Join Us Today!

Two winter storms pounded their way across Southern California and most sane people stayed home getting ready for the Super Bowl.  But, the Southern California Tacoma Club had a run planned and though most would stay home, warm and dry, a few didn’t and took a chance that it would all work out despite the terrible weather and surprisingly it did!

Friday it was raining and traffic was thick while Jeremy with family friend Travis, and Dennis made their way out of the urban sprawl heading north on Interstate 15. To their surprise as they came over Cajon Summit, there was no rain and they could see blue skies for miles.  They headed for the Calico Hills, set up camp, got a fire going and relaxed, amazed that they could see the stars and laughing about those who’d backed out of the run because of the weather. We had the whole place nearly to ourselves with the only other campers around over by Doran road. How lucky we were!

About four in the morning the rain started and got worse! By morning camp was a muddy, sloppy mess, wet and cold! Rain water had made Mule Canyon into a river when the ever dedicated Sal arrived.  We stood in the protection of the EZ-Up and talked. We contemplated packing up and leaving but just then the skies began to clear so we decided to run some of the easier trails.  We went out to Tin Can Alley, across to the Bismark Mine and then as conditions continued to improve, Philips Canyon.  All went well and by then it was late afternoon. Jeremy took his dirt bike for a spin. Sal decided to head home.  Travis waited patiently for us to decide what to do next!

Dennis and Jeremy decided to run Doran!

Doran, a Calico favorite, was somewhat rearranged from the water and a lot of fun. New rocks in places where none had been before and higher falls made for a good time. Near the top of the trail the rain started again and increased steadily as we exited via Philips which was now full of water. Wheeling became more like boating but it was  a lot of fun! We caught up with the flow in Mule Canyon near Ghost Town  Road on the way to grab a burrito. It was an amazing experience!

Again the skies cleared and returning to camp and a wind destroyed EZ-Up, a camp fire was started and the sky was again nothing but stars.  We had had more fun than ever and again we laughed about those who’d missed it on account of a little rain! It was a perfect end to an oddly perfect day!  Eventually it was time to turn in and then in the morning with the sun shining, Jeremy took one last run on his bike and then we packed up camp and headed home.

It was occasionally wet, muddy and cold, but it was also beautiful and very different, a great trip that made Calico, a place we’ve been many times, new again!  Jeremy noted how the rain seemed to wash off the mineral laden and colorful hills in Calico and made them even more vibrant. We all agreed that maybe we’d only do runs in Calico when it was raining for here forward! A perfect weekend!

Click here for pictures!

We started the year off the way we finished the last, with a trip to Yucca Valley to enjoy some easy times on the trails and some relaxation at Sal’s place.  Cool weather and great fun made for a good day.

We met up in them morning and started east, meandering here and there to look at various trails and views before making a run toward the Copper Mountain area near Joshua Tree.  We took it slow and easy. We got to the Sand Hill, north of Coyote Dry Lake and watched ATVs and bikes make the climb. Juan and Sal took a stab at it as well while Juan’s dog tried to dig pits to get Dennis’s truck stuck! We went to the look out north of the lake bed and were rewarded with a wonderful sunset across the San Bernardinos.  A quick night run back to Sal’s brought us to a nice fire and relaxation!

Eventually folks headed home and SCTC started the year off with a nice time in Yucca Valley.  We’ve a lot to which to look forward for the year.

For pictures, click here!

12/06/09 – The Southern California Tacoma Club had its final planned run for 2009 in Yucca Valley at the home of one of our members, Sal Pena. Members and guests stayed in the house and camped on his property from which there is easy access to a large system of trails.

The trails run all over the desert and we headed on this complex maze, to Johnson Valley and back with Sal as out guide! We made stops to see the Giant Rock and to do a little shooting (OK and to get a rig unstuck). It was a fun day, with plenty of stops to pay in the sand and on rocky hills.

At night everyone gathered around the fire pit in Sal’s back yard to keep warm and to cook. It was very relaxing and as always there was a lot of joking around for a good time. A few took off for some night wheeling fun, running the wash behind Sal’s and even going back out to Johnson Valley just tee see what was going on in the dark out there.

It was a terrific way to end the year for the club and thank you to Sal and Julia for being excellent hosts! We had a terrific time!!

As we look into 2010 the Southern California Tacoma Club is well into scheduling is runs and events for the year. We are completing 2009 by adding several new member and hope to have more, and to do more in 2010. We welcome guests on our runs and hope to see you on the trail.

Pictures for the Yucca Valley Year End Romp can be seen by clicking here.