Back in the late 1800s through the early 1900s, massive machines known as Traction Engines were purchased by mining companies and employed to replace the 20 Mule Teams they had been using, to haul borax and other precious minerals across the Mojave Desert.
Cheaper than establishing a rail line but far from as reliable as the mules they were trying to replace, Traction Engines still needed a graded road to operate and many of these still exist today. Some have become designated highways such as Daylight Pass, most are inaccessible due them residing within Wilderness Areas but a few can still be travel on and look very much as they had over 100 years ago.
Needless to say, that's what Cindy and I did the other day and in our brand new and still very much stock, Jeep Gladiator. Although, I have to say that we wish we had done this in one of our more capable Jeeps due to all the deep ruts and damage that the trail suffered from the big storms last year. While we were able to make it just fine, the drive was very rough and slow going. Anyway, here are a few pics that we took from our trip.
Here we go! Out on the traction road and ready to have fun!
With the exception of a few smooth sections, most of the way up to the pass looked a lot like this - just rubbly, cut up and slow going.
Cresting the pass.
Super impressive views of the valley below as the canyon opened up.
Making a stop to check out some trash.
Specifically, historic trash like bottles and tins like this. It's always a sure sign that you're following a historic route.
Here you can still see the key that would have been provided to help open the can as well as lead solder on the base of it, as that's what would have been used to seal it up.
Of course, can were created before the kind of can openers that we are familiar with today and so, back then, most were opened up any way they could.
On the move of again, we traversed mile after mile of terrain that looked a lot like this - simply beautiful!
Did I mention how many deep ruts and cutouts we had to drag ourselves over?
Close to where the trail dead ends at a Wilderness Area, we made a stop to check out this old windmill and coral.
Last but not least, we pulled into one of our favorite dusty watering holes for drinks and some dinner, The Idle Spur.
To a great day - CHEERS!
I should say, there were signs everywhere that let you know you're in the right place
Nom, nom, nom!!
Hope you enjoyed our little escape from winter as well as the historic route we took to do it
Cheaper than establishing a rail line but far from as reliable as the mules they were trying to replace, Traction Engines still needed a graded road to operate and many of these still exist today. Some have become designated highways such as Daylight Pass, most are inaccessible due them residing within Wilderness Areas but a few can still be travel on and look very much as they had over 100 years ago.
Needless to say, that's what Cindy and I did the other day and in our brand new and still very much stock, Jeep Gladiator. Although, I have to say that we wish we had done this in one of our more capable Jeeps due to all the deep ruts and damage that the trail suffered from the big storms last year. While we were able to make it just fine, the drive was very rough and slow going. Anyway, here are a few pics that we took from our trip.
Here we go! Out on the traction road and ready to have fun!
With the exception of a few smooth sections, most of the way up to the pass looked a lot like this - just rubbly, cut up and slow going.
Cresting the pass.
Super impressive views of the valley below as the canyon opened up.
Making a stop to check out some trash.
Specifically, historic trash like bottles and tins like this. It's always a sure sign that you're following a historic route.
Here you can still see the key that would have been provided to help open the can as well as lead solder on the base of it, as that's what would have been used to seal it up.
Of course, can were created before the kind of can openers that we are familiar with today and so, back then, most were opened up any way they could.
On the move of again, we traversed mile after mile of terrain that looked a lot like this - simply beautiful!
Did I mention how many deep ruts and cutouts we had to drag ourselves over?
Close to where the trail dead ends at a Wilderness Area, we made a stop to check out this old windmill and coral.
Last but not least, we pulled into one of our favorite dusty watering holes for drinks and some dinner, The Idle Spur.
To a great day - CHEERS!
I should say, there were signs everywhere that let you know you're in the right place
Nom, nom, nom!!
Hope you enjoyed our little escape from winter as well as the historic route we took to do it
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