Death Valley Off-Road Adventures

Why build all planes like that when the weapons can do it for you

 

After the article about off-road/trail appeared, I replied to the NPS because I believed it uncharacteristically portrayed members of the OHV community as being responsible for the damage. I received a reply today.

I'm actually OK with the temporary barriers so long as they are just temporary and agree with the increased patrols.

 

Temporary usually turns into more than temporary though.

 

...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]
​

 

Great reports. Years ago I did a solo hike to the Hidden Dunes while waiting for a friend to arrive at Eureka Dunes. Solo hiking in the desert is quite unique. When the winds are absent so are most sounds and stopping once in a while allows the hiker to take in the peacefulness.

Thanks for getting to the Up and Down and Mercury Knob. I've had that on my list of hikes for a long time.

 

I hiked from chloride city down to big bell, Keane wonder mine and mill, and met my dad and his friend at the Keane parking lot solo. It was pretty nice to be all alone with nobody around in that huge open space.

 

Thanks man. Up and Down is worth going to, and can be an out-and-back to shave quite a few miles off the loop. The mine itself is cool, but I found the geology and colors of the Last Chance mountains to be the highlight of that hike. And the views of course!

Your comment about peacefulness of a solo hike with no wind rings 100% true. I was lucky and had a calm morning, which is probably part of what made the jet experience even more exciting - the power of the engines had nothing else at all to compete with.

Oh, and the "whomp whomp" I mentioned hearing as I was returning on that hike - I realize now was most likely planes breaking the sound barrier. I'd forgotten that doing so causes two booms; not just one.

 

I'm always surprised at the silence, especially in the dunes. I sleep so much better there.

 

Technically there isn't a supersonic transition zone around Death Valley. They do exist in the west but aren't near populated areas anymore due to complaints.

 

I sleep so much better camping almost anywhere.

 

Very true. It's just he desert sands are so quiet.

 

...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]​

 

Racetrack and Saline Valley hot spring worth it....? Debating to cut them off.... and save them for another trip.

 

Are you in that part of the park for anything else?

 

Saline is worth it if you hit it right and there’s not a lot of people there. If it’s packed it’s like a refugee camp and not worth it. But there’s other cool stuff to see in Saline Valley besides the springs.

 

lots.

 

This is my route for DV. I'm either coming through Panamint Spring (1) or Saline valley (2). I also want to spot by LA to visit some friends. about 5 days total in DV. I don't want to back track.... So ill maybe come through Saline to enter DV.

 

I am probably not the best person to chime in on this, and it's somewhat hard to judge from your map what the exact routes are.....but, are you planning on Titus Canyon? From the looks of it, you may be. FYI, this is a one-way road for vehicles, east to west. If you don't want to backtrack, and you are coming from Saline (#2) you will have to adjust this...as it appears you would be going west to east on Titus, which you can't do.

If I am reading this wrong and Titus Canyon is not the blue line I think it is, then disregard.

 

Ye For Titus I would hit up Betty first then drive through Titus. I know its a one way road which i'm glad about!