Buggy-Brethren,
South of Hoover Dam, north of Kingman, just off Hwy 93, east of Dolan Springs, sits a very pretty, big and round, dry lake bed. It really is red. Hence the name; Red Lake.

We visited over the weekend and found it quite to our liking.
The surface is a bit soft and disconcerting when driving on it as it feels like you might be sinking.
But it's an illusion (and the effect of having virtually no traffic on the surface and therefore a soft couple of inches, in places, to settle into).
The buggies have no problem.

Winds can be fitful during mid-day hours, but as we've come to expect out here in the desert, the afternoon winds soon settle down and become acceptably reliable and steady.

The lake bed is roughly 5-6 miles across and as the shape is nearly circular it feels much more vast than Ivanpah or Elmer's.

Surrounded my mountain ridges, the landscape is spectacular and while less than 2 hours from Vegas, the feeling of privacy and remoteness is profound.

Dave's cell phone (Verizon) worked out on the playa, too.

You may be assured Red Lake will be on the short list of favorites.


Safen Up! Buggy On!

"I am often wrong, but never in doubt."

the coreylama

SSSSSSSSShhhhhhhhhh!!!

We were supposed to keep it our little secret. :evil:

This lake bed it beautiful. The winds were a bit eratic but calmed down to a perfect 4-4.5 meter breeze later in the late evening. I guess Dave's Verizon worked, but my Cingular GSM didn't. No worries, I had good friends close.

From my atlas notes you can take the US 93 south from Vegas to Mile 41 exit to Pierce Ferry rd. east through Dolan Springs to a sign that says " Mojave County 20 " take a right there past two sets of high tension power lines. You should see a nice clear entry from the road to the lake bed on your left hand side.

My deduction is that this lakebed is a bit far for a day ride, but perfect for a weekend camp out and buggie trip. Just be warned, there are not alot of services available and most business' in Dolan Springs close around 4-5pm, but they are a good lot and vollunteered services to one of our injured brethren in the form of ice when needed. Good Stuff.

See you on the Playa!

Is this the place?

That's what the sign says...

Although it didn't look like that when I was there.
Must have been the different perspective.

coreylama

If you follow Stockton Hill Road due North out of Kingman, Arizona for about 33 miles, there is what appears to be a dry lake. Is this Red Lake Playa? GPS Coords are 35.40'19 North by 114.04'06" West. I used Google Earth for my coords and measurement from Kingman. I am looking to get away for a camping weekend in another 2-3 weeks and once my plans firm up I will let people here know so maybe we can have another desert party!

Sean

Hey Sean,
That's the way, baby.

Off-ramp from I-40 right in Kingman - Stockton Hill Rd.
Go north.
Even the gravel road is pretty good - although washboardy in a few places.

Access is directly off Stockton Hill Rd.
The lake bed comes right to the road.

Sound the word when you're coming.

the coreylama