Death Valley Off-Road Adventures

some more pics



an inch to spare on either side


spot that Charles Manson was captured


I didnt even know badgers lived in DV

 

I missed you guys by a day. Left the Geologist cabin Thursday the 9th. In Barstow atm. I'm at day 24 of Death Valley. 700 miles in the park so far. One fucked Duratrac and one busted cbi swing out.











Looks like one weld broke then the rest became un-hinged with the weight. Call to see if they'll do anything in regards to replacement when I get home. Don't think I've put it through enough to have it fail like that...

Going to explore the south-east corner next.

 

Damn, 24 days

Bummer about the Swingarm, thank God for Bungees and DV ate one of my Durafails too.

Are you talking about Greenwater area in the southeast or are you down by Calico?

I am hoping to get out there before the end of February to explore Saline Valley, got a whole new Suspension setup I need to break in.
We are going to backpack into Panamint city first.

 

No, thinking about Owls Head Range and Ibex. I've been living pretty lavishly, In the cabins. Did 5 days in Saline, both South and North Pass are passable. I came in through Steele Pass and out NP. Just try to do it on the weekend b/c chp will ticket you.

 

Why would they ticket you?

Post pics if you got them.

 

Inyo closed North/South Pass Saline routes. But I saw a fucking Yaris in the warm springs. Sure the hell didn't take Deckadera or Lippincott. Panamint Valley Rd is closed also. CHP posted north of Ballarat and south of PSR, I bypassed via Nadeau Rd., along the Argus Range.

I have a lot of pics! I'll post them in a week or so.

 

Gotcha, yeah we might have used Panamint road once or twice. I will make a note of the other closures.

 

If you're exploring around the Briggs mine and end up going up South Park Canyon, you'll be passing right by the spot I rolled my truck.

If you go up South Park Canyon from Ballarat, after you get off the alluvial fan and into the dry falls, there is a mine spur that cuts left. Great view of the valley from there, and a spot of strong cell service. I rolled on the tight switchback after the steep section past the impassable left spur. If you look carefully, you'll find a few rocks with some red paint on them, maybe a few tiny bits of black plastic.

Oh, and a tip: Don't try the steep bypass up the alluvial fan. That was the most challenging climb I've ever had, and I wouldn't do it again. If you go for it, the only way out is all the way through, which is hella tough.

 

And my wife wants me to mention that you shouldn't roll your truck. Y'know, just fyi.

 

Lol. Left Briggs Camp this morning. Went up to Suitecase mine. Saw where I think you flopped. Scary.

Been on three wheels twice this trip. A little concerning, reflecting back on the fact I never saw a soul for days or until I hit a paved road...

"Alowicious Devadander Abercrombie" isn't that long for mud?

 

So I've been told.






Finally! Someone on here gets it!

 

Deffinitely on the short list. A friend of mine is heading out in April--right when my son is due to be born (lets hope his timing gets better from here )! Thanks for all the info and keeping the dream alive!

 

So I finished out 28 full days in around Death Valley. 1000 miles within the park alone.

 

Rad stories. 28 DAYS! How, when, and where did you resupply?

SVR is open even if it shows closed. Inyo County graded it for us. Thank you to the road crew. Trona Wildrose will be open soon if it isn't already.

 

Couple proposals which might need some comments submitted from those of us here.

http://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=297&projectID=39438&documentID=56823

http://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectID=39438

http://www.nps.gov/deva/parkmgmt/upload/2012-Compendium.pdf

 

Sorry lost power for a few hours.

More pics:

 

I'm guessing you did not go down there, but it looks like someone else did.... that break on the last rung looks fresh.

AWESOME photos man!

 

Ringtailed Cat:
















Remnants of the Sheep Creek Cabin, courtesy of BLM.


Guess my bumpstops weren't long enough....

 

Lots more pics. http://s941.photobucket.com/user/Kodiak2Mendo/library/28 days DV?sort=2&page=1