April Fooling Around Death Valley,* sponsored by Anti-Dark

An 11 hour drive to Ballarat... Hmm...

 

Is this by Barstow?

 

Another weekend getaway

 

Questions:

I am an off road newb. Would it be ill-advised to cut my teeth on a trip like this?

Nope. This would be a very good starter trip. It will certainly be an intense one, as starters go. Bonus points: You get to brag that your first offroad trip was up South Park Canyon -- trust me, that will instantly put you in high regards with old hands.

Is a hitch mounted D-ring count as a rear recovery point?

Yes! In fact, that's what I had in mind when I typed that. And that's the recovery point I ran for years before getting my bumper.

I'm on 5100's w/ OME 885x and rear TSB w/ firestone riderite bags on the rear for suspension. Can that handle this trail?

Absolutely. The air bags will help if you carry lots of gear. The rest of your suspension would be fine, as well.

For armor, all I got are kick out sliders. Is that ok?

Sliders are over-rated. Rarely needed for most trails. Certainly not needed for this trail.
I typically recommend front skid be the very first armor on a truck, followed by mid and rear skids...then sliders.

I'm getting a USoffroad winch bumper soon so that will have my winch and front recovery points in the front.

No winch needed this trip. You will be glad to have that bumper, though.

 

Im an off road newb. My sliders won't be here in time for this trip but going anyway. Hopefully ill have an OME suspension installed prior to the trip. If not, I'm rolling stock suspension and factory "armor". 2015 trd sport. Trial by fire.

Greg

*Shane. Sent you a pm on the book face.

 

I will revise post #4 with a list of attendees, once I figure meeting places and times. Very likely going to be a few places, so we can pick up people as they converge. Ballarat will definitely be one.

Please post whether you are for sure Go, once you get permission, of course

 

No, not really. Panamint Valley, western edge of Death Valley NP. Closest town would be Ridgecrest or Trona.

Google is your friend, btw.

 

Because this will be the end of a week-long series of desert adventures for me. JT, KOFA, and this. I'm going to be running hard to make them all, and ignoring the sleep angle of it, I've got resupply and Anti-Dark material prep & loading and possible truck repairs and and and and. I can't imagine I would be able to make it out of the house before 0700.
Plus, 0900 at the Pilot means I need to leave my house at 0730 at the latest.

Time is NOT set right now, and likely won't end up being set in stone anyway.

It only take 6 hours to get to Ballarat, anyway. If we meet at the Pilot at 0900, that puts us at the cabins well before 1600.

 

Alright, alright, alright. We're in 100%. Dropped my vacation paper work this morning. What entry level CB outfit do you suggest? I bought a HAM and I'm taking my test soon (haven't even turned on the ham yet. Been reading this ham study book but haven't fiddled around with the ham so still novice there as well) but I'm thinking I should get a CB as well. Not just for this trip but also in general.

 

I have both. Its a nice peace of mind. Hardly ever use either.

 

I did look that's why i asked smart ass lol

 

Hey Shane, How's the truck? I know its been a while but your truck was pretty banged up from your roll over last I saw it. I pick up the bearing puller from you. Funny thing is I will be in DV at that time but base camping in Furnace creek with the family and trailer. I would've loved to tag along on this trip. Very small chance we could meet you around Mengel pass Sat Apr 2nd but doubt it. Going to be checking out Echo Cyn / Inyo Mine and the touristy stuff. Cloride cliff, Beatty, Titus Cyn so far. Anyway have fun and be safe. Curt

 

Hey Curt!
Funny thing about that bearing puller. Every time it comes up that someone is needing it, I want to offer mine, but can never seem to remember if I still have it or not, can't ever remember if I gave it to someone. So thanks for the memory refresher!
Truck is 100% recovered. Last thing was the airbag computer, and I took care of that just before Christmas.
Part of the rebuilding process was installing dual batteries, which I am now considering swapping out for Northstars. I also since added a custom HC rear bumper with dual swingouts, upgraded the rear suspension to 12" of travel, gave Brad my old rack and stepped up to a Prinsu, and changed out the Snugtop for a Softopper. And of course lots and lots of smaller things.
Mengel would be a helluva stretch for you. I suppose if you drove straight there without stopping for all the cool scenery and sites, you might make it, but even then you would be getting back to your site in the dark. Unless you change up your plans to join us, I doubt it would happen. Would love to have you along, though!
Though I am giving thought to a quick weekend run out to DV this coming weekend just to see the flower show. Supposedly at its height right now.

 

I appreciate that! Yea maybe next time. Cant wait to compare notes and pics. I'll post on Croms DV OR thread.

 

i am game for this trip!

 

is this strictly for tacos? my friend got a 16 tundra and wants to tag along...

 

I'm probably in for this. Sub'd

 

Updated OP......well, post #4 of the OP.

Check out the meeting places and times.

 

Sliders are overrated. You don't really need them on this trail.
A 2.5"-lift 4x4 otherwise-stock Taco made it up just fine when I rolled. No sliders, no armor, just tires, 4wd, and a mild lift. Trail was a little better shape then. You'll still be fine, assuming you've got good tires and 4wd.

 

I will definitely reconsider then. Gotta plan with the girlfriend.