Denis & Sandi Inman
Several of us did a short local trail run to Crystal Spring and Wood Canyon to see what the conditions would be like after some snow and rain. There were 5 participants in 4 Jeep Wranglers. I led while Jeremy & Vic followed in Vic’s rig. Behind them were Brian and Rick. Our group did not encounter any snow to deal with along the way, but a huge bonus was that we experienced absolutely no dust.
Denis & Sandi Inman
My friend Jeremy said he was going up towards Carpenter Canyon to see how far he could get in the snow and I asked if I could tag along. We had a little difficulty negotiating the track up to where we recently had the Spring Fling, but we were able to make it to the lower parking lot just shy of the very end of the trail.
Denis & Sandi Inman
Due to the length of the trip planned for Tuesday, our group of explorers left on our journey at 7:00 AM. We were down to only 6 Jeeps carrying me, Sherrie, Brian, Mike & Patti, Sel & Pam and Rick & Mary. After crossing the Virgin River, we headed Southeast on Lime Kiln Canyon Road, traversed the Virgin Mountains and entered Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument.
Denis & Sandi Inman
Eight Jeep Wranglers left the starting point in Mesquite Nevada at promptly 8:00 AM and proceeded North on the 15 Freeway where we shortly entered Arizona. The group exited the Interstate at Littlefield, drove through the town of Beaver Dam, continued North into Utah on Highway 91 and aired down at Mojave Desert Joshua Tree Road. Participants were Sandi & I, Brian, Mike & Patti, Sherrie, Rick & Mary, Dave, Sel & Pam and Ed was inhaling the most dust as our Tail Gunner. Once on the trail, the group turned North at Welcome Springs Road until we reached Lytle Ranch Road where our octet of Jeeps turned West.
Denis & Sandi Inman
I should have been more explicit in the announcement that we would be leaving the Smith’s parking lot on Saturday morning at 8:00 AM. Unfortunately, not everyone understood that meant 8:00 AM Pacific Standard Time and several folks decided to air down as some others were beginning the trail run. Oh well, we all eventually made it up Wheeler Pass Road to the Wheeler Wallace Cut-Off where the plan was to reassemble and air down. The group started out as about 18 rigs but we had several vehicles turn back with minor issues along the way.
Denis & Sandi Inman
The Pahrump Valley 4 Wheelers arriving in about 7 or 8 vehicles assembled in the parking lot at Phantom Fireworks to distribute candy in the Trunk-or-Treat event held at that location. Members passed out over a thousand pieces of candy, possibly closer to 2 thousand to the children and parents of our community that wanted to take part in a safe Halloween event.
Denis & Sandi Inman
There was a rumor that 13 member vehicles were in attendance at the Beatty Days Parade. I believe a couple more showed up after that count, however, I could be wrong. The Pahrump Valley 4 Wheelers had an abundance of time to decorate our rigs before the parade got underway at 10:00 AM and we used a large portion of that time to catch up on the latest news and happenings for those participating in the event.
Denis & Sandi Inman
Sandi and I met Brian and Jeremy at Mel’s for breakfast at about 7:00 AM. The Pahrump Valley 4 Wheelers, for various reasons, arrived at the Beatty VFW 5th Annual Bullfrog Historical Mining District Poker Run check-in and starting area at sporadic times throughout the morning, but we waited for Mike & Debbie to finally show up before eventually heading out onto the trail. We had a total of 8 Jeeps, mostly Wranglers, led by Paul & Gary in a Grand Cherokee. Sandi & I inhaled the next least amount of dust in the second position. Next was Brian then Mike & Patti in their Gladiator. Jeremy was in the 5th spot, then came Rick & Mary followed by Bill & Shirley. Mike & Debbie with their big beer flag brought up the rear.
Denis & Sandi Inman
Following a short 6:55 AM Driver’s Meeting, 5 Jeep Wranglers headed South on Homestead from Lakeside Casino. The participating club members were me, Derek, Jim, Gary & Sherry and Ed & Mary Lou. Just past the brothels, we crossed the dry lake on Mesquite Valley Road. Jumping onto Old Spanish Trail Highway, the procession followed the paved road Southwest for about 5 miles and then got back onto Mesquite Valley Road where we aired down.
Denis & Sandi Inman
Promptly at 8:00 AM, 4 Jeep Wranglers and a Toyota 4Runner headed for Eddy World to begin a Titus Canyon run. I was flying solo as was Patty. Bruce & Cathy, James & Helen and Ed & Mary Lou came with us from Pahrump, Clint & Cheryl met us on the trail in their Wrangler. After topping off our tanks in Beatty, we traveled West on Nevada Highway 374 to the trailhead to air down.
Denis & Sandi Inman
Our plan for Tuesday morning was to top off our tanks just a little before the donut bakery that also serves breakfast biscuits, muffins and croissants opened at 6:00 AM. Unfortunately, after rising early and getting that chore accomplished, we were all standing around in the cold, drinking coffee and waiting for our morning bite. The pastry shop eventually opened on time and we had a quick snack before hitting the road.
Denis & Sandi Inman
In the first part of the Summer, my buddy Jeremy mentioned that he would like to do the Lippencott Trail into Saline Valley on the West side of Death Valley. I had a desire to reconnoiter that area as well, with the addition of Teakettle Junction and the Racetrack in order to cross those locations off of my Bucket List, but we waited until the weather turned cooler in order to start the trip. Jeremy brought his wife Deanna and we also invited Jim and Brian. This group had the components to make an extraordinary trail run; capable rigs, competent drivers and compatible people.
Denis & Sandi Inman
Since we needed to get to the line-up area before the streets were closed for the 55th Annual Pahrump Fall Festival Parade, we had lots of time to embellish our Jeeps with adornments before the 9:00 AM start. There was also plenty of opportunity for the occupants of the 14 PV4W rigs that showed up to engage in chit-chat. Our parade number put us right behind the garbage truck. Oh well, it was a relatively new truck and obviously had recently been thoroughly cleaned.
Denis & Sandi Inman
Members of the Pahrump Valley 4 Wheelers riding in 6 Jeep Wranglers and a Jeep Grand Cherokee attended the Driver’s Meeting on Sunday morning at 7:50 AM. We aired down in the Smith’s parking lot and were on the move promptly at 8:00. Participating in the run were myself, Jim, Brian, Jeremy & Deanna, Paul & Gary, Vic & Janice and Ed was our tail gunner.
By Denis & Sandi Inman
Jim and I arrived at the a little early at the Mark Twain Community Center in Dayton NV to check in, get oriented and to air down. The Driver’s Meeting started promptly at 8:45 AM and the participants were released to follow the instructions at 2 minute intervals starting at 9:00. The course was very interesting and challenging. We drove past Sutro Tunnel, Saint Johns Mine and Pioneer Cemetery before crossing 6 Mile Canyon that leads to Virginia City.