Death Valley Off-Road Adventures

I've gone through in August. It was a bit hotter and the truck's AC couldn't keep up. What was I thinking? I did stop at the Visitor Center where the ground temps were over 130*F...I think all the visitors in DV that day were there...what an experience I don't care to repeat

 

I traversed Saline Valley in August 2011. (I do not recommend anyone do this!!!)

I was reminded of that scene in the Chronicles of Riddick, from the planet Crematoria.







Here is a photo of the trail

 

It hit 128° the following day. They had predicted a new record of 132°, I don't think it made it.

As far as Crematoria, I bet it felt like that in the sun.

 

Glad we went Easter week! Near record temps all over the SW. My sister in law lives in Phoenix, don't think we will be visiting them anytime soon. She'll be here soon I predict

 

That's pretty extreme.

My parents told me that they passed thru in the summer sometime around 1975. It was s return trip from Vegas. For my sake, I'm glad nothing went wrong.

I think I recall that a foreign tourists died in the heat while wandering outside of the tour bus. Maybe it was last summer or year before.

The heat is so dangerous.

It was roasting! I think the hottest was 112 at the lowest elevation. I wear long sleeves, wide brimmed hat, soaked with water. I had to work outside to plug a hole in the tire, from a mangled fence staple. Made sure to angle the truck for shade. I did this at a place that CalTopo maps calls Willow Creek Camp.

The camp was fenced and had a really nice lawn and green trees. The map shows a spring there. I think there were pools there too. Not sure.

 

Yes the German tourists go for the experience of 120° weather.

 

I live near Sacramento, and have been wanting to make a trip... it's currently 100 here, so I can't imagine DV... so Oct may be a better bet?

 

I've always gone in December or January, although I made a trip this last March and the weather was quite nice actually.

 

Give it a shot. What's the worst that could happen?

 

Winter is pretty nice in DV. Except the short days and cold nights.

 

I hear spontaneous combustion is a thing...

 

If you're considering DV, take a moment to read this. Big storm, road closures, and a power outage on 1st of July.

 

Wow. Must have been a bad storm. 38 hour power outage...High winds flipped a small plane parked on the remote landing strip in Saline Valley, stranding passengers overnight...

 

I was thinking the same thing...

 

apparently the piper cub landed about an hour before the storm hit. the "runway" is now rutted and unusable....can't imagine why anyone would want to go there in a small plane, or a truck.

 

https://www.nps.gov/deva/learn/news/hottest-place-on-earth-has-record-breaking-hot-june.htm

 

You're kidding right?

Not sure if this can be seen by all...Just click it and enjoy
https://vimeo.com/173861429

 

Cool video! Pretty sure @sawbladeduller was joking, since he travels overland in DV with Tacoma.

 

Not specifically in Death Valley but...close nonetheless