Death Valley Off-Road Adventures

Looking forward to trip reports! Even secret location trip reports.

 

I suspect that it's code for "I'm gonna camp at my favorite (secret) Death Valley location."

 

I was thinking the same thing along with some of this....

 

That looks painful.

 

I was at DV Tuesday & Wednesday for the first time off-pavement. Camped at Eureka Dunes with no one else within many miles, no need for a secret spot this trip.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/truck-camping-photo-thread.407866/page-342#post-26277850

The areas I went were mostly smoke free, but I could see it in the distance. The exception was the trip to the Racetrack, strong smoke smell at the pass. Down on the valley floor there was no smoke, completely clear. There looked to be an inversion layer, with the smoke above about 4000'.

 

What were the temps like on your trip?

 

As high as 100F in Saline Valley. Otherwise in the 90s in sunny areas and mid 80s in overcast/smokey areas. A bit cooler than the forecast. It was 48F just before sunrise at Eureka.

 

I spent a Friday and Saturday night up on Hunter Mountain. The temp up there was nice, mid 70's to 80's. The smoke was not ideal but not horrible, at least at elevation. It was empty out there except for deer and coyotes. The stars were great, all in all it was a great weekend out exploring.


Looking down from South Pass into Panamint Valley... Smokey


Less Smoke looking East.


J-Tree forrest looked good.


Happy camp.

Cheers!!!

 

thanks for the trip report...
think i used the same campsite in your last pic thanksgiving 2018
nice

 

Do you guys have any camping recommendations for the Northern part of the park around the north of Scotty's Castle and around Cerro Gordo peak?

 

NNE monday and then today

 

did you drive up the steel pass road?
the dunes were gorgeous this morning when i drove thru

 

I didn't go through Steel Pass. It was my 1st time to DV and it served as a scouting trip as well. I've found the various sources for trail "ratings" are all over the map, so I traveled the more benign routes this time to get a feel. I'll be back and that road is on the list!

The dunes were awesome, no wind, no people, no smoke that day! And that fox tail!!!

 

Trying to make a solo trip out there this early November with my son and my modified Prerunner TRD sport. I have good tires and clearance. Not looking to get into too much trouble. Want to do a few touristy things with him like badwater basin, devil's golf, artists pallette road, zabrinske. I've seen those but he has not. Also want hit Titus canyon road and ubehebe crater. Down to tea kettle junction. So far I think it's all doable in my Prerunner. Coming out of teakettle... How is Hunter mountain road for a prerunner going up? Thinking about getting up there and then heading back to southern California. Probably 3 nights. Too much in one trip? Really want to avoid Lippincott and other technical off-road stuff.

 

Provided Hunter has not had any recent rain or snow it’s totally doable in a 2wd drive with good AT’s tires and clearance. I’ve done it several times in mine. I’ve done lippincott from racetrack to saline with no issues…but it’s all downhill and I had 4x4 s with me so I wasn’t worried. Though I’m pretty sure I could do it the opposite direction with out a problem. But again I wouldn’t do lippincott alone and 2wd. Hunter is a piece of cake dry

 

You should be ok. There is a section in Hidden Valley that can be deep rutted silt/powder dependent on conditions and how many vehicles have traveled through there.

 

Last week they had a sign saying it is inadvisable to travel through Hidden Valley due to deep sand. There were pictures from July showing stuck AWD SUVs (BMW X5 etc.) at the road junction. I interpreted this to mean SUVs keep out, but wasn't sure, so I left it for another day. Is that correct, the NPS exaggerates conditions to keep inappropriate vehicles out? (I passed a Charger heading down to the Racetrack!)

 

I'm not familiar with the area, but generally speaking just because some stock AWD SUVs (presumably on street/highway tires) got stuck does not mean your truck will. People in their AWD Subarus often confuse their vehicle's capability with that of a better equipped 4wd and it gets them in trouble.

That being said I would try to go with someone else if you're new to the area, and as always bring recovery gear/provisions in case you do get stuck.

 

Ya. This part of hidden valley is sandy and silty. Just look in the distance. Make sure no one is coming then go…keep yourself speed up and don’t stop and you will be fine.