Exploring Papoose Flats with my Expedition Trailer, May 2012

For the weekend of May 4-5-6, I led a large group of overlanding friends to explore an area in the Inyo Mountains known as Papoose Flats. This area also included Mazourka Canyon, Mazourka Peak, Squaw Flats, Harkless Flats and the Narrows. This section of the Inyo National Forest is located a little east of Big Pine, California.

The convoy heading out early Friday morning

We had quite a diverse group of vehicles including a stock vehicles, a 60's Land Rover, Land Cruisers and more  that come together to explore and camp. This is a shot of the initial group high atop Mazourka Peak where numerous radio relay sites keep a silent watch high above Highway 395.

Even more interesting than the vehicles were all of my friends who owned them!

We chose the more difficult route into Papoose Flats by coming in from the south through Mazourka Canyon. This route includes rocky terrain, tight turns, numerous trees as well as a bit of routefinding. The northern routes from the old Death Valley Road are much much easier but are still unimproved roads with steep hills and loose dirt. This picture is where we aired down our tires in Mazourka Canyon. Dropping the air pressure increases the contact area, or "patch" of the tire tread to the ground. It also helps the tire to conform to rocks and irregular terrain.

Papoose Flats offers quite a varied expanse of terrain with very scenic views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains as well as steep roads, narrow canyons and interesting mines.

Friday night's campfire being enjoyed by Jason, Chris and Dave

We also had some wonderful entertainment; Live bluegrass music!

My trailer's Roof Top Tent (RTT) under clear and starry skies and lit externally by the bright moonlight.

The trailer tracked really well through rough terrain

On Saturday a smaller group of vehicles headed out to the Narrows. Other folks stayed in camp to hike, nap or take shorter drives. The next two pictures are from the very steep northward route to go to the Narrows. I would not recommend it for inexperienced drivers! Also be sure to have tire repair equipment and recovery gear while out in this area.

Heading down into the Narrows from the north. That is Ian's well equipped Land Cruiser ahead of me.

Inspecting an old mining cabin in the Narrows

Joey & Jason are viewing a classic old refrigerator damaged by thoughtless people.

The fabled Mines of Moria?

The furry flying new owner of the Narrows mine!!

During our exit of the Narrows we had one vehicle suffer a flat tire after all of the other vehicles passed through the same point. It is typical of the unexpected things that demand that you be well prepared. With a good spare and the right tools we were quickly on our way.

After making it back to Death Valley Road we dropped into Harkless Flats to test out the crossover route that connects to the main road into Papoose Flats. It did have some steep and loose sections but it was actually a better road than the main northern route into Papoose Flats.

Saturday night was Cinco de Mayo and Dave and Jody prepared some wonderful tacos that they shared with all. After another great campfire everyone turned in for the night. Outside of our tents the "super" moon cast a bright light on our nomadic campground as we all slumbered through the freezing temperatures.

On the final day of our adventure some folks continued the exploration by heading back over to Harkless Flats to check out the terrain and some more old mines. All the way out we were very ably guided by Chris' young son who was quite adept at using a topographic mapping app on an iPad.

Here we are starting from a fairly high altitude above the Owens Valley, heading down a descent of almost 500 feet to the old JM mine. The trail is a really well built path that could easily handle pack mules.

Joey is really enjoying the views! I can't wait to see all of his photos!

The long hot hike was rewarded with an amazing mine clinging precariously to the side of the mountain! Remember that many mines are very dangerous so it is best to just take pictures.

A skilled team of mining veterans demonstrates how to haul ore in a uniquely modified wheelbarrow.

Trudging back up the steep incline.

After a brief stop at another abandoned mine we headed back to pavement to air up again. After what seemed like endless days of exploring I was sad that the adventure was ending.

To commemorate the good times and memories we had an official Expedition sticker created for everyone's vehicles. For those of you who could not make this trip I am glad that you were able to stop by and share the adventure here at Sun To The North!

Arizona & Utah with my Expedition Trailer in 2012

April is a great time for exploration in the states of Arizona and Utah in the amazing terrain along their common border. On this trip I brought along the expedition trailer and I agonized for a while over the decison, not wanting to get stuck on some deep sand uphill.

On the truck I needed tires so rather than buy another set of all-season tires (Bridgestone Revo D696) I went with the newer Goodyear Duratrac tires with a more agressive tread. I also have a rear axle locker from ARB and that turned out to be the advantage that made the difference. I also brought along a nice set of aluminum sand ladders, a shovel and an ARB X-Jack, trying to cover all of the angles for self-extraction should the need arise. I read and re-read information on airing down tires and ultimately aired down the truck tires to 19 pounds and the trailer tires to 25 pounds whenever I was faced with deep sand. My onboard ARB air compressor handled the air locker as well as re-filling my tires when needed.

One of the first stops was a visit to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. I left the trailer in Kanab in order to make the jaunt go more quickly. it turned out that the dirt road had been extensively re-graded so it was a fast drive.  The views over the canyon rim are always thrilling and the peek-a-boo sun behind the clouds made for fascinating photograpy.

There was also time for a quick stop at Pipe Springs National Monument back up on Highway 89 where you can learn some of the fascinating intersection of cultures and religion.

The sturdy Fort named Winsor Castle that controlled the spring water source. The blocks of stone came from the nearby hill and a team of stone masons labored 19 months to build the "castle".

The next day came quickly and required an early start to head out from Kanab to House Rock Road and then across deep sand roads to White Pocket and South Coyote Buttes. Base camp was established on the slick rock near White Pocket.

White Pocket is a mecca for adventurous photgraphers. The fanciful erosion of the multi colored layers of rock creates endless variations to capture in your own images. When bathed in glowing sunsets and sunrises, the rock takes on unique hues that are well hidden in harsh noontime sunlight. Patience and skill are required to navigate the roads and to photograph White Pocket. Here are a few of my photos.

Here you can see that the setting sun can dramatically reveal the vivid palette that the age-old rocks were hding.

A very peaceful place to nap.

Coyote Buttes South is about a one hour drive over the sandy trails followed by an easy 20 minute hike. Again, a photographer is given endless chances to capture their own vision of the fanciful terrain that Nature has created.

Spot the sneaky photographer?

After a few days in this area it was time to pack up the trailer and move the base camp across miles of desert roads (see video at end of blog) to a peaceful and remote mesa high above Lake Powell.

The new base camp!

What better view from a tent could be asked for?

Enjoying the show of color at the end of a great day

All too soon the sun had set and dinner had been enjoyed but the show was not over. The rising moon added new vistas to enjoy.

The following day a new sunrise beckoned with soft light reflecting on Lake Powell's vast waters, carressed by soft eddies of desert winds.

Testing my trusty SPOT device and sending back the whispery radio frequency signal that relayed through the orbiting satellite that I was OK!

Soon it was time to turn on the westward trails home. There were stops along the way such as Utah's Pink Coral Sand Dunes...

...and easy hikes in Zion National Park

But they are almost too easy to access. No need for 4WD, airing down tires or digging out of sand traps.  Sigh. Who would think that one would look back on such troubles with something akin to longing?

Here is a 8+ minute video that shows a bit of the terrain that can be found, from deep sand roads to hard packed dirt. The landscape at times was as if you could drive on the moon; starkly barren and hued in many shades of grey. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOHlkq1NoIE

I hope that you have enjoyed this latest adventure and will share this site with your friends and family.
Goodbye for now.