Death Valley Off-Road Adventures

From reading their web site, it seems like they generally work with Public Land Managers to manage the land they purchase. In this case, hopefully DVNP, since the land is essentially entirely surrounded by park already.

Also, there's not much of the monorail to see at Crystal Hills. You get a much better view of it, and can probably even photograph it "better" from a vantage point in the Owlsheads. Though, you'd need a pretty long lens, hahaha.

 

I was at Cerro Gordo about 3 weeks ago. The trail up to Cerro Gordo is in great condition, looks like the county had finished re-grading the road. The narrows are a bit rough but a high clearance 2WD would have no problem getting there. This was before the storm front passed through so no guarantee the road is not snowed in.

We asked about the trail up to the salt tram and was told that BLM planned to repair it but had not happened yet.

 

Along the lines that if you didn't take pictures, then it never happened, here are a few shots from recent trip to Cerro Gordo.

View looking back from way we came. Looks like the foundation for the new hotel is coming along and new water tank is in place. Looking to distance shows very little snow; very different than a week later.



Desert Dog thinking this would make a fabulous dog house


obligatory picture of the main mine ore station for the cable tramway on it's last legs. I have my doubts if it survives another winter.


Cabins on the hill, this one is going to be a photoshop challenge


Never made it the main mine head building, but Overall good visit, plan to return sometime when days are longer to spend more time and hopefully when road to salt tram station is passible.

 

Now that there is a good pup.

 

This may have been mentioned already, but as I'm planning my next trip into the park, I noticed that Harry Wade Road is once again open, making north-south access within the park "a thing" again, and re-opening up access to the Owlsheads.

 

Does anyone have/recommend the books by Death Valley Jim, most of them seemingly "Secrets" of various places? Mojave, DV, Joshua Tree, etc.?

Essentially, I'm looking to bolster my (admittedly) single-author collection. My interests are in seeing things (be they views, natural "wonders," or man-made artifacts). Hiking and driving are both great. I also love history, but I find that I enjoy it more when it's presented intermingled with some journey or as part of some outing, rather than a historical book where I need to "find" the outings (if that makes sense).

Obviously, folks here likely have good recommendations for the DV/Mojave region, but I'm also all ears for anything in the Cedar Mesa/Comb Ridge/SE Utah area. (hint hint).

 

Death Valley Jim is an asshole banned from the park by NPS. If you ever come across his books take a moment to burn them.

The Explorer’s Guide to Death Valley by Bryan is mostly vehicle based covering the backroads. Desert Summits by Zdon catches some peaks not covered by Digonnet and is a good guide for a much broader area.

 

For those whose interest was tapped:

https://www.latimes.com/california/...ley-jim-mojave-joshua-tree-convicted-banished

 

Ex sounds like a piece of work too.

edit: I think there are a lot of folks who do not meet permitting requirements nor do they have permits to go where they do at least by the definition the park service provides.

 

Holy smokes, I had no idea. Saw his books on a list of another explorer and was a bit put off that there were like 10+ of them that I'd have to buy to cover the desert, so I thought I'd ask. I'll check out the Summits book, as I feel like I've got the DV roads pretty well covered with my own knowledge at this point. Although, reading the preview on Amazon, now I feel like I want the Explorer's Guide as well, just for the background/history which seems quite approachable, hahaha. Thanks as always Ken.

Edit: Well isn't that location interesting... Should arrive in about a week.

Well then.

Thanks guys. Still all ears for any other recommendations - and don't feel like you have to limit yourselves to DV.

 

If you can find it, The Last Gentleman Adventurer. It is about the Hudson Bay Company and about as far from DV as you can get.

 

OK!

Just got back from 2 weeks in Baja. Thought you'd enjoy it. Limited my off the pavement because I don't carry extra gas... yet.

How can one not like places labelled "Laguna Diablo"?

 

She showed up on one of the DV forums of the past a few years ago. Match made in heaven near as I can tell.

 

Gotta say, you want a divorce, leave. Be done. Why would you waste your life chasing someone you hate?

 

The second I read about the guy, my BS meter spiked.

 

“2013 Guided Tour Options.”

Seems legit.

 

i picked up this recent d/t its reference in a blog. somewhat familiar with the name. has some tall tales on DV history, from back in the day when you carried canvas water bags for your radiator. fun, light duty read.
Death Valley and its Country Hardcover – Import, January 1, 1946

oh shit that did not link

 

https://www.amazon.com/Valley-Country-George-Palmer-Putnam/dp/B0000D6BE2

 

I’ve found the Bill Mann Desert Series (referenced in the LA Times article) to be a good resource of interesting stops along a route both historical and archeological plus his credentials are legit.
https://www.dailynews.com/2009/03/10/bill-mann-was-true-son-of-the-desert/

 

I think this thread is far more dangerous than some of the others. So many really cool resources.