Cougar Butte

February 20th 2015

Description

This is a weekend camping trip to Cougar Butte in Lucerne Valley but can easily be joined as a day run on Saturday.

Saturday we will do Chicken Rock, Bullfrog and Cakewalk plus a few extra sections.  Lots of rocks to go up, down and/or around.  You can make it as easy or tough as you want.  Plenty of challenging obstacles.  No steep hills but a few places to make you feel a little uncomfortable.  One of the obstacles is named Jeep Eater.

Sunday we will explore other trails there in the morning and break camp after lunch

We will be camping on the North side of Cougar Butte.  I plan to get to camp (34 29 02.57N 116 49 21.43W) around 4:00pm.  I can rendezous with people at the KMart/Food4Less parking lot on Bear Valley Rd 7.7 miles from the 15 at 3:00pm.  Gas up anywhere along Bear Valley Rd.  There is an Arco and CircleK at the Rendevous point.  If you are going directly to the campsite the last gas is a 7 Eleven at Navajo Rd.  RVs should be able to get to the campsite or at least very close to it.  It is sandy and could be rutted.

For those making it a day trip, gas up any where along Bear Valley Rd.  The last gas is a 7-Eleven approximately 9 miles from the 15.

Tow vehicles can be left at the campsite or near the Chicken Rock trailhead (N34 29.060 W116 49.148).  We will leave the trailhead at 0900. 

Make sure you let me know where we are meeting and/or whether you coming just for the day.  If I don't know you are coming I will not wait for you.  I have both CB (ch.4) and HAM (146.550MHz).  I am not sure if there is phone service out there.

For those camping:  this is dry camping and bring firewood.

 

Run Checklist

Always Required

  • HAM Radio on 146.550 MHz
  • Full-Sized Spare Tire
  • Seat Belts
  • First Aid Kit
  • Fire Extinguisher
  • Battery Tiedown
  • Working Brakes
  • Tow Straps
  • Tow Points

Run Requirements

  • 33+ Sized Tire
  • 3+ Suspension Lift
  • 4LO Transfer Case
  • Roll Cage
  • Camping Supplies

Run Recommendations

  • Front Axle Locker
  • Rear Axle Locker

Trail Rating

Trail Rating 3

Difficulty Level: 3

Trail Rating 1 Graded road; Any 4x4 vehicle or higher clearance 2x4 vehicle with no other modifications
Trail Rating 2 Road rarely maintained; 4x4 with no low bumpers. Anti-sway bar disconnects recommended. Minimum 30" tires and some off-road experience is helpful
Trail Rating 3 Difficult terrain and road rarely maintained; 33" tires, Suspension lift, Off-road driving experience, body armor and Rear locker recommended. Stock vehicles will likely take damage
Trail Rating 4 Very difficult terrain, road never maintained; 33" tires, sway-bar disconnects, Rear locker, and Rock sliders required. 35" tires, front locker, Full cage, and 4:1 transfer-case recommended. Chance of mechanical failure and body damage
Trail Rating 5 Extremely difficult terrain with large obstacles and roll over potential; Full cage required, 37" tires strongly recommended. Good chance of mechanical failure and strong chance of body damage

Location

Rendezvous @ kMart/Food4Less parking lot

15 N to right on Bear Valley Rd (gas up anywhere along Bear Valley Rd).  Last gas is a 7-Eleven at Navajo Rd about 9 miles from the 15.  Friday 3:00 pm rendevous at KMart/Food4Less parking lot 7.7 miles from the 15

Right on 18E (12.75 miles from the 15)

Left on Rabbit Springs Rd (7.2 miles from Bear Valley Rd) at approximately 2.3 miles there is a left and quick right turn to stay on Rabbit Springs Rd

Left on Camp Rock Rd (approximately 6.25 miles from left and quick right)

2 miles to:

Right on Cambria (street sign say Cambria, Google calls it Astral) turns into Granite Rd. continue about 2.1 miles to campsite on the right close to the Butte.

Participants

There are currently 9 of 12 slots filled.

  • TRAIL BOSS
  • HAM: KJ6ZTO

X Man

Meeting @ Rendevous

0 passengers, 0 extra seats

Not available to Guests...

  • HAM: kk6dcz

DesertGuy

Meeting @ Trail Head

0 passengers, 0 extra seats

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  • HAM: N/A

MADGAS

Meeting @ Rendevous

0 passengers, 0 extra seats

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  • HAM: N/A

Pirate

Meeting @ Trail Head

0 passengers, 1 extra seats

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  • HAM: N/A

Rattlesnake

Meeting @ Trail Head

1 passengers, 0 extra seats

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  • HAM: N/A

sc

Meeting @ Rendevous

0 passengers, 0 extra seats

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  • HAM: KM6CAD

Slim Jimmy

Meeting @ Rendevous

1 passengers, 0 extra seats

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  • HAM: N/A

Guest

Meeting @ Trail Head

1 passengers, 0 extra seats

Not available to Guests...

  • HAM: N/A

Guest

Meeting @ Rendevous

0 passengers, 0 extra seats

Not available to Guests...