2014 Desert Rendezvous: Official Thread
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ethernectar
Adventurist
Looking forward to it. Dovetailing it in front of another trip.
1 person, 1 rig
1 person, 1 rig
Since we know we're going to the DESERT...
Let's take a moment to educate ourselves on a very important member of our SoCal desert ecosystem - the desert tortoise.
DESERT TORTOISE INFORMATION
General ecology
Desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) occupy a wide variety of habitats in the United States. In California, tortoises generally occur in valleys, flat areas, fans, bajadas and washes below 4,000 feet in tree yucca (Joshua tree and Mojave yucca) communities, creosote bush and saltbush scrub habitats, and in some ocotillo-creosote habitats. They occupy a wide variety of soil types, ranging from sand dunes to rocky hillsides, and from caliche caves in washes to sandy soils and desert pavements. Tortoises must have suitable soils and terrain for constructing a burrow and must have adequate annual and perennial plants in the spring and/or summer for forage.
In general, tortoises hibernate from October through February and are underground in burrows during that time. On warm, sunny days an occasional animal may be found near the mouth of its burrow in late fall or winter. In the Mojave and Colorado deserts, the prime activity period is late winter and spring, from mid to late March through May. In early spring, tortoises are out from mid-morning to mid-afternoon, during the warm part of the day. As air temperatures rise, tortoises emerge from burrows earlier and retreat earlier.
Tortoise populations have been declining in many areas for decades because of collecting, vandalism, loss of habitat, and disease. Government agencies have recognized the problems facing this species for many years. In June of 1989 the California Fish and Game Commission listed the tortoise as a threatened species under the California Endangered Species Act, 50 years after the first protective legislation. On April 2, 1990, the US Fish and Wildlife Service determined the Mojave population of the desert tortoise to be threatened (55 FR 12178). Reasons for the determination included significant population declines, loss of habitat from construction projects, and conversion of native habitat to agriculture. Livestock grazing and off-highway vehicle (OHV) activity have degraded additional habitat. Other threats include illegal collection by humans for pets or consumption, upper respiratory tract disease (URTD), predation on juvenile desert tortoises by predators, fire, and collisions with vehicles on paved and unpaved roads.
When you are hiking, camping, or having a picnic in the desert, you might see tortoises. The list of DO'S and DON'TS will increase enjoyment of the desert and at the same time protect the tortoise.
DO'S
Enjoy the tortoise at a distance with binoculars, respecting that it is a wild animal. By keeping a distance, you will reduce stress to the tortoise. When a tortoise is frightened by an approaching person, it may release the contents of its bladder. Tortoises store water in the bladder and can reabsorb it during dry seasons. The loss of water can place the tortoise under unnecessary stress or contribute to early death.
If you remain still and quiet, the tortoise may approach you and rest in your shade.
Check under your car before driving away. Often a tortoise will seek the shade of a car and be next to the wheels.
Be careful around tortoise burrows. The roof can be very thin near the opening and it is possible for you to trample the burrow, tortoise, or any nests. Do not walk on or near the burrow opening.
During summer and fall thunder showers, drive slowly on desert roads, especially the dirt and paved roads with little traffic. During rain storms, tortoises can be quite active and come to roads to drink the pooled water.
Follow the rules for the area: drive only on designated roads, camp in appropriate areas, be careful with fire, and take your trash out with you.
DON'T'S
Please do not handle the tortoises. State and Federal laws prohibit touching, handling or any type of harassment. Handling may also harm the tortoises because they may release the contents of their bladders.
Do not move close to photograph the tortoise with your camera, but instead use a telephoto lens.
Do not try to "pose" a tortoise for a picture. If you approach too closely, you might frighten or stress the tortoise.
Do not pull tortoises out of burrows or cover sites.
Do not drive off-road, unless you are in a designated open area.
Do not let your dogs run unsupervised in desert tortoise habitat.
Do not damage or remove desert vegetation or other features.
Do not release any tortoises into the desert.
Do not move tortoises from one place to another.
For more information on desert tortoise:
http://www.mojavedata.gov/deserttortoise_gov/
If you have a smartphone, you can download the free Mojave Desert Tortoise App from the iTunes store to submit your findings of this rare species and learn interesting facts as well.
Let's take a moment to educate ourselves on a very important member of our SoCal desert ecosystem - the desert tortoise.
DESERT TORTOISE INFORMATION
General ecology
Desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) occupy a wide variety of habitats in the United States. In California, tortoises generally occur in valleys, flat areas, fans, bajadas and washes below 4,000 feet in tree yucca (Joshua tree and Mojave yucca) communities, creosote bush and saltbush scrub habitats, and in some ocotillo-creosote habitats. They occupy a wide variety of soil types, ranging from sand dunes to rocky hillsides, and from caliche caves in washes to sandy soils and desert pavements. Tortoises must have suitable soils and terrain for constructing a burrow and must have adequate annual and perennial plants in the spring and/or summer for forage.
In general, tortoises hibernate from October through February and are underground in burrows during that time. On warm, sunny days an occasional animal may be found near the mouth of its burrow in late fall or winter. In the Mojave and Colorado deserts, the prime activity period is late winter and spring, from mid to late March through May. In early spring, tortoises are out from mid-morning to mid-afternoon, during the warm part of the day. As air temperatures rise, tortoises emerge from burrows earlier and retreat earlier.
Tortoise populations have been declining in many areas for decades because of collecting, vandalism, loss of habitat, and disease. Government agencies have recognized the problems facing this species for many years. In June of 1989 the California Fish and Game Commission listed the tortoise as a threatened species under the California Endangered Species Act, 50 years after the first protective legislation. On April 2, 1990, the US Fish and Wildlife Service determined the Mojave population of the desert tortoise to be threatened (55 FR 12178). Reasons for the determination included significant population declines, loss of habitat from construction projects, and conversion of native habitat to agriculture. Livestock grazing and off-highway vehicle (OHV) activity have degraded additional habitat. Other threats include illegal collection by humans for pets or consumption, upper respiratory tract disease (URTD), predation on juvenile desert tortoises by predators, fire, and collisions with vehicles on paved and unpaved roads.
When you are hiking, camping, or having a picnic in the desert, you might see tortoises. The list of DO'S and DON'TS will increase enjoyment of the desert and at the same time protect the tortoise.
DO'S
Enjoy the tortoise at a distance with binoculars, respecting that it is a wild animal. By keeping a distance, you will reduce stress to the tortoise. When a tortoise is frightened by an approaching person, it may release the contents of its bladder. Tortoises store water in the bladder and can reabsorb it during dry seasons. The loss of water can place the tortoise under unnecessary stress or contribute to early death.
If you remain still and quiet, the tortoise may approach you and rest in your shade.
Check under your car before driving away. Often a tortoise will seek the shade of a car and be next to the wheels.
Be careful around tortoise burrows. The roof can be very thin near the opening and it is possible for you to trample the burrow, tortoise, or any nests. Do not walk on or near the burrow opening.
During summer and fall thunder showers, drive slowly on desert roads, especially the dirt and paved roads with little traffic. During rain storms, tortoises can be quite active and come to roads to drink the pooled water.
Follow the rules for the area: drive only on designated roads, camp in appropriate areas, be careful with fire, and take your trash out with you.
DON'T'S
Please do not handle the tortoises. State and Federal laws prohibit touching, handling or any type of harassment. Handling may also harm the tortoises because they may release the contents of their bladders.
Do not move close to photograph the tortoise with your camera, but instead use a telephoto lens.
Do not try to "pose" a tortoise for a picture. If you approach too closely, you might frighten or stress the tortoise.
Do not pull tortoises out of burrows or cover sites.
Do not drive off-road, unless you are in a designated open area.
Do not let your dogs run unsupervised in desert tortoise habitat.
Do not damage or remove desert vegetation or other features.
Do not release any tortoises into the desert.
Do not move tortoises from one place to another.
For more information on desert tortoise:
http://www.mojavedata.gov/deserttortoise_gov/
If you have a smartphone, you can download the free Mojave Desert Tortoise App from the iTunes store to submit your findings of this rare species and learn interesting facts as well.
Mountaineer
Adventurist
Mountaineer will be going.
rawdawg
Adventurist
Had a great time last year ! Count me in
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rockhauler
Adventurist
I and my old chevy will be there
paul.FZJ80
Adventurist
Hi,
I will be there with my faithful sidekick Henry dog
I will be there with my faithful sidekick Henry dog
08BrickFJC
Adventurist
Count me in! 
A big thank you to our supporters!
BIG thanks to all our supporters who not only share our vision by supporting the event but who actually attend. Many of these folks will be there again this year, stop by and say hi!
Click to visit their website!
SNOW PEAK
TEMBO TUSK
ADVENTURE TRAILERS
TRIPLE AUGHT DESIGN
URSA MINOR VEHICLES
EQUIPT EXPEDITION OUTFITTERS
ALLPRO
SPORTSMOBILE
FRONT RUNNER OUTFITTERS
View attachment 5945
ENERGY SUSPENSION
View attachment 5946
IRON PIG OFFROAD
View attachment 5947
2014 OVERLAND EXPO
URSA MINOR VEHICLES
BIG thanks to all our supporters who not only share our vision by supporting the event but who actually attend. Many of these folks will be there again this year, stop by and say hi!
Click to visit their website!
SNOW PEAK
TEMBO TUSK
ADVENTURE TRAILERS
TRIPLE AUGHT DESIGN
URSA MINOR VEHICLES
EQUIPT EXPEDITION OUTFITTERS
ALLPRO
SPORTSMOBILE
FRONT RUNNER OUTFITTERS
View attachment 5945
ENERGY SUSPENSION
View attachment 5946
IRON PIG OFFROAD
View attachment 5947
2014 OVERLAND EXPO
URSA MINOR VEHICLES
More important than saying hi, go to their websites and buy something to say thanks for supporting the community. Even if it is just something small
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DiamondBackMatt
Adventurist
Count Me in!
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