1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Death Valley Off-Road Adventures

Discussion in 'Off-Roading & Trails' started by Crom, Nov 14, 2009.

  1. Nov 14, 2009 at 1:21 AM
    #1
    Crom

    Crom [OP] Super-Deluxe Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2009
    Member:
    #18782
    Messages:
    9,630
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nick
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2009 4x4 DCSB Camp Supreme
    Millions
    I understand there are some fantastic trails in Death Valley.

    I was curious is any of you have wheeled there before. If so please post your experience in this thread so that all may benefit. Please tell us when you were there and what trails you ran.

    Here are some resources to help.

    [​IMG]
    NPS - Death Valley Backcountry Roads-LIST.pdf

    NPS - Death Valley Backcountry Roads-MAP

    Which trails have you run and when were you there? :)
     
    Last edited: Feb 21, 2022
    Leedehua, Hawk373, AgR&DTaco and 4 others like this.
  2. Nov 14, 2009 at 10:52 AM
    #2
    J4RR

    J4RR Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2007
    Member:
    #3907
    Messages:
    408
    Gender:
    Male
    The OC
    Vehicle:
    07 DC LB TRD SPORT 4X4
    Those look like some cool expo trails. My friends and I are putting together a run for a few days through Death Valley for early next year.
     
  3. Dec 1, 2009 at 12:05 PM
    #3
    Crom

    Crom [OP] Super-Deluxe Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2009
    Member:
    #18782
    Messages:
    9,630
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nick
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2009 4x4 DCSB Camp Supreme
    Millions
    I spent 4.5 days (Nov 21-25 2009) in Death Valley. I entered through Ballarat, Wingate Road to Goler Canyon. I camped in Goler Canyon. The next day I ran up through Mengel Pass. The pass was very bad and I had to spend 30 minutes rebuilding the trail. I went down the pass, but I don't know that I'd be able to make it back up. I hiked Striped Butte. Stayed the second night in Butte Valley atop an old mining site with commanding views of the road below.

    The third day I wheeled into Death Valley and connected to West Side Road. I visited the "Queen of Sheba Mine", a very rough slow going road through a 3-mile alluvial fan.

    Later that day I ran "Hole in the Wall" and I took the rabbit hole as far as it would go.

    The fourth day I ran Titus Canyon, and what a pleasure that was. I highly recommend it, stunning, awesome views that just would not quit. I ran it quick 1:45 hours while even taking time to explore Leadfield (Ghost town).

    I boogied up to Little Ubehebe crater for lunch before hitting Racetrack Road. Racetrack road was recently plowed, so you can jam in certain places. After some peaceful moments at the racetrack I took Lippincott Pass until I ran out of daylight. Lippincott Pass (Ubehebe Road) is nothing more than a shelf road cut into the side of the mountain and is destroyed after each heavy rainfall. It's very narrow and has one very rocky section. Passing is almost impossible.

    Later that night, by chance I met another TW member. What are the odds? The next day, together, we ran the pass and Saline Valley road to the south to CA-190. Saline Valley road had two water crossings less than 12" deep. There was also a pass at Hunter Mountain.

    All the places I wheeled are passable to a 4x4 stocker with a locker. I only used my locker twice. The first time in Goler Canyon to get up a dry waterfall and though Mengel Pass.

    Death Valley is an incredible place to wheel and hike. It has more diversity to offer than most other desert parks combined.

    GOLER CANYON, PANAMINT MOUNTAINS, DEATH VALLY NATIONAL PARK

    [​IMG]

    MENGEL PASS, PANAMINT MOUNTAINS, DEATH VALLY NATIONAL PARK
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    STAYING WARM IN BUTTE VALLEY, DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
    [​IMG]

    THE RACETRACK, DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
    [​IMG]
    LIPPINCOTT PASS TO/FROM SALINE VALLEY, DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
    [​IMG]
    LIPPINCOTT PASS TO/FROM SALINE VALLEY, DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
    [​IMG]


     
    Last edited: Oct 26, 2018
  4. Dec 1, 2009 at 12:08 PM
    #4
    jdkeller

    jdkeller How many words can be fit in this s

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2008
    Member:
    #11040
    Messages:
    12,923
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jonathan
    Inland Empire, Ca
    Vehicle:
    2008 Tacoma Prerunner TRD Offroad
    Dome light LED, 6000k HID Headlights and fogs, Grillcraft black mesh, rear 5100's, Total Chaos UCA's, 285/75/16 BFG KM2's, Spidertrax spacers, Blacked out emblems, cb,kenwood tm270 ham radio, All Pro 3" leaf pack, Fox 2.0 coilovers, Revenge Fab Sliders, u bolt flip kit, Pioneer avh4200, bed bar with light and antenna, Wet Okoles, Weathertech Mats, Wet Okole Armrests, Rear KR Fab bumper, bed mat, N-Fab spare tire carrier with full size spare on 16" TRD rim, Bedlinered flares and grille. Camburg Spindles, All Pro front fenders.
    Nice post^
     
    Black97v6MT likes this.
  5. Dec 1, 2009 at 1:01 PM
    #5
    DDD

    DDD Shine bright like a hymen

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2009
    Member:
    #14416
    Messages:
    2,303
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Derek
    Santa Clarita, CA
    looks fun, and cold...
     
  6. Dec 1, 2009 at 4:36 PM
    #6
    moto932

    moto932 What's the matter, Colonel Sandurz? CHICKEN?

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2009
    Member:
    #15770
    Messages:
    3,465
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Eric
    Dayton, Ohio
    Vehicle:
    04 TRD Off Road
    Basically stock. OME 882s, HD Dakars and nitrochrgers, TG front bumper, custom rear bumper, 4Xinnovations sliders, RAT skids, Softopper, 255/85/16 ST MAXX's on 16" steelies, 1" B.O.R.A. wheel spacers Scangaugae II, deck plate mod, grey wire mod,ECGS bushing, diff breather relocation, alarm mod, defrost w/o compressor mod, de-badged, sockmonkey beside decals.
    i need to move :(
     
  7. Dec 1, 2009 at 5:07 PM
    #7
    Crom

    Crom [OP] Super-Deluxe Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2009
    Member:
    #18782
    Messages:
    9,630
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nick
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2009 4x4 DCSB Camp Supreme
    Millions
    Thank you.

    I should also tell you all about the R-2508 Complex

    While exiting Saline Valley we were treated to our own private air show, which included one sonic-boom, courtesy of the U.S. Military.

    The R-2508 Complex includes all the airspace and associated land presently used and managed by the three principal military activities in the Upper Mojave Desert region:
    Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB, National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake

    Use of these areas include bombing ranges, supersonic corridors, low altitude high speed maneuvers, radar intercept areas, and refueling areas.


    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  8. Dec 1, 2009 at 6:41 PM
    #8
    Doc.SS

    Doc.SS ︻╦╤─

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2009
    Member:
    #23899
    Messages:
    4,389
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Frank
    O'side
    Vehicle:
    T4R SR5
    awesome
     
  9. Dec 2, 2009 at 6:46 PM
    #9
    MarcD

    MarcD Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2009
    Member:
    #20907
    Messages:
    84
    Gender:
    Male
    Sweet post. Those jets are insane
     
  10. Dec 3, 2009 at 4:41 AM
    #10
    ETAV8R

    ETAV8R Out DERP'n

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2008
    Member:
    #4832
    Messages:
    4,805
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    MGM 09 AC 4WD V6 TRD-OR w/ Tradesman Shell
    Just the basics
    Nice pics and posts. Looks like someone got some nevada pinstripes.
    Where exactly are those aircraft pics taken? That is somewhere I need to go!
     
  11. Dec 3, 2009 at 5:37 AM
    #11
    AZCOMA

    AZCOMA where can't I go?

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2009
    Member:
    #26088
    Messages:
    367
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Kacey
    Laveen
    Vehicle:
    05 Preunner sr5
    2.5 saw co's, n-fab bed cage rear tire mount,new head unit and 10"sub,285/75/16 nittos on M/T wheels,H.I.D.'s...The next mod is T.C. long travle kit,Deavers and glass all the way around.
    That reminds me of the hills have eyes. Sweet report and pics!!!
     
  12. Dec 3, 2009 at 11:10 AM
    #12
    Crom

    Crom [OP] Super-Deluxe Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2009
    Member:
    #18782
    Messages:
    9,630
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nick
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2009 4x4 DCSB Camp Supreme
    Millions
    Thank you.

    Thank you.

    The first five pics were taken on Lippincott Pass road which Google maps calls Ubehebe road, CA, <--Click for map.

    Pictures 6+7 were from Saline Valley road just after Hunter Mountain Pass where there is a magnificent Joshua Tree forest. Map #2

    The last picture of the very low flying jet was taken while in Saline Valley Map #3

    Saline Valley is one of the most remote places in California. Check out this link for good intel about Saline Valley

    All of those map links show place markers and are very accurate to where the photos were taken.

    Thank you. It's funny you should mention that. I try real hard not to think about that movie when its dark and I'm by myself and in places that resemble the landscape from that movie! You never know!

    What's more, is that Death Valley is 40 miles away from the Nevada Nuclear test site :eek: If you follow that map link you will see huge craters in the Nevada desert, all of which are the result of Nuclear explosions from decades past.
     
    Leedehua likes this.
  13. Dec 3, 2009 at 11:25 AM
    #13
    MiikeyD

    MiikeyD The Green Machine

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2007
    Member:
    #2017
    Messages:
    1,432
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Upland, CA
    Vehicle:
    Green Prerunner DC 2.7L
    Suspension / Wheels / Tires 3.5" Fabtech lift w/ AAL 265/75/16 BFG A/T American Racing Baja Audio Alpine HU CDA-9886 Kicker DS650 Z-Edition 1000W Memphis M3 US Amps 4000W 2.5Farad Cap Lighting 6000K HID 2 Hella 500FF 2 Aux Bed Lights 2 Aux Driving Lights Performance Volant CAI Flomaster Super 44 Doug Thorley Long Tube headers (coming soon) NGK Iridium Sparkplugs Accessories Scanguage II Cobra LTD27-NW with 3' Firestik Radio Shack Triple Trunking Scanner Harbor Freight Hi-Lift Cosmetics Flat Black Bumper Trim Flat Black Grill Surrounding with Satoshi Clear Corners Future Modifications (not specific) Longtravel w/ king shocks or fox Caged bed Shackles rear suspension. Fox / king shocks custom front bumper Custom Glassworks extreme kit for 01-04 (only have hood and passenger side.. need driver panel) Supercharger + 8port intake manifold optima yellow top battery remounted new rims caged interior rear bench removal 4 sparc
    Friggin sweet post.. nice pix +1
     
  14. Dec 3, 2009 at 2:10 PM
    #14
    RogueLeader

    RogueLeader Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2009
    Member:
    #21162
    Messages:
    310
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rod
    Las Vegas, NV
    Vehicle:
    2011 Tacoma Double Cab SR5 TRD
    Just make sure to take plenty of water and stay on the marked roads during the summer. It's a deathtrap if you don't. I'm sure you've heard what happened there this summer with a woman and her son who wanted to go camping. They got lost following the GPS and got stuck. She lived, her son died.
     
  15. Dec 3, 2009 at 3:21 PM
    #15
    Crom

    Crom [OP] Super-Deluxe Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2009
    Member:
    #18782
    Messages:
    9,630
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nick
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2009 4x4 DCSB Camp Supreme
    Millions
    That is excellent advice.

    Death Valley is a place of extremes. And as you have pointed out it has a history of killing people who go there unprepared. For the record I would not wheel or hike anywhere in the park during summer months except to hike Telescope Peak (11,043') in the Panamint mountains.

    I have invested in two 6.5 Gallon durable plastic water containers. One is reserved for the truck--radiators use water too :D. The other is for me, and on top of that I carry 5 gallons in assorted water bottles and jugs that I usually keep in the cab.

    Because I do many solo expeditions there are two pieces of technology that I consider true life savors.

    1. Rented Satellite phone.
    2. Personal Locator Beacons.
    Sat phones are cheap insurance (approximately $5-$8 a day) to call for help when you need it. A PLB may be used when all forms of self-rescue have failed and a genuine emergency is threatening life, limb, or eyesight.
     
  16. Dec 3, 2009 at 8:16 PM
    #16
    ETAV8R

    ETAV8R Out DERP'n

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2008
    Member:
    #4832
    Messages:
    4,805
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    MGM 09 AC 4WD V6 TRD-OR w/ Tradesman Shell
    Just the basics
    Thank you for the links and info. Interesting that Area 51 is just to the Northeast of the nuclear test site. I've got the maps and california desert byways book. Hoping to make many trips to Death Valley in the future.

    p.s.
    Crom did you take extra fuel?
    Did you do this solo?
    Aside from the other TW peeps, did you find a lot of people out there and how did you stay warm at night, only using the small heater?
     
    Last edited: Dec 2, 2018
  17. Jan 5, 2010 at 11:19 PM
    #17
    Rucas

    Rucas 1st gen

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2009
    Member:
    #27040
    Messages:
    4,257
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Lucas
    Vehicle:
    1st gen. 4x4
    Custom Aluminum Camper
    sickk, i will definitly be adding to these after my trip.

    I remember going there on a family vacation when i was younger, and had a lot of fun, so hopefullythis one will be just as much.
     
  18. Jan 6, 2010 at 5:56 AM
    #18
    HBMurphy

    HBMurphy Ban Pending

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2009
    Member:
    #18993
    Messages:
    6,557
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Paul
    So California Coast
    Vehicle:
    09 Off Road Delete Model
    None
    Actually, I have to tell you it is not worth it. It will cost you!

    10% of your income is the first price. Traffic. Put your hand out your window to touch your neighbor.
     
  19. Jan 6, 2010 at 8:52 AM
    #19
    IrishPilot

    IrishPilot Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2009
    Member:
    #19104
    Messages:
    809
    Gender:
    Male
    MN
    Vehicle:
    09 TRD Off-Road 4x4 Double Cab
    Reminds me a lot of the pictures on the Toyota site lol...

    [​IMG]
     
  20. Jan 6, 2010 at 9:51 AM
    #20
    Crom

    Crom [OP] Super-Deluxe Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2009
    Member:
    #18782
    Messages:
    9,630
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nick
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2009 4x4 DCSB Camp Supreme
    Millions
    Too funny! Thanks for the pic. I don't recognize those mountains in Toyota site picture. I wonder where the photo was taken. I wonder if it's high desert, lots of green too, I'd say they're mesquite trees.

    Edit: I looked at the gallery on Toyota's site. I think that pic may be from New Mexico or Arizona. There are pictures with cacti that grow out there and not California/Nevada.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top