Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Quartzite for the winter
| Quartzite for the winter [message #232530] |
Sat, 07 December 2013 00:48  |
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Richard RV
Messages: 631
Registered: July 2012
Location: Full-timer for 12 years, ...
Karma: -17
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I'm starting to plan further adventures, and I'm wondering what Quartzite is like for a couple or three week stay over the winter. Is there a GMC contingent that regularly sets up camp? Anyone ever been outside of the big show dates?
I've only driven through Quartzite twice during a short trip to CA and back. It was during a rock/gem show and it was a total zoo at the gas station.
I guess when I'm asking is what would be the best time to go, where to stay, things to do and such. Thanks.
Richard
'77 Birchaven TZE...777;
'76 Palm Beach under construction;
‘76 Edgemont waiting its turn
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| Re: [GMCnet] Quartzite for the winter [message #232553 is a reply to message #232536] |
Sat, 07 December 2013 11:10  |
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WD0AFQ
Messages: 7111
Registered: November 2004
Location: Dexter, Mo.
Karma: 207
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| Steven Ferguson wrote on Sat, 07 December 2013 06:12 |
Richard,
Quartzsite is a total zoo during the snowbird months. Nearly all hook up
sites are reserved very far in advance leaving only absurdly priced BLM dry
camping available. More gasoline is turned into coffee there than any
other place in the CONUS. Fun to visit during the RV and gem show but the
dust will clog you and the mud can mire you. The GMC Pacific Cruisers and
sometimes the San Francisco 49ers spend about a week there and you'll have
to check their respective websites for more information.
On Fri, Dec 6, 2013 at 11:48 PM, Richard <GMC77Birchaven@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> I'm starting to plan further adventures, and I'm wondering what Quartzite
> is like for a couple or three week stay over the winter. Is there a GMC
> contingent that regularly sets up camp? Anyone ever been outside of the
> big show dates?
>
> I've only driven through Quartzite twice during a short trip to CA and
> back. It was during a rock/gem show and it was a total zoo at the gas
> station.
>
> I guess when I'm asking is what would be the best time to go, where to
> stay, things to do and such. Thanks.
>
> Richard
> --
> '77 Birchaven TZE...777
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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--
Take care,
Steve
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Some folks love it, some hate it. I am like Steve, in that I refuse to rough it. My coach is set up to dry camp in comfort, his is not. I have to have my hot shower every day and I am not going to sweat or freeze to death. We camp south 5 miles where the dust Steve speaks of is pretty much nill,compared to up town. If you need hookups you may be too late. If you have your coach set up to dry camp you are in luck. Took me 3 years to get everything set up like we needed it. I don't even carry the little kipor anymore for Quartzsite.
Anyway, you might like it and/or you might not. There is no group of GMCs that spend the entire month out there unless it is in one of the campgrounds that we are not aware of. Teri and I become a local citizen when we get there. Was scared to death the first year. Bert and Fay Curtis helped us over our fears. Many coffee shops know me by name. I pay up in advance so I can stop for a cup even when I have no change in my pockets. I learn where everything is within a couple days so we can help friends locate parts etc. Sad we will miss it this year. We have friends with a fifth wheel out in a neighborhood who have invited us to use it but does not look good. We also have security in Quartzsite if we need to leave town. The church we attend will let us lock up on the parking lot with hookups for a few days so we can run over to Los Angeles or somewhere.
I guess Quartzsite is what you make it. We enjoy it to the fullest when we can.
Dan
Ge in my pockets.
3 In Stainless Exhaust Headers
One Ton All Discs/Reaction Arm
355 FD/Quad Bag/Alum Radiator Manny Tran/New eng.
Holley EFI/10 Tire Air Monitoring System
Solarized Coach/Upgraded Windows
Satelite TV/On Demand Hot Water/3Way Refer
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| Re: [GMCnet] Quartzite for the winter [message #232567 is a reply to message #232553] |
Sat, 07 December 2013 14:17 |
Hal StClair
Messages: 971
Registered: March 2013
Location: Rio Rancho NM
Karma: -12
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Senior Member |
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We've been going to Quartzsite since about 1980 and as stated, it's not for everyone. In the 'old' days it was a real zoo but the place has really been civilized over the years. It used to be a two lane road with traffic backups well over a mile long in most directions and no traffic signals. At one time you could actually get a 'deal' at some of the vendors, not so much today.
Prices have gone sky high there, H2O & dump cost $20.00 for our rig, BLM now charges to park in the desert in areas designated by them with little rational in placement. The locals don't care too much for the annual migration and I can't really blame them. Their local restaurants and stores are loaded and traffic is a mess. Their taxes have gone through the roof and the water and waste water fees are crazy. The Feds came in a number of years ago and made the town build plants to service the part time winter load, which only lasts about 6 weeks, but they have to support all year.
That being said, if you've never been there it's worth a visit. Just be sure to get there while the Big Tent is up and lots of vendors around. One of the GMC clubs has a rally during this window
(sorry I don't know which one) but I'm sure someone here will speak up. We've stopped by and chatted with them in years past, prior to owning a GMC, and they always were a hospitable group.
The weather is usually nice but you can get wind and a little bit of winter sometimes. It is January after all.
Have fun,Hal
"I enjoy talking to you. Your mind appeals to me. It resembles my own mind, except you happen to be insane."
1977 Royale 101348,
1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,
1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout,
Rio Rancho, NM
[Updated on: Sun, 08 December 2013 15:15] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] Quartzite for the winter [message #232585 is a reply to message #232536] |
Sat, 07 December 2013 17:38 |
Douglas Norton
Messages: 191
Registered: April 2008
Karma: 0
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We go most years. The RV show is Jan 18 to 26. The GMC 49ers have several members going about the 15th to beat the rush and to be there for the RV show. We usually congregate on the BLM land at, "LaPosta North" Rates were $40 for two weeks of dry boondock camping with water, dump and trash included. About 6 miles south of there, there is Quartzfest, a large group of Hams. That area is free and you can pay for dump and water in town. We park as close to the highway and north boundry in Laposta as possible so a group of GMC coaches can be seen from the highway. There are over a thousand booths in the flea markets as well as many permanent buildings where vendors sell their wears. It is a lot of fun unless you want to park near the big tent area. Most RV people there speak Canadian but can be understood eh! Check the 49ers bolg http://gmc49ers.blogspot.com/ in a few weeks for details or go the pacific cruisers website to see if they
will be there with hookups at Rice Ranch again this year. There are hookups available before and after the RV show. It is a great place to do your Christmas shopping for next year.
Doug Norton 73 Sequoia trying to tow the tiny tin teal tone toad toward Tucson
________________________________
On Fri, Dec 6, 2013 at 11:48 PM, Richard <GMC77Birchaven@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> I'm starting to plan further adventures, and I'm wondering what Quartzite
> is like for a couple or three week stay over the winter. Is there a GMC
> contingent that regularly sets up camp? Anyone ever been outside of the
> big show dates?
>
> I've only driven through Quartzite twice during a short trip to CA and
> back. It was during a rock/gem show and it was a total zoo at the gas
> station.
>
> I guess when I'm asking is what would be the best time to go, where to
> stay, things to do and such. Thanks.
>
> Richard
> --
> '77 Birchaven TZE...777
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Take care,
Steve
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| Re: [GMCnet] Quartzite for the winter [message #232640 is a reply to message #232585] |
Sun, 08 December 2013 11:52 |
roy1
Messages: 2126
Registered: July 2004
Location: Minden nevada
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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To each his own. We have been going down there for 1 1/2 to 2 months most winters to warm up a little and see old friends. I don't care to stay in quartzite proper so we stay at Mayflower county park in Blythe California in our GMC. We have hookups (honey truck pumps the tank 3 times a week) the campsites are on the grass which is mostly dead for winter. It is on the Colorado River with open fields for walking the dogs or hiking no reservations accepted. Last year it was $275 a month. Daily and weekly rates can get costly. January is the best month as the blue grass festival is in the middle of the month and the 1/2 hour drive to Quartzite in the Toad is easy. It is about 100 miles from here to Yuma or Palm Springs also in the Toad for a day trip. There is also Havasu ( London Bridge) about 45 miles north. So it's not just Quartzite if you have a toad.
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook
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| Re: Quartzite for the winter [message #232729 is a reply to message #232530] |
Mon, 09 December 2013 15:28 |
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Richard RV
Messages: 631
Registered: July 2012
Location: Full-timer for 12 years, ...
Karma: -17
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Senior Member |
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Thank you gentlemen, for dispelling some erroneous notions I had. I thought that Quartzsite was just a free-for-all where people just camped wherever they wanted. The BLM additional regulations were an eye-opener.
I also saw that they've cancelled two of the three big shows this year due to falling attendance, and only the RV show remains. Luckily (for me) that's all I'm interested in!
Thanks for the info.
Richard
'77 Birchaven TZE...777;
'76 Palm Beach under construction;
‘76 Edgemont waiting its turn
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| Re: Quartzite for the winter [message #232785 is a reply to message #232754] |
Mon, 09 December 2013 21:36 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Richard,
We went to Quartzsite two years in a row and were broken in by a couple of veterans (Dan and Teri). We camped with them at the free area, south down the road at mile marker 99. There are no fees down there, and consequently no facilities. As Dan mentioned, also very little dust. Just south of town is the La Posa Long Term Visitor Area, a group of BLM campsites, that are basically just places to dry camp for a fee of $40.00 for 14 days. These have an area where you can dump and get water, along with trash dumpsters.
http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/recreation/camping/LTVA/laposa.html
Services are available in town where you can dump and stock up on water for a fee. A couple of the GMC groups from California have camped in the La Posa area or in Rice Ranch South (with hook-ups). We visited with them and were able to park our towd at their campsite to go to the big tent show.
We also stopped there for overnighters on the way to and from the coast on another January trip. We stayed down in the free area those times too. We enjoyed it, and will plan another trip down there when Dan and Teri go again. We are set up a little better for dry camping now than we were then and will enjoy it even more.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: Quartzite for the winter [message #232791 is a reply to message #232785] |
Mon, 09 December 2013 23:40 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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I went one year and leaned on Dan and Teri for support. I missed the couple of years and hoped to go again this January.
I'll wait for one more year until Jan 2015 when Dan and Teri are out there again.
The year I was there I had to leave early to get my daughter back in time for work so I did not get to see and do everything I wanted to do.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: Quartzite for the winter [message #232813 is a reply to message #232791] |
Tue, 10 December 2013 11:24 |
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WD0AFQ
Messages: 7111
Registered: November 2004
Location: Dexter, Mo.
Karma: 207
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Senior Member |
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| Ken Burton wrote on Mon, 09 December 2013 23:40 |
I went one year and leaned on Dan and Teri for support. I missed the couple of years and hoped to go again this January.
I'll wait for one more year until Jan 2015 when Dan and Teri are out there again.
The year I was there I had to leave early to get my daughter back in time for work so I did not get to see and do everything I wanted to do.
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We had so much fun trying to keep Ken out of trouble that year. We made him keep his ham radio tracker on so we could get him home in time for meals. One evening Doug and Irene hollared, Doug is a ham too. Ken was way over west across the river down in Podunk, California. One trail in and one trail out. We were taking bets on whether or not he would ever find us again. No cell coverage just the ham radio tracking system. Well, about 9 pm he came dragging in with some wild story. I told him to forget it, we had been watching him all day, not 10 miles away but 80 miles by pig trails. Quartzsite is a great place to spend the month of January once you are retired and really have nothing better to do. If you wonder, just check out the escapee's forum and other internet sites on the subject.
Some kind of communication is a good idea. One can get lost if not careful. I will say, Quartzsite is probably the cheapest place I have ever spent 30 days in the GMC, not counting the two engines we bought. 
Dan
3 In Stainless Exhaust Headers
One Ton All Discs/Reaction Arm
355 FD/Quad Bag/Alum Radiator Manny Tran/New eng.
Holley EFI/10 Tire Air Monitoring System
Solarized Coach/Upgraded Windows
Satelite TV/On Demand Hot Water/3Way Refer
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| Re: Quartzite for the winter [message #232817 is a reply to message #232813] |
Tue, 10 December 2013 12:53 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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That trip I wandered down the east (Arizona) side of the Colorado river, (west side of the Yuma Proving Ground) until I ran out of dirt roads in the Cibola Wildlife Refuge. I kept running into signs oon dirst rads t the east of "no entry without approval of someone at Yuma". The short cut back would have been across Yuma's property to highway 95 and north to Quartzsite, but I did not try it. If I had taken it I figured some black helicopter would be chasing me down like they do at area 51.
I ran into a little town of Cibola. Someone built a private bridge from there across the Colorado river into California. So on the way back I crossed it and came back through Blythe and Quartzsite on civilized roads. It was better route that the dirt and gravel ones I took down there.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: Quartzite for the winter [message #232820 is a reply to message #232819] |
Tue, 10 December 2013 13:13 |
Don A
Messages: 895
Registered: October 2008
Location: Dallas, TX
Karma: 0
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Did you actually get into the town of Cibola? Are all those rectanglular streets residential with houses or RV sires?
Don Adams Dallas, TX
'76 26' Glenbrook, '90 Sidekick
rebuilt by R Archer, powered by J Bounds, Koba
[IMG]http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/6109/G2.jpg[/IMG]
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| Re: Quartzite for the winter [message #232823 is a reply to message #232820] |
Tue, 10 December 2013 13:28 |
Don A
Messages: 895
Registered: October 2008
Location: Dallas, TX
Karma: 0
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Wow, I was actually refering to the Streets and Trips map of Cibola with all the RV park looking streets. But Google Maps Satelite has the picture. Lots of irrigated farms and then property that looks like it should be tied into Robin's thread which has drifted to HOA's. Much more civilized if you approach from the West side, the way Ken returned.
Don Adams Dallas, TX
'76 26' Glenbrook, '90 Sidekick
rebuilt by R Archer, powered by J Bounds, Koba
[IMG]http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/6109/G2.jpg[/IMG]
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