The Mojave Road, otherwise known as ‘Old Government Road’, is rich in history, first traversed by the Mohave people 300 years ago, then by Spanish explorers and finally by American settlers making their way through the desert of California. It’s a dirt and sand trail that should only be attempted by riders with off-road experience and desert survival knowledge. The weather in the desert can be very unpredictable: snowstorms in the winter, 120-degree heat in the summer, and thunderstorms that threaten to wash the road away. It’s a route that should not be underestimated, and planning for the essentials is critical.
Planning Your Ride on the Mojave Road The Mojave Road covers 133 miles of desert with few stopping points for water. Riders should fastidiously follow a map or the GPS, as there are numerous side trails that can lead you in the wrong direction. To follow the route from east to west as the settlers did, you’ll start your ride at the Colorado River near Mojave City and end near the town of Manix.
Most riders cover the distance over three days and two nights. While that might not seem like very many miles each day, the road can be treacherous, and it’s important to leave plenty of time to reach the campsite each night. If the conditions are good and your pace is faster, this will just allow more time to stop and explore.
One important thing to note: although the Mojave Road is a dirt track, it is administered by the National Park Service, and your bike must be street legal in order to ride it.
Fuel The Mojave Road crosses 133 miles of remote terrain, with no services along the way. Before taking off, assess the fuel mileage of your bike to determine how much you’ll need for that length of trip. You may need to carry an extra fuel canister on one of your racks. A good rule of thumb is to budget for 25% more fuel than you think you’ll need; running out of gas here will not be a good time.
Accommodations & Food The only accommodations along the Mojave Road are primitive campsites. Carruther’s Camp, near mile 45, is a popular place to spend the first night. Its elevation of above 4000 feet means it can get cold at night. For the second night, you can camp at Seventeen Mile Point, which is actually closer to 70 miles from the end of the route. There’s also the ghost town of a former mining camp nearby, which you can stop and explore. You must bring all the food and water you’ll need, since there are no grocery or convenience stores along the way.
Sights The entire route is an interesting sight if you’re not familiar with the desert; it will feel like an alien landscape with colourful rock outcroppings thrusting up from the beige desert floor.
This may be an off-road adventure, but its well worth it to take a thirty-mile detour (turn off near the town of Chase) onto paved roads to visit the Kelso Depot, which used to be a desert oasis on the Salt Lake City to Los Angeles railroad. Now it’s the visitor’s center for the Mojave National Preserve, and makes a welcome respite from the sun and sand of the desert.
Around mile 74 is a colourful mailbox, which marks an alternative branch to the main route. Riders passing through write down their name, thoughts on the trip so far, and a message to other travellers.
Photo Credit: Daveynin /CC BY Photo Credit: Mike Baird /CC BY Featured Image Photo Credit: Stan Shebs on Wikimedia Commons /CC BY
