Matt’s Off Road Games

[GP NOIR]

Sorry but this is just nonsense. It was Bill Clinton that closed the whole area down back in 1994 by making it a National Preserve and yes, many trails within it were closed to vehicular traffic at that time. Hell, in some places even foot traffic is prohibited and I know because I spent the better part of my life exploring the area. However, these trails were closed because they now resided in a NATIONAL PRESERVE. Same is true of National Forests, National Scenic Areas and even Wildlife Areas.

Not nonsense. My father had been taking us out to Mojave Desert since the 60's. We were very young. My youngest brother was still in a playpen. The Power that Be closed many trails BEFORE forming the Mojave Preserve, some that were never included in the preserve area. Our primary stomping grounds were between Jawbone and Walker Pass on the west side of the 14. Dad was more about hunting than off-roading and we knew the best places for rabbits.

When they formed the preserve, many of the campgrounds we stayed at in out youth were closed. That's about the time I started taking my sons out there. We'd run Last Chance Canyon and make our way over to Burro Schmidt's Tunnel and give the old woman who still lived there $20 to tell us the life story of Burro Schmidt and how he dug the tunnel. Sometimes we'd drive up Horse Canyon then over the cabin up by McIver Springs in the Tehachipis and camp. Back then, the cabin was maintained by the Point Magu 4WDC. They even installed a vault toilet. Unfortunately, the last time I went up to the cabin about 5 years ago, it was apparent the club stopped keeping up the place. The cabin had fallen into disrepair and the vault toilet gone and the trail was over run by side by sides.

 

[GP NOIR]

Man, I really hate saying it too but BLM land is still the most amazing land and it is a big part of why I live where I do.

When I was growing up, the BLM provided the best playground any kid could want!

 

[wayoflife]

Not nonsense. My father had been taking us out to Mojave Desert since the 60's. We were very young. My youngest brother was still in a playpen. The Power that Be closed many trails BEFORE forming the Mojave Preserve, some that were never included in the preserve area. Our primary stomping grounds were between Jawbone and Walker Pass on the west side of the 14. Dad was more about hunting than off-roading and we knew the best places for rabbits.

When they formed the preserve, many of the campgrounds we stayed at in out youth were closed. That's about the time I started taking my sons out there. We'd run Last Chance Canyon and make our way over to Burro Schmidt's Tunnel and give the old woman who still lived there $20 to tell us the life story of Burro Schmidt and how he dug the tunnel. Sometimes we'd drive up Horse Canyon then over the cabin up by McIver Springs in the Tehachipis and camp. Back then, the cabin was maintained by the Point Magu 4WDC. They even installed a vault toilet. Unfortunately, the last time I went up to the cabin about 5 years ago, it was apparent the club stopped keeping up the place. The cabin had fallen into disrepair and the vault toilet gone and the trail was over run by side by sides.

Small world. I've had much of the same experience and surprised we never crossed paths.

By nonsense, I mean that in regards to trails getting closed back then due to them not being "commonly used". I still have AAA maps of the area from the 70's that clearly show trails and even things like the location of petroglyphs and other geological features as well. Like you, we spent a lot of time camping and exploring everything out there and ONLY started to see significant trail closures after it became a National Preserve. As you may or may not recall, before that, it was designated a "National Scenic Area" and anything with fed title WILL have restrictions. I do know that there was a big push a few years back (heck, maybe a decade ago now) to locate and identify any and all commonly used trails and mark them. From that point on, only they would be recognized as "open routes" and everything else closed off. This is why there are stupid markers all over the place now.

I'll be honest and say that I have a hard time getting out that way anymore and mainly because it's so heartbreaking.

 

[GP NOIR]

...I'll be honest and say that I have a hard time getting out that way anymore and mainly because it's so heartbreaking.

To be honest, I didn't see a map of the area until the 90s. It was our backyard- we don't need no steeneeng map of our backyard. To us it was simply Mojave. Dad and his hunting buddies gave campgrounds names like Indian Rocks, Deer Camp, Joshuas, Skunk Camp, Hyme's Rock and we shot a lot of jackrabbits in the Big Ravine, Regis Ravine and Mac Hollow. We took Grandpa's word for it when he pointed to a hill and said it was called "Nelly's Nipple." It does look like a well rounded breast with a nice pokie. (Years later when I finally did start looking at maps of the area, I found out Grandpa was right.)

Very heartbreaking, what the bastards done. Mojave holds many good memories and the scattered ashes of one or two of our dead.

Damn, Eddie. Something's wrong with my screen. It's all blurry...

 

[OverlanderJK]

So are we all in agreement that these events are just money grabs? That’s my take.

 

[jeeeep]

After reading through all these, I have to agree with once we hear about it and it's "open for comments", it's too late.

It all begins with the lobbying and after the decision is made then the "legal" process to notify the public, take comments and pretend like it matters.

The Sierra club et al... has a huge lobbying budget, 2024 they spent $800,000 while in contrast, the BlueRibbon Coalition to keep trails open budget was all of $7500

Changes have to begin at the ground level, getting trail friendly bureaucrats in place and then lobbying with a large budget to get their attention. Spending money after the fact to try and tie them up in court or persuade a low-level bureaucrat is a waste of time.

Those Sierra club types are a cult, I don't understand how so many don't work and yet contribute all their time to "the cause".

I also believe there will come a time all trails will be closed, not because of Jeepers (well some), but the SxS types that invade and area, rent, don't give a shit causing the locals to begin to complain loudly.

I foolishly hope social media will die and so many will have no reason to venture out in the wild.

 

[WJCO]

I foolishly hope social media will die and so many will have no reason to venture out in the wild.

I saw a bikini influencer blocking traffic today for some photo shoot. She almost got taken out by a turning car. So close. Hopefully next time.

 

[Cousin Clyde]

Not to hijack the thread or anything. What, in your opinion, is the best option for donating to helping keep our trails open?

Obviously here we have a number of members who may want to donate, or volunteer, or do something that might make an actual difference in keeping our access. Is it something like Tread Lightly, Stay the Trail, or local clubs like Red Rock 4 wheelers in Moab?

what I have seen, there is no best option when it comes to giving money to others and with the hope that they'll help to keep trails open. The most that does is make you feel better about yourself, like you're doing something and while lining the pockets of those who say they'll fight for you.

Unfortunately, I don't think there's any putting the genie back in the bottle and it really is just a matter of time before all access is lost. I hope I'm wrong but like I always say, "hope" is just another way of saying "wishful thinking". That said, if you really want to make an "actual difference", YOU need to get your hands dirty and make that difference. Clubs are maybe the best option for doing just that as many work hard with entities like the Forest Service or BLM and to maintain existing trails. However, with the advent of social media, clubs have been falling out of favor and many of they are dying. Worse, some are starting to advocate for the closure of some trails, as a kind of sacrifice and with the hopes of keeping others open. Also, some make it so that only THEY can run the trail and I personally find both to be abhorrent.

So, for me personally, I just try my hardest to enjoy what's still available now and for as long as I can. Certainly, I'm not getting any younger.

Of course, this is just me.

Good questions and good answers here.
Definitely makes me want to spend more time on trail maintenance…