crustydemon Posted December 9, 2009 Report Share Posted December 9, 2009 Thinking about taking the kid on a short vacation sometime after Christmas. She wants to go to Glamis (I do to !) but I wouldnt want to drag a camper that far for just a week so I would like to know where the best place to stay would be and how far away is it from the main riding areas. If anyone has information or a link please share it with me.Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ban99 Posted December 9, 2009 Report Share Posted December 9, 2009 This might be an option. They will deliver the trailer to your camp site, set it up and pick it up when your done. http://www.glamistrailerrental.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crustydemon Posted December 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2009 Thanks, I'll check into that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polkaudio Posted December 9, 2009 Report Share Posted December 9, 2009 The closest towns are Brawley and Holtville. These are small rural farming towns, and I can't speak for what's available for lodging or what shape it's in. You might want to go on Google Earth or something similar to check it out. No matter what you do you'll need a pass. They're available at the ranger station. Have fun... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crustydemon Posted December 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 I've never been there but have spent alot of time over the past 33 years in southern california.(most all of my family lives there) I realize Glamis is a recreational area with rangers patrolling the area just like we have DNR in charge of all of our state run campgrounds and overseeing hunters and fishermen, but it is also open desert so how can they really keep track of you? Not that i'm trying to get out of paying for a pass, I'm just curious how they can patrol such a vast area, I mean you could technically ride to Mexico couldnt you? My Grandparents lived in Cabazon and It seemed to me like I was in the middle of nowhere, I could head out and just go forever, It was awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bansh-eman Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 (edited) Brawley is the closest town with lodging. There is not many options of where to stay and they fill up fast. You would have to ride across I-8 before you could ride into Mexico, and there is a fence, but yes the Imperial Dunes do extend into Mexico. I would say your best bet is trying to rent one of those trailers they bring to you. You will spend just as much if not more in fuel hauling a camper that far. One thing that’s going to suck is going late in the year like that it is going to be rutted to high hell! After Thanksgiving, we never went back because it was so bad. More than 1/3 of the whole area is closed down for "temporary" environmental restoration bs... that started like 13 years ago. Stupid fucking hippies. Edited December 10, 2009 by Bansh-eman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kawa110 Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 ill be going in feb for pres. day weekend. prolly go oin that mon and tuesday weekend will be kinda busy. The dunes do get beat up but after one night of hard winds the dunes change and are fresh. I usuall go in late april sometimes a little warm and windy but nobody ther and fresh dunes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XxMeltIcexX Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 You will definitely need a pass if you plan on going, unless you want a hefty fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crustydemon Posted December 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 I was looking on google earth. is gecko and roadrunner the main places to camp? Looks like a hell of a long way to go for a beer run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polkaudio Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 I was looking on google earth. is gecko and roadrunner the main places to camp? Looks like a hell of a long way to go for a beer run. They are only because they are paved. There's also a huge dirt area near the store and along both sides of the canal where camps get set-up too. Then there's the Washes East of the store. A recent shot on Google Earth during a busy weekend should show all that. One thing that's been noted about the Wash areas is if you're too far East of the store and end up having to cross the Railroad tracks with an OHV and a CHP is there, they will ticket you. Some BS about now it's illegal to cross the tracks. As far as your question of BLM patrolling. They don't patrol the dunes, they cruise the camp areas looking for tickets to write. If you don't have a valid pass displayed on your tow vehicle, you get an expensive ticket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crustydemon Posted December 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 Is the big building with the white roof right by that intersection the Glamis store? If so how many miles is it from there to the Geko campsite? It's hard to visualize how big of any area im looking at. Do you guys use a GPS and just ride all over the whole area? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bansh-eman Posted December 11, 2009 Report Share Posted December 11, 2009 Geko Rd. to the Train tracks where the store is at is a few miles. Don't be fooled by the guy that says the winds are constantly changing the dunes. Yes they blow in and "smooth" the dunes out. But thats only the tops. There will be so much whoops and ruts that the wind is not going to fix them over night. I used to live in Glamis when I was in San Diego and trust me there is no mirical wind that blows through and turns the place into a winter wonderland. Pres Weekend will be kind of like the end of the major crowds for the rest of the year. After that they will start petering out and will not be as crowded. If you do decide to camp in the washes try to go to wash 14 or past. The dust from everyone riding will settle in the washes towards the front of the dunes and make it so you can hardly breathe sometimes. The dunes are huge. There will be plenty of places that are still smooth, but any of the areas that gather crowds and the flats in between those areas will be retardedly rough. I will check ym GPS tomorrow to see if I still have the coords to some of the spot you might want to checkout. There is also a website that has a arial photo with the points marked and grids to things to checkout as well, but I don't remember what the site is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crustydemon Posted December 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2009 If you have some coords that would be great. Since it will be my first time and I'll have a 10 year old kid with me I'd rather go when its not busy to get the feel for it. I just want to break up the winter a little by getting away for a week or so then go back later in the year to hit it hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
So Cal Suspension Posted December 11, 2009 Report Share Posted December 11, 2009 Busy weekends are indeed crazy out there. Glamis is so vast that even on thanksgiving, we'd go from roadrunner to olds, and never run into another group the whole ride. If you don't congregate at the drags, or at olds you will have an awesome time. Here is a link with all of the coordinates. This is the most up to date map out right now. http://glamisinfo.com/picts2/maps/glamisgps.gif?view=article&article=73 West on the 78 approx 13 miles from Gecko Rd. is the city of Brawley. There are several Motels that are "name brand". They do fill up quickly on busy weekends. However this Thanksgiving there were quite a few vacancies so you shouldn't have a problem on an off weekend. Glamis is a party place... expect that when you get there. Lots of drinking, lots of idiots, and lots to look at. Hence the reason I go. I don't indulge in the drinking, but it's awesome to people watch. Maybe not for your 10 year old. =\ Season passes are $90, week passes are $25 purchased OFF SITE! I believe they are slightly higher when purchased at the dunes. YES you will need a pass. South of Glamis is an old federal bomb range. Seperating the bomb range is the canal. Unless you can ride across water, you'll have to camp on gecko, or in the washes. In either case BLM will be at both entrances checking passes IN, as well as on the way OUT. Save yourself the hassle, and just buy a week pass. Thanksgiving weekend the wind blew like crazy Friday night. There were NO tracks first ride Saturday morning. Take it from someone who rides there literally EVERY weekend during the season; when the wind blows at night, it's a beautiful thing to wake up to fresh dunes. No kidding if you expect to sit at the bottom of olds with 30,000 other people on thanksgiving weekend, there's going to be dust, there's going to be tracks... but just go ride the dunes. That's what you're there for! Another viable option is go to Gordon's Well. It's a little tamer, and more family friendly currently than Glamis. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polkaudio Posted December 11, 2009 Report Share Posted December 11, 2009 Ditto to what Matt said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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