Exploring California's Highway 62 - The Most Desolate Highway in California
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- Опубликовано: 31 май 2024
- California State Route 62 travels about 150 miles from Interstate 10 near Palm Springs, through the towns of Morongo Valley, Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree, and Twentynine Palms before heading through the Mojave Desert and ending at the Colorado River and Arizona border. Millions of people drive this highway every year, coming from Southern California's major cities to get to Joshua Tree National Park and the Twentynine Palms Marine Base. But the eastern 100 miles of the highway sees little traffic.
Highway 62 east of Twentynine Palms has been called the most desolate highway in California. It travels over 100 miles through the desert with very little signs of civilization, and virtually no signs of current civilization. There are absolutely no services for 100 miles. But desolate doesn't mean empty, and there is quite a bit to see along the highway.
The highway is filed with amazing desert scenery, World War 2 history, and strange art projects and in this video we drive its entire length and take a look at what there is to see on California's Most Desolate Highway.
We did a full video on Camp Iron Mountain previously, and you can find that here: • Camp Iron Mountain - A...
Chapters
00:00 Intro to Highway 62
02:26 Sheephole Valley Wilderness
03:46 Camp Granite & Camp Iron Mountain
05:41 Freda, California
06:55 The Rice Shoe Tree
08:38 Rice Army Airfield
09:54 Reaching Vidal Junction and the Colorado River
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I’ve been driving this road from Joshua Tree to Tucson and back every year since 2016. What’s really cool is to pull over on the side of the road at night far from any civilization and turn off the engine and the car lights. On a clear night the sky and the total silence and remoteness is really amazing and unlike anywhere I’ve ever experienced.
what is the speed limit on this highway? Any cops to worry about?????
❤️
I bet u c millions of stars!
I've been to Monument Valley, at night the whole sky is filled with stars and a silence that's awesome 😊
@@chadhaire1711 The default speed limit on any 2 lane undivided highway in California is 55mph, even without signage.
Here's the thing: This road is in the CHP jurisdiction. The 100 mile stretch belongs to the CHP Needles office 80 miles to the north on 95. The needles office has I-40 and US-95 to worry about.
If there's a serious accident on that road, they'll likely respond. But as far as running speed enforcement? You do the math on if that's worth their time.
I lived just to the right of the '100 Miles' sign! Used to drive 62 all the time to visit my mom in Phoenix. Weird to say, I always enjoyed that stretch out in the desert - but I always checked the gas gauge and the weather forecast. Enjoy all your videos. Keep up the great work!
I use it quite a bit to visit my family in the high desert while traveling from Phoenix. Probably passed your house more than a dozen times over the past 15 years. Small world.
My wife & I spent our honeymoon at Palm Springs, the Tram, Joshua Tree Park, 29 Palms, Desert Hot Springs. In the 1980s there was an earthquake in the Hwy 62 area.
There's a wash just east of the 177/62 intersection that always floods dirt and rocks onto the road if a storm hits the area. It's been improved recently but there's only so much that can be done for road built at grade level. The highway dept. is pretty good at cleaning it up but the highway can be closed for a while.
what is the speed limit? If I drive 100 mph any cops to worry about???????????????
@@chadhaire1711 Mostly 65mph, 55 when closer to Parker where it's more narrow. As far as enforcement it's there but mostly during peak times. I set the cruise to 72mph and I've never been stopped.
I've had a soft spot in my heart for Rice since May 1967. My grandpa died at age 85 in Oracle, AZ on May 14, 1967...Mother's Day...and by the 17th my mother and I headed out from the SF Bay Area to go help Grandma. This was before I-10 was complete and we had always taken Hwy 62 as part of the trip down to Arizona. We had a very nice 55 Chevy 210 with a Power Pack 283 from a 58 Chev. Beautiful car, very frisky with the upgraded 283 (and thanks to my late brother Tom for doing an excellent rebuild!). The generator froze as we approached Rice, and there was a nice young guy, perhaps 25-30 years old building that gas station by himself. I think there were one or two houses around, but he was the only person we saw. This fellow didn't have any parts, but made a suggestion that we put oil in the bearings (the generators of this vintage had spring-loaded caps that you could add a few drops of oil into to keep them lubed). He didn't have any oil, but suggested a trick that I've used dozens of time since--pull out the dipstick and let a few drops of oil drip off of it...but the bearings were too far gone and it wouldn't unstick. What to do? I think my mother came up with the idea...take off the fan belt, start the car, accelerate up to 70 or so, take it out of gear and then coast with the engine off. Once it got down to about 10 MPH, push in the clutch, turn on the ignition, let out the clutch, reaccelerate again and repeat as necessary. Each cycle would get us about a mile and we made it to Parker in good order. The Chevrolet dealer was closed for the day so we stayed overnight in a very modest 20's to 30's vintage motor court, and Parker Chevrolet took care of switching out the generator the next morning. The mechanic there talked my mother into refilling the radiator with antifreeze...said it was a new thing that was becoming popular. It took some jawboning on his part but she finally agreed to the extra $3.00 and the rest of the trip we had no problems. When we finally got back home Dad was incredulous that she had allowed such a thing--everyone knows you only use antifreeze in the winter! Back then he would drain out the antifreeze each spring and refill with water and water pump lube, about a pint of white liquid. Now its unthinkable not to keep antifreeze in all the time. I didn't get back to Rice until decades later and by that time the gas station was in ruins but still had the building standing. I love that area and can't wait to get back again. I'll always remember the nice young guy that did his best to help and the clever solution to getting back to civilization. I took my two youngest daughters there on road trips and they know the story by heart. While we were poking around the desert in the area I found a mangled hood from a 39 Ford out in a field but the hood release with the Ford V8 emblem was intact. Yup, still have it. Thanks for putting Rice back on the map!
Wife and I drove this stretch westbound in 2009. Route we took from Virginia is as follows: Route 11 to Vicksburg Mississippi. Route 80 from there to Dallas Ft. Worth. Route 180 from there to Seminole, Texas. Route 62 to Carlsbad NM. Route 285 up to Roswell. Route 70 out of Roswell to Las Cruces. Interstate 10 to Deming. Route 180 to Silver City. 90 to Route 70. Route 70 to Globe, AZ. Route 60 from there through Phoenix to Hope. 72 from Hope to 95 and then to Parker. Cross the Colorado river and took 62 to 29 Palms. From there to my Mom's place in LA. Very cool trip!
I was born and raised in Pasadena Ca (just east of LA). In 1969 while in High School, we 'found' the Colorado River (Crazy Horse Campground, Big Bend, Cat Tail Cove, 'wet teeshirt contests', etc). As teenagers we drove this road many times getting to 'the River'. I have not seen the road for many, many years, and tho the desert has not changed much, everything else has (I can't believe that the Rice gas station was 'new' when we drove past it and now it is long gone). Thanks for the memories.
John Embree
Go PHS! ! !
Owned a trailer just south of Vidal, Ca at Lost Lake. Drove that road weekly in the 1970's. Love the beauty of that area. Great Job, Steve.
I think it is nice that the locations of the important WWII training bases are memorialized with the stone markers. Thanks for taking us to such interesting places.
Old time desert dweller, here. I had relatives that lived in 29 Stumps since the old days. I remember, in the early 60's, the numerous huge dips on Hwy 62 as it headed north from I-10 towards Morongo pass. Over the years it was re-aligned, but you could still see the old "dip" road off to the side. I think your videos are excellent, and I'd love to see an Episode about Berdoo Canyon, off of Dillon Road. It's been years since I've been able to get over that way. Keep up the good work!
Grew up in 29 Palms. Father was a retired Marine. Driven that stretch of road many times. From Phoenix where I"ve lived for almost 30yrs. Parents passed away and house was sold last year. Drove it last year to pick up some things before it was sold. Probably for the last time.
Sorry for your loss.
@@SidetrackAdventures Thank you. Great video by the way.
How interesting. The concrete marker for camp Rice indicates that the 5th Armored Division trained there. I had a wonderful friend, Marlon "Red" Bingaman, now deceased who was with the 5th Armored from Normandy to the end of the war. He was a tank commander. He was quite a character and had seen a lot of action in WWII. While on a trip to Europe in 2004 he told me of many incidents and places the 5th visited and battles fought. I didn't realize the unit trained at camp Rice. I have been to the Patton tank museum at Chiriaco Summit in the California desert. 'Red' was truly part of the Greatest Generation.....
Highly recommend Highway 58 between Santa Margarita and McKittrick. Similarly desolate but with much more varied terrain and environments. Really incredible road
I live along the western portion of the highway in Yucca Valley and love this cruise to the river. I love the beauty of this wide open space! I grew up in L.A. county and we took family trips along the 62 to camp along the river at Parker. Most people think of it as empty and desolate but there is life and amazing topography all around, it's just that few appreciate it. It is our own "Big Sky Country". Thank you for highlighting this special place!
The desert has its own unique beauty.
I take 62 to my parents house in Havasu several times a year and prefer 62 over the interstate. There is a spot about 25 miles outside 29 Palms just before dropping into Rice Valley that on a clear day you can see the road heading down the hill and accross the entire valley. The area of what I call "the underware fence" was a 76 gas station and small motel back in the mid 70's and replaces what was a shoe tree near the old entrance to Rice Field. and the loading ramp next to the tracks.
What is the speed limit and how fast can you go without worrying about traffic cops?
I drive from Wickenburg AZ to San Bernardino occasionally to visit family. Occasionally I take this Hwy for a change of pace. Go in the spring. The desert floor is covered in flowers.
Just drove it today back to Yuma. We loved the drive and now appreciate the history thanks to this video. Beats driving Rt. 10. You don’t have to compete with hundreds of truckers.
9:47 Love that monument placed in 1993 - 5th Armored Division was among the first to land in France and into Europe! Really hard to believe they trained in this forgotten desert.
I live in Eastern Canada and I first visited California and Arizona at the end of December 1978 (from Dec 29th 1978 to Jan 7th 1979). I took an Air Canada flight from Toronto to Los Angeles and rented an Avis car (a brand new yellow 1979 Camaro). I stopped at a convenience store still open in Rice on Dec 30th and bought, among other things, several cans of sweetened Lipton Ice Tea. I returned to Rice via Route 62 in 1998 and there was nothing left, Rice had become a "Ghost Town" ... RICHARD
In the early 1970's we drove from Needles to Blythe. There was an ancient gas station at Vidal, near the railroad tracks. They had the oldest working gas pumps in the United States. The pumps had big glass bowls on top and, as the gas went into your tank, flags inside the bowl would fall over, indicating how much gasoline you had purchased. The building itself was ancient. People at the station said that movie outfits would come out there and use their station as a backdrop. Somewhere near there there was an outfit selling old telegraph pole insulators. They had huge piles of them, along with wheelbarrows to carry wire, and so forth. It's all probably gone now. That was a long, long time ago.
Building is visible still on google maps
I drove the entire stretch today, it won't be the last time I relive a "Sidetrack Adventure"! Great channel!
Back in the 70s we'd take highway 62 to Parker Dam. Once a Corvette passed us doing about 100mph. Several miles up the road where it curves left and follows alongside the river, we saw a ball of fire off to the left in the desert. It was that Corvette... dude rolled and was upside down in a ball of flames.
Back in 2000 or 2001 I had to drive back from Vegas but the pass was closed. I heard about a southern route through the desert and decided to take that. Ended up being 95 to 62 to 10. Took like 10 hours, but made me fall in love with the desert. I grew up in Claremont but didn't really learn how amazing the Mojave is until that trip. The pre-GPS/Google Maps era of exploration just can't be beat.
That video brings back memories when my wife and I drove along Highway 62 about twenty years ago ! we're from the UK and have done lots of road trips throughout the USA and Canada and last month we did a 3500 miles' drive from Denver to San Francisco. The trip was just fabulous. Thanks for your video.
I wound up driving most of Highway 62 unplanned back in 2012, coming home to L.A. after a road trip to Arizona. We had spent the last night in Lake Havasu City, and I guess we were far enough south of I-40 at that point that the GPS routed us south along 95 to the end of the lake at Parker Dam. Usually I map out routes ahead of time when I'm on a trip like this, but this time we just went with the flow, and I was surprised to end up back in California as soon as we did when we took the hairpin turn up and over the dam. It was definitely a part of California that I was unfamiliar with - all the RV parks and old resorts along the west bank of the Colorado river until we met up with 62 near its east end. We followed it west from there until the junction with 177, which took us to Desert Center and I-10. The main thing I remember about 62 was the seemingly endless number of gullies it dipped through on its way through the desert - it felt like a roller coaster ride. I suppose on a larger and more heavily used route like I-10 they'd build bridges across those gullies, but for 62 they probably decided, eh, not worth it.
The Marine Corps liked its rocks lined up AND painted white ! Ask me how I know haha , thanks for another beautiful video , I just love the Desert but I'm 2,000 miles away in Maryland so thanks for bringing it to me Steve .
Great video. Last June I returned from Lone Pine to Phoenix and rode my 400+cc motorcycle on this road. It was amazing. And warm... Very little traffic and the solitude was refreshing. Thanks for showing this highway....
$7.89 a gallon! Reminds me of that gas station on the corner of the road that leads to Yosemite. It had the highest prices I have ever seen.
the bottom of Death Valley is very pricey too 😮
Yeah, I was counting the cars at first but forgot about it after not seeing a car for awhile. For whatever reason it seemed like we wouldn't see a car for awhile, then when I was talking to the camera one would drive by.
Drove this road in February of 23. Took I-10 from Phoenix to Joshua Tree, then decided to take scenic drive on 62 and glad I did. At the time so had no idea how desolate it was until I actually drove it. So awesome to see this video now.
I really appreciate what you do Steve. I love history and the way you do it is awesome. You are one of the very few channels on RUclips that I have notifications turned on.
The custom of people writing their names in rocks along a desert dyke or berm that you document @8:05 is also seen along old US 66 East of Amboy. This custom is peculiar to the California desert. Never seen it anywhere else. You didn't show them, but there used to be dozens, perhaps even hundreds of little square concrete block houses, each on its own five acres of land East of 29 Palms. Most were abandoned the last time I passed through there in the early 1990's. Those were the remains of the "Jackrabbit Homesteads." in 1932 Congress passed a law alowing Americans to "homestead" five acres in certain areas, almost all of which were in the desert. If the "homesteader" built a small dwelling and used the property so many days each year, after 10 years they were given a deed. The idea was to encourage city dwellers to own their own property in the desert. The Jackrabbit Homesteads were enormously popular and new homesteads were added right up to the time Congress repealed the law in 1962. By the 1990's most of the people who homesteaded those little parcels had passed. Their children were scattered to the four winds and many had no interest in desert property. The little homes their parents built so painstakingly were abandoned. I have often wondered if a new generation has foind a use for them.
So that's what all the shacks are out there, good to finally know, thank you. Unfortunately most of them are still rotting in the weather
I always wanted one of them, l was given one,and before I got the chance to do the paperwork he passed away.
I mentioned this in another comment, but the coastal highway 19 on the big island of Hawaii also has miles upon miles of rock graffiti on the roadside, mostly written with white rocks on top of the black lava.
The western half of interstate 80 in Utah that goes through the salt desert has got to be the rock writing capital of the world. There's thousands and thousands of designs, names and messages written in rocks. It goes on for a hundred miles or so.
I hope not. As I said to someone else here, anywhere human beings go, they screw it up.
My parents used to talk about California State Route 62 when they took their vacation to California every year. I can see why they loved it and went there so much.
Hi Steve, Excellent Adventure but one major mistake. Twenty-nine Palms Highway (as we called it) was paved all the way to Parker prior to 1970. I can't remember the exact year but my brother and a friend rode their bicycles from 29 to Parker in summer of 1963 and it was fully paved. Lived in 29 from 1954 to 1965 just 3 blocks from Joshua National Monument Oasis. Prior to 40 Freeway being completed and the paving of Hwy 62 everyone with boats came thru 29 Palms, took Amboy Road over the hill to Route 66 and on to the river.
I so enjoy your videos! The narrative, the history, the filming, the drone footage, and the soft music. I just get in a comfy chair, sit back & watch!
Man I love your videos. You take me back in time. God bless you and your wife. Safe travels ❤👌🙏🇺🇲🥃🪖
Thank you!
Awesome video! My Family had a "desert house" in Yucca Valley, up highway 247, for years when I was a kid. Many great memories back then. But I got much more familiar with the easter portion of Hwy 62 on our frequent trips to Lake Havasu. I love that road, true California desert.
Hi Steve, I really enjoy your videos, including this one. I was recently on 62, between the Junction of US 95 and Parker, AZ. I also just traveled US 93 through Nevada - now THAT'S desolation. IMO the most desolate highway in Northern California is 89/44 between Mt. Shasta (I-5) and Susanville, CA. This route is forested but just as desolate; there was nary a town or even a gas station the whole length of that trip.
Also Highway 96 just south of the Oregon state line, which goes from SR-299 just east of Eureka north and east to I-5 just north of Yreka. Part of it is called the Bigfoot Scenic Byway.
We have driven Hwy 93 2 time a years for the last 5 years. This last time was the busiest. Usually we never see another vehicle between Ely and Pioche. This year it was different almost never by ourselves.
The Rice RD Shoe Tree was actually well East of the old gas station. Yes, it burned down. The 'under wear tree' was known as the Bra & Panty Tree. Recall it was more of a fence line than a tree. It was just East of the gas station remnants. Unfortunately, Rice Rd is known for many bad accidents. In many places the shoulders do not support a vehicle. When traveling to Parker AZ from I-10, Ehrenberg Rd has become the preferred route by many. Many years ago the road from Desert Center to Parker passed thru Hell CA. That road was rerouted and the tiny town of Hell disappeared. South of Vidal Junction is the tiny settlement of Vidal. Wyatt Earp once lived there. The house is still there and it is now a monument.
Steve!
Another great vid! You do know the significance of shoes hanging over wires by the laces? In the US armed forces, that was done to signify "I'm leaving this base/town and never coming back."
There may or may not be a pair of boots in my size hanging on a telephone wire at Ft. Bragg. (there is no way those boots are still there.)
@@SidetrackAdventures thank you for your service, Steve!
that discribed me . i love the wide open desert … and truly being “ in the middle of nowhere “ . i can only hope i can go there again someday soon 😎. thank you again Steve 🙏🏼 your shows are so good to watch as i look at the wet , grey north west 😞
Love it - thank you for producing these videos. I also love lonely, desolate open roads.
My wife and I drove on 62 many times. On our way from 29 Palms to Laughlin Nevada. We enjoyed the views. The desolation is enjoyable because I find serenity to be calming from job related stress.
I set my heart to walk across the US. Started from Ventura, CA. Got to the small town, just before the No Sevices sign. Okay--100 miles. I had a gallon jug of water, a guitar, a little back pack, & a sleeping bag. Made it to the Colorado river. In 2012. I was 68. Made it to NYC, too. Thanks. Made me a citizen.
What memories. Last time I was on that road was an Easter vacation pilgrimage to Parker. That had to be 45 years ago. Thanks Steve!
29! Loved that place. Still have a house less than a mile off 62 and hope to retire in the desert one day.
Great video, Mr. Steve. I live in Riverside County and Hwy 62 is my favorite road to get to Lake Havasu, Oatman, Bullhead and Laughlin. Coming back, I like to go down Route 66 to Amboy to stop at Roy.s Diner. I love roads where I can set the cruise control and look for those points of interest.
I drove a large stretch of this road once with my grandfather while he was a traveling salesman. I remember being in awe by the surroundings, and so entertained by simple things on the side of the highway. We went to all the major retailers for what felt like hundreds of miles. We talked for hours that day and left when it was way dark. The sunset in yucca valley was absolutely gorgeous. At the time it was just a moment, but it was such a great day looking back at it.
Thanks for covering this stretch of highway.
I drove this section for the first time this past
December, and it was wonderfully scenic in
its isolation.
Cheers
My favorite SoCal drive is the length of 62. I used to drive it when I would drive to Albuquerque. Lot of great vistas on that drive.
Exceptional. As a travel documentarian (Cruise industry), I really enjoyed this very professional production of CA-62. You captured nostalgia very well, and let the film be center stage of the story. This was great!
I live in the area. When i was younger me and my buddy did a 2 day off-road adventure on our dirtbikes and while going through the sheephole pass area we found an old mine with cabins and old machinery. We opened the door to the cabin and it looked as if the miners made their beds, got up and left, and never came back. I've been eager to get another dirtbike and go looking for that area again, such a crazy experience. I wonder if anyone else has found it.
The trail to that area was nearly blown over, looked like no one had been there for 10s of years.
Surprised you didn't mention the pumping station at iron mountain where that post was on the side of the road!
I worked at a salt mine east of there off cadiz rd. We lived on site during the work week and came home on the weekends. One of our guys dad was a life long worker at the water pumping station that pumps water to L.A. He invited us to the pumping station for an anniversary. The station is multiple stories tall inside the mountain. Spic and span! The people who work there also live there in homes that are 2-3 bed rooms and they all have familys who grow up there. It's wild! Still like that today.
Places that I would just blow through, you make incredibly interesting. Thanks for another adventure, Steve.
Glad you enjoyed it
I live in Flagstaff Arizona, and have driven to San Bernardino a couple of times taking this interesting route. You are correct, there is very little traffic here. Now I will want to stop to see the Shoe Tree and so forth.
I love a road less traveled, passed on to me by my Dad...I miss you Dad..❤
I love your videos! You have covered the South East section of California so extensively! Thanks!
This past spring I visited both Joshua Tree NP and Death Valley NP. I drove Amboy Rd from 29 Palms up to Amboy, then Kelbaker Rd from there up to Baker, then CA-127 from Baker to Death Valley Junction, and finally 190 into Death Valley. Another very desolate route and I loved it!
Great video!
Thanks for showing this to all of us who can’t make the trip out there. Love the history and the peacefulness of it all. Your delivery is excellent and the background music is chill.
I'm so glad you waited and came out now. It's blooming everywhere around here, and it looks so fabulous! ❤❤
Another excellent presentation. Videography is superb.
Thank you.
Over Labor Day, I was out at Pahrump for an event, and with all the thunderstorms and flooding wiping out roads, and causing delays on the major highways, I took 95 south to Vidal, and headed west. Might have been the only time I have ever seen traffic on that road. I think that was the first time I drove the length of the road, I've driven the Cadiz Rd a few times (it's a dirt road you catch between Rice and the junction with Rice Rd, that goes to Cadiz) Definitely a remote place in the desert. Last time I drove Cadiz Rd was right after that major flooding event that wiped out most of the eastern half of Rt 66 east of Amboy in 2014, it badly damaged Cadiz Rd, and it took us over 10 hours to make the drive. I don't know if you had the time, but If you take 62 east, 95 north, I-40 to Kelso rd, 66, to Amboy, and then either take 66 back to Ludlow, or down through Twentynine Palms you can complete the loop. Safe travels out there, watch out for T-storms!
The background music is beautiful.
Oh, and my late friend spent time at camp Iron Mountain.
I enjoy this channel, I am a California girl . . Born and raised and there are some places that I have never been to OR through and this is one of them. Thank you for the time it takes to do these videos.
So agree with you we have so much to explore
I lived in California back in the 1980s and used to travel this highway all the time to go from my office in Beaumont to operations in Parker and Kingman. It is a beautiful drive and much less stressful than the freeways.
I love the 40s-70s. Such memorable time! I've always loved it!
This type of area is where I gravitate toward. In my state of Oregon I go to S.E. Oregon towards Nevada. The quiet solitude helps me recover from working 50 hour weeks in a hospital. Beautiful areas out West. Thanks.👍😎
SE and Eastern Oregon is great. I need to get back there.
That 100 mile sign always cracks me up when I'm out there. I can think of far worse roads in the Mojave. That road is well traveled enough. I'm a Mojave Desert native and I could think of at least 10 other far more desolate roads where I'd be more afraid of breaking down.
in all seriousness,where?
@@Purchaser. Here's a few...though not all in the Mojave, some are Mojave adjacent
1) Badwater Road in Death Valley NP, between Shoshone and Furnace Creek
2) Warm Springs/Butte Valley Road, also in DVNP
3) Any road in CA labeled 178 (LOL)... though it does pass through a few towns
4) Amboy Rd, From Twentynine Palms and Johnson Valley going north to Amboy before it meets Rt 66
5) Daylight Pass... coming from Beatty, NV (374), past Rhyolite to the 190 past Panamint Springs and down to Keeler and Lone Pine (at the base of Cerro Gordo)
6) The 58 between Santa Margarita and McKittrick and Taft/Maricopa
7) The 166 between Santa Maria and Cuyama and Taft/Maricopa
8) Airline Hwy (25) from Paicines to San Benito and and all the way south to Peachtree Valley and the 198
9) New Idria Rd
10) Chimney Peak Road (from the 178...see #3) Sherman Pass
11) Bonus: Also Sherman Pass...well 9 mile (at the 395 in Pearsonville) to Sherman Pass, all the way to Johnsondale
There are a lot of roads out there where you'll be lucky if you see anyone at all.
Only after traveling through West Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona was I able to appreciate the Mojave Desert in California as the best of the forgotten wastelands, at least in the S.W. portion of the USA. The mountain ranges in the Mojave set it apart from those other wasteland areas.
"Wasteland?" I guess it's a matter of perspective, but I wouldn't call it a "wasteland." I'm actually glad that we have hundreds of square miles of desolate, unpopulated territory here. Anywhere people go, they f*** it up. It's nice to go places where there's no narcissistic humanity to have to tolerate.
My son and I boondocked for a weekend at Camp Rice a couple years ago. Saw a coyote at the shoe tree. Amazing spot!
We actually saw a huge coyote, maybe the biggest I've ever seen, the next day. Sadly the camera wasn't on the car and didn't get footage of him.
I drive that highway a couple of times a year on the way to New Mexico. The remoteness is nice. I had a great pair of worn out hiking boots that I left on the shoe tree. Figured it was better for them to hang out there with friends, rather than ending up in a landfill.
$8 for a gallon of gas, that's almost as expensive as the UK 😂 Another great video Steve 👍
True. The price of "Petrol" this week in London is about $7 per US Gal. If Steve had just crossed the Ariz. border it would have been about $4.
Thank you!
I filled up in Parker!
A bunch of friends and I rode that stretch on the opening. lower leg of an _"Iron Butt"_ run in 1997. Spring is the perfect time for that type of run in that country. We took pictures at the "100 Mile" sing and the army camp markers. We left flowers on the altar for a safe run. What a trip.
Went on highway 62 a few years ago by accident traveling from Las Vegas to Palm springs. Since we have an electric car we had to get more power in Needles and almost didn't make it to Palm springs. It was a really nice highway we really enjoyed it watching all the trains. Thank you for bringing back the memories.
In June 1987, my brother-in-law and I road our bikes from Joshua Tree to Rice. He was biking across the USA and I joined him for this desert stretch. We didn't see any of these sights along the way. I'm tempted to go back. When we finished at Rice, the gas station was still there, but it was not open at the time. We rested in the shade under the awning (no shoes at that time). My wife was in the car following along. We packed up and drove to Needles. It was too desolate for him to ride the rest by himself.
The mix of the road trip and the history, which let's face it, who doesn't like history, is very cool!
I've lived in California my entire life and there's still plenty I don't know about the state but am eager to explore.
Thanks for taking us along.
Enjoying all the desert adventures
Nice video! It's been about 12 years since I was on 62, and I remember just about everything along the road that you featured.
I'm sure it hasn't changed much over the years.
Your videos have a PBS quality to it which I love and have so much nostalgia for. Please keep making these videos, thank you!
Thanks for sharing this one Steve. It brought back memories of my trip over that highway some 15 years ago. I was headed west from Parker and broke down in my van somewhere past Freda which also happens to be the same spelling as my mother-in-laws first name. With my own tools and the help of a passing RV motorist I got going again and mad it to 29 Palms. Quite an adventure when you are on one of the lonliest roads in the country. Keep up the good work.
I was stationed in Twentynine Palms back in 2009-10 as a baby boot and made frequent visits to JTNP and a friend's tattoo shop in Yucca Valley. I immediately fell in love with the desert and every time I'm on the 62, I feel like I'm home.
I’ve driven that road, well to the turn off to Blythe! We were visiting Joshua Tree and staying in Blythe so had to take a different route back to the RV!
So glad to know I’m not the only one that loves to go exploring.
Spent a few years of my childhood living in Yucca Valley with my grandparents in the very late 60's and early 70's. We would, a few times a year, drive to Phoenix on I-10 to visit my Dad. I remember for some reason we traveled 62 on one trip to Phoenix - I remember wondering if we'd ever run across people again and hearing my grandmother telling my grandfather we'd never do that again!
Around 1969 I was hitchhiking to the Colorado River for Easter weekend, got stuck out in the middle of no ware on Hwy 62. Got to the point where I would cross the highway to try to get a ride going either direction. Finally, just rolled my sleeping bag out on the desert floor. Woke up to being inspected by a Coyote. It was a pretty desolate highway back then too.
Stunning scenery. Thank you for sharing 🫶🏼
used to drive north to Vidal Agriculture inspection from Blythe and headed west to desert center every day for 2 years, back in 2007, what a memory
Well done, Steve. I enjoy these videos immensely and this one is great. I AM a fan of desert vistas and lonely highways and what an interesting stretch of road 62 is.
Over the last week I flew from MN to Phoenix and road tripped to Silver City, NM, explored and hiked the area including the Gila Cliff Dwellings, then drove through southern NM and crossed into Bisbee, AZ, stayed two nights and had a very memorable time, then on through Tombstone, Tucson, Oracle, Florence, and back to Phoenix. I thought of Sidetrack Adventures a few times while I was out there road tripping. You're quite the inspiration, Steve! Keep up the good work.
Great video of one of my favorite state highways...with miles and miles of miles and miles. Breathtaking views.
i traveled this stretch of road on my SW road trip in 2022. Joshua Tree NP is a jewel. i hope to one day revisit this area. sad what California has become. it's a special place
Man the memories, thank you. As an old reminiscing is important.
Really enjoy your series of videos. If there's anyone who can persuade me to come back to the States again it's you. Great simple presentation, not too much music, good camerawork. Thanks!
We have driven that part of 62, I think we saw maybe 6 cars during the drive. It was a beautiful drive 😊
Yeah, I was counting for awhile but didn't see one for awhile and lost my count. For some reason it seemed like we wouldn't see one for awhile and then as soon as I started recording and talking one would drive by.
OMG. I went to 29 Palms High in 1974 and 1975. My buddies and i would drive our Yamaha 125 to Parker. We did this at least 3 times. I guess I was riding on a newly paved road, but we had vibrated for 2 straight hours on these cheap motorcycles. We would also hang out on Friday nights at the A&W and watch all the cool boats drive through town on this highway. Thanks for vid!!
Wish there was still an A&W there!
Very interesting . I enjoy your videos! Cheers from Australia.
Thanks for this video. We traveled from Henderson, Nevada to Palm Desert two weeks ago and would not have known about the many sights along the way without having seen your video first.
Grew up in So Cal and love areas like this. Very different than WV where I live now. Thanks!
When I retire I plan on taking drives like this. I vacation in California every year, but never been on this road!
Born in PS. Lived in Morongo for my teen years. High school in Yucca Valley. Graduated from 29-Palms. Drove an ambulance in 29-Palms. Stationed in Hawaii with the Marines. Spent 45 days in 29-Palms doing training. Partied in JT when it was an empty park. Rode my motorcycle through the desert. Hiked the hills. Hunted quail and rabbits. Drove to the river regularly and to Laughlin to gamble.
The desert is hot and seemingly barren, but there is such a beauty -- if you look for it.
Was called out for that comedian (I can't remember his name) that died in the tragic car wreck. Got canceled in route. Too far out of our area of coverage.
my husband used to drive rice road to get to arizona from the marine base. he would always let me know when he would hit the dead zones on our calls during his drive back to base. good memories ☺️
I think I traveled this way back from phoenix to San Diego and there was this huge lightning storm happening in the mountains but around us was calm and the sun was setting. It was one of the coolest things to see and definitely the best drive I’ve had.
The desert lightning storms look amazing in the distance. We had them on 3 sides of us once driving to Kingman and it was incredible. The only trouble is when you are in it.
Your production is super slick Steve, I’d say you’re more of a cinematographer than just a cameraman. Gorgeous shots reminiscent of John Ford movies. Also really nice music choices on the soundtrack 🙌🏼👏🏼🏆🥇
Living in the desert for 70 years I've seen most all there is to see, Sidetrack Adventures brings back a lot of wonderful memory's. Thank you for sharing
I love this drive. I've taken it several times-- east to west -- on trips from my home near Santa Fe, NM, to Joshua Tree NP, Palm Springs, and nearby areas. I usually spend the one night on the road in Lake Havasu City, AZ. I am always fascinated by the desolation of the gorgeous desert and skies, which you captured so well. I too noted the -- I'll call it graffiti -- on the railroad embankments that goes on for miles. Signs of civilization westbound begin with Wonder Valley, where a few off-gridders have taken to living just east of Twentynine Palms. I usually turn south in Twentynine Palms and take the north-south road through Joshua Tree NP to I-10. Thanks for this video -- the lovely, melancholy music is the perfect accompaniment.
what is the speed limit and how fast can you go without worrying about cops
Amazing to see all that Chinchweed (Pectis papposa var. papposa) in bloom (the yellow flowers covering the ground in Sheephole Valley) from the surprise late summer tropical storm.