21st Annual Mojave Trail Ride
Afton Canyon to Laughlin, Nevada
March 30th - April 6th, 2007

Every year, the NMP hosts a 6 day, 140 mile trail ride across the beautiful Mojave desert. We invite you to join us; Ride the day, sleep under the stars at night. Each day provides the rider with endless scenery, relaxation, camaraderie, and a different campsite each night. If you enjoy horses and camping, this event is for YOU!

Downloads:  Application  Route Map #1  Route Map #2

Questions? Want to sign up? Call right now! 951-273-0603

Routing (  the 2007 information packet)

Saturday March 31st Barker California
Elev. 14.324; N35o  W116o  03.009

All riders will meet at this camp to caravan to Laughlin. Transportation will be provided back to Baker. There will be a get-acquainted time and an evening meal. Followed by a short meeting.

Day 1 - Sunday - April 1st Baker camp to Willow Wash Corrals
Elev. 1004 to 3273    ( 18 Miles )

Day 2 - Camp  Willow Wash Corrals to Bud Smith's Ranch
Elev. 3273 to 5001  N35o.10.48 W115.46.53   ( 23 Miles )

This day is an easy ride on the old Mojave Trail.  Marle Springs was an old stage stop due to the water source. It was also the site of an old ranch. On the hill above the springs are petroglyphs. Marle Springs was obviously used for centuries by the Indians.

The route crosses over the road to Kelso and merges with Cedar Canyon Road . We will be in Cedar and  Pinion trees with all sorts of cactus.  Bud Smith's ranch is at 5000 feet and is nestled into Cedar trees.               

Day 3 -  Bud Smith's Ranch  April 3rd
Elev. 3273 - 5001 - N35.09.70 W115.21.87

Today you can either rest in camp or take a short ride, there are many interesting places in the area .We will take those that wish to ride in the area  and explore around the Pinto Hills .                                     

Day 4  - Bud Smith's to  Lanfair Valley  April 4th
Elev. 5001-4057 - N35.07.87 W115.10.94

Day 5 - Lanfair Valley to Big Rocks  April 5th
Elev. 4057 - 2487 N35.06.03 W114.46.46   (23 miles )

We will follow the Mojave road from Lanfair Valley to the Piute Mountain. The route through Piute Canyon was a wagon route built in 1867 by the US Army to protect the stage route. There are remains of old stone building down at the bottom of Piute Canyon. Many prtroglyphs are in the area We eventually ride south of the Mojave road and will pass by tracks left by General Patten as he trained the troops at Camp ibis for WW II.  The route crosses Highway 95 and continues up the cable road to camp.

Day 6 - Big Rocks  to Avi Resort  April 6th
Elev. 2568 - 497 N35.02.22 W114.38.11  ( 15 miles )

Saturday April 7  - Avi Casino to Home

It's more than a ride! Meals, gifts, snacks, photo packages, poker hands, 50/50 drawing, and more fun than can be described on a website

Complete packets include maps, photos, information on the entire route and each stop, meals, photo information, rules, and very important health and welfare checklists for horse and rider. Call or email today!

Rider information (excerpts from the 2007 rules and information package)

1. If you are transporting a rig and caravanning to the end of the ride, you must be at the Baker camp and register by 8am on  Saturday. You must be ready to leave camp promptly at 9am to caravan to Laughlin. Please note that although staff will be on site throughout the week, we are not responsible for your vehicle or its contents. The bus for the return trip will leave from the front of Avi Casino.

2. You will be provided with a hot breakfast, sack lunch (which YOU will make before and during breakfast), and dinner each day. Snake and the crew have lunch and dinner for us on Friday but the first "official" meal will be served on Saturday night, and the last on Friday morning. You should check the times of all meals and feeding times on the bulletin board posted on the Goodie Wagon. It is YOUR responsibility to get up and be on time for meals and feeding your horses!

3. There will be a goodie wagon in camp and also at most lunch stops. They also stop at breaks when they are able to get into the site. There have be, pop, water.

4. We feed alfalfa hay and 4-way grain. Salt is available. Feed is provided twice a day for your horse. You feed your own horse, we just supply the feed.  " We all feed at the same time ".

5. Each morning you must repack your gear and take it to the baggage truck for loading before the ride leaves camp. Bags are limited to 50 pounds each and should be enclosed in strong waterproof bags. Please be aware that the volunteer crew does everything to help you have a great time. Lifting 500 pound bags should not be one of their duties. They are volunteers - not slaves!

6. Horses must be shod, front and rear. Shoes are required! if you show up with no shoes on your horse,  at least have boots to put on them when we ride in the rocks. Pads are strongly recommended. The route has very rocky portions. A Ferrier will be along on the ride for EMERGENCY REPAIRS ONLY. It would be a good idea to have your horse shod one or two weeks prior to the ride so his shoes are not too new or so they become loose.

7. A blanket for your horse is  needed the nights can be especially cool for a tired, stressed horse. They are tied to a picket line, stressed by being with strange horses, and they can't move around to keep warm. If you take care of him, he'll take care of you!

8,. Saddles are required - no bareback pads

9. Riders are responsible for the care of their horses if pulled from the ride.

10. There will be two groups of riders - a "gaited" ride, with a pace of about 5-6mph and a "cruiser" ride, with a pace of about 3.5mph. The gaited group will leave 15 minutes before the non-gaited group.

11. Be on time and ready to ride! Stay behind the trail boss and in front of the drag rider. This is NOT an endurance ride, it is a PLEASURE ride.

12. NEVER AT ANY TIME throw trash of any kind on the trails! Pack out all trash.

13. Picket lines will be available at night. Be sure to bring a stout halter and a tie rope.

14. If your horse kicks, put a red ribbon on its tail. Do not follow any horse too closely.

15. When on the trail, questions should be brought to the trail boss. These people are there to help you on the trail .

16. During the ride, if you cannot abide by the rules of the ride, you will be asked to leave. There will be no refunds.

17. If you have medication that needs to be refrigerated, please notify the ride chairperson.

JOIN US!

Tons of additional information is available, feel free to contact the ride chairpersons at the numbers listed below

CHAIR WOMEN OF THE MOJAVE TRAIL RIDE

Josie Wright  951-273-0603

Pam Barber  760-257-3224