Death Valley Off-Road Adventures

Isn't there a trail leading to Panamint from the opposite direction ?

 

There are a few ways in, none of them easy. We take the high adventure scouts this way because of the challenge of the trail, and it is fun.

 

I think I need to do a backpacking trip up to Panamint City.

 

Be careful out there. Not only for yourself but also for the wildlife. Don't be a dick like the people in this story.

http://www.wildlifecrossing.net/california/roadkill/41368

 

Last weeks camping in Cottonwood Canyon, Death Valley. Perfect weather and not another camper for miles!

 

^Awesome!

 

I've been on the Titus Canyon road several times, and that section is a one-lane, narrow, winding, gravel road with large rocks just off the shoulder everywhere. Its not a desert race course. Any responsible driver shouldn't be going over 25 mph. Those animals are very quick and wary. The observation was made at 7:30pm and the estimated time of the incident was around 5:30pm, so it wasn't dark.

Thats enough circumstantial evidence for 'dickery' for me.

 

Call to the Ranger was made at 6:30 (18:30), not 7:30. Rangers arrived and photographed it at 7:30 (their "observation" in the report).
They didn't put it out of its misery until 7:55.

Whoever hit it MAY have been the one to call it in.

 

I too have driven that road. If you are driving it at a responsible pace even if a bighorn jumped out you would be able to slow/stop without causing mortal harm.

 

Just another reason to have a dash cam.

 

I think I can get one or 2 more trips in before summer, gonnna be in the 80's this weekend, I will post pics when I get back.

 

I am heading west next month and would love to see Death Valley again. I have only driven thru, never camped. Would it be wise to camp alone out there?

 

Don't see why not.

If you are alone, I would stay at an official camp site. The ones by the charcoal kilns are my favorite, it is below telescope peak on the west side of the panamint range, the camp sites are Wildrose, Thorndike and Mahogany Flats.

 

Did a great 3 day DV trip this weekend, Started at Swansea and headed up to Burgess Mine at 10,000 feet down through the snow to Cerro Gordo Peak and the salt tram, then down to the ghost town (1st people over the pass this season!). Then down the backside to Saline valley, up over North Pass. We tried to find the road through Marble Canyon but the wash was brutal and the road couldnt be found, so we backtracked and went to the Sand Dune mountain up the steps, then back down and out Big Pine.












Friend's son found a 17" lizard

 

Must have passed each other at some point, we came over Steel pass Friday camped at Saline Friday and Saturday night hiked up Beveridge Canyon Saturday and drove to the base of the mountain where the salt tram starts up the ridge. Must have been some hard dudes that built that tram system.

 

I stayed in Surprise Cyn over night about 2 weeks ago and I was alone. No problem at all.

 

did you go up to Panamint City?

 

No. I drove through Goler Wash, Coyote Cyn to Megel Pass and into Butte Valley. Next time I plan on hiking into Panamint City. I did have company in the morning in the form of a mule.

 

I've camped in Death Valley alone a couple times. Just make sure someone knows when/where you'll be and when you'll be back.

 

Hey I was out there late last month too. Perfect time of the year to go, the weather was fantastic! I was out there camping for a few nights with my girlfriend, and we had a great time. Here are a few of my pics from our trip down Titus Canyon