Death Valley Off-Road Adventures

Just found the answer....it isn't. The last few times I've been there it sure looks like people have camped there.

 

All my DV exploits also started from the west side so many moons ago. It also meant that I never really did much of the south end either because it is more annoying to get to from the western half of the LA basin. For the past decade or more I've been coming from the other side and so more new things to explore.

Folks are welcome to download the images I post, if you click on them you'll get a higher resolution version and I usually post quite high resolution images. Just please don't repost somewhere else. Feel free to ask for a full resolution version and I can PM a link.

No. They in general say to not camp at any of the mine sites though they seem relatively lax about that. For Lost Burro though they specifically call it out for no camping.

You've got it right with that map. You can't camp between Teakettle and Homestake, but you can camp north of Teakettle or along most of Hidden Valley Road. Lost Burro Gap is a nice place to pull off and camp. You can also go a little ways up White Top Mountain Road and have some pretty views.

 

From what I can tell, you should be good.

 

I think you can make base in Lost burro Gap. Its in the middle of playa and ubehebe

Edit: why not just drive down to homestake dry camp? from playa

 

Anyone one been up to Telescope peak campsite this season yet? Anyone ever hiked it?

 

Years ago, we stayed up there. It's nice because not many attempt to go. Opting instead for Wildrose. The views are spectacular. I remember getting hung up on the T-case on the way up. That was funny as hell.

 

! I just recently watched a video and the gate was closed leading up to telescope peak. I think it added 3miles more to the hike.

 

I talked with a ranger at the Lone Pine Interagency Center who sounded like he actually hiked the backcountry quite a bit, 3 weeks ago, and he said there was a lot of snow up there.

 

With the right gear for winter camping I bet it would be worth the hike. But I'll probably wait until the snow is gone.

 

I saw on DVNP FB page that the pit toilets are overflowing at Homestake. I gotta make sure my wife and kids have a good experience so we can keep doing this ;-D

-M

 

Ye I saw that too! they're gonna empty it out feb 1st! I was thinking of getting one of these bad boys

$48 Reliance Products FOLD-to-GO Folding Portable Camping Toilet | 300 Pound Capacity | Compact & Lightweight

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0024OAQ3Q/?coliid=I1U7B3JWQDQIW&colid=1JDYZ01Z6SODO&psc=1

 

There are no pit toilets at Homestake. Only one port-a-john type crapper. If you are going to be camping elsewhere you will need to have a plan for that just as you could utilize at Homestake. Please don't leave shit tickets in the wild. Buried or not they eventually turn up, even in the desert.

 

Believe you're referring to Mahogany Flat. It is a nice place to camp and has pit toilets. Not sure if it is open right now because there is probably snow up there.

 

As of 3 weeks ago Wildrose and Thorndike were open but Mahogany Flat was closed.

 

+1 for "shit ticket", nothing worse.

 

Road is closed past the Charcoal Kilns at the moment and usually stays that way for a bit into the spring. The campground at the end of the road (Mahogany Flat) is delightful with sites tucked among pinyon and juniper. The hike to Telescope from Mahogany is a great day hike if you are in reasonable shape and a little acclimatized to the altitude. Miserable otherwise. It is quite treacherous late into the spring as the last mile or so is up a steep rocky north facing slope that stays covered in ice for a long time. Don't attempt without experience and knowledge of dealing with ice. Usually by very late spring the ice clears but it of course varies from year to year.

 

I am gonna go on a photo tour and one of the things on the list of stuff to bring was a porta-potty. AND a shelter--don't forget that but just don't leave it up lest you find it and your bucket someplace else .

 

Bring kitty litter.

 

All that’s in the bucket and good to go.

 

Damn, guess Ill wait till May, Thanks for the input fellas!