Death Valley Off-Road Adventures

Does anyone know if it's possible to drive through Mengal Pass from Barker Ranch in a stock second gen 2wd tacoma longbed? My buddy and I want to drive through Mengal Pass to get to the Geologist Cabin but his Taco is a stock 2WD.

Mine is a stock first gen 4X4 with lockers. I assume I should be fine? We will both have E load BFG KO2. Anything I should bring like tow straps just incase?

We are planning this trip for this winter. Thanks in advance.

 

Why not come in from the east via Warm Springs Road?

 

I thought I read that it was harder that way so I planned the trip going from Barker up Mengal then east to Warm Springs road. Never been to DV before but I do plan to bring recovery straps to pull my buddy out if needed. But honestly, I have no idea wtf I'm doing.

Also this is the route that I planned on Gaia. The rest of the trip is pretty straight forward and is no issues from what I can find. It's just Mengal Pass is where I'm not certain that he will make it.

 

I haven’t been there but I imagine if you finesse it is doable. There are some parking curbs to get over, Jeepers had fun spotting themselves going over the curbs and posting about it on the tube.

https://youtu.be/QYIhw8f5FE0


But seriously, I don’t think it would be good for the stock truck, especially since its 2wd. You may break something like the steering linkages pulling it over those rocks. Notice how the yellow first jeep almost hits its running board on the right side at 1:36? Without sliders a stock Taco would get hung up there with some damage.

 

West side road to Warm Springs and then into Butte Valley us much easier than Goler/Mengel.

Since this is your first trip to DV and you have a Prerunner going with you I'd suggest erring on the side of caution. I'd also suggest more than just straps.

What time frame do you have to do this trip? Looks like a lot of distance to cover. Make sure someone has your full itinerary in case something happens.

 

Thanks. We are rerouting this trip to pretty much all paved roads and some fire roads that even a Honda Civic could make it on. Bummer but it is what it is.

 

We are planning a Nov or Dec trip. It will be 4 days. Yeah, we are a bit ambitious in our plans but we don't have to stop at all of those waypoints. I just added them as possible places to see and we will adjust according to the time and daylight hours. It appears that in Nov and Dec, you have about 9-10 hours before the sun starts to set. Most of those waypoints are just "nice" to see but not a must see. I redid the trip map and it's only about 80% of what you see up top. We trimmed out pretty much all of the Barker Ranch, Russel Camp, Geologist Cabin, and most of the stuff on the Warm Spring Road side. The stuff that we consider a must see is Ballarat, Star Wars Canyon, Ubehebe Crater, Titus Canyon, Scotty's Castle, and Badwater Basin.

 

Scotty's Castle is still closed for repairs, not sure it will be open by then.

 

Racetrack playa would be fun and ok for that truck if he has a bit of weight in the back, go in from Ubehebe Crater- about 25 miles in. Second thoughts if it is raining though.

 

If this is a "first trip" and the prerunner is going I'd suggest doing the main tourist spots all along Badwater Road if possible. Those are mainly pavement visits. Titus is definitely doable unless there's been some recent rain. If coming from Trona to see Ballarat (really not much to see there) you could then go to see the Charcoal Kilns on Wildrose Road. I'd save the Ballarat visit for a trip where you will actually be able to do Goler/Mengel or places in the Panamints. For the Kilns there's some off-road sections to get to there but it isn't too long or difficult. Winter days are short in DV and having four days will give you time to see cool places but it will be a quick trip with a lot of driving.

 

Damn. We'll call before we go to see what the status is. Thanks for the heads up!

 

Thanks. We will skip Ballarat as suggested then. On our second day itinerary, we are going towards Badwater Road and will be going to Badwater Basin, Devil's Golf Course, Natural Bridge, and Sidewinder Canyon if we have time. Then we are going back north to Furnace Creek to make camp. Our third day actually finishes up at Emigrant Pass. Most likely we will make camp at Mahogony Flats which should allow us to see the Charcoal Kilns along the way. Since that is our last night there, I heard that Mahogony Flats has an awesome view of the night sky. Seriously stoked!

 

If Mahogany Flat is your last night you could see Ballarat on the way out via Panamint Valley. Looks like a good plan. Check out artist's drive too when you're on Badwater Road.

 

Instead of camping at Furnace creek go up Echo cyn to Inyo mine. It's an easy trail and some good camp spots up there especially near the eye of the needle.

 

Are there any issues with theft? A lot of the sights require you to park your rig with everything inside and walk out of sight of your vehicle. I assume it should be safe but I guess you never know?

 

I've never heard that?? I'm talking about backcountry camping. If your looking for campgrounds with all the amenities then Furnace creek is good and the naturally heated pool at the ranch is great for $5 with showers. So yea thats a great stop to get cleaned, stocked and fueled up. We stayed there with our trailer as a base camp a few years ago and it was nice. Dont buy gas there unless you have to. If your going to do Titus (which I highly recommend and is prerunner friendy unless its raining then stay out) then go the Beatty and fill up there first.

 

You may want a portable heater. Last time I was out there in winter it snowed on tin mountain and it was freezing at Mesquite camp. The charcoal kilns were inaccessible also due to too much snow. It was a fun trip though, the cold only lasted a couple days and then we had warm after that.

 

This time of year might be a little chilly at Mahogany Flat but I don't think a heater is necessary now. There's always Thorndike to camp lower down too.

 

Nessal is planning a trip for Nov or Dec so Mahogany might be pretty chilly at night then. As you mention Thorndike is lower as is Wildrose if things are cold or snowy but I think he was looking for stars and those sites are more down in the canyon. Down in the valley Mesquite Spring campground up near Scotty’s is often recommended for winter stargazing as it is far from any immediately nearby light pollution unlike Furnace Creek and Stovepipe as well as not adjacent to any through traffic roads like the 190.

 

You're right...I had forgotten the time frame. Mr. Buddy would definitely help.