Description: Join the Great Outdoors for another 4x4 (4 wheel drive) off road adventure.

We will drive down the I-10 for about 35 miles just past the Cactus City Rest Area. We'll then use a frontage road to get us to the beginning of our 4x4 trip.

Before proceeding up the Thermal Canyon trail, we'll take a short break and visit one of the siphons used in the Colorado River Aqueduct. The inverted siphons cross over desert washes and are buried to protect the pipeline from being washed away. You'll get to listen to water flowing through the aqueduct that delivers approximately a billion gallons of water a day to Los Angeles and other southern California coastal cities. If you would like to read more about the aqueduct and the siphons (including a picture of one) click here (see pages 459 & 460).

We'll pass the Pinkham Canyon trail entrance which we have visited on a prior trip - click here.

We'll go up Thermal Canyon, cross over to Rockhouse Canyon and come back to Dillon Road via Fargo Canyon. High clearance vehicles with off road tires are recommended. There are a few bushes along the way - if possible vehicle scratches bother you, this is not the trail for you. The entire trail consists of dirt road, rocks and sandy areas. There is one area that was a little rough going up during the scouting trip, but should be much easier going down as we will reverse the route taken during the scout trip.

We'll stop for lunch somewhere along the trail. You need to pack a lunch and don't forget to bring along beverages and several bottles of water.

As of 8/15/06, we have 2 vehicles signed up with 3 people and space for 0 more passengers. We are taking names on a waiting list. Additional 4x4 drivers, vehicles and passengers are welcome to join. Rear passenger seats in Jeep's have a small amount of leg room, but worth the trip if you've never been off roading. Passengers who call the contact (listed below) will be accommodated on a first come, first served basis. It all depends upon how many 4x4 vehicles sign up.

We will only assign 3 people to the smaller jeep vehicles. This will leave room for carrying backpacks and supplies in the rear of the smaller vehicles. Also, in case a vehicle has to drop out at the last minute (which has happened), the extra space will prevent someone from being turned away on the day of the event.

For you GPS types, here are the coordinates for the beginning and ending of the trail:

Start: N33.67096 W115.91752 - End: N33.74399 W116.16411

Meeting Information Date: Sunday, Sept. 17, 2006 Time: 9 AM / Return: Approx. 3-4 PM Place: Arranged By Phone/Email Contact: Ed Emond at (760) 202-7413 Note: Drivers Wanted/Passengers Welcome

Trip Notes Length: Appox 24 miles on trail Driving Time: 3-4 hours on trail Elevation Range: 108-3,200 Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Note: Bring water, lunch and snacks

Member's Experiences

You're welcome to share your written or photographic experiences about this hike with the Chapter. Your comments will be posted with this hike the next time it occurs. Please send your thoughts and/or photographs to our Webmaster.

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