Death Valley Off-Road Adventures

To be honest I have no issues with reverting it back to primitive. That being said, this is probably the best outcome for both parties.

Here in Canada the hot springs are alll ruined, well not ruined but are pretty much all commercialized. There are a few gems, but they involve hiking to them, boat rides, etc. There are also a few that are not known by the masses as the locals do not want people to find out about them and set up resorts/etc like a lot of the others have gotten. Shame to be honest.

 

Changes to the preferred alternative sound sensible. The perimeter fence was sort of crazy but at the public meetings the NPS said that it was in the plan due to burros but written before there was a new burro management plan and that they would thus likely revisit it. Sounds like they did.

On a related note according to folks at the meeting the burro eradication is suppose to begin at the springs in about a month. Hurray! Though I suspect depending on where they put the pens it might not be pleasant at the springs while the round up is in process...

 

Oh, and on the abandoned axle a ranger at the SPA meeting confirmed that the people who left it behind had in fact already contacted NPS themselves and let them know they intend to get it removed themselves.

 

Well that’s good to hear about the axle.

What’s th plan for the burros? Culling them or they removing them from the valley?

 

They are to be removed from DVNP. Most will be taken to the burro place in Ridgecrest.

 

https://www.nps.gov/deva/learn/news/burros-to-new-homes.htm

Removing from the valley, but not by the feds. An all donation run organization of burro lovers is removing them and then either adopting them out or putting them in their own sanctuary depending on the nature of the individual burro. Ridgecrest facility won't be involved if I understand the arrangement correctly. Details of the arrangement in link above.

The major difference to past round ups is that they use one way gates on pens with hay and water to catch most of the burros rather than directly wrangling them. Someone who was in Butte Valley when they were operating there said the area around the pens was kind of nasty. Hence my comment about not being sure of the short term impact on the springs area while they are doing the round up.

 

Hmm, sounds like should bring the blue heeler down and do some roundup for em. Be good training for her. She hated the burros, personally, they should cull them and use the meat to feed those in need, similar to what was done in Aussie with the Roos.

 

I'm very slow getting a trip report done so I'll just post a photo for now. From around Chloride City:

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I wonder what that study cost where they put that fence up near Lippencott/Saline intersection that IIRC concluded that there was no impact caused by thhe burros? Really what I'm asking is where do I sign up for the checks!!! Lol

 

Anyone else like to carry a spare axle housing when traveling through Death Valley



This guy was pretty awkward lifting into the cargo area. And unfortunately a great pair of cold weather gloves were sacrificed because I could not find my beater work gloves..


Somehow I managed to fit everything in without turning the spare tire carrier around to face the outboard side


The 2 brothers also stashed a pair of extra duty trailer fenders that they removed from one of the trailers. They are long in length and are very heavy, I was not able to pack them out with me..



Snow entering the Canyon..



Unfortunately at about 3/4 of the way down to the Springs, my skid plate decided it wanted to retire then and there. While on the trail..

 

So you left the skid behind on the side of the trail, right?

 

Hahaha

 

I was wondering if you picked that up after I saw you on the 395.

 

Nice job!

 

Are you driving home tonight? If you are staying local (Big Pine) I have an extra bed.

 

That's a great photo! Very nice!

 

Thanks MonkeyProof for getting that out of there. Kudos and huge brownie points to you. I just wish they were worth something.

 

Thanks for the offer!! but I'm already home. I took Lippencot to Hunter Mtn. Met these guys who were just finishing up a trail repair on Lippencot, so I hung around for a few minutes making sure that they were good..


Hunter had some snow..

 

you should have taken the fenders as payment for your troubles. Kidding, nice work, not sure I would have done that as the guys are getting off scott free for being a bunch of lazy twats.

 

Good on you MP. Thank you. Definitely should have grabbed the fenders for ransom.