Death Valley Off-Road Adventures

Yes I'm sure of that. I've shaken my truck way too much on that road.

 

Unless you're Germans in a minivan

 

Have you been to all the valleys within the park?

 

Helluva story, huh? I didn't now about that calamity until I'd already passed thru the area. I'll show a bit more respect the next time I'm there.

 

I think I’ve hit most of them but probably not all. It’s hard to pick a favorite, generally it’s the one I’m in at the time!

I’m curious if you (or any of the other regular contributors to this thread [who I have much appreciation and respect for]) have a favorite?

 

Summer is upon us I suppose, making for a slow thread...

Not in Death Valley, but in a similarly warm place, and remarkably similar (in some ways) landscape, Mike @mk5 put me onto one of his favorite places - the Bradshaw Trail. I just finished posting my experience bouncing my way along the historic route, and I figured folks here might enjoy it, despite the shameless plug. A couple reading options:

• On my blog. Has some nicer layouts and might be easier to consume on some devices.
• In my build thread (starting here), since I know many like to stay in the warm confines of the TW forum.

I could have taken this in the Owlshead Mountains. But I didn't.


Even more planes than Saline Valley these days.​

Now, in an effort to

I have been thinking about this for days - since I almost asked how Butte Valley was when I saw this photo, and before you'd posted the rest of the photos or mentioned Butte Valley.

I'm not sure exactly why, but I've always considered Butte Valley to be my favorite in the park as well. Then, Eric had to ask the question about visiting all of them, and I had to wonder - what does he know that I don't? (The answer, I assure you, is much!)

Anyway, I've visited my share of valley's in the park I suppose, and I think Butte Valley at sunrise is actually my favorite. Though, Eureka in the evening is really nice too. And then there's the Promatory, which holds a special place, but isn't really in it's valley.

Now I'm wondering how many you've visited, and if what seems like your favorite to me, is in fact, your favorite?

 

I agree, Love Eureka at sunset!) just printed this from 2 years ago.

 

You need more tripods and light stands…

 

Do you recommend C stands or spreaders?

 

Hi James!

 

I’m probably the wrong person to ask since I mostly do landscape and candid family photography that doesn’t require lighting. At the moment I have some of the ridiculously cheap spreader stands you can get from Amazon these days. They mostly sit on a shelf in my basement, but are worth the $12 or so per stand when I need them. Between Amazon and B&H you can put together a surprisingly effective lighting setup for not much money, especially if you are fine with manual flash rather than TTL and hunt for sales.

For more frequent use, as I suspect Jim has, you probably want something more durable and functional than a discount setup like I’ve got.

 

It was more of a joke for James (who knew he had a Tacoma?). He's a photographer IRL.

Edit: I think the answer for me is spreaders. C-stands are way too heavy.

 

Air ride, only way to go in our studio.

 

Oh man!

 

Menace Arm! You know, something that works really well until you have to move it and takes up a lot of space.

 

The size of DVNP gives so much to explore and not sure any one person can see it all in a lifetime. Since I spend a lot of time in Saline Valley, particularly at the springs, Palm Spring to be most specific, it could be called my favorite. For me the experience of soaking under the stars feeds my soul. I've soaked in the fog, mist, drizzle, with rainbows nearby, sunrise, and sunset too of course.

I've climbed the dunes in Eureka Valley during the day and nighttime. It is spectacular and quite a unique experience.

Panamint Valley holds a special place for me since it was there where I first discovered DVNP.

Butte Valley is impressive and I've woken up early to photograph a cold, windy, and gloomy morning. The history of Butte Valley has it's own uniqueness.

Only driven through Hidden Valley once long before the talc beds were in their current state. Need to explore it further.

I don't have a favorite and appreciate each in their own right.

 

The size and seasons make picking a favorite difficult.

 

Agreed. Different parts of the park are my favorite depending on what time of year I'm there.

 

I was going to guess Saline, since I know your love of the springs; springs in general, I think.

I was surprised how close I was to adding several other - lesser known - valley's to my "possible" list. Lost Lake "valley" in the Owlsheads being a good example. Because I agree, it's so hard to choose. Luckily, regardless of whether you have a favorite or not, you can still visit them all!

 

One area I have not seen are the pupfish. I know the area is under heavy surveillance and surrounded by fencing due to the endangered status, I’d still love to see them.

edit: the devil pupfish. There are several other species in the park.