[TrialRun]

Planning Thread for late Jan-Feb, 2023 Quartzsite meetup.

Latest Edits:


2023 Attendees:
1. Admiral and Mrs. Admiral (Kris and Lori) - Arriving ~Jan 30. Leaving Feb 17th for Phoenix
2. Ejfranz (Eckhart and Linda) - Eckhart has arrived, Linda Arriving Feb 13, Leave Feb 17th for Phoenix.
3. Alberta Darrel (Darrel and Barb) - Already at the LTVA south of town for Winter.
4. Brlux - Arriving 28/29th.
5.

2022 had Admiral, Mrs. Admiral, EjFranz, Mrs. EjFranz, SkiPro3, Mrs. SkiPro3 and Doreen, Bryson, Alberta Darrel and Barb, TrialRun
2020 had White Elephant, Mrs. WE, AllanB, TrialRun and Mrs. TR
2019 had ejfranz, Plumbstraight, Alberta Darrel, TrialRun

RV Show is Jan 21-29 for those interested in attending or avoiding.

Camp Location: Propose Hi Jolly BLM free, 14-day limit, camp area as a starter, unless someone has another specific location to propose. Some typically spend some time in the Havasu, Quartzsite and KOFA areas. If Hi Jolly it is for the Quartzsite part, then the camp is a few miles north of Quartzite on Hwy 95. The BLM camp area is well marked and there is a dedicated turn lane on the right side heading north. Once in the camp, you check in immediately on the left if the Host is there (green label below). It's free for 14 days. If he's not there, then you can check in later or the next day.
the group prefers to camp near the rear on the south side (yellow band).

Off-Road Sticker Needed - Arizona Game and Fish:
You need an offroad vehicle sticker for each vehicle you will take on the trails. You set up an on-line account with AZ Fish and Game, get the permit and print the paperwork if the passes don't arrive before you leave home.
AZGFD
I always order mine the day before I leave for AZ and take the paper receipt. This lets me avoid putting stickers on my bike that I have to scrape off later. The paper receipt is good for 30 days. So if you plan to be in AZ longer than a month or want to come and go during the year, make sure you do this early enough to get the stickers delivered. If you read the law, we shouldn't need them due to the definitions of a vehicle that is "primarily" for off road use (ATVs, unlicensed dirt bikes, etc). But you do, since they will write you a ticket. If you want to protest in a court setting after the fact that Dual Sports are exactly that, dual, feel free to do so. But the sticker is cheaper.

BLM Camping:
Free Areas - 14 days max (Hi Jolly is one of these)
LTVAs - 14 days for $40 (have some bathroom facilities, dump station and water)
LTVAs - Full 7-month Season for $180
The LTVA pass can be used at all the LTVAs in the area if you move around

Long-Term Visitor Area (LTVA) - MAP | Bureau of Land Management

www.blm.gov

State Land Camping:
Need permit if you camp there. The individual permit is good for a year.
https://asld.secure.force.com/recreationalpermit/

Riding/Trails Info:
Quartzsite Off-Roading sells an Atlas ($28 and set up like a Key Map - it's very good) and has an electronic version of the trail map that can be downloaded through the Avenza mapping app. USGS maps are free in Avenza and this special Quartzsite e-trail map is $15. The web site for the atlas and other info is:
Off-Road ATLAS

Truck Camper Rally
The Truck Camper Adventure Rally is occurring again at the Road Runner BLM February 9- 12 for those with Truck Campers.
Fee is $25 per truck camper ( up to 6 people). As of Nov 9, 300 of the 400 spots were already taken. SOLD OUT

 

[ejfranz]

Thanks Greg for starting this.
Our travel down is always weather dependent and after our youngest granddaughter’s birthday, which this year will be held on Saturday, Jan 21, so I am hoping we can be on the road south on Monday, Jan 23.
It has been a while since I have attended the big tent at the Quartzsite RV show, so hopefully we can be down in time for the last few days of it.
At Hi Jolly, I like to camp on the South side and near the East trail entrance.
For the Lake Havasu area, we camp 19 miles N of the town on the West side of Hwy 95.

The entrance is just S of S Passage Way shown on the map above. I follow S Passage Way to just before it passes through 2 hills. On the West side are some individual camp spots. On the east side is a larger group site. Do not go too far S as the old road is washed out and has a large drop off.

The above picture shows the entrance and it is a bit rough getting in.
Linda and I will take the VSTROM to tour around from here.
We will go to Oatman along Route 66 and then take a gravel road to get over to Bullhead city and then into Laughlin. There is a short stretch on I40, otherwise it is a good day trip.
To get into Lake Havasu on the Wee, we take 95. If I am on the DT, I will take the back trails into town. Mud Shark brewing in Lake Havasu, for me, is a must. They have a new location with a patio that has a view of the lake and their beer’s are very good.
From here you can also make your way to the N side of Lake Alamo.
It does require a short stint on I40 then some pretty sandy roads until you get on the main gravel road in.

 

[Mrs. Admiral]

The Admiral’s are planning on arriving after the tent show and will stay wherever everyone else is. The Hi Jolly area was fine for us.
😊

 

[Ski Pro 3]

The Admiral’s are planning on arriving after the tent show and will stay wherever everyone else is. The Hi Jolly area was fine for us.
😊

Ditto for us.

 

[bartruff]

What a unique area that is.....with all kinds of car shows and rv shows ........kayaking on the Colorado .......,and wildlife in the mountains...the dramatic landscapes and vegetation......love to ride there and the Parker Area......but alas I am at a age when my body tells me where and when I can go....or not....

 

[FIRE UP]

What a unique area that is.....with all kinds of car shows and rv shows ........kayaking on the Colorado .......,and wildlife in the mountains...the dramatic landscapes and vegetation......love to ride there and the Parker Area......but alas I am at a age when my body tells me where and when I can go....or not....

The problem with the Havasu area is about 99.9999% of the trails/sandy washes etc. are so chewed up with washboard created by side-by-sides that running a TW is now extremely tough on the bike and the body. We've been here in Havasu for over 8 years and the trails/washes have gotten progressively worse in that time. The last time I had the Dub out on one of our washes, it 'bout beat the day lights out of me and I don't ride fast. And, I'm running right at 4 psi in the tires which, normally smoothes out the rougher stuff.
What I saw of Admirals videos of the last trip of Quartzsite, those trails (at least the ones he shot videos on) were in waaaaaaaaay better shape than most of ours.

We also have a Jeep and I run 10 psi in those 35" tires starting from the first inch I'm off the pavement. And even with that low of pressure in those tires, the Jeep bounces all over due to those washboard trails.

But seeing those videos, I'd sure like to join up and do some ridin' with you boys and girls (Mrs Admiral). I might have to pensil the time frame in. We're RV'ers too so, the RV show there in Quartzsite is always entertaining (Can you say lots of food!) even though we've been to that show a few times and there's really nothing new at them, same old stuff but still fun to walk around.
Scott

 

[ejfranz]

The problem with the Havasu area is about 99.9999% of the trails/sandy washes etc. are so chewed up with washboard created by side-by-sides that running a TW is now extremely tough on the bike and the body. We've been here in Havasu for over 8 years and the trails/washes have gotten progressively worse in that time. The last time I had the Dub out on one of our washes, it 'bout beat the day lights out of me and I don't ride fast. And, I'm running right at 4 psi in the tires which, normally smoothes out the rougher stuff.
What I saw of Admirals videos of the last trip of Quartzsite, those trails (at least the ones he shot videos on) were in waaaaaaaaay better shape than most of ours.

We also have a Jeep and I run 10 psi in those 35" tires starting from the first inch I'm off the pavement. And even with that low of pressure in those tires, the Jeep bounces all over due to those washboard trails.

But seeing those videos, I'd sure like to join up and do some ridin' with you boys and girls (Mrs Admiral). I might have to pensil the time frame in. We're RV'ers too so, the RV show there in Quartzsite is always entertaining (Can you say lots of food!) even though we've been to that show a few times and there's really nothing new at them, same old stuff but still fun to walk around.
Scott

The trails around Quartzsite are also torn up by the side by sides. On our adventures last year, some of the hills presented a major challenge to the TWs. The washes no longer have virgin sand to ride in as the side by sides don’t even want to travel in the mess they make.

 

[ejfranz]

The Truck Camper Adventure Rally is occurring again at the Road Runner BLM February 9- 12 for those with Truck Campers.
Fee is $25 per truck camper ( up to 6 people).
Only those with a truck camper may attend.
Any interest?
300 of the 400 spots already taken.

 

[Ski Pro 3]

The Truck Camper Adventure Rally is occurring again at the Road Runner BLM February 9- 12 for those with Truck Campers.
Fee is $25 per truck camper ( up to 6 people).
Only those with a truck camper may attend.
Any interest?
300 of the 400 spots already taken.

A buddy of mine attends this event. He used to have a TW200 but fell one too many times I think and decided after age 70, he didn't heal as quickly as he once could.
Mrs. Pro and I are only good for up to a week away from home, so not going to commit to the camper event as we enjoy the solitude of the smaller TW crowd.

 

[arbolmano]

Judging from what I’ve seen this Summer in the Havasu area, don’t expect any area to be in good shape. Use in easy access areas has like tripled…..I witnessed traffic jams of huge toy trailers and trucks on freeway from LA……and that was in less user friendly Summer. Compounded by a lack of enforcement of SxS on the road allowing even more of ‘em
Double issue as the ranks of homeless swell and they flock to the Desert for ”Van Life”.
Be prepared to seek out single track areas and camp with the masses. Yikes!

 

[Allanb]

The Truck Camper Adventure Rally is occurring again at the Road Runner BLM February 9- 12 for those with Truck Campers.
Fee is $25 per truck camper ( up to 6 people).
Only those with a truck camper may attend.
Any interest?
300 of the 400 spots already taken.

Amazing that they are already up to 300 people.
lot of good people to meet, info to learn, and rigs to look at and learn from.
I cant commit to any given time to be down south this yr, but sure gonna try and squeek in some time warmth and sunshine.

 

[Fred]

I embrace motorcycling as a way to get away from the crowds. Any event with 300 to 400 rigs signed up would have me upshifting as fast as possible to get away.
Sorry, I feel no draw to the region, the crowds, nor the events so you'll likely never see me there.
I know many of you enjoy the Quartzite experience so I wish you all a very good time.

 

[Ski Pro 3]

Looking forward to attending

 

[TrialRun]

Here's the original again

 

[Mrs. Admiral]

Our plans are still the same: leave our home port around the 25th of January and mosey our way to Q with an arrival date of the 30th. We’ll track Eckhart and Linda down and make them enjoy our company while we wait for others to join us. 😊
We’ll be in Arizona the month of February. We plan on staying in the Q area for a first few weeks then head to see the in laws and our daughter in the Phoenix area for a weekish and then head to Tucson for some unknown reason that neither Kris or I can remember why. I’m sure it’ll come to us at some point.
The month of March we plan on aimlessly wandering around New Mexico and seeing what kind of trouble or trouble makers we can find.
Then we’ll slowly make our way to Moab with an arrival date of April 11. We’re meeting up with our sons and anyone else that can tolerate our humor.
We’re hoping to still like each other by time we get home at the end of April.

 

[arbolmano]

Say when we’d head out there years ago the big thing wasn’t the RV show but the Pyrotechnics convention in February. I stopped going 20 years ago on account of drunks n tweakers (Quartzite not Convention) spoiling it but man sweet memories of “boom”. Convention was all pro serious crazy fun.

 

[Fred]

Mrs. Admiral, on your way to or from Quartzite if you have the itch to ride western Nevada this place is often melted out.
Fairly rock free, firm sand and a bucket load of sigletracks down low and up to summits. Always welcome.

 

[ejfranz]

Our plans have changed
Linda is going with friends to Mexico for a week and then will head home and then fly into Phoenix on February 13. Arriving early afternoon.
I am going squirrely, cabin fever ….
I am planing now to head down earlier in January.
I am hoping we are going to get a good spell of weather so I can get my VStrom from my son in Kamloops.

 

[admiral]

Mrs. Admiral, on your way to or from Quartzite if you have the itch to ride western Nevada this place is often melted out.
Fairly rock free, firm sand and a bucket load of sigletracks down low and up to summits. Always welcome.

To avoid the colder winter temperatures, we're planning on beelining it straight to Q once we get on the road later in January only stopping to sleep on the way. We won't even have the TWhauler de-winterized until we get to Q.
While our travel plans are not set in concrete or water, I think our general plan after Q is to ride toward and in New Mexico. This will most likely route our return to home port further east through Colorado. But you never know. The Dogskins are on my list of places to ride one day for sure!

 

[admiral]

Our plans have changed
Linda is going with friends to Mexico for a week and then will head home and then fly into Phoenix on February 13. Arriving early afternoon.
I am going squirrely, cabin fever ….
I am planing now to head down earlier in January.
I am hoping we are going to get a good spell of weather so I can get my VStrom from my son in Kamloops.

I'm glad we got the Golf Cart with snowplow. It helps with cabin fever...I think! Had a few days off from snow plowing but I "get" to use it again starting today.
We are starting to organize our stuff for the Winter/Spring Southerly Adventure. Looking forward to MUCH warmer temperatures!!!