It was a first-come, first-served basis to participate. So we went to the office at 8:00 am to make sure we would get on it. It ended up that only twelve people showed up so there was no problem get on the tour.
At nine o'clock, three Pinzgauer Swiss Military Jeeps arrived. They are locally owned. Each one was able to handle four to six people on the bench seats along each side in the open back, . Blankets were given to us to keep warm during the full day's trip. The tour of the desert was sponsored by Holiday Plan RV Park. One of the pinzgauer owners takes it to the California Baha to assist with the races that are held there.
Our driver's name was Bob and the other couple that rode with him was Gertie and Eric, from BC. They had been on rides before and also taken trips on their own into the desert. They told us places we should go and see around the Quartzsite area.
The group headed south down AZ#95 for a few miles. We had to keep warm in the open vehicles. The blankets were very comforting. We turned east into “Kofa National Wildlife Refuge”. Now at the time we, Randal and I, did not know where we were going, just out into the desert. After the tour we researched this area and found this refuge in the Sorona Desert, was established in 1939 and is managed by US Fish and Wildlife Services. The Castle and Kofa Mountain ranges running through it.
In this area the roads are not maintained and requiring only licensed four-wheeled drive vehicle to drive on them. In the information sheet we got it said that the vehicles can be damaged by brushing with bushes and rocks or becoming stuck in sandy areas. The trails are limited to designated areas.
There are no facilities, gasoline, sanitation or drinking water available in these areas. This area was once used as a military training exercises by General Patton during WWII.
We drove pass Crystal Hill where visitors can collect rocks and minerals for recreation use only, with out using tools and only 12 pieces during a twelve month period. It is said that one side of the hill has been dug away.
After an hour of driving over the rough terrain we made our first pit stop in a “wash” area. There are many of these areas throughout the refuge as well as all around Quartzsite. When heavy rains occur the water run off can be very danger for travellers and make the trails unsafe for driving. Here were given a chance to stretch our legs, rub our bums and find a bush to tinkle behind and out of sight of others. This stop had a watering hole with a wind mill to pump water from a well into a trough. Many wild animal come by to drink the water. There are many of these wells scattered in the Refuge. The small, widely scattered waterholes attract a surprising number of water birds for a desert area. A wide variety of plant life is also found throughout the refuge.
Camping is permitted in designated areas, limited for 14 days in any twelve month period. The use of fires can be only from dead, unattached trees or wood purchased. Camping here is very popular during the early months of the year.
The broad, gently sloping foothills as well as the sharp, needlepoint peaks of the Kofa Mountains are found in the rugged refuge. When we heard the sound of the jeep horn we were on our way again, heading further into the Kofa Mountains and higher elevation of 300 feet. Our second stop was near lunch time but before we ate we walked up to a “natural” waterhole fed by spring water or water that was collected by the rains. The walk took us along a very rocky path and climbs. I noticed that the cactus here were much larger than lower down in the desert.
When we returned to the parked vehicles we ate our lunch. After what I had I craved a chip chip cookie!!
On again over the washes and through the bushes we went. By this time I was completely turned around and if it were not for the sun I would not have known what direction I was going. It did not matter anyway as I did not know where the hell I was!!
The third stop was near a mountain gap high above us. We walked on a challenging narrow path up into this gap that was created by huge boulders. A few of the sure footed people climbed through the opening to the top of the ridge.
Again the horn was sounded and we were back in the Pinzgaure Jeeps going out of the mountains towards a communication tower on a hill. From there we could see #95 highway. The many types of cactus were growing in this area. We were warned about the “Jumping Cactus” and it's dangerous needles.
It was getting close to three o'clock by this time and the day's adventure was almost over. Off to the trail again, but this time not so rough, turning onto AZ #95 and back to Holiday Pines RV Park. Dirty, sore and tired and filled with a great memory!!
Until next time remember to "Discover It and Live It".
At nine o'clock, three Pinzgauer Swiss Military Jeeps arrived. They are locally owned. Each one was able to handle four to six people on the bench seats along each side in the open back, . Blankets were given to us to keep warm during the full day's trip. The tour of the desert was sponsored by Holiday Plan RV Park. One of the pinzgauer owners takes it to the California Baha to assist with the races that are held there.
Our driver's name was Bob and the other couple that rode with him was Gertie and Eric, from BC. They had been on rides before and also taken trips on their own into the desert. They told us places we should go and see around the Quartzsite area.
The group headed south down AZ#95 for a few miles. We had to keep warm in the open vehicles. The blankets were very comforting. We turned east into “Kofa National Wildlife Refuge”. Now at the time we, Randal and I, did not know where we were going, just out into the desert. After the tour we researched this area and found this refuge in the Sorona Desert, was established in 1939 and is managed by US Fish and Wildlife Services. The Castle and Kofa Mountain ranges running through it.
In this area the roads are not maintained and requiring only licensed four-wheeled drive vehicle to drive on them. In the information sheet we got it said that the vehicles can be damaged by brushing with bushes and rocks or becoming stuck in sandy areas. The trails are limited to designated areas.
There are no facilities, gasoline, sanitation or drinking water available in these areas. This area was once used as a military training exercises by General Patton during WWII.
We drove pass Crystal Hill where visitors can collect rocks and minerals for recreation use only, with out using tools and only 12 pieces during a twelve month period. It is said that one side of the hill has been dug away.
After an hour of driving over the rough terrain we made our first pit stop in a “wash” area. There are many of these areas throughout the refuge as well as all around Quartzsite. When heavy rains occur the water run off can be very danger for travellers and make the trails unsafe for driving. Here were given a chance to stretch our legs, rub our bums and find a bush to tinkle behind and out of sight of others. This stop had a watering hole with a wind mill to pump water from a well into a trough. Many wild animal come by to drink the water. There are many of these wells scattered in the Refuge. The small, widely scattered waterholes attract a surprising number of water birds for a desert area. A wide variety of plant life is also found throughout the refuge.
Camping is permitted in designated areas, limited for 14 days in any twelve month period. The use of fires can be only from dead, unattached trees or wood purchased. Camping here is very popular during the early months of the year.
The broad, gently sloping foothills as well as the sharp, needlepoint peaks of the Kofa Mountains are found in the rugged refuge. When we heard the sound of the jeep horn we were on our way again, heading further into the Kofa Mountains and higher elevation of 300 feet. Our second stop was near lunch time but before we ate we walked up to a “natural” waterhole fed by spring water or water that was collected by the rains. The walk took us along a very rocky path and climbs. I noticed that the cactus here were much larger than lower down in the desert.
When we returned to the parked vehicles we ate our lunch. After what I had I craved a chip chip cookie!!
On again over the washes and through the bushes we went. By this time I was completely turned around and if it were not for the sun I would not have known what direction I was going. It did not matter anyway as I did not know where the hell I was!!
The third stop was near a mountain gap high above us. We walked on a challenging narrow path up into this gap that was created by huge boulders. A few of the sure footed people climbed through the opening to the top of the ridge.
Again the horn was sounded and we were back in the Pinzgaure Jeeps going out of the mountains towards a communication tower on a hill. From there we could see #95 highway. The many types of cactus were growing in this area. We were warned about the “Jumping Cactus” and it's dangerous needles.
It was getting close to three o'clock by this time and the day's adventure was almost over. Off to the trail again, but this time not so rough, turning onto AZ #95 and back to Holiday Pines RV Park. Dirty, sore and tired and filled with a great memory!!
Until next time remember to "Discover It and Live It".
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