| Afton
Canyon has many sheer walls that tower above the Mojave
River. Several trails of varying lengths take you past
these cliffs and past many narrow canyons in the cliff
walls formed by erosion. There is always water in Afton
Canyon, and it is one of a few places along the Mojave
River where there is year-round surface flow. To travel
to Afton Canyon from Las Vegas, travel South on I-15 for
107 miles (1 hour, 50 minutes) to I-15 Exit 228 on Basin
Rd. Then follow the signs and travel South on Basin Rd
for about 4 miles (10 minutes) to the Afton Canyon
Scenic Area. |
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Our adventure begins at the Afton Canyon Scenic Area
operated by the BLM to search for the Desert Megaphone.
Our plan is to follow the Mojave River to the East
several miles and then out of Afton Canyon into the open
desert and then to Crucero. Then from Crucero we will
find an old abandoned rail spur then follow it for
several more miles to the Desert Megaphone. |
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Heading
East, we crossed the Mojave River several times. Ed is
seen here crossing the river not far from our beginning
point. |
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Crossing the Mojave River. Notice my legs on the
fenders, I unknowingly crossed at the deepest part where
the water came above my floor boards. |
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Here is
another river crossing. Their are several
bridges built for the railroad to cross the river in the
canyon. |
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During the spring the
Mojave river flow
is greater. The railroad tracks are just on the left
behind the brush. |
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Along
the South side of the Mojave River you can see many deep
cuts into the sides of the cliffs caused by erosion. |
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We found a narrow canyon we had to investigate. The
canyon walls are made of loose conglomerate rock which
creates many narrow canyons in the area. You can't tell
in the picture, but both of ATVs are at the back. |
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A
view looking up from the bottom of the canyon. The walls |
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As
we traveled east, Afton Canyon exits into a large
desert valley. the Mojave River eventually disappeared into the desert. Here is where we followed the railroad
to Crucero. This picture is looking back toward Afton
Canyon and the disappearing Mojave River. |
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At
Crucero, an old railroad water stop, we found a 1931
grave for a small girl. The grave is littered with
pennies and other coins that were left behind from
previous visitors. Several of the pennies on the grave
were flattened apparently from leaving them on the
railroad tracks when a train went by. The water stop no
longer exists, but you can find old broken glass around
the area.
GPS: N35°
02' 48" W116° 09' 53" (WGS 84) |
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At
Crucero we waited for a passing train. |
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Afton
Canyon is in the background towards the west. This rail
line is very active, about 4 or 5 trains went by during
our trip. |
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Searching for the abandoned rail spur east of Crucero,
we unexpectedly found a sand dune area behind a small
mountain. Ed is in the middle of the picture making his
way to the top of the dune.
GPS: N35°
02' 43" W116° 09' 05" (WGS 84) |
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Be very
careful where you ride. There are razor backs everywhere.
Rasor Road offers some spectacular sand dunes, river washes
and trails |
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A
close-up view of the dune. The dune is made up of coarse
sand larger than beach sand. |
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Continuing
our search for the Desert Megaphone, we found the old
abandoned rail spur a short distance east of Crucero. We
traveled south along a road to one side of the spur for
several miles. The rail ties appear to have been removed
long ago. |
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After a little searching we finally found the mysterious
desert megaphone on the top of a small rocky hill.
GPS: N35°
01' 18" W116° 11' 51" (WGS 84) |
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Nobody
knows who built the Desert Megaphone or who put it
there, but I feel it was made by someone working for the
railroad long ago. The Megaphone is a big tube of welded
steel fashioned from several train parts. From the looks
of it some attention to detail was done to create it. If
you bang on it with a rock it makes a loud clanging
noise. Someone also attached a small brass bell to it,
for what reason who knows. The direction it points also
has no reason either. |
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After
a few minutes eating lunch and looking around the Desert
Megaphone area, we decided to head back towards Crucero.
This is a view of the surrounding desert looking north
towards Crucero. The Desert Megaphone is just behind us.
You can just make out the old rail spur in the middle
right side of the picture. |