Death Valley Off-Road Adventures

Should have taken pics and said something to him. If possible a report to rangers would have been good too.

 

It's all on the dash cam but I'm not sure what reporting it would accomplish at this point other than risk getting access cut for those that do follow the rules. My guess is they were camped at stovepipe. We were deep into the canyon near the cottonwood cutoff when I came across them and I wasn't about to turn around to snitch on them at that point. The driver was a younger dude (maybe early 20's) and he had his helmet off so his face is pretty clear on the video.

Like I said, the guy clearly looked like he knew he was caught and doing something he wasn't suppose to be doing so I'm hoping his paranoia that he was going to get busted ruined any fun they were having.

 

Just pull the hand mic out and act like you're reporting. Say things like "copy that" and "no...looks like 13-284...bravo 15 clear". And then just drive off. If you really wanna fuck with them, say "copy...control has video" before you leave.

 

Another DV adventure in the books for Blue and I. Drove to Trona Pinnacles after Thanksgiving dinner and camped.

Started the day at 730am on Friday. I stopped in Trona for a few last minute supplies and gas. Drove to Stovepipe Wells for an annual pass and made my way to Ubehebe Crater, Racetrack Playa, moving rocks and camped at Homestake. At 6pm a lost jeep owner stopped by my camp asking for directions, he was trying to make his way back to his AirBnB in Tecopa. Gave him my spare map, I suggested a route and wished him luck.

On Saturday, drove back to the Southern Racetrack Playa to hike up to the Sally Ann Mine. Walking across the Playa felt like a never-ending treadmill. I stumbled across a bone on my way back to the truck. Anyone know what animal it might be from Drove? Drove to the start of Lippincott and started the descent into Saline Valley. A small section I had to get out and pick out a line, but it gave me confidence that my new leaf pack and tires are giving me the clearance I need. As I was driving across Saline Valley towards Warm Springs, a come across a lost Subaru driver. His GPS map wasn't working and he didn't know what direction it was 395. I let him take pictures of my map and pointed him the right direction. It was getting late I was doubting myself that I can make it Eureka Dunes before nightfall. I was thinking of stopping at Warm Springs for the night, but it was a zoo and there were too many naked hipster weirdos with Rollie Fingers mustache wearing bath robs and St Patty's Day leprechaun hats. No thanks. Pressed on towards Steel Pass to find a suitable spot to camp. Made it to Marble bathtub and then I heard voices from above, I hiked up the road and found some campsites, perfect. There was only 1 other group.

On Sunday morning, made my towards Eureka Dunes. It took me an hour and some change to descend Dedeckera Canyon and the four steps. Spotting myself wasn't easy. Mudflaps were the only things on my truck scrapping, well other then some sidewall rub. After I was done I pulled over to grab a beer to calm nerves. I heard some commotion in the canyon and I walked back to help spot a guy in a OJ style Ford Bronco. When I walked up to him he was about to start the first step. After he made it through, he tells me the last 3 digits on his odometer was 777 when I walked up. Wished him well and I found a spot to have lunch and finish my beer. The fine flour sand out of Eureka Dunes is no joke. Aired up at the start of pavement. Hit the road again and I forgot to clean my windshield. The sun glare was bad and I stopped at the top of the pass to clean the windshield and I found another Taco airing up from another trail. We left at the same time and I was trailing him when one of his bags flew out the back of his truck. He never stopped, but I stopped to pick it up and found him at the bottom at the 395 junction. Made it home with a dirty truck and unscathed.

 

I drove by you on Saturday! Were you camping at homestake? I was in a 3rd gen tacoma followed by a white 4runner!

 

Yes, I remember seeing a Taco and 4 runner passing by in the morning. Did you camp at Homestake Friday night too?

 

nah, We camped at Mesquite campground. took lippincott trail to leave DV

 

Part 1 of my trip to the southwest corner of the park. New territory for me, and a great place to get away from the crowds.

Wandering Rocks and Lost Lake - Owlsheads #1​

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Keep reading the rest here
Wandering Rocks and Lost Lake - Owlsheads #1​

 

What?!? You found a sailing rock?!?! Love the last pic!

 

I've found them previously on the Racetrack Playa, but I had no idea - though I should have realized, since there are very few singularities in nature - that they existed elsewhere. Lost Lake is a wind tunnel of sorts - it even looks like one from overhead - and so it makes sense that you can find them there as well.

 

i fricken love your prerunner long bed adventures! nice pics man. i'll be out there in a few weeks doing a similar route with some friends. i still haven't got a truetrac installed so hopefully my stock LS can get me through. your truck is in need of a bath now!

 

spent 2 nights exploring mountain canyons in the southern panamint valley.
getting remote & avoiding holiday crowds was the goal…only passed one jeep on the trail.
found a couple cabins & a mill i had mapped & was almost trapped between 2 nasty washouts on the fan. not good being solo & solo vehicle…got lucky this time.
weather was perfect with 50-60 degree nights & around 80 during the day with zero fast moving air.

 

Looks like a great time. Glad to hear those washouts didn't get ya! Great pics too!

 

thank you sir...i think they may have worsened since you were there...

 

Thanks Bro. You should be good, the sand and silt beds in Eureka can be tricky for us 2wd folks. I aired down to 15 and just kept a steady pace. The true trac was putting in some work this weekend. When you see the silt beds, turn on your wipers before you hit the silt beds. Just got back from the self serve car wash, spent $10 washing it repeatedly. I stopped seeing chocolate milk after the fourth pass. Dust...It's a never ending battle. I got dust coming out from behind the radio! I'll tackle the air and cabin filters this weekend.

Also, please practice the Murphy method when nature calls. I've been using this method after I stumbled across this video on YouTube while preparing for Mt Whitney this past summer.
https://youtu.be/w-Jku2U3-8E

@ ERIC thanks for posting the video. Your handle on TW escapes me at the moment. Very discreet and sanitary then other techniques.

 

You're very welcome...named after @HBMurphy the one and only creator!

 

Great pics and concise report. I don't recognize the cabin in the second photograph. Looks like a nice view.

 

The man who didn’t seem to understand that the phrase “Do you need me to show you how to wipe your ass?” is usually sarcasm…

 

That's the method I use when I'm without the family. When the wife is along we setup a shower tent, reliance toilet seat, and the gel packs. Aka the Michelle method LMAO. it works fine just gotta pack it out. But those bags double seal and we toss them when we find a real trash can. Murphy method FTW