Leaving Phoenix, due west through the AZ desert, then at Blythe in CA, detour north to Vidal Junction, catching a glimpse of the Colorado River one time very briefly from the road, and again with another detour east for 3 miles. West from Vidal Junction through the Sheephole Valley Wilderness to the Palms Restaurant and surroundings.
There's a reason they call this a wilderness (see the video), even though to the residents it's "Wonder Valley."
Westward into the sunset, skirting Joshua Tree to the south and through
Yucca Valley, 29 Palms, Palm Springs, Inland Empire, and into Orange
County.
