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Death Valley "Cabin Run" 2/28 - 3/2 AAR

Discussion in 'South West' started by mandzach, Mar 4, 2014.

  1. Mar 4, 2014 at 11:17 AM
    #1
    mandzach

    mandzach [OP] Well-Known Member

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    The trip turned out great although we felt the wrath of Mother Nature!

    On the way out to Death Valley the weather was not bad.
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    Pulled into Ballarat and got a couple of beers from Rocky.
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    The town has some history for sure.
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    Then we headed up Pleasant Canyon.
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    We rolled up to Clair Camp. Clair Camp is near the site of Henry Ratcliff's Never Give Up Mine and the Montgomery brothers' World Beater Mine, both of which began in 1896. In 1930, a man named W.D. Clair bought the Ratcliff Mine and began to work the tailings, successfully bringing out another 60,000 in gold ore. At that time, the site took the name of Clair Camp.
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    Then we headed to World Beater but unfortunately it was already occupied.

    We ended up taking refuge down in one of Claire's outbuildings. (No photos due to the weather) The first night it stormed in Biblical proportions. We had incredible rain, almost horizontal sleet and ice (due to the winds coming off the mountain side), we even had a few snowflakes.





    Placeholder...much more to come.;)
     
  2. Mar 4, 2014 at 9:09 PM
    #2
    bjmoose

    bjmoose Bullwinkle J. Moose

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    San Jose CA
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    OME suspension, ARB Air Lockers, CBI/Relentless/Pelfrey armor, HAM radio
    Awesome trip. Thanks for organizing Charlie. subbed for thread updates.
     
  3. Mar 6, 2014 at 7:27 AM
    #3
    mandzach

    mandzach [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Steve went on a morning run
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    He proceeded to seize the hill and completed his recon mission
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    As he was heading back some MX guys came rolling around the lower shelf road
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    The storm left a small lake on the flats
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    We made it to our camp for the second night via the valley. (Cabin photos will not be posted, you had to be there.)
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    We all agreed that the Chicken Pass ledge was too risky due to the high level of rainfall the night before. But the group decided to hike up to the area on foot to survey the trail.
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    The night came and around the fire good times were had.
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    Next morning we took a side trail to Suitcase Mine - this turned out to be the hardest switchback trail I have ever seen. So I took it and Steve (BJMoose) followed with his reg cab and had to perform some five point turns!
    I had to drive backwards at every other switch back because I could not turn the truck around at the switch back points. It was more of a mule trail.
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    The best part of the trip is still to come - stay subbed....
     
  4. Mar 6, 2014 at 11:11 AM
    #4
    sirhk100

    sirhk100 Well-Known Member

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    I'm jealous! Would love to tag along on a trip like this but my exploring vehicle is literally a ford exploder. My tacoma connection is a 2wd race truck. Some people are picky about mixing breeds! LOL The expo is on 35's, lockers front and rear, setup pretty nice...
     
  5. Mar 6, 2014 at 4:36 PM
    #5
    Fernando

    Fernando Hammerdown

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  6. Mar 6, 2014 at 5:01 PM
    #6
    jc1980

    jc1980 Well-Known Member

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    Sub'd
     
  7. Mar 6, 2014 at 6:59 PM
    #7
    MJonaGS32

    MJonaGS32 MJ on a GS

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    nice pictures. this place is definitely on the bucket list
     
  8. Mar 10, 2014 at 5:13 AM
    #8
    Justin

    Justin Well-Known Member

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    I definitely agree. The mining part reminds me of Colorado a little bit. Awesome pictures you guys. I am jealous of your trip; it looks like a blast.
     
  9. Aug 5, 2014 at 11:15 AM
    #9
    CowboyTaco

    CowboyTaco $20 is $20

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    Absolutely loving the pics!
     
  10. Aug 30, 2014 at 5:30 AM
    #10
    rcn

    rcn Well-Known Member

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    Awesome pictures! Looks like a great adventure.

    The last time I was in Death Valley was in 2012 and it was a blast (although I did more hiking than 4x4'ing). Someday I'll have the time to make it up there to travel on some of the 4x4 roads.
     

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