Driving Instructions to rocket launch
In general:
• The launch site is 82 miles NW of Lake Arrowhead, or about 15 miles NE of California City, in the Mojave Desert.
• One-way driving distance is 135 miles.
• Estimated driving time, with food stops, is 3 hours.
• Reasonable gas money for riders is $20, payable to drivers.
• The last 8 miles are on dirt, though, graded and passable for ordinary vehicles.
Turn by turn instructions:
• Take I-15 North towards Victorville.
• Take exit 141 to merge onto US-395 north toward Bishop. Go 8.3 mi.
• Carl’s Jr will be on the left, just past Palmdale Road.
• Continue on US-395 north toward Bishop. Go another 34.4 mi.
• Turn left onto CA-58 W/Barstow-Bakersfield Hwy. Go 21.8 mi.
• Turn right onto California City Blvd. Go 8.4 mi.
• Turn left to stay on California City Blvd. Go 2.5 mi.
• Turn right on Neuralia Road. Go 11.1 mi.
• Turn right on Munsey Road. Go 11.9 miles, partly on dirt.
For the last 11.9 miles on Munsey Road:
• Clear your trip odometer.
• Munsey Road follows the rim of the dry lake. Don’t be distracted by roads that go off it.
• Pavement ends at mile 3.9
• Veer left at Y in road at mile 5.7
• See Rand Mountain sign at mile 9.5
• At Pole #1 veer right at mile 11.0
• Pole #2 and no trespassing sign, veer right at mile 11.5 on rocket Road
• FAR launch site at mile 11.9
For those with GPS:
• Carl’s Jr is at: 14292 U.S. Highway 395, Adelanto, CA 92301.
• Set your street navigator to California City,CA 93505, at the intersection of Munsey Road and Neuralia road.
• If you have a hiker’s GPS, set the launch site as a waypoint at 35 20.832’ N, 117 48.540’ W.
If you would like to return home through Randsburg ghost town:
• Go back out Munsey Road, 12 miles.
• Turn right on Neuralia road, go 1.8 miles.
• Turn right onto Redrock Randsburg Road, go 12.1 miles.
• Keep right to stay on Redrock Randsburg Rd. Go another 8.4 miles.
• Turn right onto Butte Ave. Destination on right 360 feet.
If you would like to return home through Charlie Brown Farms
• Go back out Munsey Road, 12 miles.
• Turn north (right) on Neuralia. Go 1.8 miles.
• Turn left onto Redrock Randsburg Rd. Go 330 feet.
• Turn left onto CA 14 – Aerospace Hwy / Midland Trail. Go 20.4 miles.
• Turn left on CA 14 – Midland Trail. Go 35.9 miles.
• Take exit 33 for Avenue S. Go 0.2 miles
• Turn left onto E Ave S. Go 5.0 miles.
• Turn right onto 47th St E. Go 0.3 miles.
• Continue onto CA-138 E/Fort Tejon Road
• Destination will be on left.
Rocket launch trip notes.
• Bring a cell phone. Keep Jerry’s cell phone: 760-267-3393.
• The carpool location is changed. It is NOT Goodwin’s in Crestline, as before.
• The new carpool location is the lot next to Rim Bowling & Entertainment Center on Lake Drive, Crestline.
• We will be leaving from Rim Bowling at 6:15 am.
• This is trip includes much sunshine, so bring protective clothing, hats, glasses, and sunscreen.
• Bring a light lawn chair.
• Weather is unpredictable. Dress in layers. It may be cool or hot. It might be breezy as well.
• You will be in a desert, so bring water.
• There will be a restroom at the launch site.
• Tennis shoes or similar are adequate footwear. Expect to chase rockets into the weeds.
• For breakfast on the road, meet at the Carl’s Jr. Drive Through in Adelanto.
Itinerary
• 6:00 am – Meet for carpooling at Rim Bowling in Crestline.
• 6:15 am – Depart Rim Bowling.
• 7:00 am – Meet for breakfast at Carl’s Jr in Adelanto. (The one on Hwy 395)
• 7:30 am – Depart Carl’s Jr.
• 9:30 am – Arrive at launch site.
• Noon – lunch at the site.
• 1 pm – Head home.
• 5 pm – Back home.