Death Valley Off-Road Adventures

Wow. That is so sad.

I have had a rough patch these last few years but that solution was ruled out long ago.

I had a straight year that with my cup of morning coffee, I was filled with hope that a truck would hit and kill me on my way to my truck in the morning. I had far more than my fair share of nightmares and consistently waking up in a pool of sweat. It is not a fun way to 'live.'

I will say though, I have told anyone that will listen, "Please scatter my ashes in Death Valley." I just hope the funeral home doesn't hand Zoom ashes of a traitor.

God bless all of you. And if any of you even think about doing something like this, call me at 714-404-1089 AT ANYTIME.

 

Sad to hear. Unfortunately too common.

I worked with a bunch of the China Lake Mountain Rescue Group folks some years back - CLMRG was part of the search team according to the linked article. They said they couldn't remember getting a donation from a "rescued" party (i.e. live person) and often didn't even get a simple thank you either. They said all their donations came from "recovery" operations (i.e. deceased) where families were typically deeply appreciative of their efforts to bring closure.

 

Sad.

Does anyone know if he was a member here?

 

Looks like he may have been a 48 year-old Airport Operations Officer for Orange County

 

Yeah suicide is sad. I've always thought of suicide as a permanent solution to a temporary problem. I don't know what ailed Mr. Beyl, but it's reasonable to assume depression. Life is hard. Even harder with depression, it can seem hopeless, but it is treatable, got to reach out for help... Plenty of people I know have worked through it, Nobody has to do it alone...

Thoughts and prayers for Mr. Beyl's family.

Also, perfectly legal to scatter ashes in DV. That's where I'm going--I hope. The NPS wants a special use permit for that...

My wife complains that if I should pass before her, she doesn't want to drive the 6 hours to DV to scatter ashes...

I"ll probably have to have one of you intervene, to make things right for me.

 

My friends know the places to take my ashes. Scatter them far and wide and in the winds...just don't do it like Walter Sobchak.

 

My brothers and I hiked to a local mountain waterfall to scatter my Dad's ashes. Poured them into the creek at the base of San Antonio Falls, and just then heard someone coming down the trail. Turned and saw a guy and his dog out for a pleasant stroll. Seconds later the pup lowered his head for a cool drink just as the grey, ash laden water flowed past. The circle of life is sometimes just about the funniest thing ever.

 

Malpais Mesa is my planned final resting place - or scattering spot to be more accurate.

Not just a long and quite bumpy drive, but a 700 ft climb at the end too

Looks like this:

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Which reminds me - I need to get back there for a visit one of these days!

 

The place is otherworldly! Watched the sunrise there some time ago. The fam and I just happen to be going there in 9 days! Not necessarily Haleakala but Maui. Cant wait. Not sure where I would want my final resting place. Too many amazing places I've been and hope to go. The Pacific ocean is probably tops right now, since I spend as much time in it as I can.

 

Another from last months trip. Over the years I have watched this evolve from a crescent moon, to Kokopelli, and now a lizard.

 

I've read almost every page of this 100 page thread. And I've gathered some great ideas and tips for my trip in a couple weeks. But if anyone has any last minute tips for a rookie I'd love to hear them. Planning a couple days in death valley before heading over to grand canyon and horseshoe bend. I want to sight-see, do some moderate off roading. Camping. I'm in a 2018 Tacoma TRD OR DCLB.

I came from a 2014 4runner where i did some light trails. I want to take some routes that will be slightly challenging, but not scare the crap out of me. And I'd like the truck to come back in one piece. I'm good at planning meals and camping, so we won't starve or die, I don't think. But I also don't want to bite off more than I can chew.

I have ordered some maps, and downloaded the DV backcountry roads map.

 

Where are you planning to enter/exit DV? Panamint Springs in and then Beatty or Death Valley Junction out?

 

Yeah panamint in. And either one of those two out. Only thing I feel like I neeeeeed to see is the racetrack. As a photographer I feel that’s the one thing I have to see.

 

Just wait til you get there. So much more to see and photograph than The Racetrack.

 

Sand dunes and Devil's Golf Course...as a photographer, those two spots are pretty sweet too.

 

I've hit most of the Biggies in DV and Titus Canyon is by far my favorite. The park is huge so you'll have to make some choices. The good news is you'll be back

 

Well, here's the thing - from Panamint, I'd recommend either going north (over South Pass, Lippincott Pass, and The Racetrack) or south (through Goler Wash, Butte Valley, and Warm Springs Rd).

Now, if, after you headed north, you could do Lippincott, Racetrack, and Titus Canyon, I'd say that would be the route to go. Unfortunately, Titus Canyon is one-way - you can run it only from east-to-west.

Because of that, the North and South routes are, IMO, similarly awesome (if you limit yourself to a couple days and one night camping) with the North route being a bit more "famous" and the south route being a bit more beautiful (IMO). Butte Valley is really a magical place, and if you can spend the night there, you should.

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That means you'd have to hit Racetrack Playa on another visit, unfortunately. But a trip where you enter through the east (via Titus Canyon) and then head north to Ubehebe Crater, and then along Racetrack Rd. to The Racetrack is really a great way to go. Essentially, Day 2 and Day 3 in this trip report.

My .02.

 

I love death valley.....we usually go there once or twice a year. So many great trails for off-roading and hiking. One year it snowed while we were there...... something really cool about seeing cactus popping out of the blanket of snow.

 

Kinda like this from back in 2013