Ride-Along Through MOJAVE NATIONAL PRESERVE: Old Relics & Beautiful Nature Scenery

Рет қаралды 23,135

Күн бұрын

Discover the mesmerizing Mojave National Preserve, where ancient Joshua Trees, Kelso Sand Dunes, and desert mysteries await. A road trip through this arid wonderland is an unforgettable adventure.
Driving through the Mojave National Preserve is an unforgettable journey through one of America's most iconic desert landscapes. This vast expanse of protected wilderness spans over 1.6 million acres in southeastern California and is a testament to the stark, yet breathtaking beauty of the Mojave Desert.
As you venture into the preserve, you'll be greeted by a diverse array of desert ecosystems. The iconic Joshua Tree forests stand as sentinels of this arid realm, their spiky, otherworldly shapes dotting the landscape. The desert's rugged beauty is on full display, with vast sand dunes, rocky outcrops, and towering mesas creating a dramatic and ever-changing backdrop.
One of the preserve's highlights is the Kelso Sand Dunes, a mesmerizing sea of shifting sands that seem to stretch to infinity. Climbing to the summit of these dunes provides a panoramic view that's simply awe-inspiring, especially during sunrise or sunset when the desert takes on vibrant hues.
As you continue your drive, you may encounter remnants of the region's mining, ranching, and railroad history, adding a layer of historical intrigue to your journey. The Mojave National Preserve also boasts a network of scenic byways, like the famous Kelbaker Road and the Cima Road, each offering a unique perspective on the desert's natural and cultural wonders.
Throughout your drive, keep an eye out for the preserve's unique flora and fauna, including desert tortoises, bighorn sheep, and a variety of desert-adapted plants. The stark beauty of the Mojave National Preserve serves as a reminder of the resilience of life in one of the harshest environments on Earth, making it a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. Whether you're seeking solitude, scenic vistas, or a deeper connection with the desert landscape, the Mojave National Preserve offers it all in abundance.
VIDEO FILMED: 07/29/2023
▬▬ R E L A T E D V I D E O S ▬▬
⚪ HISTORIC MOJAVE MINING TOWNS - • Exploring Desert Treas...
⚪ GOLDOME MILL - • Seeking the Abandoned ...
⚪ DEATH VALLEY MINE - • DEATH VALLEY MINE - A ...
⚪ MESQUITE SAND DUNES - • Hiking the MESQUITE FL...
⚪ SIDETRACK ADVENTURES - • The Mystery of the Top...
▬▬ T I M E S T A M P S ▬▬
00:00 Leaving Boulder City
05:43 Mojave National Preserve
19:07 Introducing SLIM!
26:50 Valley View Ranch
35:30 Kelso Sand Dunes
46:15 Topock Maze & 118 Degrees
▬▬ L I N K S ▬▬
⚪ Gear we use - www.amazon.com/shop/thecactus...
⚪ See where we've been - www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mi...
⚪ Music from Epidemic Sound - www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
(As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.)
_____________________________________________________________
✅ Find us on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook - @cactusatlas.
✅ Check out our website - cactusatlas.com
Welcome to the Cactus Atlas! We are Glenn and Amy and invite you to join us as we visit all sorts of locations across the American West. We tour both natural and man-made attractions.
Our base of operations is in the Phoenix, AZ area. We do a lot of hiking, day trips, and campground reviews and hope that we will be a great resource if you are planning a trip to the American West. We also hope to delight you with our exciting adventures!

Пікірлер: 101

@milwaukeemotor5995 5 ай бұрын

its also the feeling of exploring as in whats down that road, around that corner, when you see it from a distance

@marty5859 7 ай бұрын

Maybe you're just in love with what God made for us..., Solace, peace, a place where our heart smiles.

@guipe43 7 ай бұрын

Creosote fields forever, Joshua Trees, bare mountains and blue skies! Thank you for sharing, Glenn!

@CactusAtlas 7 ай бұрын

We're so glad you enjoyed it! 😊

@shirleyrichards2514 3 ай бұрын

This is awesome. Thank you for sharing. The trees are amazing. ☆♡☆

@CactusAtlas 3 ай бұрын

They are! They're some of our favorites. 😊

@buckwheatsofia 7 ай бұрын

Great trip!!

@susanasalinas4273 8 ай бұрын

This ride along was fun and eye popping.

@CactusAtlas 8 ай бұрын

Thank you! 😊

@SidetrackAdventures 8 ай бұрын

It looks like someone stole the NPS sign on the Mojave National Preserve entrance sign. Still sad to see how much destruction that fire did out there. Everytime I think about going to any sand dunes, I remember how much I hate walking in the sand and end up not going to the dunes haha

@CactusAtlas 8 ай бұрын

Haha! Climbing dunes is not easy in the least, but at least sliding down them is quite fun and worth it! 😅

@milwaukeemotor5995 5 ай бұрын

kewlest road to go inbetween the joshua tress and dirt road

@Raptor-gd6sk 8 ай бұрын

Thanks for taking us along the Mojave desert on the hottest day.. very interesting places we visited today

@CactusAtlas 8 ай бұрын

Sometimes those darn weather forecasts don't seem to know what they're talking about. 😂 That said, at least it was mostly a travel day with short stops and plenty of time in air conditioning.

@RangelandRebel15 8 ай бұрын

Love the road trip and good conversation and even getting Slim to speak his mind as well! Fantastic job yall!

@CactusAtlas 8 ай бұрын

Thank you! Slim has a good amount to say in the future. He's quite the character. 😂

@votrolacres8526 2 ай бұрын

Thanks to you and Amy for another great video! As you were commenting on the heat…I was watching while enjoying a fire in my wood stove. If you are taking votes about the view from the driver’s seat - yes - very enjoyable and I actually prefer the “real time” not sped up. I’ve always liked a road trip and it’s nice to not have to drive.

@CactusAtlas 2 ай бұрын

Appreciate the feedback! ....and wood stove? Wow. We've switched over to air conditioning here. 😂

@sueanna_banana 8 ай бұрын

We checked out some of that Mojave Preserve area just this last April. It was only in the 70's with lots of wildflowers. For shade, people were carrying umbrellas while walking ( or hiking ) on the Kelso Sand Dunes. I just walked around the base of the dunes with my " parasol "... Hell Hole campground was nice, we stayed there, . 118° is insane !

@CactusAtlas 8 ай бұрын

Am umbrella is a GREAT idea to keep the sun off. Not sure it would even do much in 118, however. 🤣 I bet the area was beautiful with wildflowers.

@debramaertens893 8 ай бұрын

Thanks for braving the heat for us! That geoglyph maze looked really interesting.

@CactusAtlas 8 ай бұрын

Our pleasure! It's always so interesting how those geoglyphs get made and remain, isn't it? Truly fascinating.

@davidbell9130 8 ай бұрын

great scenery

@CactusAtlas 7 ай бұрын

👍

@patbrown7813 6 ай бұрын

Great videos and information, Glenn. I'm glad to see another Arizonan exploring. Hoping to get back to camping and exploring in the next six months. Maybe we'll see you on the trail... Thanks again!

@CactusAtlas 6 ай бұрын

Very cool! Hope you get to have that opportunity and have fun with it! Thanks! 😄

@cindykuhlman2927 8 ай бұрын

We experienced the hot wind while visiting Page, AZ. Being from the midwest, it was definitely like nothing we had ever experienced before! I compared it to when you open the door to a hot oven and the rush of heat that hits your face.

@CactusAtlas 7 ай бұрын

That's pretty much exactly what it is like. That sort of singing feeling like you need to check if your eyebrows are still there. 😂

@MissAstorDancer 8 ай бұрын

Another great trek! And, I gotta say, if I didn't tell you before, I have been a huge Captain Beyond fan since they came out! (I'm 70) One of the best and most intense concerts I ever saw included CB as the second opening act. (It was Jo Jo Gunne, Captain Beyond, and headliner Alice Cooper!) Astonishing show! CB is a very specific taste! Such a cool combo of super hard rock and prog! Kinda freaked out with you having a conversation with your truck's AI! I am so behind the times when it comes to cars, because my last new car was in 1998!! (I don't drive anymore, unfortunately.) Always looking forward to more!!😁

@CactusAtlas 8 ай бұрын

It’s so rare that anyone has ever heard of CB these days, but you are the first who I’ve conversed with who has seen them live! The closest I can get is to watch their live performance at Montreux in 1971. There are a few vids floating around on KZfaq for that if you have never seen them…. How cool is that though! I probably sound like a snob, but nobody plays music anymore like they did back in that era. Been on a big CB, Deep Purple and Iron Butterfly kick this year. Another one I found I love is a band named Toad from the early seventies. Such good stuff!

@MissAstorDancer 8 ай бұрын

@@CactusAtlas - Oh, I am totally familiar with the Montreux performances! I discovered them way back not long after youtube first took off! It was such a trip to see those films for the first time, it literally (almost☺) caused me to have a flashback to that concert!! Seeing them in all their wild hippie-ness onscreen, what memories that brought back! I'm also way into DP, although not to the extent that I might have been. I only own ONE DP album, but it's my second copy!!! (Machine Head). I don't know your age, but I "think" I'm old enough to be yo mamma, but it's so cool to not only find anyone who knows CB, but especially a young dude like you! Speaking of DP, Tell me, do you know about Trapeze?? Same time period, and I saw them live as well. Absolutely stellar! I gotta say, I'll be surprised if you have not heard them, given what I now know you like! FUN! Now I like you even more than I already did! Also, I forgot to tell you how much I enjoyed your story about your grandmother!!! And I would love to see you bring your Mom along on your adventures! Life is SHORT, Live it NOW!

@singingnomad5099 8 ай бұрын

Please do bring Mom at least for one trip. It would be so interesting. 😊😅

@CactusAtlas 8 ай бұрын

Glenn's been thinking on it! We shall see. 😊

@MissAstorDancer 8 ай бұрын

@@CactusAtlas - I also think that would make for a fun and interesting vid!

@worldaccordingtok8105 8 ай бұрын

Another great adventure! Your tolerance to the heat may come from your Mediterranean lineage 🤔. Thanks for sharing your personal story of your YaYa 😊 I too have Greek heritage although both of my grandparents have passed. I never knew my YaYa as she passed before I was born

@CactusAtlas 8 ай бұрын

I was fortunate enough to have my YaYa, as I called her when I was very young, from when I was born, all the way to when she passed. I cared for her and my grandfather late in their lives also. So they were a huge part of my life. I think my heat tolerance must be from that part of the family for sure, as the other half hails from cold, rainy Northern European climates.

@worldaccordingtok8105 7 ай бұрын

@@CactusAtlas How wonderful you were given that opportunity 😀. Thank you again for sharing!

@arturcesarpereira2029 6 ай бұрын

Top D++++++++

@gstiles7 8 ай бұрын

Wow, every once in a while, it's nice to get an "extra long" Cactus Atlas video! That mural was absolutely gorgeous!! Anytime it's approaching 120, that's just bleepin hot!! Thanks for another fun one!

@CactusAtlas 8 ай бұрын

No joke. This last summer was something else! So glad temps are reasonable again. 😄

@blacklabeloffroad 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for mentioning Captain Beyond, I was a 80’s Teenager and heavy into music and have never heard of two bands one being Captain Beyond so thanks for that. I listened to a few songs as I was watching your video and I’m liking it and plan to listen to all. The other band is Fu Manchu, an interesting band if you like good riffs and an older punk/rock sound different than what was popular. Kinda interesting you can go through life and not experience things until they fall into your lap. Thank you.

@CactusAtlas 4 ай бұрын

No problem! How awesome! 😄

@gaminggoliath8603 8 ай бұрын

Your content is just wonderful and fun to watch, hats off to your efforts and keep up the good work.

@CactusAtlas 8 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! Very appreciated. 😄

@segalfpv 8 ай бұрын

Love your videos! Always looking forward to the next adventure 🤙

@CactusAtlas 8 ай бұрын

Woohoo! Glad you like them! Definitely more to come. 😄

@joycemeadows9837 8 ай бұрын

Very nice video! Born and raised in the Arizona desert. I understand the heat. Maybe you should do more river and lake videos in the summer. You said you liked fishing. Lol just a suggestion. Thanks for braving the heat. You definitely are brave.

@CactusAtlas 8 ай бұрын

There will definitely be more river and lake content. The hard part is that a lot of these trips were scheduled in advance with work situations in mind so you just have to deal with the weather as best as you can. 😅

@SwiftyTravels 8 ай бұрын

Oh my goodness! Talking to slim!! That’s hilarious!! 😂😂

@CactusAtlas 8 ай бұрын

Slim has a very keen sense of humor and a mind full of interesting history facts. 😂

@SwiftyTravels 8 ай бұрын

Holy cow- 118deg!! That’s scary hot!! I can hear your grandma now!!

@CactusAtlas 8 ай бұрын

🤣🤣 Too hot. Just too dang hot.

@marshmallows5641 7 ай бұрын

The adventures where you just cruise through the Mojave are some of my favourites of all the videos you do. I'm not super spiritual either, but in spirituality there is a concept of a "soul home". Sounds like the Mojave is that for you.

@CactusAtlas 7 ай бұрын

The Mojave adventures are some of our favorites too. 😊 "Soul home" sounds just about right. Love the term!

@DeborahFlorian-gy6lw 8 ай бұрын

I found Glenn's take on reincarnation very interesting, and Amy's response to Glenn's pondering on the chance of living in tents very funny! Thanks for soldiering thru that heat, this counts as another Cactus Atlas masterpiece! 🔥🌵🏜️

@CactusAtlas 7 ай бұрын

Thank you! Haha... I'm glad someone noticed my response to Glenn's tent suggestion. He's 100% right. Not going to happen. 🤣

@pennysaufley8974 18 күн бұрын

More Slim! More Slim!

@nationalparksprincess3216 7 ай бұрын

Hey Glen! Im really behind on watching your videos, Im trying to catch up. I really enjoyed your adventures here! It was sad to see the damaged Joshua trees 😢 It was interesting to hear slim an advanced AI as you made your way to explore that old town from the past. Beautiful footage of the preserve!

@CactusAtlas 7 ай бұрын

No need to rush... take your time. KZfaq will hopefully still be around for a while. 😅 That fire really did some major damage. Hopefully nature won't take too long to recover.

@streetcop157 8 ай бұрын

I had a Death Valley trip where it was 118 degrees…all day it was stopping, taking a couple of pictures then returning to the car and putting the phone on the air conditioner vent to cool it off enough to function again. Next trip I’ll take some cool packs I think

@CactusAtlas 8 ай бұрын

Yeah... electronics and the heat don't really get along when it gets to those kind of temperatures. 😅 Sounds like a good number of trips we've had when it is hot out. 😂

@IEchuckie 7 ай бұрын

I was in Parker AZ a couple of years ago and the thermometer on the bank sign said 127

@crash9632 3 ай бұрын

Nice video always. When on 15 did you go out zzzyzik road? You drove through Primm..kool town. The bonnie and Clyde car is there. Can't wait to get back. But Missouri os. Long way away

@CactusAtlas 3 ай бұрын

No, sadly we haven't gone out to Zzyzx Road, but we did see the Bonnie and Clyde car some years back when driving through. 😄

@Rfk1966 8 ай бұрын

I feel the same way about the Mojave…my favorite place on earth. (Too bad the rest of my family doesn’t agree).

@CactusAtlas 8 ай бұрын

Seldom does family seem to like the same places, but the Mojave is truly a special place so maybe their loss? 😅

@Rfk1966 8 ай бұрын

@@CactusAtlas Inspired me to head out this weekend. Bonanza Spring on the agenda. Thx for the video

@CactusAtlas 8 ай бұрын

Nice! Enjoy your weekend! 😄

@MORES1971 4 ай бұрын

😊buy a new insta360 AcePro camera It's much better than GoPro doesn't freeze or heat up, it's 8K The camera has an optical Leica 2x Zoom lens so you'll be satisfied and it has a flip screen and it has a pause button 40mpx foto crazy stability I love it I got one 😎👍

@BFK78 6 ай бұрын

Holy smokes…Captain Beyond?!! I haven’t heard that name in a lot of years. They were great but somehow unappreciated while bands like Mountain, Ted Nugent and Humble Pie were big. Cactus is another good one if you haven’t heard of them yet.

@CactusAtlas 6 ай бұрын

Oh, yeah. Glenn's a pretty big fan of Captain Beyond. I'm sure he appreciates any and all similar recommendations. 😄

@streetcop157 8 ай бұрын

Again on my to do list. I’m wanting to do Sequoyah National park but the last couple of trips you couldn’t get there from Vegas due to road closures.

@CactusAtlas 8 ай бұрын

Ooh. Definitely a worthwhile goal to hit up that park. We're in the same boat... we've wanted to go back to Death Valley but all the floods and road conditions keeps putting that one off as well.

@streetcop157 8 ай бұрын

@@CactusAtlas yeah my last trip I was debating a revisit to Death Valley or a trip to the north rim of the Grand Canyon and the flooding made my decision for me…no regrets though the north rim was gorgeous and a very relaxed vibe. Next trip I’m going to start on the strip a couple of days, the Yosemite a couple of days then finish up downtown for a couple of days…. I have the disabled national park pass so I’m planning on hitting them all…life goal

@IEchuckie 7 ай бұрын

About 15 miles north of Blythe are the Intaglios. There's a sign. Drone is useful

@CactusAtlas 7 ай бұрын

Sadly just didn't have the time or energy to explore further that day due to the heat. Next time for sure though! 👍

@trevorgwelch7412 7 ай бұрын

Beware of the Skinwalker and glowing orbs .

@streetcop157 8 ай бұрын

You don’t get selfies in front of the signs? I hadn’t noticed. -5 cool points dude.

@CactusAtlas 8 ай бұрын

🤣 Glenn does sometimes. I don't always use them when editing unfortunately. 😅

@user-gg1xw1zx5f 8 ай бұрын

As well as a tendency toward.....

@milwaukeemotor5995 5 ай бұрын

theres nobody on those roads

@CactusAtlas 5 ай бұрын

If one wants to find solace and a moment to unwind or get away... definitely the place to do it. 😊

@carolguezen5829 8 ай бұрын

Lol…you might have your hands full with Slim

@CactusAtlas 8 ай бұрын

Haha! Indeed! He's got quite the personality starting to come out. 😅

@randywellman6784 5 ай бұрын

raven, not a crow.

@singingnomad5099 8 ай бұрын

😂habababa

@CactusAtlas 8 ай бұрын

🤣🤣 It's just so funny and cute.

@gordondeans2549 8 ай бұрын

Living in the South West is absolute insanity! Why do it?

@CactusAtlas 8 ай бұрын

Because there's beauty all around in these deserts. 😊

@evelynwinchester4726 7 ай бұрын

I like the scenery, but Slims vo8ce creeps me out.

@CactusAtlas 7 ай бұрын

Aww. He's just a friendly old historian at heart. 😅

@davidwelty9763 2 ай бұрын

GoPro’s are junk. They present themselves as a outdoorsman active person’s camera and yet they not only overheat in moderate temps but also freeze up in cold climates. I’m done with them.

@CactusAtlas 2 ай бұрын

I hear you. We've had so many issues with overheating and random shut downs. 😞

@kaysundberg7112 6 күн бұрын

24:12 less talk about yourself on long drives and talk about the area. Otherwise ok

@Gypsy218 8 ай бұрын

Do you talk continuously through all your videos? You might be surprised but many KZfaqrs let their audience enjoy the scenery and only talk when there’s something to say.

@CactusAtlas 8 ай бұрын

Glenn films and I edit. We take a more vlogger, hanging out with friends approach. Plenty of channels take that similar approach as well. 🤷‍♀️ Luckily there is no shortage of other channels for people to experience and find something that suits them and their likes. 😄👍

@fluffyotter1601 8 ай бұрын

Not a nice comment……

@DeborahFlorian-gy6lw 8 ай бұрын

I personally thoroughly enjoy Glenn's narrative and his quirky sense of humor. Cactus Atlas gives a great experience to it's viewers thanks to his intelligent input.

@jwins Ай бұрын

Have you ever noticed a cold mariage of mountains driving along very far flat terrain like Hwy 10 in NewMexico in the winter and the morning ? You can see mountains in the distance but they keep disappearing when you travel. Very mysterious and very obvious. 🤣en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fata_Morgana_(mirage)