Hey has anyone tired taking an E on The Mojave Road in California, I have been reading up on it and it look's doable for a AWD E. with some nice BFG's.
I have done alot of desert trails in the e with no real problems (other than banging the tank guard a few times).
http://www.desertusa.com/mag99/nov/stories/mojavetrail.html

Here is a Vid,
it looks like it's mostly sand, the only thing that concerns me is the Washes and the Water Crossing, a bit of skillful driving can deal with the washes but I have never tried the E through water. The lake bed isn't a issue because there is a bypass.
Any thoughts?
Mojave Trail in 5 Minutes (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4080941453056251627&ei=CjxvSb6KBYSM-QGjseCoBQ&hl=en)

Call me crazy, but I would love to see a EOC sticker on that Mailbox! Maybe a EOC convoy is in order. What say you!

It looks like it can be done!

However, Don't do it alone!!!!

Have someone with a 4X4 along with you. Make sure to have along all the things required for sand running. ( a 3'X3' piece of plywood, Jack, tow strap, Air pump, shovel, Water, full sized spare )

Then give it a try.

Post Photo's

Dom

Yep. If you tackle it, absolutely plan for flats. I grew-up in the area. Russian thistle thorns wreak havoc with tires. I personally wouldn't do it without two full-size spares, a couple of cans of that green tire snot and two pumps 'cause you're likely to wear one out.

And if you're serious, don't wait 'til August to try it. :razz:

Wow what a great looking trail!! I'd love to tackle that!

And in all honesty...I think the only part of the Mojave road that looks questionable, when thinking about the E's capabilities, is the water crossing. Who knows what time of year that film was shot and if the water level changes during different seasons.

The descent into the wash looked like a piece o' cake! Don't let the video fool you, that Toyota had the clearance and the travel to not worry about the path down. To me it looked like if the E stayed to the right of the road, it wouldn't have to contend with as many ruts.

Drive smart, take your time...and all will be good!:D

This looks like a great adventure but I wouldn't do it in anything less than a real 4X4.
80 percent of the Mojave Road look's doable for an Element - it's that other 20 percent you'de need to worry about.
I bet you'de put 10 years of suspension wear and tear on a Element in two days trying to drive the Mojave Road - providing of course you made it through.
Look's like there's some awful silt beds to drive through that could bury a E up to it's door handles and the suspension twisting on some off the off camber sections could be terminal, good wheel travel is a must.
The washboards are some of the worst I've seen.

However, I think it would be nice to do in a Ridgeline.
Wonder why the ROC guys haven't done the Mojave Road yet?

Here's a great, more detailed, 4 part video where a Nissan Pathfinder and a old Chevy K5 Blazer drive the Mojave Road.
It's not just sharp rocks that can take out your tires.
This trip came to an end half way through.
They had to bail out when one of the huge mud tires on the K5 ran over some Cholla cactus.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7lmbOFC6Js&feature=related

Wow, amazing response. I am afraid I have to agree with Ellie though after watching that Video I just don't see how the E can make it without hurting a good part of the frontend. (Vid #3 @ 3:30, alone would kill an E). I love off-roading in the desert like this, but I love my E more. What really burns me is that I live in Bullhead for 3(very long) years and at the time drove a 4x4 Ramcharger that could of taken that trail without breaking a sweat and I never new about it.
Why God, WHY!!!!!!
Just to be be sure though I am E-mailed the guy that made that Video to get his opinion and ask about bypasses. Oh well guess I will have to con a friend or two to do it,
maybe I'll bribe them with "cookies"

And just to piss off E-haters I will put a EOC stickers on the Mail Box! :-P

DR. T - So how come you're not going to Death Valley with us next month?
From Las vegas you're closer to it than any of us who are going.
Heck - you could even do it as a day trip.

Then you could drive off road through Titus Canyon with 15 - 20 other Elements.

It will be fun!

I didn't know about it, I am interested, where are the details

Edit: I just found the Dates, Count me in!

My wife and I came to The big Veg a couple of years ago and rented a car, drove around and found a place called CottonWood Canyon. It would be a bit of a drive but google it.