to the ranger station, get some water, repeat 6 or 8 times. The last time I tried a number of years back the expressway was closed going ...west?... is it still closed ?

Unfortuanatly some knuckleheads have forced the owner of the airplane graveyard to fence in his stuff so that tour is out.

The canyon through the mud hills is lots of fun.

Pumkin Patch and the mud pots are alway on the list.

There haven't been any hippies at the hippie camp for quite a few years now.

Is the palm tree still growing at the oasis ?

My off road experience started in OW in the 60's when everything was open, so I know the area well. The hill I think you are referring to is Baseball hill. The hill is made up of round sand concretions or baseballs, that area has been closed for years after concessions of getting the State vehicula park. There is also on the west and back side of Blow sand another dune called East Butte also closed. I remember when Blow sand was a real challenge not like it is today.

There are a couple of Palm Tree oasis 1) Una Palma or single palm and was still there the last time I was there a couple of years ago. Some A hole tried to burn it. 2) is 17 palms but I think that is in the park (not leglal riding)and the home to the desert mail box. 3) There is also 5 palms oasis also in the park.

The guy who had the airplane graveyard used to have working B24's flying around out there at one time.

Rockatilla is a great place for kids to learn how to ride. Plus all the good stuff to see.

American Sand Association

Ocotillo Wells Section

Ocotillo Wells Section

high speed trucks and buggies

There used to be an excellant ride at ocotillo wells ... sta

Trash