Trip Report - Old Iron Run II: February 16 - 18, 2013, KOFA Wildlife Reserve

[mkitchen]

After visiting with 1 Leg Lance, we decided that it was time to put on another "Old Iron Run." We got short changed on the last trip due to snow, so we thought it a better idea to do this run a month earlier. Just one slight caveat though, last year the run was between 7,000 ft. and 5,000 ft. elevation. This year the trip is at 700 feet with some passes getting near 2,000.

To be eligible to partake, you must have some Old Iron. Old Iron is classified as any vintage four wheel drive vehicle that is a 1980 or older. That vehicle can be a Land Cruiser, Rover, Jeep or any 4X4 pickup and we certainly don't limit any modifications that can be done (half the fun is seeing what folks do with their Old Iron). This is also why we are posting up so early, with rigs that old, sometimes they require some pre-run attention.

So, hopefully folks can come and join us for a two night, three day run in and around the Kofa Wildlife Preserve. Kofa is not too far from Phoenix or Tucson or even my humble town of Kingman. It offers a great selection of backcountry roads and plenty of nice spots to camp.

The runs will include Palm Canyon, Skull Rock, Big Canyon Mine, Castle Dome and possibly Kofa cabin. The pace will be casual and the destinations are simply goals. If the group chooses to spend more time at one area, this is not a problem. Due to the nature of the Kofa, we will not have a base camp. Each night we will be camping at a different location. There are no limitations on the age of the camp gear however a fellow would be getting some style points if he/she showed up with a couple of dutch ovens.

I will be setting up camp at the base of the Palm Canyon trailhead on Friday afternoon (February 15th) and anyone can join us there if they choose to come out early. Palm Canyon is easy to find from either Yuma or Quartzite. The turn off is on the east side of Az highway 95 between mp 85 & 86. There is ample room there for many camps. Those coming in Saturday can meet us at the trailhead.

I have travelled some of the Kofa and look forward to seeing more of the area. The scenery is Mojave desert at it's best and the weather that time of year is comfortable. I will post some teaser pics soon. Let us know if you can come, we will be posting additional information as we get closer to the event.
Mikey

UPDATE
Those attending (note, will update as the list changes)
mkitchen
1leglance
Toddz69 (possible)
6x6pinz
m wehrman
AZ69EB
Tonto
Wayne
Noibn
Jeepman
Note - Post ride posts can be found starting on page 9

 

[mkitchen]

Some pictures from our last trip to the Kofa

We were in the Kofa in December of 2010. I have been wanting to go back ever since. Too long of a bucket list and too much time working.

An old mining outfit.

Sunset on our second night. Lots of really nice vistas at the Kofa

A simple dinner that same night.

In addition to the red tail hawk, we say a lot of deer, but no big horns that are known to be in the preserve.

We were in the Tacoma on the above trip, so I have tried to find some pics leaving out the vehicle. It really is a spectacular place to explore. Unlike where we spent Thanksgiving last year, we can have campfires here. That is a bit important to me, what with the longer nights of this time of year.
Mikey

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Very cool! Wish I could make it down. Mind if we share your link with the RelicRun community? Perhaps some of our mailing list members would be interested in an AZ trip too!

 

[mkitchen]

You Bet, come on down!

I'm not seeing any down side to your offer of posting the Old Iron Run in your postings for your Relic Run. I certainly don't want to compete with the Relic Run but it would be neat to see more vintage tin specific runs available.

 

[1leglance]

Oh yeah I will be there....kidney stones kept me away last time but nothing like that ever again I hope

My 1970 Burb will be there and I plan on rattling the cages of Nick-Nobin with his burb and another Nick around here with his old truck. With this kind of decent lead time I hope we can have to worry about setting a camp on the number of rigs

Thanks for taking the lead on posting this and planning the fun!

 

[toddz69]

If my schedule permits, I'd like to join the group too.

Todd Z.

 

[1leglance]

Todd it would be excellent to have your Bronco around to help keep Mikey from being the only blue oval present

 

[mkitchen]

Would like to see another Ford or two along.

A couple of Blue Ovals would be nice. I could use the help towing all the Chevy's. :hehe:
Really though, I am hoping to see lots of different vehicles. Maybe some Cornbinders, Rovers, Land Cruisers, etc. That is the fun part of having an event such as this. It's neat to see what folks have done with their old rigs. They usually put the little bit I have done to Rueben to shame. :safari-rig:
Mikey

 

[toddz69]

Todd it would be excellent to have your Bronco around to help keep Mikey from being the only blue oval present

Yes, we endangered species types have to stick together . And nothing cooler than a Ford Highboy!

Todd Z.

 

[Yuman Desert Rat]

If any of you ever get the chance; I highly recommend making a trip through the entitre KofA NWR. I try to get out there as much as possible and the deeper you go the more beautiful it is. If you're staying on the outskirts; take the first trail (marker 42) off of King Valley road to Horse Tanks. theres a sizeable watering hole there and lots of bedrock mortars, if you do some exploring, as well as petroglyphs. It's a 3mile spur trail but a worthwhile detour with ample camping space and opportunity to explore. Have fun on the trip!!

 

[mkitchen]

Thanks YDR

I have seen the route you are talking about on the map but I have not been out that way yet. It looks like we are going to have to go check it out. Any other suggestions are appreciated as well. I agree, most of the more secluded spots are on the eastern part of the Kofa, but really most all of the Kofa is sparse in population.
Mikey

 

[crawler#976]

The route south from I-10 and Vicksburg Jnc includes KOFA Cabin, Wilbank Cabin, and Engesser Pass. You can actually get some relatively high elevation for the area near Wilbank Cabin - really pretty area.


The route in from the north is shown as the main route, but we found it was a challenge a few years ago. Nuthin' Ol' Iron can't do tho...

http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/arizona/kofamap.pdf is perhaps the best of the paper maps, and if it's not shown, it's not open.

 

[VDBAZFJ]

Oh how I wish I had some "old iron"! Looking forward to the trip report and pics!

 

[mkitchen]

Thanks Mark. I have been on part of that route and it is very nice. That is the road that I found the most wildlife, including the red tail hawk. My goal in 2010 was to go all the way up to I 10 and over and work my way north on some dirt trails that I found on a map and try to get to the Bill Williams river crossing. I just enjoyed the Kofa so much that we never got out and we still have so much more of the area to explore. I do plan on doing the route north though as I get time. It might be after retirement though before I get to it.

Hey Aaron, you still have time to find a lovable old rig and come join us. Heck I saw a md 70's Scout sell just up the street from me for $1500 and it was under 100,000 miles and still had plenty of miles left in it. The vehicles are out there and they really are fun to play with. But if nothing else, we will surely have some good shots posted after the run.
Mikey

 

[Yuman Desert Rat]

If you use the KofA trail map it's very easy navigate the entire refuge. If you continue east off of Red Raven road it turns into Hovatter road which will put you out on to the I-10 30-40 miles east of quartzsite or you can continue north and climb the Harquhalla mountain trail. Tons of options and spectacular scenery. I've done the entire KofA solo in a stock 2006 LJ (of course it was fool hearty and the LJ is anything but stock these days) but you shouldn't have any trouble. The roughest terrain is climbing bighorn pass as you exit the west end of hoodoo wash as well as some of red rock pass.

Also, a little known secret.... As you pass the KofA mine heading east and kofa butte will be to your left, there is a closed off jeep trail. If you hike a short way up and over a small hill there is an old pioneer/mining cemetery with old headstones and many unmarked graves.....