Death Valley Off-Road Adventures

Daughter was three and a half on her first trip. Was pretty magical. Probably have to click to enlarge on the photo below to see the expression on her face which just about says it all:

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When out exploring she usually wanted my wife and I to hang back a hundred feet or so she could lead the way:

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She's always asking when our next trip will be. Will see how many years that lasts for until she can't stand being around Dad anymore!

 

Our son isn't crazy about road trips. Our daughter always seemed to enjoy them more, and we took a few with just the two of us; ones I especially remember were a week with my old Land Cruiser including Silver Canyon up the White Mountains when she was 14, and Death Valley, Eureka Dunes, and Big Bear in our Subaru when she was 16. Then a few year's hiatus (including her solo around-the-world trip by plane, train, bus, tuk-tuk and moped) and in 2016 we drove the Tacoma across the country, with off-pavement highlights in Moab, City of Rocks (Idaho), and in Arkansas. She also borrowed the Taco for a trip with friends to J-Tree last winter, and the truck came back a LOT muddier. So you have plenty of years left. She called me just last night to ask about my recent DV trip. Just be prepared to hand over the keys sometimes.

 

It definitely sticks with them as they get older. We started our boys out in canoes when they were 5-6 and they're still paddling and camping today in the their 30's.

 

My 5 year old loves it. He always does great and loves the ride.

 

In fact I want to get at least one more trip to DV before it gets hot. I'm thinking April 6-8 is it. Now to start planning to explore some new areas.

 

I have nothing to really add to this thread but I just wanted to thank all you guys here for sharing so much info about death valley. I for sure want to go there now, but I am glad to know what I know from reading all the info here that it is definitely a trip that needs some extra planning that normal. Certainly wouldn’t want to get stuck out there unprepared. Hopefully I’ll be able to share a trip report here soon

 

Rummaging through the basement and found Death Valley Jeep Trails by Roger Mitchell from the famous La Siesta Press. Copyright 1969 (remember that date, it'll be important in a minute). Price $1.00 (before inflation was a thing in the US). Purchased from Map Centre in San Diego presumably by my father. Their motto stamped in the front cover is "If you can't find it on our maps, it's lost".

Keep in mind that copyright date when reading the following paragraph:



The subsequent year for those "hippies" would prove to be rather eventful...

 

Manson??

 

ding ding. you beat me to it

 

Never heard of Myers Ranch. Barker Ranch yes. Were the Myers the original owner who the Barkers bought it from? It was Kirk Barker who was befriended by the Manson Family. I believe by that time Mr. Barker had passed away so they should have had possession of the property for a while in 1969.

Very cool piece of literature to have. Old books and maps have things that the newer updated versions may not.

 

Meyers Ranch is the still privately owned ranch up Goler wash from Barker Ranch.

 

Hitting the Racetrack and Lippencott on Friday!

 

Saturday drive in from Vegas and camp down by Ashford Mill. Sunday hiking around Desolation, Artist and Natural Bridge with camping in Echo Canyon. Monday doing Keane, Rhyolite, Titus, the dunes and camping in Marble or Cottonwood. Tuesday hiking Marble and Cottonwood and headed down to MNP to camp. Wednesday Afton Canyon and on to Los Angeles. Or at least that is the plan, things can change with a five year old in tow...

 

Close-up at Mesquite Dunes....can't wait to go back....

 

The dunes rock.

 

It looks like there's some weather coming in end of next week that supposed to bring some rain to the region.

Any recommendations on parts of the park to explore during or following a storm?

 

It rained on me recently overnight at a campsite just south of racetrack. The passes that i travelled south from there towards stovepipe area are higher elevation, and the road has eastern exposure, so there was snow. Just an inch or two. I only saw one other vehicle, a 2 wheel drive frontier with street tires that was stuck. Keep in mind that rain may mean snow on passes and if you get stuck in the off season noone may be coming along to help. I only saw a few vehicles in the distance the first 3 days out.

 

Last Thursday afternoon up at Rainbow Canyon, a rocket ship came past...... late

 

What camera settings do you use to capture a picture like this? Very cool!

 

That's awesome, so clean. Nicely done!