Death Valley Off-Road Adventures

I like this outlook.

Unless there is something significant in my way, I'm headed that way. Watched a couple videos on Cerro Gordo Rd. Doesn't look "hard" but definitely looks less traveled (and fun). Going in through Goler wash and coming out through Cerro Gordo, with Lippencott in the middle sounds like a fun route.

 

Keep us posted.
I'd like to know conditions on Lippencott and Cerro Gordo.

 

Oh pics and a trip report will be forthcoming upon my return

 

We drove up to Cerro Gordo from the Death Valley side a couple weeks ago -- we saw some snow and a couple icy patches, but basically an uneventful trip. The west side of the hill was completely dry.

 

THAT is wonderful. Pretty much made my decision then.

 

So... if I haven't made, at least, a preliminary trip report by Wednesday evening... there are a few select people who have been directed to call for the helicopters.

 

Weather radar shows snowfall all around Owens Lake and other parts of the area this evening.

 

Should be a fairly small system though.

 

Looks like it's gonna hit over in Sequoia/Kings as well.

 

Very light dusting on Cerro Gordo.

 

Anyone headed out to Death Valley next weekend? Will be out there the 24th-27th with a few trucks. Been out there a few times. Any recommendations with coordinates?

 

Great milkshakes here: 35.8007, -116.1948

 

I may be in the region around that time...plans in flux

 

This is the route I'm planning to do in April, it'll be my 5th trip to DV and I'll be exploring the area east of independence and checking out the Eureka dunes on Day 1. Hopefully camping at the Saline Valley Hot Springs on Night 1. Then going to the Base of Pleasant Canyon on Day 2 and Visiting Darwin Falls on the way. Then doing the pleasant canyon loop on Day 3, which is a pretty gnarly climb. Taking some less experienced folks with me so might have to edit the route depending on the group consensus and peoples willingness to get a few scratches on their rigs.
https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=7....&trackId=49567aac-0791-4185-8b8e-0ad73ab00a3d

 

i second that! It’s been a couple years since I was last there, glad to know they’re still there.

 

That looks like a lot of fun!

 

I hope so! The Hot Springs are always a treat. The northern part of the route before the Eureka Dunes will be all new to me

 

BamBeds,

This is the exact initial route I took when we went to DV.
Couple of things:
Dederkra was easy and might need a spotter but we camped on the downward side of the top of steel pass.
Next AM we headed down Steel Pass to Saline Hot springs, a nice break then on to the batpole.
The next 45 miles were not so fun - 45 minutes at 45mph for the washboards (legendary washboards).
At the top of south pass, we turned left and went up to Hunter Mt and stayed at the top, there is a great campsite up there!
Next AM we headed to Darwin as we "thought" it was a short cut to Panamint Springs gas and restaurant - we were very wrong.
Once fueled up $5.60/gl and iced up from the restaurant, we headed to Ballarat and then World Beater Cabin (@turbodb was right) and raised the flag for the night.
Next AM the murder donkey woke everyone up from across the canyon.
Headed to Goler Canyon to Mengel Pass to camp just outside of Striped Butte.
Next AM to Anvil Spring Canyon to the Westside Road for a high speed-ish run to Furnace Creek.

 

When in April were you thinking of going?

 

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ATTN DRIVERS: has CLOSED State Route 168 E from the junction of U.S. 395 in Big Pine to Death Valley Road due to the . There is no estimated time for when the road will reopen.