Death Valley Off-Road Adventures

I am piecing together a route for an early March DV trip - thinking of going in through Eureka dunes, up Lippencott, then over and up through Hart Mountains, and then back up Saline valley back to Bishop. I'd be much obliged if anyone would share recent conditions for Dedeckera, Lippencott, Hart Pass, & Saline Valley Rd going through Whippoorwill canyon? Last time I was there I drove everything on that list except Whippoorwill. The passes were in great shape, but it was a year ago, and I understand that things can get rearranged with weather. It also looked like the Hart Mountains can get really muddy.

Alternatively, might run that route in reverse as it looks like there is a lot to explore on the north end of Saline Valley and we might want to spend more time there!

 

Do you mean up through Lost Burro Gap, through Hidden Valley, over Hunter Mountain, and down to South Pass when you say "over and up through Hart Mountains, and then back up Saline valley back to Bishop"? I wasn't aware that those were called the Hart Mountains (are they?)

At any rate, I think you'll be fine in March pending any recent rain storms (which will make the silty section in Hidden Valley interesting). Up Lippincott will be the most technical portion of the route, and I'd say that as of December there's only a half-mile stretch of rocky road that will require good line choice. Dedeckera will of course have the same three obstacles it always has, but you should be familiar with them it sounds like from your previous trip.

 

Oops! Hunter mountains. Yes. Got confused with a south-eastern Oregon range. Lol. But yes thank you! That’s what I was looking for. When we drove through from Hunter mountains to the racetrack there were some stretches that looked like they became serious bogs.

this will be the first outing after some nice upgrades to the truck. Can’t wait.

 

We have a group of about 4-5 trucks going from 03/03/22-03/06/22 Thursday to Sunday. Not sure if you are interested but we are hitting these spots in this order.

Ballarat
Barker Ranch
Geologist Cabin
Warm Springs Camp
Grantham Mine
Badwater Basin
Ubehebe Crater
Eureka Dunes
Saline Valley Warm Springs
Cerro Gordo(Maybe)
Boxcar Cabin

 

Dang thank you! We are leaving on the 6th or 7th so will just miss you all. But maybe see you in your way out!

 

Just remember. Max of 4 vehicles camping together (within half a mile) to be within the park regulations.

36 CFR §2.10 – CAMPING and FOOD STORAGE

• Group Size Limit
  • In non-designated campgrounds (Camping in or near a vehicle in an area open to public use and for the use of overnight camping and, where a vehicle is parked just beyond the driving surface on a dirt road.) - group size is limited to 12 persons and no more than 4 vehicles, and/or 8 pack animals, and/or 4 vehicles. Groups larger than 12 must split up into smaller groups and must camp, hike, and eat at least a half-mile apart. Larger groups may request an exception to these limits from the superintendent under the terms of a special use permit.

 

I’m heading out there tomorrow morning, coming from the Sacramento area. Any suggestions on good tent campgrounds or areas? And some good areas to explore. It is my first time. I’m in a stock rig not looking to do any wheeling. I will only be there for two nights

 

You kind of have to plan for death valley unless you stay on paved roads and do tourist stuff. If that is the case...grab a NPS map and follow it. Park entrance fee is $35. Pay for it online and print out the pass.

 

Yeah, some planning. Even if only because it's a whole lot bigger than most people think. Carry water. Don't rely on your cell phone. Tell people where you're going and when you plan to be back.

I'm guessing you won't have time to read this first:
https://www.otherhand.org/home-page/search-and-rescue/the-hunt-for-the-death-valley-germans/

-E

 

That a tough one to answer as it will take most of a day to get there from Sacramento and another to get back. With most the passes closed you either need to go through Carson City, or you may find shorter to go south through Bakersfield and up North through Tehachipi. Either way you’ll pass by Panamint Springs Resort which is an OK, budget campground and if you don’t have reservations at one of the Furnace Creek campground, PSR may be your best option. Disadvantage is it is far away from the better known DV sights, still plenty to do nearby but not the DV experience you may want. Stovepipe Wells will get you closer to several of the popular tourist spots but is mostly RV camping with a couple tent sites right at the edge of the paved RV lot - may be ok for two nights.

Furnace Creek is tourist central because it is near most of the spots people think of about DV. Get there mid afternoon and you should find a campsite in one of the overflow campground. If you are up for dry camping, there are several Jeep trails near Furnace Creek where you can drive and find a spot.

 

A short while later... i think this was a crappy answer to your question. I love spur-of-the-moment trips, not sure why I thought to rain on yours. Grumpy today I guess, sorry about that.

Anyway - I thoroughly enjoyed camping at Mesquite Spring campground and driving to Ubehebe Crater for some hiking.

Mesquite here:
https://goo.gl/maps/DA6za2zUGsiCkZiM7

It's toward the north part of the park, so it'll really depend on your route in - as Desert Dog points out above.

Looking forward to you reporting back with your experiences after your trip...

-E

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CZR8AihlQ37/

 

inyosheriff: "Inyo County SAR is proud to introduce the first addition to our 4X4 off highway vehicle team. With the increase in overland and OHV use in Inyo County the Inyo County SAR team has upgraded an existing Jeep to begin to meet the new demand. This is the first of hopefuly more vehicles to serve the growing community."

With the increase of chuckleheads being ill-prepared and getting stuck, more like it also, I fully acknowledge that I myself am a chucklehead. Once getting stuck in snow above Tobacco Flat with street tires and requiring an extraction, and once getting stuck inside Reward Mine with a dead battery (self recovered).

 

SAR will not be responding to stuck drivers. That is where Miller's Towing comes in and your money goes out.

 

In my case it was Bill's Towing out of Bishop. Definitely paid the "stupid tax" that day as one other member put it.

 

Great, as if it weren't crowded enough already

https://www.sfgate.com/california-p...e-in-16804199.php?IPID=SFGate-HP-CP-Spotlight

 

That's right, you were headed to the top of McGee, but had some lateral-slip issues. Great story.

 

If you stay off the paved sites, it's much better. We did pass through Badwater Basin in early November which was supposed to be the slowest time of year for DV and the parking lot was PACKED. We almost couldn't even find parking. I saw a video on Youtube where cars were lined up 200 yards on the main road trying to get in. I'm sure he went in a busy time but no thanks.

 

Anytime I've been there, and I mean even when the park seems empty, it's a shit show there. Been true for a few years.