Death Valley Off-Road Adventures

That was a privately owned Fouga Magister...nice! You will never see a active duty jet that low unless its crashing or landing.

 

As a heads up if that is Jail Canyon in the Panamints there is a full closure in place since last spring. Depending on how far up you went you might have been snapped by an NPS trail cam. I presume they put some sort of sign or barrier where the closure begins? It's not exactly a place you'd expect to be closed really so hopefully they have signage out there.

https://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/conditions.htm
https://www.nps.gov/deva/learn/management/rules-and-regulations.htm
https://www.nps.gov/deva/learn/management/uploa/DEVA_JailCynClosureMap_508Resize.pdf

 

I just saw a youtube video of a Lear and maybe an F5 at probably 500'AGL. It was cool.

 

Nope, no closure signs and we weren't the first ones up there.
I think the closure was last year.

Nope says it's still in effect, but the trailhead was open and no warning signs.

 

My bet is you saw the Dassault falcon jet and a L-39 chase plane filming for an Ad campaign

photo cred to @ohwiss on IG

 

It was a Lear. That much, I am sure of. What I wasn't sure of is what was flying chase. It could easily have been a photo shoot and maybe not even recent.

So many new long range jets. Must be nice to have access to almost anywhere...

 

Here is a shot at the trailhead, no closure notice. But thanks for the heads up, Ken

 

Could be, it was quiet

 

BTW, I'm waiting for my copy of Jet Dreams. Jessica Ambats has put together what promises to be a pretty good book with some great aerial work. One of my other favorites is Moose Peterson. Tho he mostly does older aircraft, he's damn good.

 

Made it for a few days and nights. Weather was some of the best I've had out there.

Death Valley

Mormon Point Turtleback, The Black Mountains of Doom​

Camping in Death Valley​

 

Thanks for the ground truth! Don’t know how they expect most folks to know about the closure then…

 

Trona Pinnacles ✔️
Fish Canyon Escape Route ✔️
Goler Wash ✔️
Mengel Pass ✔️
Titus Canyon ✔️
Ubehebe Crater ✔️
Teakettle Junction ✔️
The Racetrack ✔️
EDIT ... (Forgot) Lippincott Pass ✔️
Cerro Gordo Road over the pass

I'd say it was a good trip.

Pics and trip report will come when we get home. Staying the night in a Hotel in Lone Pine, and headed up 395 tomorrow. We'll probably make a quick dip in to Alabama Hills.

 

Nice! Looks like you hit some good spots. How was the weather out there? I’ll be headed out there Thursday-Sunday

 

Weather was great. Wore jeans and a sweatshirt most of the time. Evenings/nights were pretty chilly at elevation... but that's expected.

Was pretty damn cold in Cerro Gordo this afternoon (but that's around 8000 ft). Was hella cold in Keeler... just wasn't feeling it for the cold another night so we hit the Hotel tonight. (Made the wife really happy after four days getting sand blasted)

 

You were there too?

Lol

 

Yes sir... got to Trona on Friday evening... just drove out today.

 

Awesome long weekend with @El Taco Diablo, @Blue Canary, @CrashN'Burn, @2BeersPlease, and @roguegs. Knocked a bunch of trails off the list, and just generally had a killer time. Too many good views. Photodump coming after I get back from Bishop.

To whoever on here's trailer is broke down im DV, hope you get it back soon.

 

@essjay

Dude was probably hoping the exact location of his trailer wouldn't be broadcast on the interwebs.

 

Yeah, I edited it.

 

But yes... Seriously... was a bad ass trip. @essjay @Blue Canary @roguegs @CrashN'Burn @2BeersPlease it was a blast!


Crash, Jason... safe travels to New Mexico my brothas... catch ya on the flip.