Death Valley Off-Road Adventures

The pass is something someone could carry away. Not likely a battery or cooler is walking down the way easily. It's the same reason I don't leave stuff out when I'm away from the truck--well, depending where I am.

Put another way, easy stuff on the seats, like a bag or a pass on the dash, are crimes of opportunity.

 

reading this has me realising its been a while since we went to DV

 

Thought I'd post a short little video of some flyovers from my most recent trip to the park. Trip report coming soon, but I figured this might get buried in the post. Was a super cool experience for me because I got to see my first pair of A-10s. I was surprised by how quiet they were.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/UkFKm8zDjoo

 

About half the times I've have to show my pass to enter a park, they've also asked for ID. They are looking for a match on the name and signature. I don't think a stolen pass would be of much value, especially considering the risk of being caught with one.

Of course that might not stop its theft either.

But if I were burglarizing your truck, I'd leave the parks pass alone... go for the 8-tracks instead.

 

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Well, I'm really behind on trip reports, but here, finally, is Part 3 - Dunes of my Death Valley trip back in October. If you want to see sand grains flying instead of jets be sure to check out the interesting video midway through.

 

Do you guys know if Texas Springs campground gets full Friday evenings? Planning to arrive around 8pm next Friday so we can wakeup in the park Saturday. Just my son and I going solo so I'd rather not venture off-road until we have daylight. Or maybe there's some easy trails nearby we can camp off the side of? Plan is to wakeup Saturday and head towards Titus canyon trailhead to start our weekend adventure.

 

One mountain range to the west, but conceptually the same. I missed the fighters who were in front of this guy.

 

My sense is that Friday (weekend) nights are always more crowded, and the last time I was by Texas Springs (on a Thursday morning in late November), it was definitely buzzing with folks. Probably depends what time you get there as to what the spot you get will be like. Worse comes to worse though, you could always head out Cottonwood Canyon Rd and find something dispersed. It's not pavement, but it's not sketchy either (at least, last time I was there).

Nice. Not much snow on that mountain range over. We need more!

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Back into the park. Coming in from the North this time, along a route that turned out to be... impassable. Then, from Eureka to Saline Valley, where I'll be spending the entirety of the trip, wandering.

Snowy Roads, Dusty Roads, and a Small Tug - Hiking Saline Valley #1​

This is the post with the jets - which I always thought were super interesting until I saw the video of the sand - as well as a little silt rescue, in addition to all the normal exploration!

Snowy Roads, Dusty Roads, and a Small Tug - Hiking Saline Valley #1​

 

I have a lifetime pass now that I'm 62 - each of my trips into Death Valley when I showed the pass at the ranger station they asked me to keep it in my wallet and post the orange tag they handed me instead. Apparently there's enough cases of break-ins to take passes that park management has made it a policy to discourage leaving yours/mine on the dash.

 

Nice report of familiar places. The first hot springs are interesting and I raced and won a family en-route but when they got there they all hopped in so I didn't soak.

The talc section behind the dunes is more worrisome to me than Dedeckera Canyon. That talc bed and the one in Hidden Valley, and two others I know of, have gotten much worse in the past five years or so. Dedeckera looks much more manageable with the rock stacking. Good on you for attempting to recreate the boundary sign and contacting the park. Hopefully they get out there.

Saline Valley Warm Springs are something I have a hard time not enjoying...during the right times. I got back yesterday from five days in the park, three of which were spent at the springs. They weren't that crowded (it was the week after President's Day Weekend, i.e. 300 people there) and temps were good. The noseeums got me again

 

Sounds like a great trip - I know (from your posts) that you are definitely more of a connoisseur of the warm water pools than I am. My uncle is the same way - seeking them out in the same way that I seek out views. Glad you had a good time with fewer people, and bummer to hear about the noseeums - never a fun experience!


- - - - - (⌐■_■) - - - - -


.... and now for the next installment. Some of you may recognize this area from Ken's @DVexile trip. I assure you that for this particular hike, that wa a coincidence - it's one I've had on my list for a couple years now, and we just happened to venture that direction within a few months of each other!

In Search of Grand Views - Hiking Saline Valley #2

More photos and the rest of the story here:
In Search of Grand Views - Hiking Saline Valley #2
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Very nice pics...I'm a bit hesitant hiking after a mishap in a remote wash on my last day of my recent trip.

 

Well, that's not ominous or anything.

Sounds like you're OK, which I'm glad to hear. And of course, now we'd all love to hear the story - or as much (or little) as you're willing to share.

 

Just a couple mundane teasers...

 

Not ok by any means but it can always be worse. I will do a TR asap.

 

Eureka Dunes


Saline Valley

 

Which one of you goofballs is charging $3K to drive through a national park

 

Doubtful they are permitted to business in the park.

 

I read about them. They rent you the vehicle as well.

I know Four Points Adventures have worked with them in the past. Sort of all inclusive thing.

 

Really like the composition and lighting on that second photo!

Sounds like you have a good cautionary tale for all of us. Hope whatever associated recovery goes smoothly!