The Mojave Desert is one of the great places on earth where four-wheeling adventures are waiting around every bend in the road. Even with the creation of the Mojave National Preserve, and the extensive military use of the area, there are vast areas waiting to be explored. Whether you are looking for solitude or a group experience, the Mojave waits.

A huge area, occupying most of southeastern California and more, the Mojave is high desert. The desert floor starts at about 2,000 feet and there are lots of mountains that range much higher. Winters are mild - though there may be snow - and summers are tolerable, with reasonable precautions. Average daily highs are over 100 degrees, but not the 120 degrees that make the news in nearby Death Valley. Summer nights are wonderful: cool and breezy, with a panorama of stars that just might keep you up all night.

The air is clear, fresh and clean; the geography is beautiful and wild; and the geology is fascinating.

The Mojave earned its place in our history as the last great gold rush of the '49ers. They came late to this desert. After exploring the Sierras, they came tramping back over the mountains after Nevada silver. When that strike played out, the 'Rainbow Seekers' of the late 1800's followed the eastern edge of the Sierras down to Death Valley, the Panamints, and the El Pasos. They named Last Chance canyon because, for them, the El Pasos were their last chance to hit the big strike.

Many of them stayed, with or without finding gold. It seems like Burro Schmidt didn't even want to find gold; he spent his life burrowing a tunnel through a mountain, a tunnel that goes nowhere, supposedly to haul the gold from his mine to town. But he never got around to developing the mine.

He was a typical rainbow seeker. He wasn't after gold so much, that was just his occupation. If he found it he'd have to give up a lifestyle. So he did everything but dig his mine.

All over the Mojave you'll see the marks of characters like Burro Schmidt. You'll see a partially excavated mine shaft, a trail, or the silent remains of a camp. And, the modern-day equivalent of Burro Schmidt is out there right now, exploring a claim, finding a pot of gold. But the gold they find isn't in the ore. It's in the sunrise.

The Mojave is huge. This guide focuses on the Western Mojave, a manageable chunk of land that'll take years to explore and learn. We'll move on when we're ready, but meanwhile, come take a look at this wonderful desert.

While you're on the desert, or in any of our wonderful wildlands, please remember to Tread Lightly and Leave No Trace. Respect the natural habitat. Stay on established trails and roadways, pack out your trash, don't harrass the animals, and don't damage the plants. It's good manners and good common sense.