Death Valley Off-Road Adventures

Ventured out to the west side today. Flowers are still kicking south of Badwater.

 

So, random DV weird shit today; drove down West Side dirt road and as we started across the flats at the north end we came upon a camper and a car parked with a couple of girls running around in lacy minimal clothing and a bunch of camera equipment. About 100 yards further another car was parked along the road with two guys smoking and hanging out by their car.

I know, I know, pics or it didn't happen. Well I was too busy trying to figure out what was going on to think to snap any pics. My gf thinks they were making porn.

It was kinda bizarre.

 

Ah, California

 

Definitely porn.

 

http://www.cbs8.com/story/31399902/rare-death-valley-super-bloom-carpets-desert-with-color

 

on exit. cut it short. too much wind filled with grit. packed it up at midnight after the mountain tent collapsed. rolled up alluvial fan for about 2.5 hour with DRL only. crawled over sharp rocks sharp turns big boulders. rolled down the gravel track through big Jtrees hit an unseen rock at 0300hr with both left wheels popped the front tire. 1 hour to change dug a hole in the gravel to drop new wheel into and lowered truck to meet the lug holes with the OEM jack and two blocks of 2x8 big Jtrees can look scary in pitch blackness with a headlamp swing left the hiLift at home dumbshit. on exit having coffee with sugar and instant oatmeal

 

quick question for you DV veterans. Why has no one taken that Manson Power wagon home with them and restore it or sell it on Ebay?

 

Because none of the history should ever be removed from our desert.

 

Doing something like that is a great way to earn a severe beating or be killed, or your house burned down, or perhaps win a Darwin award for stupidity. Who knows such things?

Hope that helps!

 

Thx crom.

BTW I was being serious as the only time ive spent in that area was a Ft Irwin. Just amazes me that no one has taken that thing for so many years. Is it like the thing is located on NPS property so it falls under the "don't take anything" rule or is it on unknown private or BLM land. With so many stories of throngs of people going through the area who obviously don't subscribe to some sort of outdoor code, I find it fascinating that no one has taken any of those things you guys have seen in you trips.

 

is 4wd really necessary for mahogany flat?

or has anyone camped on the hole in the wall rd or johnson canyon?

Trying to do a night heading towards the south side on my way to joshua tree

 

It has been a number of years since I've been up to Mahogany Flat but I'd expect 2WD with stock Tacoma clearance is just fine.

I haven't camped along Hole in the Wall, but I have camped more than once along Echo Canyon just a few miles away. Should be fine, regs say you need to be 1 mile from the pavement (i.e. 190) before you can camp along those roads.

 

Hole in the wall is 2WD friendly all the way until the hole, then about 1/8 Mile past gets rough.

 

Thanks guys ! Will post a trip report soon!

 

I personally wouldn't subject my vehicle going up to Mohagany Flats in 2wd. That will give your tires a thrashing. I know people do it. I wouldn't.

Plus it is still gonna be cold up there, especially at night. Lots of places in DV accessible by 2WD.

 

Ah, if you mean soon then Mahogany Flats is not an option. NPS has road closed past the Charcoal Kilns due to ice and snow.

 

Makes sense. I was up there in January and it was snow/ice at the kilns. Mohagany Flats is the BEST/Coolest option during the summer. Even then it isn't "cool".

 

It took forever to finish, but here's Day 1 of our trip, which includes Echo Canyon/Inyo Mine. I hope to get days 2 and 3 edited soon, but it takes a lot of time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ih8BE4WBPxw

 

Very cool. That's what I have planned for our 2nd day coming up soon. Nice job on the editing, I know how time consuming that is. Cant wait for more.

 

took my folks down to DV for the weekend, and got to take the taco through Titus Canyon. quite the epic drive!