Mojave River Flooding

[gon2srf]

Yesterday I was on my way out to see my mother-in-law who lives in Hinkley CA. (near Barstow) when I came upon an obstacle. The folks forgot to tell us that the main road that runs between their home and the freeway had been washed out by the swollen Mojave River. Where there was once a bridge there is nothing now. Since there is no ferry service a 5 mile detour is now necessary to get to my Mom's house.

Lenwood Road.jpg (132.44 KiB) Viewed 3415 times

I have been going out there for 20 years and have only seen flooding like this once previously and that was back in the El Nino-El Nina~ era. Harper Dry Lake for example is no longer a dry lake, it is full.
http://digital-desert.com/map-sys/harpe ... e-sat.html

The Western Mojave has been transformed by these recent storms and I look forward to exploring more once these storms settle down. I don't recommend going out alone now as dirt trails and even asphalt roads which were once recognizable are gone and in low lying areas they have become traps with waste deep "quick sand". Even aired down to 12lbs, I was almost buried to the axles several times and had to finesse my way out with the skinny pedal. I wasn't looking forward to digging and winching and really got lucky to get back on "dry land".

[salad_man]

Thats is awesome, if you do plan to go explore id like to join

[cruiserlarry]

Looks like Mother Nature is making sure we don't get bored on the same ol' trails....I'm sure Soda Dry Lake isn't, and I'm sure many of the trails throughout Mojave, Calico, and most local desert areas are going to look a lot different this spring. And a lot greener

[DaveK]

Scott:

The last time I remember seeing the Mojave that full was back in 2005. The pictures below were taken near Hinkley. We needed to get across the river and had to back track all the way to Silver Lakes (I think that is the name of the city out there) to find a bridge or a road that wasn't washed out.

[gon2srf]

The earths forces are incredible and it seems the older you get the more you realize it. Those are great pics Dave and Silver Lakes is the correct name of the town. We pass through Silver Lakes if we take Route 66 instead of the 15 south to Victorville. 2005, I don't remember it well but your pictures clearly tell the story. I wish I had taken my camera with us when headed out wheeling but it was the day after Christmas and my wife demanded I leave it for her.

[BorregoWrangler]

Wow! That is awesome! A river in the desert. I wonder how the crossings along the Mojave Road are looking?