Death Valley Off-Road Adventures

Thanks for the report, bet it was a little chilly

 

Thanks.

Yes. 23*F was coldest in Saline at Hunter Mountain South Pass yesterday morning.

First two nights were at low elevations, then two at around 4,000 feet. Wheeled in the snow in the Funeral Mountains, Echo Canyon, Inyo mine.

I found wild flowers in full bloom at the South end of West Side Road at and below sea level. Took me very much by surprise.

 

Wow! Wild flowers? This late in the season? That's impressive!

The cold nights are the hard part. But the days are the best for exploring.

 

I've done a lot of canyoneering in Death Valley but not a lot else. I'm always floored by the beauty out there so I decided this year I want to do more hiking and exploring the backcountry with the tacoma. Just got back from a run through Titus Canyon and a quick hike up to Thimble Peak. Can't get enough of this place.

 

I put this video together last night.

https://youtu.be/k1zwri0MKMA

Images from:

Ibex Hills
Ibex Dunes
Ibex Spring
Ibex Mine
Saratoga springs
Saratoga Mine
Owlshead Mountains
Owlshead Radio Relay Station
Harry Wade Road
West Side Road
Queen of Sheba Mine
Devil's Golf Course
Echo Canyon

 

Very nice video. I'm kinda scared to do a solo trip like that, but it's on my "bucket list".

 

Fantastic photos! Are they recent? I really like desert environments and hope to get to DV in the future.

 

We just finished a 4 day trip between the 26th and 30th. I'm working on the trip report now so I'll post it here also. Here are some teaser pics.


Goler to mengle over to striped butte


Lippencot
FYI we had a power wagon pulling a trailer in the group who had zero issues with lippencot or mengle

Striped butte

Geologist cabin

 

Thanks for sharing! This thread provides lots of inspiration for my next trip. Debating on Death Valley or Yosemite. I've been to both numerous times but never during the winter.

 

Yes. Cold nights in December and lots of darkness. I usually shut down operations at 4:30pm when daylight goes away and get my propane fire pit going, make a hot meal, do night photography, read books, study maps, prep for bed, and shelter in around 7:00pm. Start back up at 6:00am.

Here are some of the flowers. My feeling is that these are a result of the heavy rains from October.

Thank you very much.

I love it very much. It was my fifth solo multi-day back-country trip into the park since '09. The modern Tacoma, properly maintained is very reliable, and gives me a lot of confidence. My new Toyo tires, were icing on the cake. Bomber tough.

My recent posts with photos are.

Impressive. It would have been fun to cross paths with your group. I recognize Tacodoc's truck. Awesome photos, and good looking group of rigs and happy folks.

I took Lippincott on 12/30/2015. The trail is quite rough near the bottom and quite narrow in a few sections. So much so I said a little prayer before traversing the shelf, and my truck dipping towards the cliff as my rear tire tracked into the depression/erosion hole inches from the edge.

Seriously, without some serious trail repair I don't see how the trail can be passable indefinitely.

I've done Yosemite and Death Valley in winter. I would choose DV.

Here is a neat photo of my truck in Echo Canyon.

 

We also did lippincott on the 30th. Like I said we had a dodge power wagon with trailer do it without issue. Yes it was somewhat narrow but there was never an issue. I personally thought that trail was in great shape compared to what it could be. Rains trash it and it's been pretty dry.

A couple random shots of the rig to get an idea of size.

 

It's not my Tacoma that scares me, but the nights...lol

 

ROFL!!! You crack me up man! Didn't expect that.

 

"The Hills Have Eyes"

 

Yup, they're pretty large, IMO. That's Cris M's rig (BlkWgn)., Yes? Glad he made it.

 

OMG. That's been mentioned in this thread before, and for my loss, I've thought of that movie while "out there" and I'm not gonna lie, it freaks me out! Haha. The second night on this last trip, I shut down at 4:30 and found this nice wash to back into in the Owlshead mountains. It's seldom traveled route, Owl Hole Springs Road, leads 25 miles into the Owlshead mountains with a dead end. I was the only one out there, and I traveled all 25 miles and saw no other vehicles or persons. Anyways, I enjoy my fire pit, ate dinner, played music, looked at maps, got ready for bed... Turned off the fire pit, then looked around, can't see shit! There are no stars (overcast clouded sky), there is no moon. It's pitch black! I can't even see my hand in front of my face! lol! Let's just say I found my headlamp in a hurry and got into the truck for the night.

 

I would've been outta there!

 

...but a few stiff drinks helps.

 

I don't think i could have rested until I knew for sure what it was. lol

That reminds me of my last family trip in the eastern sierras, of a mouse or some other small furry creature that climbed UP the side of my canvas tent, over the top, and DOWN the other side, exiting near my head. I watched and wondered if it was going to chew a hole and come on in!

 

@Crom thank you for starting this long lasting thread.

During undergrad studies in SD- took a Geology class, with a trip to Death Valley to access the ghost town of Ryolite, NV.

The path by our standards is easier. The scenic land formations are a treat.