Anyone done Black Canyon in Barstow?

Fjamming · 08-02-2007, 12:09 PM

Has anyone done this one? Looks like a fun ride from the Desert Trail book that I got. 35 miles of dirt and hills. It's suppose to be quite scenic. Thinking about doing it this weekend.

Photo op!

**jeshua** · 08-02-2007, 12:15 PM

I not sure but I have done some stuff out there at night waiting for the MDR races to start the next day. Were about is this one?

Fjamming · 08-02-2007, 01:20 PM

You can either start at Copper City Road and Irwin road or run it backwards and run it from Starbright trail.

From Trails.com

Quote:

Black Canyon Road
Preview: Black Canyon Road has a number of interesting features spread along its length. It can be combined with Starbright Trail to create a full day’s excursion from Barstow. The graded dirt Indian Spring Road can be used as a fast entry point to the northern end of the trail. The trail leaves Goldstone Road and heads west, crossing the dry lakebed of Superior Lake. The lake is often used for land yachts. Its perfectly flat, smooth surface makes for ideal conditions when dry. Land yachting is not exactly new to the desert; it has been enjoyed since the turn of the twentieth century. In wet weather, the lakebed quickly turns to mire and should be avoided. The trail leads across the lake, intersecting with other trails in the middle. Please remain on the main route and travel in a straight line from shore to shore. Motorized vehicle use off the designated trail line is not permitted. The trail is faint, so it helps to set the coordinates of the exit point into your GPS unit to use as a GoTo point. Special Attractions: Land sailing on the dry bed of Superior Lake; Numerous petroglyphs in Inscription Canyon and Black Canyon; Rockhounding for opal and jasper at Opal Mountain; Can be combined with Starbright Trail to form a loop from Barstow; Birding at Harper Dry Lake. High-clearance 4WDs are preferred, but any high-clearance vehicle is acceptable. Expect a rough road surface; mud and sand are possible but will be easily passable. You may encounter rocks up to 6 inches in diameter, a loose road surface, and shelf roads, though these will be wide enough for passing or will have adequate pull-offs.

Starbright Trail
Preview: This trail takes a circuitous route through the mountains and hills north of Barstow, twisting through the hills to finish near the boundary of the military reservation. Along the way, the trail travels past mining remains, along dry washes, on ridge tops that offer panoramic views of the sweeping Superior Valley, and past the dry beds of Coyote and Superior Lakes. Navigation is very difficult along the trail. The trails are typically small, formed, and unmarked. Intersections are often confusing. A GPS unit will be invaluable here. A short time putting the route coordinates in will make navigation through the maze of unmarked trails much easier. Special Attractions: Remains of the Starbright Mine; Views of the Superior Valley; Trail ends close to the site of Goldstone; Can be combined with Black Canyon Road to form a loop from Barstow. High-clearance 4WDs are preferred, but any high-clearance vehicle is acceptable. Expect a rough road surface; mud and sand are possible but will be easily passable. You may encounter rocks up to 6 inches in diameter, a loose road surface, and shelf roads, though these will be wide enough for passing or will have adequate pull-offs.

Some pics of Black Canyon Road:

I got interested in this trail while reading California Trails Desert Region by Peter Massey, Jeanne Wilson, and Angela Titus

***uphill*** · 08-02-2007, 01:24 PM

If you arrange a group run later in the year (maybe as late as September when Cleghorn and the SBDO forrest is closed due to fire danger) I'd really like to tag along!

Fjamming · 08-02-2007, 01:47 PM

Sounds good Larry. I'll call this a prerun

I know there are some side trails and even one with a waterhole. If it's good enough, we can setup a group run.

RicoVerde · 08-02-2007, 03:36 PM

Tony,

Are you thinking Sat or Sun?

We could make it on Sunday

fjessence · 08-02-2007, 04:19 PM

i would be down for sunday as well! im down to do some explorin

Fjamming · 08-02-2007, 04:24 PM

The plan is for Saturday... I got Sunday locked up for something else already. I honestly have no idea how this run will be. The book has a lot of coordinates, but I don't have a GPS. I hope I don't get lost!

mattmainster · 08-02-2007, 04:42 PM

Barstow is a great area. I've done almost every trail out there on dirtbike, but never in a 4x4. I will be out of town this weekend (Vegas) but just a recommendation, start at Copper City Road. The area is very scenic and you won't be disappointed. Barstow is also a cool area to camp except they blocked off my favorite area to 'let the plants grow back'. (I've never seen even a place for plants to grow in that spot). Oh well. I'm looking forward to a great post-run follow up and pictures. Have fun!

RicoVerde · 08-02-2007, 05:18 PM

Tony,

Check out Microsoft Streets and Trips 2007. $100 turns your laptop into a GPS with all the bells and whistles of a navagation system at a fraction of the cost.

Not great for driving on your own, can't exactly put your laptop on the dash, but great in an emergency or with a co-driver.

I have a garmin nuvi 660 that is great, spendy, but great until it just decided to stop finding sattelites a couple of weeks ago. I may get the Streets and Trips just as a backup.