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.
@@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.
@@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!
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.
When I first stared driving 18 wheelers from Missouri and Kansas we traveled these highways twice a week. I can remember many of the old areas as if it was yesterday. I used to haul a lot of loads to these old Bases. I have stayed and ate at many of the old places you have missed. I am now 85 years old and still trave3ling via Motor Home. The Highways are my play grounds. I was the Trucking Company that helped remove most all of the Old Historic Rail Road Ties all along the SFRR. and others. I have been a part of my Countries History all of my life. Even an Old Country and Western Entertainer with such as Roy Rogers and Dale Evans.
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
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.
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 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!
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.
@@Katmai_Bear_480 how many time do you have to read it Goober?? Oh you dont have an answer for that, nor do you have an answer for the original question do you Goober???
Once owned a home in Cathedral City near Palm Springs. The original homeowner told us he and some friends had commandeered bricks from Gen. Patton’s Officer’s “cantina” at that military training center. He ended up using the bricks in the home’s remodeling with two “archways” from a dining room and kitchen to the add-on family room and master bedroom. It was a stunning feature, but also dear to us since both of our fathers served in WWII and knew of General Patton’s importance with aiding the British in the North Africa campaign against Germany’s General Rommel. Your video gave me a visual of where those bricks actually came from! Thank you for these sidetrack adventures!
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.
From Palm Springs I often take 177 off of Interstate 10 -north to highway 62 east and turn north on 95 at Vidal Junction to get to and from Laughlin, Nevada. The route offers peaceful desert drives with incredible scenery
I rode my Schwinn 10 speed bike down that Hwy in 1973, we were a group of high School kids with one adult with us. We went from Costa Mesa to Parker and back over Easter vacation. about 2.5 days each way.
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!!
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.
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
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
In the early 2000's I made weekly drives from Ridgecrest California to Tucson. I got so bored with the interstates that I drove every little variation sometime in that stint. I drove 62 a couple times. Vidal Junction is kind of eerie place in the middle of the night. I went through it north to south, south to north and came in and left west. I don't know if folks remember the horrendous airport foul-ups after 911. My travel was gov, and between the huge waits at LAX and Ontario and inflexible gov travel regs, I found it easier to just hop in the car and do the 8 hour drive. Well 9-10 hours if you did an obscure variation
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 🙌🏼👏🏼🏆🥇
I ride (my Harley Electraglide) to Sturgis SD every year (Sturgis rally) from south Texas down near Mexico. I take a different disjointed unplanned route every year in both directions. 3 years ago i found myself In Colorado, on a desolate road on a somewhat west east route. 40 miles of nothing, the a crossroads, and 40 more miles of nothing. Nice scenery, a couple churches, a farmer field here and there. It was called LAST CHANCE, and when i popped out i saw a sign in my rearview that said "no gas or services for 80 miles". I was out of gas, the gas i had was contaminated and i was nursing it back in. Interesting ride.
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 was stationed in 29 Palms from the mid-80's to early 90's. On the "major summer holidays" (Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor day) weekends there would be 100's of RV's, trucks towing boats, and cars going through the town of 29 Palms. If this still is the case...not very lonely on those weekends 😀
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 .
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.
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.
I take 10 to Desert Center to Parker Az every year 177 turns into 62 never knew the history, thanks for the video very informative now I want to stop at those WW2 historical sites. Thanks again!
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....
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 work for Caltrans and have done field work along this road. It truly is remote and desolate, but also very scenic and beautiful, with some amazing vistas. I highly recommend it, preferably in the cooler winter months. The summer heat can be brutal.
I drove from Des Moines to 29 Palms in 1976. All I really saw was that shoe gas station and it was a gas station then. That was the loneliest stretch of road I've ever been on. You drove right past Earp, CA
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.
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.
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
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.
Used to off road east of Twenty Nine Palms quite a bit. There's a dirt road, Gold Crown Rd. that goes south from the highway. There are LOTS of old mines in the mountains out there.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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!
This is the first time I get to see this highway in the daytime. I have taken this hwy a few times when westbound I-10 was jammed up at Blythe. All the alternate trips on SR62 where at night. So, I saw nothing till I got to Yucca Valley to get back onto I-10. One time, I got disoriented and ended up on the 15 to head back to Santa Fe Springs...Thank goodness🐻 Always nice going on a virtual roadtrip with you...Tanks!
I have done this route a serveral times in the last few years, just to change the scenery even though it does add on a lot of hours travelling back from AZ to San Diego. I have also turned off on 177 south to Desert Center. Nice view of the mountains surrounding Joshua Tree NM along this route.
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.
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.
Wow, nice to see a video of this highway. I've driven it a few times, I love the desert (except in the summer 😁). Last time, I drove the highway just to take a drive out in the desert. I didn't drive all the way to Arizona, though. I just went as far as Rice before I headed back to take the southbound 177 to the 10. I did see the marker for Camp Iron Mountain, but not for Camp Granite (along 177 there are markers for Camp Coxcomb and the Palen Maneuver Area, directly across from each other). I had no idea the Camp Granite marker was right across the highway from the one for Camp Iron Mountain. I didn't notice it. I would love to drive Highway 62 again. I'd never heard of it described as "the most desolate highway" in the state, but that is certainly true!
I actually live out here by the sheet hole, on the south by a town called iron Mountain I'm the only person out here my nearest neighbor is 8 miles away in Desert Center. The night sky is beautiful there's no noise or light pollution. The heat is pretty miserable between June and August. I have air conditioning with solar power, it goes right from the solar panel into the inverter to my air conditioner no batteries. I built the system myself. People say why do you live out here and I say because it's Beautiful my budget retirement plan is to an expensive piece of property far from different cities in different weather zones. You really need to only go to town once a month to get food. I get Internet from the cellular service.
Just found your channel. Living in Oklahoma City but being from San Diego, it's cool to see places I've been again and one's I haven't. I'm impressed with your videography. Smooth, informative and easy to watch
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.
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.
But you wouldn't set the cruise control on Rte. 95 from Laughlin to Vidal Junction. That is just constant washboard up and down and you'd be bouncing all over the place.
We usually ride old rt 66 through Amboy, became a favorite riding out to Laughlin. Then 62 back for a favorite restaurant in 29 palms. Love it out there.
Drove that many times when I was working out in Lancaster nearly 30 years ago. In my awesome Ford Escort! 😂 Pretty country, in a stark desert sort of way.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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’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?????
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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!
Thanks for sharing your story
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.
Always take the old two lane routes if you can. You'll be relaxed and see more cool stuff.
When I first stared driving 18 wheelers from Missouri and Kansas we traveled these highways twice a week. I can remember many of the old areas as if it was yesterday. I used to haul a lot of loads to these old Bases. I have stayed and ate at many of the old places you have missed. I am now 85 years old and still trave3ling via Motor Home. The Highways are my play grounds. I was the Trucking Company that helped remove most all of the Old Historic Rail Road Ties all along the SFRR. and others. I have been a part of my Countries History all of my life. Even an Old Country and Western Entertainer with such as Roy Rogers and Dale Evans.
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! ! !
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.
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 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 drove the entire stretch today, it won't be the last time I relive a "Sidetrack Adventure"! Great channel!
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 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?
@@chadhaire1711 How many times do people have to answer this question for you?? Troll.
@@Katmai_Bear_480 how many time do you have to read it Goober?? Oh you dont have an answer for that, nor do you have an answer for the original question do you Goober???
Once owned a home in Cathedral City near Palm Springs. The original homeowner told us he and some friends had commandeered bricks from Gen. Patton’s Officer’s “cantina” at that military training center. He ended up using the bricks in the home’s remodeling with two “archways” from a dining room and kitchen to the add-on family room and master bedroom. It was a stunning feature, but also dear to us since both of our fathers served in WWII and knew of General Patton’s importance with aiding the British in the North Africa campaign against Germany’s General Rommel. Your video gave me a visual of where those bricks actually came from! Thank you for these sidetrack adventures!
your videos help me pass the time at work. night watchman
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 background music is beautiful.
Oh, and my late friend spent time at camp Iron Mountain.
From Palm Springs I often take 177 off of Interstate 10 -north to highway 62 east and turn north on 95 at Vidal Junction to get to and from Laughlin, Nevada. The route offers peaceful desert drives with incredible scenery
I rode my Schwinn 10 speed bike down that Hwy in 1973, we were a group of high School kids with one adult with us. We went from Costa Mesa to Parker and back over Easter vacation. about 2.5 days each way.
29! Loved that place. Still have a house less than a mile off 62 and hope to retire in the desert one day.
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!
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.
THANKS Steve, your refreshing voice makes it enjoying to hearing the explanations of the video, 👍
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
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.
Enjoying all the desert adventures
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!
Love the sign as you leave the 'settlement', "You Are Now Beyond Hope". Spent a couple of nights in the RV park there many years ago.
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.
@@raiderfan71269sorry for your loss
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.
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.
Thank you for your vids. Greetings from Munich Germany
There is a shoe tree near Brothers Oregon on Highway 20, which runs from Newport to Boston Massachusetts. It’s southeast of Prineville.
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.
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!
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.
In the early 2000's I made weekly drives from Ridgecrest California to Tucson. I got so bored with the interstates that I drove every little variation sometime in that stint. I drove 62 a couple times. Vidal Junction is kind of eerie place in the middle of the night. I went through it north to south, south to north and came in and left west.
I don't know if folks remember the horrendous airport foul-ups after 911. My travel was gov, and between the huge waits at LAX and Ontario and inflexible gov travel regs, I found it easier to just hop in the car and do the 8 hour drive. Well 9-10 hours if you did an obscure variation
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 🙌🏼👏🏼🏆🥇
I’ve been to that Chevron in Vidal quite a few times.
I ride (my Harley Electraglide) to Sturgis SD every year (Sturgis rally) from south Texas down near Mexico. I take a different disjointed unplanned route every year in both directions. 3 years ago i found myself In Colorado, on a desolate road on a somewhat west east route. 40 miles of nothing, the a crossroads, and 40 more miles of nothing. Nice scenery, a couple churches, a farmer field here and there. It was called LAST CHANCE, and when i popped out i saw a sign in my rearview that said "no gas or services for 80 miles". I was out of gas, the gas i had was contaminated and i was nursing it back in. Interesting ride.
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.
Been about 40 years since I been on State Route 62. Had some friends stationed at 29 Stumps. It is such a lonely road heading east from the Stump.
I was stationed in 29 Palms from the mid-80's to early 90's. On the "major summer holidays" (Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor day) weekends there would be 100's of RV's, trucks towing boats, and cars going through the town of 29 Palms. If this still is the case...not very lonely on those weekends 😀
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 .
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.
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.
I take 10 to Desert Center to Parker Az every year 177 turns into 62 never knew the history, thanks for the video very informative now I want to stop at those WW2 historical sites. Thanks again!
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....
A lot of single women have disappeared on this highway, truly frightening. Don't do it ladies, stay on 10.
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 work for Caltrans and have done field work along this road. It truly is remote and desolate, but also very scenic and beautiful, with some amazing vistas. I highly recommend it, preferably in the cooler winter months. The summer heat can be brutal.
Yeah, I try to stay away in the summer time.
I’ve driven on that freeway hundreds of times. I was stationed in 29 Palms from 09-13. I actually miss that town.
Man the memories, thank you. As an old reminiscing is important.
I drove from Des Moines to 29 Palms in 1976. All I really saw was that shoe gas station and it was a gas station then. That was the loneliest stretch of road I've ever been on. You drove right past Earp, CA
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.
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.
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
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.
Very interesting . I enjoy your videos! Cheers from Australia.
I've been on that road. I highly recommend a trip through there during the spring when it's in bloom.
Used to off road east of Twenty Nine Palms quite a bit. There's a dirt road, Gold Crown Rd. that goes south from the highway. There are LOTS of old mines in the mountains out there.
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.
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
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 live in Blythe, 40 miles south of Vidal. The ruins are still there.
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.
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 love your videos! You have covered the South East section of California so extensively! Thanks!
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!
Lived in socal my whole life and had no idea about this highway! how awesome! thank you
This is the first time I get to see this highway in the daytime. I have taken this hwy a few times when westbound I-10 was jammed up at Blythe. All the alternate trips on SR62 where at night. So, I saw nothing till I got to Yucca Valley to get back onto I-10. One time, I got disoriented and ended up on the 15 to head back to Santa Fe Springs...Thank goodness🐻
Always nice going on a virtual roadtrip with you...Tanks!
Places that I would just blow through, you make incredibly interesting. Thanks for another adventure, Steve.
Glad you enjoyed it
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!
I have done this route a serveral times in the last few years, just to change the scenery even though it does add on a lot of hours travelling back from AZ to San Diego. I have also turned off on 177 south to Desert Center. Nice view of the mountains surrounding Joshua Tree NM along this route.
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.
All sorts of old mil stuff off 177 towards the east. I find that a beautiful stretch of the American landscape. Thanks for sharing.
Man I love your videos. You take me back in time. God bless you and your wife. Safe travels ❤👌🙏🇺🇲🥃🪖
Thank you!
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.
Wow, nice to see a video of this highway. I've driven it a few times, I love the desert (except in the summer 😁). Last time, I drove the highway just to take a drive out in the desert. I didn't drive all the way to Arizona, though. I just went as far as Rice before I headed back to take the southbound 177 to the 10. I did see the marker for Camp Iron Mountain, but not for Camp Granite (along 177 there are markers for Camp Coxcomb and the Palen Maneuver Area, directly across from each other). I had no idea the Camp Granite marker was right across the highway from the one for Camp Iron Mountain. I didn't notice it. I would love to drive Highway 62 again. I'd never heard of it described as "the most desolate highway" in the state, but that is certainly true!
I actually live out here by the sheet hole, on the south by a town called iron Mountain I'm the only person out here my nearest neighbor is 8 miles away in Desert Center. The night sky is beautiful there's no noise or light pollution. The heat is pretty miserable between June and August. I have air conditioning with solar power, it goes right from the solar panel into the inverter to my air conditioner no batteries. I built the system myself. People say why do you live out here and I say because it's Beautiful my budget retirement plan is to an expensive piece of property far from different cities in different weather zones. You really need to only go to town once a month to get food. I get Internet from the cellular service.
Just found your channel. Living in Oklahoma City but being from San Diego, it's cool to see places I've been again and one's I haven't. I'm impressed with your videography. Smooth, informative and easy to watch
Thanks for posting. Very interesting video, presented well, good drone footage and some excellent history to be learned! Thanks again
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
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.
But you wouldn't set the cruise control on Rte. 95 from Laughlin to Vidal Junction. That is just constant washboard up and down and you'd be bouncing all over the place.
We usually ride old rt 66 through Amboy, became a favorite riding out to Laughlin. Then 62 back for a favorite restaurant in 29 palms. Love it out there.
I've been binging your videos and I know you're mainly a luxury travel guy, but these Amtrak videos are the best. Thanks!
Drove that many times when I was working out in Lancaster nearly 30 years ago. In my awesome Ford Escort! 😂 Pretty country, in a stark desert sort of way.
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!
Another excellent presentation. Videography is superb.
Thank you.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Thoroughly enjoyed the video. Looks like we have another Huell Howser. Keep up the good work.
We used to drive 62 to get to Parker and the CO river In the 1970-80s It was really barren
Your videos have a PBS quality to it which I love and have so much nostalgia for. Please keep making these videos, thank you!
Great video. Thanks. Those sheep mountains look so fun.
Nice video. An interesting slice of history.
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.
Love it - thank you for producing these videos. I also love lonely, desolate open roads.
When I retire I plan on taking drives like this. I vacation in California every year, but never been on this road!
Thanks Steve, I have driven Hwy 62 from Desert Hot Springs to Parker always an interesting drive.
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.