S.F. Northstars
Mojave Desert Campsite & Information

Map from I-5 to California City

Map from California City to Campsite

Directions to the Washburn Blvd (S. Columbia Rd. in some databases) Campsite.

1. East on California City Blvd. through Cal. City, to the 1st stop sign past McDonalds, the pedestrian bridge, & golf course.
2. Turn LEFT on Randsburg-Mojave Rd. & go 1.3 miles.
3. Follow the paved road as it bears right and becomes 20 Mule Team Parkway.  Go ~7.9 miles.
4. Turn RIGHT on Washburn Blvd (dirt road, street sign is on LEFT side of 20-Mule Team) & it will point you straight towards the hill with the water tank (see picture below).  CAUTION: There are many dirt-road intersections in Cal City that do not have traffic signs for any direction.  Enter ALL intersections with good visibility or CAUTION!
5. Follow the curve to the left & we're RIGHT HERE in front of the hill with the water tank.
    

(For a GoogleMap with GPS coordinates,
<http://maps.google.com/maps?q=35.1886,-117.7805> CLICK HERE!)

OR ... continue on 20-Mule Team and turn RIGHT on AL Blvd., & then take the first RIGHT on Washburn.

Camping Information : This is primitive camping.  There are NO water or restroom facilities where we camp.  However, restrooms with showers are now located at the Borax Bill Park back down 20-Mule Team Parkway a couple of miles.

You need to bring EVERYTHING with you that you require, and take it with you when you leave.  It can be VERY windy & cold in the desert at night.  Coleman tents from WalMart have been known to self-destruct with the occupants still inside!  Good 3-4 season tents, properly guyed down will work, but can be very noisy in the wind.  There are a few scrub bushes near by to dig a hole & set-up a potty behind.

Experienced desert riders are in trailers & vans, or have generous friends who do.  Some folks share meals & food, but that's usually pre-arranged BEFORE the trip.  Here's the list of things you should bring;

• Shelter - good 3-4 season tent with proper guying & earplugs, auto/truck/van, trailer, or motel room.
• Drinking water & hydration system for the trail (100-oz size recommended for long day loops).
• All food for meals & snacks/meals on the trail.
• Cooking stuff.
• Toilet stuff.
• Clothing for 90-degree days, 20-degree nights, & everything in between.
• "It never rains or snows in the desert!" Julio Hotstuff Sanchez.  Who musta been high on ...
• "Quality Libations".
• Firewood, LOTS of firewood.
• Large garbage bags to collect & haul your stuff away.
• Dirtbike, riding gear, fuel, spare parts, & stuff.
• A fresh tall knobby on the rear (I use the IRC VE-33, 5.10x18)
• Monkey-brains fixings for Julio
• Extra gasoline for Hans' midnight pyro rituals.
• More firewood.

California City has a couple of grocery stores (with firewood) & gas stations, but the new motel is NOT open yet.  Mojave is where you will find the closest motels, but remember your ear plugs if you stay along CA-14 as the trains run 24-hours-a-day.

Motels in Mojave, California

Weather.Com 10-day Forecast for Edwards AFB (just a couple of miles south of camp)

Friends of Jawbone (THE MAP to buy for ALL of these riding areas.)

BLM OHV Map for Jawbone & Dove Springs

BLM OHV Map for the Rand Mountains

BLM OHV Map for the Spangler Hills

Randsburg area OHV routes

A GPX file with waypoints & tracks of Catfish-recommended rides

California City OHV & RV Annual Permit Application Form.  Mail in 2-3 weeks prior, or take to the CCPD at the Borax Bill Park on 20-Mule Team Parkway.

Additional area gps tracks ...

A GPX file of trails & roads east of CA highway 14 (Jawbone, Dove Springs, etc... from Countdown at gpsexchange.com)

A GPX file of the "EP" jeep roads in the Red Rock Canyon SP, & El Paso Mountains (from Countdown at gpsexchange.com)

A GPX file of many El Paso Mtn (& Red Rock Canyon SP) jeep roads & singletrack trails found at gpsexchange also.