[jhughes3281]

Al right guys, after much talking about this in the BBQ thread, I will start a thread specific for Ocotillo Wells

What - Read the thread title
When - October 23, 9am
Where - Again...read the thread title
Why - Why not??
How - Any means necessary

Lets all meet at the entrance to Fish Creek. It is just past the Elephant Trees hike. To get there, take the 78 east, hang a right onto Split Mountain Road, take it all the way to the end and the turnoff will be on the right before the road ends. It's kind of a last minute turn, but if you hit the gypsum mine, you went too far. We are all big boys, and maybe a few girls, so make sure to bring all the necessary provisions that you will need.

Please add to my list

1. jhughes3281
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[SDHarleydad]

This is sounding real good. Can 2WDs make this with the buddy system?

 

[jhughes3281]

This is sounding real good. Can 2WDs make this with the buddy system?

The only time I have used my 4 wheel drive in there is when it rained really bad one Thanksgiving weekend and I stopped in mud. And that was with stock tires. Long story short....very 2 wheel friendly.

I also have some family members that are going to tag along. One guy has a Jeep and the other an old 85 Suburban beast.

Edit: I should have added to the first post that this trail is 25 miles. No we do not have to do the entire length, but just want to make sure you can gauge for gas. If needed, you can refuel in Borrego Springs, which is about 30 min just west of Ocotillo Wells, or the Blu Inn which is about 6 miles past Split Mountain Rd on the 78.

 

[SDHarleydad]

Ive looked at this on the intternet and it looks cool. I just want to make sure those that have 2wd would be able to partake....it sounds like we can make a nice day of it

 

[SDHarleydad]

Here is a article for those interested in joining us

Fish Creek Wash | Away.com

 

[Jnegri2]

Id be down to go, But this week is critical for me.
I need to get my rear shocks rebuilt ASAP, and soon my front ones.
I need to get new tires put on as my BFG's are getting bad with a vengance. and put a 2" spacer on the rears.
Get a new clutch installed, current one is going out. and will be done possibly in the next few months depending on how i drive.
New brakes, I can do that easily myself though.
Possibly get my hood fixed as it sits almost an inch higher in the front right now.
Fix the wiring on my offroad lights(more or an extra, but not necessary)
Extra fuel cell mounted for when I run out of gas in my tank.
Fix a weld for my fiberglass mount (it cracked on the drive home after it was done.)
New exhaust done, I dont have a muffler and it comes out the side and burns my rear fender at the bottom.

But I should be able to make it no problem though, and sounds like fun.

 

[MESOGLEA]

I'm game if nothing Naval gets in the way.

 

[Jnegri2]

bumper-doodle-doo.

 

[TerribleOne]

I have only gone to the main Ocotillo Wells OHV area; It would be cool to check out some other spots around there.

I looked up some pictures and the place looks fun, but looks like it can get narrow in some spots. My truck is 90" wide...does anyone know if I would have any issues?

 

[Jnegri2]

I have only gone to the main Ocotillo Wells OHV area; It would be cool to check out some other spots around there.

I looked up some pictures and the place looks fun, but looks like it can get narrow in some spots. My truck is 90" wide...does anyone know if I would have any issues?

same here, ive only been there once and to the main area just off the 78.
And im pretty wide too, havent measured though. my front end is about to get like 2" wider soon.

 

[SDHarleydad]

I have only gone to the main Ocotillo Wells OHV area; It would be cool to check out some other spots around there.

I looked up some pictures and the place looks fun, but looks like it can get narrow in some spots. My truck is 90" wide...does anyone know if I would have any issues?

You guys go first and we will pull you backwards if needed

 

[jhughes3281]

You guys go first and we will pull you backwards if needed

:laugh:

I am not sure how narrow it gets, but it is just enough for a truck. Never actually measured it, and the last time I went through there was in a Manx a long time ago. I have a book at home that describes the trail. I will check that when I get home from work.

 

[cedric]

I'm Stoked we're actually doing this. I can't wait to get out there.

 

[jhughes3281]

I looked up some pictures and the place looks fun, but looks like it can get narrow in some spots. My truck is 90" wide...does anyone know if I would have any issues?

Ok...so I read my So Cal trail guide book to see if the reviewer says how narrow the slot is, but he did not list it. However, he did say that his truck was not able to completely go through the narrows, and that he stopped at 15 miles per his trip counter.

There are a few things to see on the trip itself, and some off chutes that we can explore. There are wind caves that you can check out with a short hike, and there is also a fossil reef.

I think that even if we go 15 miles, and turn around, that is 30 miles round trip. Plus if you through in a few off chutes to check out, it will be a great day.

 

[Jnegri2]

Ok...so I read my So Cal trail guide book to see if the reviewer says how narrow the slot is, but he did not list it. However, he did say that his truck was not able to completely go through the narrows, and that he stopped at 15 miles per his trip counter.

There are a few things to see on the trip itself, and some off chutes that we can explore. There are wind caves that you can check out with a short hike, and there is also a fossil reef.

I think that even if we go 15 miles, and turn around, that is 30 miles round trip. Plus if you through in a few off chutes to check out, it will be a great day.

that sounds like fun. How long do you think the whole trip would take?
And what is the average speed you can go?

 

[jhughes3281]

that sounds like fun. How long do you think the whole trip would take?
And what is the average speed you can go?

Depending on how often we stop, and how many off chutes we explore, I would say about a good 4-5 hours for the trail alone. It is about 2 hours just to get to Ocotillo Wells from San Diego, so you are looking at a good day.

As for the speed, you can go as fast as you want. The only issue is that there are a lot of blind curves, and dual sport bikes fly through there. Had to pull a guy out there of there one time when he fell and shattered his ankle. I would say you can probably cruise through at and average of 25-30.

 

[Jnegri2]

thats a good cruise speed, ive done open desert at about 75, totally nuts.

I also will then need a couple extra fuel jugs, cause i probably wont make it back to a gas station before im empty with my stock tank.

 

[jhughes3281]

thats a good cruise speed, ive done open desert at about 75, totally nuts.

I also will then need a couple extra fuel jugs, cause i probably wont make it back to a gas station before im empty with my stock tank.

There is a gas station in Borrego Springs that is about 30 min west of Ocotillo Wells, and then there is the Blu Inn about 6 miles past the turnoff for Split Mountain Road.

 

[SDHarleydad]

Im planning on a last fill up by Dudleys bakery and bringing a 5 gal can

 

[SD07NISMO]

I did this drive back in April, it's a nice mellow trip. I'd be down for going along again but I'll be in Vegas that weekend. We actually camped at the Fish Creek primitive campground on the way in, camping is free and there are about half a dozen good spots, there are vault toilets but no water.

The drive in through Split Mountain to Fish Creek Wash is pretty cool, lots of interesting rock formations.

Right after you exit the split there is a short trail on the left which leads up to the wind caves, probably take you about a half-hour to hike in check it out and come back. We continued on down Fish Creek until the entrance to Sandstone Canyon, everything up to this point is pretty smooth.

Sandstone Canyon is the only part of the drive that gets narrow, we actually parked at the sign and hiked in about a mile. There are some really cool slot canyons that branch off the main canyon, just watch out for loose rocks and flash floods. The weekend that we were there was the weekend that the big earthquake down in Guadalupe happened, a few hours after we got home on Sunday. I saw some pictures posted online that showed Sandstone Canyon is now blocked by a pretty large boulder, not sure how far in.

On the way back out we took the Loop Wash detour which splits off from Fish Creek and then connects again a short distance later. This was probably the roughest spot of the trail but not bad with stock NISMO. There's a pretty good description of this area in Ch. 34 of "Afoot and Afield in San Diego" by Schad which also has some general area maps.

Bummed I can't go with you guys, but let me know how it goes and if you have any questions.