Death Valley Connections - Jan/Feb 2020

For anyone who's considering entering Death Valley through Beatty, I highly recommend using Titus Canyon as your entrance to the park - not only are the narrows near the west end of the road a joy to drive through, but the colorful views from Red Pass rival those found anywhere in the park. As such, I'd decided that this would be my route for the morning, and it wasn't long before I was aired down and heading west.

I was not alone. In my mirror, a fellow explorer I'd wanted to meet for some time - his adventures in Death Valley providing inspiration for several of the places I've visited over the last couple of years.

Read Part 1 - Look Who is Behind Me for the full story.

There's more to this story.
[part 1] [part 2] [part 3] [part 4]

Don't want to miss it?



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Nice story and writeup as usual!

And you are right! Titus Canyon is always my preferred tour entrance route into the valley whenever we are showing Death Valley to visiting friends for their first time.

 

Just when I get DV off my mind for a future trip another great writeup with pics comes along and now I really need to go...
Maybe for the wildflower bloom this year?

 

Thanks, glad you're enjoying . Hope you like the next one which is about 5 minutes away

I don't know if there was enough early rain (I think it's like Oct/Nov to create a super bloom) this year, but spring is always a great time to be in DV. I'm hoping to go back at least one more time before it gets too hot!

 

Part 2

...And then, a final fly-by. Just a single jet this time, and lower than all the rest - by quite a margin. He came tearing through the southern end of the valley as he banked towards the dunes, the exhaust obscuring the Inyo mountains behind the plane. Perhaps only 60-75 feet above the top of the dunes, the ground shook as he *gained altitude* in order to pass overhead - and then through the gap.

Exhilaration at Hidden Dunes​

There's more to this story.
[part 1] [part 2] [part 3] [part 4]​

 

...My loop would take me along an old abandoned mining road high into the Last Chance Range. Along my way, I'd pass through the narrows of a wash and badlands of black shale. I'd find the Last Chance Mine and it's surreal mercury retorts - some of the most interesting mining remains in the valley - and then, I'd skirt along a high ridge past two other mercury mines with breathtaking views of Eureka Valley.

Read the full story in Up and Down - Death Valley Connections #3








There's more to this story.
[part 1] [part 2] [part 3] [part 4]

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...Each time, as I'd find another turnaround spot, I'd call Ben forward, the steep mountains limiting the distances that even our ham radios would communicate. The entire road was only 1.7 miles long, but it took us nearly 45 minutes to make it to the end - parts of the drive a white-knuckle experience, at least for me.

The view however - at the mine camp - was incredible.

You'll want to read all about it in the last part of Death Valley Connections

Part 4 - Full Circle​

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There's more to this story.
[part 1] [part 2] [part 3] [part 4]​

 

What device are you using for APRS? Any problems with draining your battery while letting it ping all night?

 

My APRS setup is pretty much outlined here: https://adventuretaco.com/where-are-you-adding-aprs-to-the-ham-radio-comms/

As far as pinging overnight - when you're stationary, I think it only pings once every 30 minutes or so. (Maybe 15 - configurable, I think.) Anyway, a (good) Ham radio takes almost no power when just powered on (receiving) and doesn't use all that much when transmitting (I was at 5W in this case). Now, I have a second battery as well (see here), so I wasn't at all worried; but I wouldn't have been worried with a single battery either.

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You mentioned that you aired down for titus canyon. Can you let me know how much you aired down to? I'm guessing once you hit paved roads you aires back up?

 

Sorry for the slow reply - I've been out on the trail for the last couple weeks. Generally, I air down my E-load tires to 15-18psi for a more comfy ride (and keep them around 40psi on pavement). On this trip, I likely aired down at the beginning and aired back up when it was all over. I just try to keep speeds below 50mph when I'm aired down.

 

excellent choice , I have the same kenwood. love it!