Background.
Bill and Eve had some company that were leaving on Wednesday. They wanted to take them jeeping before they left so it was decided that we could do the Wednesday ride on Tuesday.
Pictures.
Patti and Bob were in my jeep for the beginning of the ride. Patti sat in the back seat and Bob sat in the front passenger seat. Patti tried to get some pictures from the back seat but it wasn’t working out.
Eventually Patti got into Carl’s Jeep since he was alone today. After just a few minutes Patti called on the radio and said that the battery in her camera was dead so it was up to Bob to take the pictures today.
Therefore all the pictures on todays post are taken by Bob.
Where To?
The plan was to go the back way to the Desert Bar. The Desert Bar is only open on the weekend but our real destination was the trail that goes there as it is a fun trail with a few interesting spots.
Getting Started.
At 9:00 we were all at the fire station and after a few minutes standing around we headed north on 95.
We drove through Parker and continued on 95 until we got to what we call the five star gas station. Here is where the trail starts so we stopped to air down the tires.
The Trail Starts Out With a Climb.
Pulling out of the parking lot the trail is flat for a short distance.
At the end of the flat spot it goes up a steep rocky area. It looked like Bill was having a little trouble getting over this obstacle
Eventually he put the jeep into 4wheel drive and had no further problems. Being in 4wheel drive helps.
Eventually it was our turn.
No problem.
The Next Obstacle.
We got through that one okay and continued along the trail to the next obstacle.
There is a by pass for this obstacle but we seldom take a bypass.
The hill is a little steep with a sharp left turn at the top. We waited for everyone to clear the top of the hill.
Then it was our turn.
We made it over the hill with no issues.
In The Wash.
We followed the trail for a while.
Eventually we turned off the trail and into a wash that we like to drive in.
The wash has a lot of rocks in it.
There are also some tight spots to negotiate.
The wash was fun but eventually we came out of it and back on the trail.
Taking a Break.
We pulled off the trail at a wide spot to take a break. Nice scenery.
After the Break.
After the break we continued across a wide valley and up over a rocky ridge.
The trail is kind of steep and rocky.
Going down the other side was just as rocky.
Lunch at Grey Eagle Mine.
By the time we got to the Grey Eagle Mine it was time for lunch.
Bob wasn’t eating lunch so he walked around and took pictures.
This particular tunnel is one of the best around for exploring. It is airy, clean and has a couple of levels.
Here is the entrance.
A little ways back in the tunnel is an air and light shaft.
There is shoot that comes down from one of the upper levels.
There are tracks in this tunnel.
They go back a ways but then go down a steep hill.
After lunch.
After we were finished eating our lunch and exploring around the mine we continued our ride.
We turned off onto a side trail…
that took us to a wide spot with a view.
We hung out here for a while.
Bill drove to the top of the hill to show his friends the view from up there.
Eventually we left here and continued our ride.
Deliverance.
After wandering around for a while we dropped into a wash that is called the Deliverance Trail.
This is a fun trail with some rocks.
and some tight spots.
Eventually the trail takes us to the main dirt road that is the front way to the desert bar. We drove on the graded road for a while but then we took a small trail that parallels the main road. This trail is a bit smoother as the main road as it is pretty wash boarded.
Presidents Choice
The trail took us back to the main road right near where the Presidents Choice Trail starts. We turned onto this trail and followed it for a while.
Eventually the trail took us to Highway 95. We got on the highway and drove to Parker where everyone had to do some shopping at Walmart.
While Patti and Bob were in the store I aired up the tires in the parking lot.
Okay that was the Wednesday ride on Tuesday. We had a good time.
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