That time of year in the Mojave
is upon us with temperatures consistently in the triple digits.
Let's face it, it really isn't a whole lot of fun out there even
for the most avid lovers of the desert.
The high temperatures produced in June, July,
and August is one of the main reasons some of the nicest cities
in the southwest states like Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Bacon Strip
Ranch-population zero, are not crowded like Los Angeles and New
York City. Thank God for these three months of weather in the desert.
This being about the last trip of the
season to the ranch, I wanted to see if the phrase, "It's
hot enough outside to where you can fry an egg on the sidewalk"
was true.
Since there are no cement sidewalks at the ranch
the surface of the dry lake bed was the next best thing. This is
a hot surface, let me tell ya. You can feel the heat coming through
the soles of your shoes. If there was any place to fry an egg this
would be it.
As the picture shows the egg did not fry. Maybe
it has something to do with the yolk being broken but that's doubtful.
It was later learned online that it takes about 150 degrees before
an egg will turn from a liquid to a solid. Egg on our face...and
runway...
| Ranch ATV's Do Roadtrip To Big Bear, California |
The Bacon Strip Ranch ATV's escape the desert
heat and go on a road trip to Big Bear Lake, California!
Okay, okay, this article is not specifically
about the ranch which is something I swore I'd never post. But let's
face it, with ranch temperature gauges pegging out and eggs being
broken on the ground, there's little way of convincing anybody that
the California desert is a good place to visit in the summer. So
an update this time of year has to be taken "out of the box."
Longtime ranch sidekick Patrick Moore, aka Patrick
"Star," invited me to his house in Arrowbear, California
(just a few miles west of Big Bear City) for a weekend of cool mountain
temperatures and ATV riding on one of the many trails this area
has to offer. It was truly an experience worthy to pass onto ATV
and ranch enthusiasts.
 |
| Patrick "Star"
Moore |
Cactus Flats was the riding area we went to just
a few miles south of Big Bear on the 18 freeway. It was a mountainous
area with trees everywhere.
These are well maintained and clean trails well
marked with signs. Even so, you still want to keep track of where
you drive with GPS or good pilotage.
Trails are marked with signs similar to snow
skiing runs indicating "easy" (green), "more difficult"
(blue), and "most difficult" (black diamond).
Cactus Flats is a good trail for beginners and
even the black diamond trails where nothing compared to those dreaded
black diamond ski trails I experienced on Mt. Hood, Oregon in my
youth.
 |
| Cactus Flats Pinion
Trail |
The scenery was beautiful. Trails weaved side
to side and up and down trough shaded canopies of Pinion trees occasionally
opening up to various scenic vistas of the San Bernardino National
Forest.
Temperatures were comfortable in the mid
80's. We were there on a Thursday and were the only ones on the
trail. The staging area at the entrance of the trail had only one
other family camping out.
 |
| Black Diamond Trail |
Particulars:
Cactus Flats is part of the Big Bear System,
which in total consists of 68 miles (6 miles of motorcycle trails
and 62 miles full-width trails/roads).
LOCATION: San Bernardino National Forest 55 miles
southwest of the ranch.
NEAREST AIRPORT: Big Bear City (L35) seven miles
south.
VEHICLES PERMITTED: Motorcycles and ATV's (50"
wide). If in doubt, maps and trail signs indicate which type of
vehicles are allowed on each trail.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: HWY 18 east from Big Bear
City. Go south on 3N03. Take 3N03 until you reach the staging area.
For more information on offroading in the Big
Bear area visit http://www.bigbear.us/offroad.html
Adam Sutton giving thought to
changing plans...Ron Howes helping fellow aviator...Carolyn
Rehbein splishing and splashing the summer away...Frank
Owsley opting for size despite gas prices...Cindy
Straily dancing with the stars... |
