Salton Sea Road Trip ....

[RodnJen]

Back in the day the fishing was second to none. I still have trophies from the corvina derbies they used to have. You could catch tilapia with a bare hook. They also had sargo and croaker. It was a fisherman's paradise. My grandparents still live there. It's too bad they let the sea go and didn't manage it.

Duck, dove and quail hunting are still really good though.

I use to fish there with my Grampa 40 years ago. They had a little trailer at the Fountain of Youth Health Spa, no sh-t that's the name. It was erie back then but I haven't been in well over 35 years. The fishing was good and we took a few long rides on bikes out to the dunes from there.

 

[Pelon]

A little story for you history buffs. I have been going to Salton City since the 60's. A friends dad bought a square mile in the fifties. He did a subdivision complete with model homes and an airport, where you could taxi your plane to your back yard. They still own one of the model homes which we still use today. The land borders Ocotillo Wells off road area. In the early 70's his dad got a contract with Pan Am where they would use the airport to train pilots. The family was going to make a lot of money. They got an SBA loan to fully develop the airport, a mile long, to be able to land commercial jets. After the asphalt was laid on the runway, a bunch of us teenagers were hired to sweep the runway so they could paint the striping. Something was wrong. The more we swept the more asphalt came loose. Turns out the asphalt didn't bind, probably because the contractor over cooked the asphalt. Pan Am came out and said they couldn't land on the loose asphalt and cancelled the contact. No contract and no money to repave the runway they lost the airport to foreclosure. To this day you can't tell the Salton City airport was ever paved. It is just dirt, the asphalt has just degraded and blown away over the years.

 

[HALLETT BOY]

Amazing stories !

 

[Yldboyz]

I didn't know it was a ghost town. i'm going to have to check that out.

 

[Bigjem]

haven't thought about this place in years.had family that lived there, used to go there all the time in the early 80's. the fishing and how the salt dried on your skin after you dried off is so true. this was a dune buggy paradise.

 

[Ol Man]

I was amazed a few years back when they built the homes along N. Marina Drive. That is the entrance to the OHV area. Not sure if all of the homes are occupied, but the road sure get a lot of use on weekends.

 

[overdue]

I was amazed a few years back when they built the homes along N. Marina Drive. That is the entrance to the OHV area. Not sure if all of the homes are occupied, but the road sure get a lot of use on weekends.

the company i work for did a lot of the a/c work for those contractors, we even bought a house out there so our workers can stay there and do 4/10s, we paid 3 plus for it and sold it for 125 3 years ago , we know the guy that owns most the houses , am/pm . tavern , and a lot of the other buildings there , we call him mr Potter from Its A Wonderful Life

 

[RiverDave]

A little story for you history buffs. I have been going to Salton City since the 60's. A friends dad bought a square mile in the fifties. He did a subdivision complete with model homes and an airport, where you could taxi your plane to your back yard. They still own one of the model homes which we still use today. The land borders Ocotillo Wells off road area. In the early 70's his dad got a contract with Pan Am where they would use the airport to train pilots. The family was going to make a lot of money. They got an SBA loan to fully develop the airport, a mile long, to be able to land commercial jets. After the asphalt was laid on the runway, a bunch of us teenagers were hired to sweep the runway so they could paint the striping. Something was wrong. The more we swept the more asphalt came loose. Turns out the asphalt didn't bind, probably because the contractor over cooked the asphalt. Pan Am came out and said they couldn't land on the loose asphalt and cancelled the contact. No contract and no money to repave the runway they lost the airport to foreclosure. To this day you can't tell the Salton City airport was ever paved. It is just dirt, the asphalt has just degraded and blown away over the years.

Fucking mind blowing.. From riches to rags right there..

I swear that whole town has a black cloud on it..

RD

 

[OCMerrill]

Mentioned earlier in the thread, up Marina Drive towards the hills is a place called Truckhaven. Been there several times with the offroad club. One Saturday night we drove down and around all the old houses, dark streets, etc.

Creepy does not even begin to describe the place. Its like a ghost town with people living there, practically in the shadows.

 

[TPC]

Plans were to build two gigantic weirs which would section the sea into three. Paid for out of the environmental super-fund.
Then relatively cleaner water would be fed to the outside two sections overflowing into the center section thus somewhat flushing out 2/3 of the sea.

It all ended when Bono ski'd into the tree.
His wife took over his seat and defaulted into just another do-nothing politician.
The environmental super fund is broke last I heard.

Many surrounding areas are high crime rate.

 

[teded]

salvation mountain is at the entrance to slab city. We drove around there one day, little sketchy in places.

 

[stevel]

A little story for you history buffs. I have been going to Salton City since the 60's. A friends dad bought a square mile in the fifties. He did a subdivision complete with model homes and an airport, where you could taxi your plane to your back yard. They still own one of the model homes which we still use today. The land borders Ocotillo Wells off road area. In the early 70's his dad got a contract with Pan Am where they would use the airport to train pilots. The family was going to make a lot of money. They got an SBA loan to fully develop the airport, a mile long, to be able to land commercial jets. After the asphalt was laid on the runway, a bunch of us teenagers were hired to sweep the runway so they could paint the striping. Something was wrong. The more we swept the more asphalt came loose. Turns out the asphalt didn't bind, probably because the contractor over cooked the asphalt. Pan Am came out and said they couldn't land on the loose asphalt and cancelled the contact. No contract and no money to repave the runway they lost the airport to foreclosure. To this day you can't tell the Salton City airport was ever paved. It is just dirt, the asphalt has just degraded and blown away over the years.

My grandparents had house in salton city close to the marina and hotel. My dad had a cessna 170 and would use that air port quite a bit. There could be some strong cross winds out there.

 

[JM21]

[video=youtube;0vVCSUafFVI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vVCSUafFVI[/video]

 

[pipemn]

A little story for you history buffs. I have been going to Salton City since the 60's. A friends dad bought a square mile in the fifties. He did a subdivision complete with model homes and an airport, where you could taxi your plane to your back yard. They still own one of the model homes which we still use today. The land borders Ocotillo Wells off road area. In the early 70's his dad got a contract with Pan Am where they would use the airport to train pilots. The family was going to make a lot of money. They got an SBA loan to fully develop the airport, a mile long, to be able to land commercial jets. After the asphalt was laid on the runway, a bunch of us teenagers were hired to sweep the runway so they could paint the striping. Something was wrong. The more we swept the more asphalt came loose. Turns out the asphalt didn't bind, probably because the contractor over cooked the asphalt. Pan Am came out and said they couldn't land on the loose asphalt and cancelled the contact. No contract and no money to repave the runway they lost the airport to foreclosure. To this day you can't tell the Salton City airport was ever paved. It is just dirt, the asphalt has just degraded and blown away over the years.

Interesting,I lived there for for 42 years.I actually loaded the truck and transfers from an old county pit north of the airport with the material they used to try and make a type of desert mix for the pavement.

 

[pipemn]

I think this year was the last year of "Treasure Trails". Bummer

Yes your right no more treasure trails. My wife used to write a bunch of the clues for that event.It actually started back in the mid sixties by Ray Ellis and a group a buggy people.It kept growing and Ray turned it over to Helen Burns at Salton Sea Beach a.k.a. Helens Beach.Oh yeah no more spook runs either.Both events got to big for the locals to handle and the blm rules and permits finally killed it.Both were great family events for years.

 

[Pelon]

Interesting,I lived there for for 42 years.I actually loaded the truck and transfers from an old county pit north of the airport with the material they used to try and make a type of desert mix for the pavement.

Did you know John the owner? It looked good when it was new. Was that the original asphalt or the repair attempt. I know they hired a European company to try and do an affordable repair to the tarmac. It didn't work. Have you seen the airport lately? It is mostly down to the gravel base. I found this You Tube video of someone taking off from the airport.

[video=youtube;-nXGlPS-DEQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nXGlPS-DEQ[/video]

 

[pipemn]

Did you know John the owner? It looked good when it was new. Was that the original asphalt or the repair attempt. I know they hired a European company to try and do an affordable repair to the tarmac. It didn't work. Have you seen the airport lately? It is mostly down to the gravel base. I found this You Tube video of someone taking off from the airport.

[video=youtube;-nXGlPS-DEQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nXGlPS-DEQ[/video]

No I have not driven out there lately.But I know a few people who live there still.They use to keep their ultra lights in the hanger there.i still own a home in desert shores,which keeps me driving over there.
In answer to your question,I believe Degraffenreed came in and mixed the soils and oil.As I remember the process didn't work.My ex partner was involved with whole operation,I believe Jack Atkinson was who you are referring to as the original owner and receiver of the SBA loan.Its been along time but those we're interesting times for sure.

 

[TITTIES AND BEER]

my dad use to ski there before it went bad

As a kid it was a Great play ground ! now ? I think they should get as much crap of the beaches and Flood it again

 

[pipemn]

As a kid it was a Great play ground ! now ? I think they should get as much crap of the beaches and Flood it again

Having been there since 63' your probably right.As kids we all were taught by Chuck Stearns to ski in the channel in Desert Shores.,use to have local slalom tournaments there.

 

[TBulger]

I love this thread and since it started, I've read all I can on the area. Seems like a wonderful place to drop off a SXS and spend all day looking around. Loved the guy on the cooler scooter, but didn't see much ice, also loved his camper and the decor. Will explore the area on the next trip to Parker, taking the 111 down the east side. Have made the trip down the west side on a motorcycle, but was totally oblivious to what it was all about. Thanks so much for posting and loved the comments from the people that spent time there. Read the entire plan on bringing the lake back over the next several years and it just might work, if the money comes through, but I kind of doubt it. Seems all the problems related to runoff from Ag.

 

[CampbellCarl]

Having been there since 63' your probably right.As kids we all were taught by Chuck Stearns to ski in the channel in Desert Shores.,use to have local slalom tournaments there.

I must have followed you by a year or two. 1966 is my earliest recollection of being there. Dad was freaked out on a night cruise....something about some old pilings jutting out from the beach. I think he went about 2 miles out into the Sea to make sure to avoid them. Then, no more night cruises..

 

[pipemn]

I must have followed you by a year or two. 1966 is my earliest recollection of being there. Dad was freaked out on a night cruise....something about some old pilings jutting out from the beach. I think he went about 2 miles out into the Sea to make sure to avoid them. Then, no more night cruises..

Wise move, in the later years after the water level was raised.There were many pilings even buildings under water,around sundial,also out in front of Desert Shores beach area.

 

[Craig]

Donnie Henson's Dad use to go there all the time in the 60's with the little boat! Cool thread!

 

[Pelon]

No I have not driven out there lately.But I know a few people who live there still.They use to keep their ultra lights in the hanger there.i still own a home in desert shores,which keeps me driving over there.
In answer to your question,I believe Degraffenreed came in and mixed the soils and oil.As I remember the process didn't work.My ex partner was involved with whole operation,I believe Jack Atkinson was who you are referring to as the original owner and receiver of the SBA loan.Its been along time but those we're interesting times for sure.

Jack (John or Mr. A as i knew him) passed a few years ago. I am friends with his youngest son. The family still owns the house on Air Park Drive. The airport sold a few years ago and kicked all the ultralights out. I know Bob who is part of that group and lives across the street on Air Park Drive. A few years ago, just after Jack passed it looked like the family might finally benefit from his legacy. They still own land between the airport and Pole Line Road. There was plans to build 3 geothermal plants in that area. The family even leased their land to Ormat, an Israeli geothermal company. They would get a percentage of the electricity produced. Unfortunately environmentalist blocked the path of the distribution lines from coming through the State Park, and various land owners blocked the lines from coming from the north. The plans to build the plants were shelved. What did Dave say about a black cloud....

 

[pipemn]

Jack (John or Mr. A as i knew him) passed a few years ago. I am friends with his youngest son. The family still owns the house on Air Park Drive. The airport sold a few years ago and kicked all the ultralights out. I know Bob who is part of that group and lives across the street on Air Park Drive. A few years ago, just after Jack passed it looked like the family might finally benefit from his legacy. They still own land between the airport and Pole Line Road. There was plans to build 3 geothermal plants in that area. The family even leased their land to Ormat, an Israeli geothermal company. They would get a percentage of the electricity produced. Unfortunately environmentalist blocked the path of the distribution lines from coming through the State Park, and various land owners blocked the lines from coming from the north. The plans to build the plants were shelved. What did Dave say about a black cloud....

I had a few drinks with Bob Butler just the other day at the vfw in Desert Shores.