After a messy breakup about a year ago, my brother Joel has rebounded and has found the love of his life. Good for him...time for a celebration of sorts.
Joel, along with my other brothers Brian and Seth, lives in northern Utah. This makes it tough to meet up and hang out. Fortunately, there's a great place to meet and play in the St. George area in southern Utah. St. George-area mountain bike trails rival (and some would say exceed) those of more-famous Moab.
Where am I going with this? This weekend, we're planning to meet up and go for a ride. A bachelor party, of sorts.
I mentioned this to Phil, and he told me the way he used to get across the eastern Mojave on the way to I-15, the main artery between SoCal and Utah.
Phil used to live in Yucca Valley, and it made no sense to go west to I-15 and go through Cajon Pass. That would've been backtracking.
Here's Phil's route: Yucca Valley to Twentynine Palms on Highway 62. Once in Twentynine Palms, take Amboy Road out of town, and wind along until Amboy Road meets old Route 66 at Amboy. Jog east on Route 66 for a short while until you reach Kelbaker Road. Turn north on Kelbaker Road, and follow it past the I-40 crossing. Continue on Kelbaker Road until Kelso. Turn off Kelbaker Road onto Kelso-Cima road. At Cima, stay right and follow the road until it hits a 'T' intersection. Turn left. Follow this road until another 'T' is reached. Turn left at the second T. This puts you on I-15 just before the California/Nevada state line.
I'll be heading out of town this weekend, and even though it will put several extra miles on my journey, I think the adventure will be worth it. I'm leaving from Whittier, so the fastest route for me is usually straight up I-15 through Cajon Pass.
Most of the time, I leave the camera at home on non-work road trips but I think I'll make an exception this time.