"Dead Men Hike No Trails" - Tales by the Campfire

So there I was, seeking warmth on a cold desert winter night, at my neighbors campfire. One part scrimping on wood costs, another for the solace of company, I found myself listening to a man travel the travails of his writing career.

There were about eight of us encircled around the fire and more than a few had added beers to the mix, so it was an eclectic conversation. My interest was piqued when I learned the guy sitting to my left was an author.

Being a wannabe writer myself, I was interested in what he had to say. I didn't learn much about Rick McKinney that night, and so here I am, back in New York City hunkering down for the off-season with more time to spare than a clocks and watches case in a pawn shop. "Where to start?" I asked myself, trying to recall the title of the book he'd mentioned writing.

We'd been talking about the Appalachian trail(or something) and I mentioned a book that "most" people will recall, because it sold well. I won't mention it here, because - well, because I want to focus on RICK's book! After all, as he had lamented, he actually hiked the entire trail in a push, and not only that, he wrote his book while actually on the trail!

After a few false GoogleSteps, I came up with the correct title, and hit the listing of Dead men Hike No Trails by Rick McKinney.

The conversation veered away from the topic quickly, but I kept wanting to go back. I learned a tiny bit about his efforts as an author, but no very much. He gave a synopsis of a book yet to be published, if ever a house can get past their concerns of a lawsuit by a mega-giant corporation(how's that for intrigue....?). I even pushed my own idea for a story, wondering if the subject would cross copyright boundaries, to which he responded "I'd write it and let 'em sue me!" Sounds like sound advice in this day of 'any publicity is good publicity.' Well....maybe for an author such as himself, with other works which would surely be of interest within such a commotion.

At any rate - I'm going to order Dead Man Hike No Trails as soon as I hit the Publish button on this post, and while I don't expect you to blindly follow my lead, I do hope that you will at least check out the several reveiws he's received, and perhaps add his blog to your reading list. If you're feeling really generous, and maybe Santa dropped a new computer down your chimney this holiday season, it seems he could make use of your old one. Check his 12/18 entry, entitled Donate Your Laptop? for details.

And - act fast! - click on Jigglebox.com, Rick's website for more where that came from. There's plenty to take you out of the winter doldrums, while doing a good thing - lending an ear to an author's written word.
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The Virgin's Guide To Joshua Tree Climbing

Well, it's ready for public consumption. People ask all the time for the basic information on Jtree - camping, getting around, stuff like that. And I often go to some lengths to tell them what I know. I have been wanting to put it all into a blog post so I could just say "Go Here!" and now I can do just that!

The Virgin's Guide To Joshua Tree Climbing is a hefty resource of just about anything people heading there for the first time might need to know. It includes links to the various businesses, photos from the area(more to come when I return from my nest trip - leaving Thursday morning!) and some stories to back up some of the suggestions I have made.

What it does NOT include are blatant tricks of the trade. I am not going to be responsible for letting the cat out of the bag on some of the stuff best kept in the bag, so don't expect to find out how to get over on fees, camping limits or whatever else people tend to want to work their way around. Some things are better left unsaid, at least on the internet, and if a person can't figure things out for themselves....well, I am sorry for them.

I will be updating the thing with more information as I gather it, and am thinking maybe it can be a winter project to make a print version of the thing available through cafepress. We'll see.....

If there are any areas you feel should be covered and haven't yet been, or have something useful to add, leave a comment here or on the VGTJTClimbing page. I'll do what I can to include it.

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Which Way Did She Go?!

This entry is to support another web page I created, called The Virgin's Guide To Joshua Tree Climbing. The title states what it's about. I want to give directions to Jtree via the back way(Cima/Kelso/Amboy) on the thing but....too much text, so instead will link to this blog post.

NOTE: Updated with mileage and all street name information on 12/19/08. Unless our government decides they need to redo some part of this route, you really can't screw up if you follow these directions. But, it could happen - who knows what those people have in mind sometimes. Hell, they near as demolished Route 66, arguably a significant part of our country's history, because....well, probably because someone got paid off to do so. But, as long as our marines in 29 Palms need easy access to Vegas, I think this route is safe. At any rate - if you get lost, I take no blame nor liability. Yer on yer own, friend......


Here you go!

- Leaving Las Vegas, head south on I-15

- From the Blue Diamond Rd exit(turn off to camping at Red Rocks, seems like a smart marker), proceed 43.2 miles, and exit at Nipton Rd. Turn left at the stop sign for this exit, onto Nipton Rd.

- Travel 3.5 miles, to Ivanpah Rd. Turn right.
Note: Just before this turn, there is a road sign indicating the town of Cima, with an orange arrow spray painted on, indicating the turn you'll want to be making.

- Continue onward for 3.3 miles to Morning Star Rd. Turn right.
Note: At some point on this leg, you'll pass a Tax Dollars at Work handsome sign indicating that you're entering the Mojave Preserve.

- Travel 14.9 miles, and come to a Stop sign. Head straight/veering to the left ONTO Kelso Cima Rd.
Note: Here's where people might mistake the way to continue, so take note! You want to go straight/veer leftward and NOT turn to the right, which is the continuation of Morning Star Rd. There is a dilapidated old home still standing about just down the way, which you can see from the stop sign. It's an interesting side visit to make though, if you have to pee or are into photography. Just remember to get back on track if you do.

- Along the way, you'll pass a small building called the Cima Store. It's a post office/convenience store sort of thing that may or may not be open. I've never stopped inside, so can't tell you what you'll find if you do. Maybe beer and soda for sale and a person with some interesting stories to tell....

- Continue on Kelso Cima Rd. for 18.6 miles. Come to a T-intsersection. Turn left.
Note: This is the site of famous Kelso Depot, a restored historic building from back in the day. You can stop for a potty break and walk around the grounds. The building has been remade as a museum, and if open, well worth taking the time to visit, particularly if you enjoy railroad, mining and/or american history.

- You will now be headed toward Amboy(a sign points the way at the T intersection), still on Kelso Cima Rd. Continue onward for 33.3 miles.
Note: At 22 miles along this stretch, you'll pass the exit/travel under the overpass for HWY 40. Take particular care near the HWY 40 exit, for merging traffic. Even though they have stop signs, some people are stupid. This is also the place where one might encounter a highway patrol officer checking for speeders, and it's a good idea to keep your speed within reason for a few miles in both directions, if your normal inclination is to drive quickly.

Before the Hwy 40 section, you'll pass a sign advising that Kelso Dunes are in 8 miles. The dunes are interesting, though I have never stopped. One time I was on a bus here in New York City and sat next to a cute young guy with a broken leg. When I asked him what happened, he told me he'd done it while sand-surfing the Kelso Dunes... Yup. Small world, go figure.

And, you'll also be advised of your departure from the Mojave Preserve along this leg of the trip. Hopefully, you stopped along the way at some point and found the desert to be much more alive that you may have expected while encased in your vehicle. Spring foliage, lizards and desert tortoises, interesting old bottles and cans discarded long ago - it's out there!

- You'll come to another T-intersection. Turn right(toward Amboy) on National Trails Hwy. Continue for 6.9 miles.
Note: This portion of the road was, at one time, part of the infamous Route 66.

- Turn left onto Amboy Rd. There is a sign that advises this is the way to take to get to Joshua Tree National Park. Continue for 43.3 miles.

- Turn left onto Utah Rd. After 2.2 miles(a stop sign along the way), you will intersect with Hwy 62. Continue forward past Hwy 62, and you will enter JTNP through the Twentnine Palms Entrance within a few miles.

If you prefer, turn right onto Hwy 62 and head towards the town of Joshua Tree, where you may also enter the park via it's West Entrance.

As most climbers will camp at Hidden Valley Campgrounds, it is simply a matter of preference. The park road is windy and slower, but scenic. Hwy 62 is straight, has higher speed limit and stores/gas stations and such along the way.

Personally, I find the drive through the park via the Twentynine Palms entrance to be interesting and always go that route since I won't be using that portion of the park as much during my stay. I get my camping site set up, and then head into the town of Joshua Tree via the West Entrance, if needed, for a stop at Nomad Ventures and to go online to let friends know my campsite number.

DISCLAIMER: I have done as good a job as possible in taking notes for these instructions, but who knows - maybe I made an error. Do pay attention, particularly to the described landmarks mentioned, and you won't get lost. But if you find I've erred in some portion of this description, do please let me know, so I can correct it for others.

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Help support Happiegrrrl in her quest to travel, climb and live an adventurous life(instead of being stuck at home working.....). Visit her online shop, ClimbAddict, for original designs on t-shirts, jackets, caps, stickers and giftware.