Death Valley Off-Road Adventures

What? It's still 75 degrees out. I'm heading up to Coyote in 20 minutes to escape the heat. lol

 

I know... This weather is great! My first year up here it stayed around 70-75 degrees until Thanksgiving!

 

I'll take it as long as it lasts. I've been working in a t-shirt, in Mammoth, in November. I'm a big fan of drought years. lol

 

Enjoy it while you can. The cold is coming...

 

Anyone ever hit Goler Wash/Barker Ranch/Mengal? Is it better to go west to east or visa versa? I've heard Mengal is fairly technical. @DVexile

 

Mengal isn't tough. If you have sliders it's no problem. there is usually 1 large rock that you can stack rocks to get over. I've only ever done it from east to west but if your coming from Ridgecrest west to east is a little easier coming down Mengal.

 

I've gone both ways through the pass. Personally, I like going west-to-east because I think the entrance into Butte Valley is one of the best parts of that route - it's stunning.

I wouldn't say that one way or the other is more challenging from a technical perspective - each direction has challenges in different sections, but I've never used any of my armor there. (for context, I'm a 1st gen on 33" tires)

Here's a trip report running west-to-east: Death Valley: Day 3 - Does It Get Any Better? (full trip report)

...and here's one that's east-to-west: Back to Death Valley - Day 3 - A True Oasis (full trip report)

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Would you say locker required?

 

I did it West to East in a 2WD drive on 35's...had my rear locker on but I didnt really need it. Only reason I had the locker on is because it turns off all the ABS and traction control garbage.

Mengal Pass

 

With the right line, no locker required. I've never used a locker in DV as far as I can recall.

 

I have used my locker a few times. I've got it, why not use it. Makes the obstacle easier. It is quite rare though that I needed it.

 

yeah no locker for me (yet?)...seems the few times i've broken traction on moderate trails is always on the front going uphill anyway...
just don't want to remove sway bar for on the road...rock stacking can be an enjoyable break!

 

Well, the trip report for my most recent exploration is still going to be a couple weeks out (backed up behind a couple others) but needless to say, it was another great trip; best viewed full resolution given the small subject matter.

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Very cool.

 

Hey since you were just there, I heard the step is "paved over" (filled in with dirt again), so much so that stephen hawking could wheelchair up it. Is this true?

 

Haven't been through Goler and Mengal since last year, so - my last few trips have been exploring other, less populated, parts of the park. I sure hope not though - I'm never really a fan of the paved bits...if you aren't willing to pick a line and (maybe) stack rocks, should you really be there? Just sayin'.

Side note: I worked for 10+ years with Stephen's son.

 

I would prefer no additional cell towers, there still needs to be places where you can get out on your own in the wilds. If you want to play, be prepared, you will have a richer and more satisfying experience.

 

I know this a dated thread, but I would recommend Johnson canyon, with Hungry Bill’s ranch and great day hiking even over to Panamint City. A very nice spot, rustic but that’s ok by me. Enjoy.

 

I was up Johnson canyon in April. The road was washed out a mile or more before the spring, and the road was very rough. It took 2 hours to drive the 10 miles. I never made it to Hungry Bill's, I was only able to hike in as far as the spring before I ran out of time.

 

Yep, conditions change constantly, it has been 20+ yrs since I ran around down in that country. I can’t imagine the condition of some of the roads now. Last trip over Mengle pass was in a bone stock 81 Chevy swb 4x4, East to west, easy riding. But there has been a lot more traffic and quite a few minimally skilled drivers which probably doesn’t help much either, and then there is weather.....
Love the place, hope to get back down and do some roaming in a few years, a few more mods for the Taco before I get that far south, along with a relocation process...
Nice to see and share with a stellar group of DV advocates, thanks and fine safe exploring to you all.