dillydally
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2024
Posts: 4
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Post by dillydally on Nov 9, 2024 23:15:09 GMT -5
Hey,
I’m planning a solo camping/hounding trip. I’m in SoCal and have my eyes on the Mojave (open to other ideas). Going to shoot for sometime in late January/Febuary. I’m fairly new to rockhounding. I’ve done lots of collecting and tumbling of beach rough. I’ve done some trips with a local club to a few locations. Just looking for a place with interesting float material, maybe digging for some geodes in the ash layer, that sort of thing.
In my mind im imagining someplace I can set up camp for 3 nights and spend the days walking around collecting. Maybe a short drive or short hike to some spots. Like I said, I’m new so any pointers are appreciated. Thanks!
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Tommy
Administrator 
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,981
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Post by Tommy on Nov 9, 2024 23:43:27 GMT -5
Hi and welcome to the forum. I would recommend getting your hands on a copy of Rockhound Barstow if you don't already have it.
Just out of curiosity what kind of vehicle are we talking about?
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dillydally
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2024
Posts: 4
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Post by dillydally on Nov 10, 2024 0:08:32 GMT -5
F150 4wd, most likely I’ll have a small but rugged trailer with my tent and kitchen (patriot x1 if anyone is familiar), but it’ll go almost anywhere my truck can go and certainly anywhere I’m comfortable going lol.
I’ll grab a copy of that book, thanks!
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Mark K
Cave Dweller 
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,818 
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Post by Mark K on Nov 10, 2024 1:08:46 GMT -5
Your timeline is when Q is in full swing. Git ya some.
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RWA3006
Cave Dweller
Member since March 2009
Posts: 4,625
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Post by RWA3006 on Nov 10, 2024 9:34:26 GMT -5
I used to camp for a couple weeks in the Cadys every January. I'm sure I didn't get all the nice rocks there.
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rockbrain
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2022
Posts: 3,167
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Post by rockbrain on Nov 10, 2024 11:35:35 GMT -5
I went to Lavic Siding and the Crayon Box for the first time last year. It's a great place to get your feet wet because you can just walk around and pick up stuff off the ground. From there you can venture across the road a short drive and hit some of the South Cadys. Lavic Siding is accessible with any vehicle and is a good place to camp. Most of the area across the freeway from there is good for camping too. Make sure you go online and get a fire permit before you head out. It's free, it only takes a few minutes, and you're not even supposed to operate a camp stove without one. I can get you some more info on these areas if you're interested.
It's not that Mojave, but the Wiley's well area is also probably fairly close for you. I found some nice stuff there without really knowing what I was doing.
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dillydally
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2024
Posts: 4
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Post by dillydally on Nov 10, 2024 13:29:07 GMT -5
Lavic / Cady sounds perfect. I’ll look into that more. Is it all dispersed camping around there or designated campgrounds?
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RWA3006
Cave Dweller
Member since March 2009
Posts: 4,625
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Post by RWA3006 on Nov 10, 2024 20:36:15 GMT -5
Lavic / Cady sounds perfect. I’ll look into that more. Is it all dispersed camping around there or designated campgrounds? I didn't notice any designated campgrounds and camped in many places on the northwest of Ludlow along the dirt roads. Spent many weeks there throughout the years and didn't have any problems. |
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rockbrain
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2022
Posts: 3,167
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Post by rockbrain on Nov 11, 2024 0:49:07 GMT -5
Lavic is all BLM land. You can camp anywhere there.
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dillydally
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2024
Posts: 4
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Post by dillydally on Nov 11, 2024 14:53:48 GMT -5
Awesome! This plan is coming together. Are there good apps to use that show the roads through lavic / Cady and help with navigating? Or are paper maps best.
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RWA3006
Cave Dweller
Member since March 2009
Posts: 4,625
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Post by RWA3006 on Nov 11, 2024 21:03:37 GMT -5
Awesome! This plan is coming together. Are there good apps to use that show the roads through lavic / Cady and help with navigating? Or are paper maps best. I never felt the need for a map because I just took the dirt road straight North out of Ludlow until I got under the power lines and then I followed the road West that parallels the lines and the front of the hills. Visibility is good and you can see where to go easily. I'd stop every quarter mile and explore toward the hills and find all kinds of treasure. You can follow the road West until you come to Lavic. The road was good and I noticed it serviced a buried gas line and also the power lines. |
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rockbrain
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2022
Posts: 3,167
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Post by rockbrain on Nov 11, 2024 21:06:44 GMT -5
My brother had a map app that was very helpful. I'll try and get the name of it. Also, just a word of warning, don't try to use Google Maps to go there. Lavic is shown right on the other side of the tracks from where you want to go. It's a 1000 feet or so from where you want to go but is off road so Google will guide you about 4 1/2 hours out of the way. Look instead for Pisgah Crater. It's just a few minutes past the turn off for that.
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,981
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Post by Tommy on Nov 12, 2024 10:05:40 GMT -5
Awesome! This plan is coming together. Are there good apps to use that show the roads through lavic / Cady and help with navigating? Or are paper maps best. I've never had much luck with the paper maps mostly either found in rockhounding books or hand drawn by rockhounds. For me getting the GPS coords is very important. If you are feeling adventurous maybe have a go at the Ribbon Rock mine for strawberry onyx. This is a very underrated material in my opinion and getting to the parking area is fairly easy but sandy in places. The thing is it's in a protected wilderness area so you have to hike in the last mile or so and pack out what you can carry. It's at least a $500 fine if caught driving in. Edited to add this link: forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/81870/2018-quartzsite-trip-report-strawberry |
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Post by rockjunquie on Nov 12, 2024 10:09:11 GMT -5
Awesome! This plan is coming together. Are there good apps to use that show the roads through lavic / Cady and help with navigating? Or are paper maps best. I've never had much luck with the paper maps mostly either found in rockhounding books or hand drawn by rockhounds. For me getting the GPS coords is very important. If you are feeling adventurous maybe have a go at the Ribbon Rock mine for strawberry onyx. This is a very underrated material in my opinion and getting to the parking area is fairly easy but sandy in places. The thing is it's in a protected wilderness area so you have to hike in the last mile or so and pack out what you can carry. It's at least a $500 fine if caught driving in. x2 on the strawberry onyx. Very pretty. |
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Post by jhenyarockhound on Nov 12, 2024 11:42:30 GMT -5
The searcher’s club are going at the end of November to the Cadys. I’ve found it best to go with a club to new locations the first time. There is a lot of area out there and it helps to know where to start looking!
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