Death Valley Off-Road Adventures

Yes. There are 2 layers you will be interested in. The first is the USGS topographical maps. It's really detailed and has the most info. The NPS visitor map is good if you are in a national park. Also the Forest Service maps.

I looked on the Death Valley website and don't see their backcountry roads map any more. But it is the same as what is in the NPS Visitor layer.

 

Where are you planning to go in the park? Have you been there before?

 

Here is the old backcountry map:

https://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/upload/Death-Valley-Backcountry-Roads.pdf

They don't have links to it anymore I think because some of the text relating to camping regulations is out of date.

 

That's the one. I do have a copy of it downloaded. It's surprising how good that map is. I've been all over the park with just that and the ability to not get lost.

Remember kids the easiest way to not get lost is to "stay found".

 

The last time I was out there was 20 years ago, don’t remember much of that trip. I was planning on entering in Gohler wash. From there I’m still planning out. I have a friend who recommended staying up on Hunter mountain for a night. Any must see places or remote nice camp sites with good view that you would recommend?

 

Sounds good. How long did you say you have?

 

Most likely 4 days, depends on weather, I work outside so rain is a perfect excuse to go camping far away.

 

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Just got back from a few days in DV. So glad the desert camping season has started! First day trip report in my build thread.

 

great photo

 

Hail storm in Panamint City last evening with @blackhawke88
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bop82QIH4Zo/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1ummrzv1d8moq

 

Yesterday afternoon there was some strong radar returns on some weather sites I check.

 

It was steady rain through out the night well past midnight. Rocky down at Ballarat said they got a 10th of an inch which is huge for them.

 

Sounds like there might be a super bloom in a couple months where the storm tracked through.

 

Definitely been storms in the area the past few days. If we get some winter rain as well could set up some great blooms in the spring. I saw plenty of storm activity end of last week. Finished trip report as well, see Day 2 and Day 3 in my build thread.

Some storm photos from the trip:

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Thanks Jim Bob! That's a big compliment coming from you!

I'll probably print that one eventually, I really like it too. Curious to see how large it prints well though because if you can believe it that one I shot with my phone

I'll PM you once I get a decent looking print for myself that I can easily reprint for you.

 

What a great DV experience. How was the hike?

 

EPIC!

 

I was a bit north of DV for the weekend, in the Sierra NF near Shaver Lake, and we had pretty good rain (and thunder) on Saturday night. Plus traces of snow the next morning in a band around 7K feet, but oddly not higher up. Autumn is here!!

 

Haven’t seen first hand but in pretty rough shape after storm this summer. Reports here:

http://forum.salinepreservation.org/post/lippincott-road-6700262?trail=45

PS to Teakettle via Hunter is a dawdle. Easy road the whole way. About 40 miles of dirt and 14 miles of pavement. Say 25 mins worst case for the 14 miles of winding pavement from PS to SV Road. Then whatever you think for 40 miles of good condition dirt including a descent down the back of Hunter you don’t want to do too fast. 100 mins for that 40 miles seems conservative to me. So call it 2 hours all together. Then add in air down time and breaks and sights along the way.

 

No, the first post is from 2014 - the most recent is 10 days ago. That forum software is whacky and by default orders posts in the opposite way of every other forum on the web!