Death Valley Off-Road Adventures

Really the wrong place to post this, but a photo of the Mojave River crossing at Afton Campground 3/26/21

 

Thanks for the pic. How's the rest of the trail? Socal desert has been parched the past few years, and lots of fluffy sand where it used to be hard-packed.

 

Da nada. We drove to Laughlin on Friday, returned west on Saturday. We took a liberal interpretation of the Mojave Road, did not stay on the entire road itself. The sections we did take had increased whoops, presumably from the SXSs. Also, saw lots of overland people out there, many many more than I am used to. I know it's a bit early for the high desert, but we saw very few wildflowers.

 

We were in the Mojave Preserve last month, though very little on the Mojave Rd. Seemed very dry, more sand than I expected even on roads that the Digonnet guidebook said were 2wd-able, and no sign of flowers.

 

SXSs are not allowed in the preserve or any road in California that requires street legal registration. When I was stopped at Travelers Monument last november there were groups of Razors absolutely flying by, going deeper into the preserve. Heading towards Afton, more and more groups of SXSs also headed east. Pretty brazen, they don't care. Ultimately, this will probably impact use in the preserve and will lead to the inevitable public comment period.

Trafficwise, I came across eleven vehicles on the road, but this was spread along the entire length, and a group in the wash coming from Camp Cady, so not bad.

 

Missing Persons..

 

Hope they get found soon.

 

Why do these thing devolve into shit shows? Hope they're found soon.

 

Because its Facebook, every comment thread on a public FB page will inevitably turn into people bickering and insulting one another over differences in opinion. Not to mention all the trolls that exist solely to start such shenanigans.

I guess that's the internet in general, but it's especially prevalent on fb

 

It was a rhetorical question I suppose. I've decided it's far less worth responding to Facebook anymore. It's just a giant echo chamber.

 

Any details for the non-facebook people?

 

Hope they find them soon. We just got back from Death Valley. Started in Saline Valley then over Lippincott to the Racetrack. Checked out the crater. Did Rhyolite and Titus Canyon the next day before heading over to Zion in Utah. My Wife hates wheeling but loved Death Valley (except Lippincott!).

Lots of folks when we went and it was a weekday so hopefully someone saw them.

 

Should be able to view the post since its public, without needing an account. I'm not logged into mine and was able to see it. About a couple that went missing in DV after being expected to return on the 4th, still no word or sign of them. Apparently they are seasoned/experienced campers.

FB thread turned into a bickering match over whether or not Subarus and other AWD vehicles belong on Death Valley back roads

 

See below... White 2018 Forester with a black Yakima cargo box/rocket box. If they got lost around Racetrack with no map, I can see a number of places they could have made a wrong turn.

DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK MULTIAGENCY SAR
INYO COUNTY, CA, APRIL 8, 2021 – On Tuesday April 6 at approximately 6:15pm Inyo County Sheriff’s Dispatch was notified of two potentially missing individuals. According to the reporting party, 32 year-old Alexander Lofgren, and girlfriend 27 year-old Emily Henkel, both from Tucson, AZ left Helendale, CA for a camping trip in Death Valley National Park and were due to return Sunday April 4.
On April 6, after receiving notification of the two potentially missing individuals all hotels were checked in the Death Valley National Park (DVNP) area, and a “be on the lookout” (BOLO ) was sent to CHP and DVNP for their white 2018 Subaru Forester with Yakima roof rack. Additionally both were left messages on their cell phones to contact the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office as soon as possible; both phones went straight to voicemail.
On April 7, the entire Death Valley Highway 190, from Death Valley Junction to Lone Pine, was driven and every monument and attraction along to route was checked. DVPN assisted in checking every site listed on Lofgren’s backcountry itinerary. Lofgren had entered a backcountry registration log listing the following destinations while they were in the park: Artist Drive, Devils Golf Course, Racetrack, and Badwater Basin. All the areas were checked and some were checked morning and afternoon with no results.
On April 7, Lofgren and Henkel were entered into the Missing and Unidentified Persons (MUPS) database. Forensic analysis of both parties’ cell phones did not provide useful information due to the remote location and lack of cellular service.
Today, both aerial support and ground support will be utilized throughout the Death Valley area.
Both Lofgren and Henkel are described as experienced campers. Lofgren is believed to have jugs of water and at least one day’s worth of food as well as camping gear. Lofgren is known for camping in remote areas that are not designated campgrounds.
Assisting agencies currently: Inyo County Search and Rescue, Death Valley National Park, Inyo Sheriff, and China Lake Naval Weapons Base for aerial. The public is asked to contact the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office at 760-878-0383, option 4, with any information that may assist in the search.

 

dont forget the bickering about effectiveness of prayer.

 

First of all, congratulations for not falling into that cesspool!

A couple is lost in DV. Many of the remarks belittle them for choosing a Subaru to go there. People are missing and their focus is a fucking car?

I find myself responding to things that are important to me and when I disagree and respond with facts, many responses with name calling or other helpful suggestions-like "move to FL with your people and GTFO of California". Rarely do those people have anything to defend or enlighten.

 

Post was updated:


INYO COUNTY, CA, APRIL 8, 2021, 4:00PM UPDATE– The two missing individuals: 32 year-old Alexander Lofgren, and 27 year-old Emily Henkel, both from Tucson, AZ, were located today shortly after noon. They were spotted through aerial reconnaissance in a very remote area of Death Valley National Park near Willlow Creek on a very steep ledge. A hoist operation was attempted, but due to the extreme location the two team members who rappelled down were unable to reach Lofgren and Henkel. It is unclear at this point what condition Lofgren and Henkel are in.

This evening an Inyo Search and Rescue technical team will travel to Death Valley National Park and will descend the canyon as soon as they arrive.

The missing white Subaru was located first by Death Valley National Park at approximately 11:00am off of Gold Valley Road. A note was located in the vehicle that read, “Two flat tires, headed to Mormon Point, have three days’ worth of water.” This note proved to be a crucial tip in directing search efforts. The location of the vehicle was not included in Lofgren’s backcountry itinerary.

 

excellent news!

 

I hope so, but “It is unclear at this point what condition Lofgren and Henkel are in” is a little concerning. Fingers crossed for a good outcome.

Willow Creek itself is a technical canyoneering route requiring a fair bit of equipment and bypassing the canyon using ridges sounds fairly exciting as well:

https://www.stavislost.com/hikes/trail/willow-creek-canyon

It sounds like they ended up in an all too common situation of descending to a ledge they could neither continue down from or climb back up from. This happens all too often in the Black Mountains there. There’s been more than one helicopter rescue of folks similarly stuck.

As a reminder always stay with your vehicle. It is much easier to see from the air than you are. Also a burning spare tire produces a lot of smudgy smoke visible from quite a way and the oil in your vehicle can get it going pretty good.

 

The fact that the car was found quickly but the people weren’t actually recovered, speaks volumes for staying with the car. S fingers crossed that they’re OK. BTW two of my most fun DV outings off-pavement were in my Forester. I was amazed at its capabilities.