Death Valley Off-Road Adventures

The proliferation of cellular (or satellite) signal coverage, near-ubiquity of roadside service plans, and ever-improving reliability of modern tire technology have rendered spare tires unnecessary for the vast majority of highway vehicles sold today. Although I regard this with utmost disdain, the fact remains that fewer and fewer new cars will ever venture beyond the reaches of wireless connectivity and roadside service. It is utterly wasteful to manufacture millions of vehicles that will drive billions of miles each year, all beleaguered with 30+ pounds of unnecessary spare tires, jacks, tire irons, etc. And I suspect that an increasing fraction of today's drivers prefer waiting in comfort for roadside assistance to arrive, vs. the inconvenience of performing an unexpected roadside tire swap in darkness, blazing summer heat, driving rain, etc. -- even if the former is substantially slower to resolve the problem.

So I don't think we can really blame the auto manufactures for deleting spare tires; it is a logical and prudent step to lower costs and improve fleet efficiency. The real problem comes at the fringe... beyond cell service or tow range, where the lack of a spare tire can leave its occupants hopelessly stranded. It seems that many drivers fail to appreciate this risk when purchasing a newer vehicle, owing to the general rarity of encountering a flat, and the fact that decades of spare-tire ubiquity have muted the consequences of flat tires in our collective mindset. Does the Tesla warn you when you're driving it into Death Valley, or anywhere else remote, that the car doesn't have a spare tire? I have no idea, but it certainly could.

 

As a first time dog owner I’m discovering that the rules - which I try to (mostly) follow - are very inconsistent between land management agencies. The same with mountain bikes. I can understand in places like Yosemite Valley (crowds) or Denali (wildlife). But I’m not sure why a dog is a problem up on Telescope Peak in DVNP but not in Surprise Canyon on BLM land. I suppose the burros are asking the same question. But at least I pick up my dog’s poop.

 

Interesting idea … there could be a lot of useful applications of geofencing that automakers haven’t taken advantage of. I hate it when you leave a town, a mile after passing a gas station, and a sign says “No Services Next 75 Miles”. Aside from the fact that the sign could have been just BEFORE the town, a smart car could notify you of “cheapest gas ahead for next 75 miles” before it’s too late. I suppose Tesla ready does this implicitly for charging. Not that we need more nannies, but I’d rather have that than auto climate control.

 

Especially horses since they have the group poop thing going.

I see the different agencies, different management philosophies but it creates situations where a visitor crosses some magic line (think a trail that crosses both agencies land) become criminals. Doesn't seem right.

 

i go to DVNP occasionally to camp. breakfast after coffee is the ritual. recently been on a two scrambled in butter with green onion and shred cheddar, after a strong fresh ground pete's french roast with warmed 1/2-n1/2. foto indicates a cook table one burner set up. i drilled two holes in the plywood to accommodate two eggs prior to cracking. i did this because my Pelfreybilt swing gate drop down table has a series of perfectly sized holes that accommodate eggs or allow the coffee filter dripper to drip onto the pavement. dang Pelfrey thought of every thing and got so much right. this glamping table set up is pretty cool and easy to put together, whether at campsite or on side of 395 for brunch. foto from april at a site with a view somewhere within park boundary.

 

Seeing these eggs reminds me. I saw a recipe the other day that would be perfect for camping which could easily use some substitute ingredients. It's called Eggs in Purgatory, Italian style. Be a nice brunch thing.

 

nice...my daughter just made that for mother's day brunch...not bad at all

 

How do these peckerheads make it profitable to sell pot? I can't seem to give it away for free.

Wild that someone chose such an environment to grow it... Not the first or last time but it always amazes me

https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2023/05/another-pot-farm-death-valley-national-park-cleaned

 

Think that's that's the grow that was discovered within the past few years.

 

The battle requires a value. Estimates are probably high but it helps justify the expense of removal. Of course, they’re pros so probably also have/had a buyer.

I’m shocked they had non LE help on the cleanup. American Conservation Experience is some kind of “training” experience for “young adults”.

 

ACE is a legit group that does lots of trail work and environmental cleanup. The kids get paid and the land management agency benefits from cheap and willing labor … you’ll see them in the Bay Area doing fun things like poison oak removal. LE won’t do that.

 

A few years ago we were visiting the fire lookout guy at Bald Mountain Lookout in the Sequoia NF and he told us the National Forest was full of pot farms; the rangers run into them all the time. Not exactly a huge surprise.

 

I've never heard of them. Usually, when there's a cleanup of a grow operation, it's the SO and maybe other government people doing it.

 

Based on my experience, the chances for chemical exposure could be high depending on the grow, and specific hazmat training for cleanup is usually required. LE agencies typically don't have that training and contractors are required. Carbofurans are nasty and I'm assuming an unnamed NPS hazmat contractor removed the carbofurans before ACE helped - ACE is cheaper than a hazmat contractor for non-hazardous (trash, debris, etc.) cleanup. I'm just speculating as I don't know the specifics of ACE. I walked into an abandoned grow site in NorCal a few years ago. The amount of trash and debris was ridiculous. It looked like they just left with clothes hung to dry, toiletries, cooking supplies and bedding all visible.

 

The past couple days in the region had interesting weather

 

How were low & high temperatures?

 

Panamint Valley was 100 down low, 85 at 6600 around 5pm on Friday.

 

Brief trip report. I went out Friday planning on two nights with camping at either one or two different spots. The trip however turned out to be a one night affair. On day two when I got to my camp site my awning was sent up and over the truck despite being guyed out. So I need to buy some replacement parts due to a bent bar.

First night set up my tent and ended up having to use the rainfly for the first time. Next morning it was still needed while packing up camp. Not heavy rain by any means but still rain. I came down from the Charcoal Kilns through Wildrose Canyon and the mix of sage and floral smells was amazing. I've never smelled anything like it and the best way I could think to describe it is ambrosia. I wouldn't say there's any superbloom from my limited time out there but the flowers are out! I saw lots of yellow, orange, blue, purple, and red flowers in various areas. Pics to come.

Oh and Michael Digonet has released a 2nd edition of "Hiking Western Death Valley". I purchased mine at PSR.

 

Excellent! Any idea as to what is new?

 

I haven't delved into it yet but looking forward to it.

I've also noticed Steve Hall is putting out videos on YT again.