I was passing through the Mojave desert monday night on my way from san diego to tehachapi, the sun was going down and no sign of the moon so i pulled off on a dirt road i'd never been on. drove several miles for nothing. Since i don't have 4x4 i stop frequently and walk ahead to check road for firmness.Made a turn realized I was in a wash and not a road (and well out of sight of the highway). I could tell it was soft and getting softer as well as narrow.I stopped and got out on to loose powder.Walked a few hundred yards ahead and it only got worse.Got in the truck to retreat to firmer ground and I'm stuck good. Had to dig out by hand, let some air out of the tires, and gathered a s***load of dead branches to lay down for traction. Perfect oportunity to thoroughly inspect for snakes and not a single one.I promised the HERP GODS that if they let me out of this one and spare me the humiliation of calling for help, I'd never venture off paved roads alone at night without 4x4 ever again.Started the truck and was able get out. I kept a nice steady pace back to the highway. About 5 miles down the road I saw another dirt road.I instantly forgot all about the herp gods and my promise. Without thinking twice, my dumbass pulled over backed up to it and and was off. After a couple miles that road started to shrink to nothing.I had no choice but to do a 180. To make a long story short, I got stuck again and repeated the whole process. Spent a total of 5 hrs off the pavement and never one reptile.
Can't wait till conditions improve so I can go back!!
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Ever have a night like this?!--mojave--
Replies (6)
LOL!
I can relate.
2 years ago, I was back in San Diego for work (moved from San Diego to Austin 3 years ago) and a buddy of mine and I decided to take my compact rental out to Anza-Borrego.
To make a long story short (sounds VERY similar to yours!), we ended up getting stuck BIG TIME about 1-2 miles down one of those soft-sand washes.
Only difference is that we got stuck because a boulder that was buried/hidden underneath that sand NAILED my oil pan, ripping a 4-5" hole. We ended up walking about 14 miles that night before my brother finally made it out to pick us up. Conditions were PERFECT that night- no moon, great temps, etc.
So, I spent the next 3 days traveling back and forth back out from Oceanside out to Anza-Borrego to get the thing towed, fixed, and wife wasn't too thrilled about a $1200 rental car that should've cost us about $100!
At least we did get to see a couple things before the 'incident'!
Rental car can be seen- small white POS, toward left-center:
..and finally, the chunk missing out of my oil pan:
//Todd
That's brutal! I Guess I'm glad not to be the only one!
All part of the adventure.
Just like a buddy says, the actual herpin' is only part of it!
//Todd
So true. That's why I'll be back out there tonight. Don't expect to see much but it sure beats the couch!....John
Good call! Only rule here is to make sure you post the pics and have some fun!
//Todd
It's always fun unless it costs $1200! Got out there late afternoon (still in upper 90's) but wanted to scout new roads.Saw a few lizards tried to photograph and batteries died.Not sure species but possible iguanas, have to look em up. Drove around till 9:30- 10:00pm. No snakes, and sadly found dead tortoise about 50ft from a recently graded road.
