Alone in the Arizona Desert

[GerryL]

Nice photos! What camera?
And what's the story with the hole in the ground?

[chibbert]

Great report - wonderful imagery. Thanks for posting.

[dave6253]

Originally Posted by GerryL

Nice photos! What camera?
And what's the story with the hole in the ground?

Thanks for the comments everyone.

Gerry, I'm shooting with two cameras, a beat up Panasonic TZ5 PnS, and my first DSLR a Pentax K7. I'm post-processing with Lightroom.

The hole in the ground is a mine shaft. They are all over the Southwest. I was near a large spread out mining operation and was probably on their private property.

[pdedse]

I lived in AZ for 9 years and just a couple of times did it get so green as what I see in your photos, which are outstanding.

[memomemo]

Great photos Dave. And your beast is also looking great with knobbies..

I want to ride US one day. But it is a big project for a Turkish man, Maybe one day..


Drive safe buddy..

[metalmaster]

Excellent pics, looks like fun.

[Jim87vette]

Nice shots..how chilly did it get at night?We have those mine shafts all wround my place as well.Gotta watch out for them as some could easily swallow up a bike and rider whole!

[MotoBoss]

I'm super envious of your camera skills. I still use a Polaroid Sure Shot pullout!!

[dave6253]

I get an early start and head south on Harquahala Road.


Past Mines


I couldn't escape this guy all day.




With above average rain this winter the desert is very green.


I jump onto the I-10 and head west.




After a short jaunt on the freeway I jump off at exit 45.


Most Arizonans don't head to the Southwest corner of our state for the scenery. So why am I here? Kofa.

[Bob]

Looks like another great report!

[dave6253]

Kofa National Wildlife Refuge
I've seen photos of the place and know I want to see it for myself. After researching online I found out the refuge is large and is covered by gravel roads. Almost all are recommended for 4x4s.

After fueling up at the truck stop off exit 45, I ride south down the gravel roads. According to Bing and Google Maps my planned route will take me 78 miles of very rough country before being back on asphalt and 113 miles before fuel in Quartzsite, AZ. (Of course, this assumes I don't get lost.)



Looking to my right at the Kofa Mountains I can assure you I was more than a little apprehensive. There are a couple passes, which I'm not sure will be passable. Also the roads travel through many washes. With all of the rain recently I'm not sure if they will be passable. I plan to take it easy and will turn around if I have to. I have 3 days, If needed. The area is remote. It is Saturday though and I expect to see a few 4x4s on the trail.


With adrenaline pumping I head into the desert. I try to push aside the questions running around in my head. What if the washes are really flooded? What if I break down, or worse, get injured? I'm sure these roads have been ridden before, but has anyone else been dumb enough to try it with a heavily laden big bike?


Kofa NWR
What's in a name? Kofa sounds exotic. An internet search reveals the King of Arizona Mine is located in the mountains here. The mine was called KofA for short. The locals began referring to the entire area as KofA. So, here we are today. A modern motorcyclist dreams of exploring an area with an exotic name, that's really just an acronym for an old gold mine.

[Tompound]

[dave6253]

On the first part of the journey


I was looking at all the life


There were plants and birds and rocks and things


There was sand and hills and rings


The first thing I met was a fly with a buzz


And the sky with no clouds


The heat was hot and the ground was dry


But the air was full of sound


I've been through the desert on a horse with no name


It felt good to be out of the rain


In the desert you can remember your name


'Cause there ain't no one for to give you no pain


La, la, la, la, la, la, la.....


"Horse with No Name" Lyrics by America


There were some steeps, but nothing really difficult. I had a few near crashes when the loose rocks decided to redirect me onto a less than ideal line.

[dave6253]

Originally Posted by Jim87vette

how chilly did it get at night?

80s during the day. 50s were forecast at night, but I woke up with frost on the bike on the 3rd morning. Brrr!

[Guy Fawkes]

Now you are just making me miss Arizona.

great Post, keep it coming.