Death Valley Off-Road Adventures

Still waiting to see a C-17 and B-1B out there. I have seen quite a few different types in my journeys.
Marine pilots get down low due to the direct knowledge of what Marines on the ground are going through. AFAIK all Marine pilots do time as an infantry officer to develop the close knowledge of how grunts operate and what they need when they call for close air support.

 

You're in the OC?
5 days is plenty to cover a lot and enjoy a lot too. When I go to Saline Valley I can be having lunch (late) or at least an early dinner in camp on the first day. I don't see it as a wasted or used up day. The drive up is wonderful regardless of what route you take. There are preferred ones in my book. I try to stay away from the 15 which usually works well since my adventures have been mainly western DV.

 

@dtaco06

 

Hadn't seen a C-17 low out there until just this past spring. Seen B-1B a few times out there, once low in the Panamint Valley while eating breakfast and another nice flyby of the Eureka Dunes while we were climbing to the top. Even saw a B-2 way back in the late 90's low in the northern Searles Valley just after it had climbed out of Panamint. Never got to see an F-117 there and of course won't ever now, but they were apparently not infrequent visitors along the top of the Panamints or the bottom of the valley headed to the EW range on China Lake. I'm still waiting for a B-52 low pass, but if USAF planning is to be believed I've still got another 25 years or so to see one.

That was my understanding too, very focused on close air support and of course like all Marine units extraordinarily capable and adaptable. Family friend was a Marine F-18 pilot a decade or so ago.

 

Woot! I'll be in DV second week in Nov. Then doing Mohave Road. Anyones welcome to join along. I'm on 146.520s and 151.820 at 8pm.

 

Doing Mojave road in 2 weeks myself.

 

What's your dates?

 

November 11-13. Veteran's Day weekend.

 

Okay. Probably be still in DV then.

 

Dang. The park service is saying the Scotties Castle won't open to public until some time in 2019!

Bummer. I wanted to take my kids there.

https://www.nps.gov/deva/learn/historyculture/scottys-castle.htm

 

The Smithsonian Natural History Museum has had their dinosaur hall closed since 2014 not to open until 2019. My daughter might not even like dinosaurs any more by 2019! Though she probably needs to be a bit older to appreciate Scotty's so 2019 might be right for that

In other news it looks like the south end of the park got recent rain. Amargosa is flowing again both across Harry Wade and West Side roads. And some flood/debris damage to other parts of Harry Wade. Hmmm... wonder if that will keep 49er crowds out of the Owlsheads next week...

 

I usually use this page:

 

Yeah I don't have facebook. Because too much . If you have facebook you can always ask a question on road conditions on that page. They do a really good job getting info posted within and around the park.

Looks like the the only road closure atm is Lower Wildrose Rd. But a closure can really happen in an afternoon.

 

Are you taking the Prerunner or the 4Runner?

I've been to DV a cpl times for photography, not much offroading other than the trek out to Racetrack Playa. Would like to explore more in my Prerunner, I know I'd be somewhat limited though

 

Titus should be taken in no less than four hours. It is INCREDIBLE! By the time you get to the racetrack it'll be late (assuming you left Beatty at dawn). Homestake Campground is at the mouth of Lippincott, nice backcountry spot. Lippincott, to Saline thru south pass and onto 190 to Darwin then onto Panamint Springs will take most of the day. You'll pass by two cabins in the Argus range. One's definitely in occupy-able condition if it gets too late. Cabins in the Panamints, camping at Ballarat. Not much along the way to Goler. But quite a few camping options in the canyon. I don't suggest taking Mengal at night, like I did.

There's a full's day going up Mengal to Butte Valley/Warm springs rd to home.

 

Oh shit forgot. Be aware. Lippincott's barely a one lane shelf road. If you're going down Lippincott anyone that is headed up has the right-of-way. So at least who's ever leading the group should have a pair of HQ binos and at every passing accessible spot, the leader should view down the valley and see if anyone's headed up.

 

No prob bud! Only camping available north on the 190 out of Titus is only establishing camping, unfortunately. Mesquite Campground. I don't know the fee atm. The Ubehebe is 20 min drive from the CG.

You doing it in 3 or 4 days? I forgot what you told me...

 

Oh yeah. You'll be able to easily do all that's in your plan. With plenty of time to explore.

One in your crew is 4x2 and locked?

 

Lippincott is not that bad. I took it from Racetrack to Saline back in March of this year and I never even had to put it in H4.

 

Yeah it's all down hill iirc. Mengal Pass up Goler is the only recommended 4x4 gnar besides end of Echo canyon.