At mile 36.5, you'll find...
At mile 36.5, you'll find this sign (if it hasn't been stolen) marking a faint road to the north. Exploring, anyone?
Mile 8.3: Turn left across the canal at Siphon 24. You are now on the actual Bradshaw Trail (SR 301) and will be until you reach Blythe on the Colorado River. You will come to a BLM sign warning that only four-wheel-drive vehicles should continue. The trail, which may require four-wheel-drive at times depending on your backcountry-driving ability, is really quite easy for a stock truck (and is sweet in a prerunner). As you travel up this sandy road, think about the job the horses had of pulling a fully laden wagon or stage up this incline. You'll notice some railroad tracks crossing the road twice. This is the old Kaiser Eagle Mountain Mining railroad.
To your right is the Chocolate Mountains Aerial Gunnery Range. Do not enter the range, as it's used daily by the U.S. Navy. When we were investigating one of the old wells along the trail, the desert stillness was shattered by the sound of two F-14 Tomcats flying over. We remarked at the sharp contrast between the 19th-century well and 21st-century technology.
Chuckwalla Well was a major...
Chuckwalla Well was a major stop on the Bradshaw Trail. Chuckwalla Spring is actually a short hike to the north.
Speaking of wells, in about 6 miles you'll come to a fenced area to your right marked as Clements Well. This well was not a stop on the Bradshaw Trail. About 1 mile farther, on your right, is the site of the Canyon Springs stage station. There's nothing left there now, and the actual spring is a short hike up the canyon directly north of you. Don't drive up the canyon, as it's closed to all vehicular travel.
Continue east on the Bradshaw Trail, noting the many interesting side canyons and trails heading off to your left (north). If you're going to camp along the trail, take the time to do some exploring. Now, continue east to . . .
Phil Howell (right) tells...
Phil Howell (right) tells about the history of Chuckwalla Well, dug by Frink and Grant in 1863 for easier access to water for the stage and freight stop. This area is closed during summer months, as it's the only water animals can get to for miles around.
Mile 19.4: The Bradshaw Trail (SR 301) forks to the right. Bradshaw swung almost south to Tabaseca Tanks here (now in the gunnery range), and freighters and individual travelers tended to stay with that trail because of the water at Tabaseca. Stagecoaches took the road directly east to Chuckwalla Well. This is the way the modern road goes. Make the right turn, cross the tracks, and head east onto the Chuckwalla Bench, an unspoiled area of the California desert. The land you're traversing is rich in cholla cactus, ocotillo, ironwood trees, and so on. It's also the home of the desert tortoise. If you come upon one of the tortoises (torti?), don't bother it. Just let it take its time until it's out of your way. This is a good time to get out of your vehicle and enjoy the desert up close.
Mile 26.4: A gas line road intersects the Bradshaw Trail. Continue east (straight ahead) about 10.1 miles.
If you decide to hike from...
If you decide to hike from Chuckwalla Well north to the spring, watch out for cacti.
Mile 36.5: A faint road marked with a sign "Road To Nowhere" takes off to the north. This looks like another good one to explore. Continuing on the main road, in 2.7 miles you will come to another road to the north.
Mile 39.2: The road to the north is the Augustine Pass Road, which travels over the Chuckwallas and ultimately reaches I-10. This is a rough road, so if you're not equipped for some four-wheeling, continue on the Bradshaw Trail to . . .
Mile 44.7: To the left is the 0.7 mile road to Chuckwalla Well, a major stop on the Bradshaw Trail. You'll find a well dug in 1863 by Frink and Grant for the watering of people and animals, remains of old corrals, and even a palm tree. The actual spring lies in a small canyon several miles north of the trail, behind a spur of the mountains. The hills are covered with a spectacular growth of cholla cactus, so take care if you want to hike to the spring. During the summer months, the road to Chuckwalla Well is closed because it's the only water source for the animals in the area. Continue on the Bradshaw Trail and travel 3.2 miles to the fork in the road.