Death Valley Off-Road Adventures

Yes. I didn't expect it to live up to the hype, but it was far more impressive than I expected.

 

Heading out for my first DV trip next week! I plan to enter through Ballarat and Gohler wash, make my way to Badwater then north to Furnace Creek. Probably camp in Echo canyon. Then Titus Canyon if I have enough time and on to the Race Track before leaving through Lippencot pass. (Sorry if I misspelled any of those) I'm going with a buddy but he may only be along for the first day or two.

I've never been so I have a real desire to see as much as possible and see all the "touristy" sites. I'm sure I'll be back to do a more intimate trip another time. I've got 4-5 days and I know the park is HUGE!

I've followed this thread for a while and really appreciate all the knowledge here. Any advice or tips or info on current conditions would be welcome. Thanks!

 

I'll be there starting Monday the 4th. What dates will you be there?

 

I'll be there 4/8 through the 11th or 12th.

 

I'll be on my way home by then.

 

Question for the DV veterans....

How much of the area is accessible in 2WD? I have a 2WD + locker...

I have been to Death Valley once, spring of 2013. At the time I didn't have the Tacoma, so I flew into Vegas and rented a Ford Explorer (2wd). Being a photographer I went to many of the "must-see" spots including:

Zabriskie Point
Devils Golf Course
Badwater Basin
Eureka Dunes
Racetrack Playa (only real "off-roading" I did. Explorer did fine, but it did run hot a few times and I had to pull over)
Etc...

I want to go back because I was cursed (many would see it as blessed) with dull blue skies and haze the entire time I was there (4 days). That's great for vacationing, but shitty for photography.

I want to explore more, but I really have no idea how much can be seen in my Prerunner. I've heard Titus Canyon is fine in 2wd, but other than that I have no idea.

Kind of a vague question I know because the park is so enormous, but for those who have been a lot how much is do-able in 2wd to get to scenic "off the beaten path" places?

Thanks

 

Can't speak for the souther part of the park but north of Panamint Springs there are some good roads into Saline Valley. The south and north pass of Saline are 2wd friendly. There are some roads in Saline I wouldn't attempt with 2wd like Steel Pass that runs from the hotsprings to Eureka Dunes through Deckedera canyon. Lippencott could also be very sketch yin 2wd, I use 4 low going both up and down Lippencott because of the grade and a few sections that have decent rock sections. I wouldn't coincided it crawling but definitely requires clearance and traction. You are correct about Titus, very 2wd friendly this time of year. Sorry for the limited input but those are the areas I am familiar with there.

 

We are going to DV on april 22nd.

Here is our plan

Friday - camp at Saline Middle Hot Springs
Saturday - Go up to Steele pass and down to Sand Dunes, check out some craters and connect all the way back to the Race Track
Sunday - Undefine yet.

I am on a DCLB Prerunner with lift and 33 tires. We have a couple of jeeps and 4 runner. Anyone is welcome to join, we are pretty mellow and just looking to check out some of the wonders in DV.

Here is the map that we are currently working on for our guide. We have never been there before.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?hl=en&authuser=0&mid=zU-MlRh5ayVw.kgParYwnnVPI

 

2WD okay on Harry Wade Road
Hole in the Wall Canyon. okay
Echo Canyon up to the Inyo mine, but 4WD beyond that.
Skidoo mine site okay
West Side Road okay.

 

And from the racetrack, you can take teakettle junction up hunter mountain to avoid lippencott. Great views from hunter to panamint springs

 

Titus Canyon is very doable in 4x2. This RV tried it last week and almost made it the entire 26 mile length before getting stuck on a small berm. I've seen all kinds of vehicles on trails but this is by far the biggest ill equipped ride going where it shouldn't ought to be! Ranger showed up and helped with the recovery. The couple in the RV were from France and on a long USA vacation and had no clue how or where they could drive that big rental trail hog.

 

We watched 2 rental yaris' go through there after a heavy rain made a few gullies. Highly entertaining and the reason to buy the extra insurance

 

Death Valley adventure Mar 30th - Apr 3rd - Days 1+2 - My family and a couple of friends of ours finally made the this a reality. Something I wanted to do since I saw this thread. Growing up I had an uncle who was stationed in China Lake NWC so I remember going there as a kid and always wanted to go back someday. So this was the time and I was stoked to take the family and friends there to see and experience the wonders of Death Valley
I decided to head to Lone Pine the first day to get close to the park since we only had 3 nights inside to park.

Day 1
1st stop Red Rock canyon - just because



Then on to Lone Pine - after checking in at the Best Western and unhooking the trailer - we headed to Alabama Hills! If you don't know about this area its where many of the great old westerns were filmed in. There is a film museum in town and lots of cool pics and stuff at the Mt Whitney restaurant.




Day 2
Got up just after sunrise to get this view of the Mtns


My Whitney a little later after breakfast


Now on the road to DV. Stopped to get one last look at the Eastern Sierra Range. DV is so dry because not much moisture is left in the clouds once they cross over those mountains. If there is any the White Mtns get the last drops. Typically speaking.


Family Photo with our friends dog (Bella) not wanting to be left out.


Stopped in Panamint springs for a detour to Darwin Falls. Talked to the nice folks there and felt safe unhooking the trailer so I wouldn't have to drag it up the there. It's about 2.5 mi dirt road and 1 mi hike each way. Definitely worth it! Lots of flowers along the way


and finally the falls. Note - no swimming allowed - its the water source for Panamint. You can just see the pipe running down
behind the girls. It's an Oasis for sure


So finally opened up the trailer at our camp site at Furnace Creek campground. If you're camping with the family I highly recommend staying here. Flush toilets and full service at the ranch if needed. I don't think my wife and daughters would camp at some of the barren campsites. Eat, Drink, Sleep, done for today. Did I mention we saw the ISS (international space station) go over head? The folks next to us had an ap that told them when it would pass over. She came over and told us and sure enough a dot in the sky that was very very high and moving very very fast passed over us. It was visible for only 10 - 15 seconds or so before it disappeared.

 

April 16-24, 2016
National Park Week
The entrance fee to Death Valley National Park and the nation’s other National Parks and Monuments, will be waived during this 9 day period.
For room reservations please book online or call 800-236-7916


April 21, 2016
Full Moon
If your visit includes a night between five days prior to or one day after a full moon, you may want to join the wranglers for a moonlight ride along the valley floor. Explore the valley as the ’49ers did over 160 years ago.

April 23, 2016
Earth Day Celebration
Join us as we celebrate Earth Day on Saturday, April 23. There are several exciting events planned for the celebration from 8:00am to 3:00pm. Sample Sustainable Cuisine, Solar Field tours, Bio-Diesel demonstration, Children’s Activities, and local Vendor Fair. Live music will be provided by Phyllis Nefsky and Mary ___ and Quarry

 

Looks like a Glorious Family adventure vacation! Well done.

Thanks for sharing the pics.

 

Day 3
Ah a perfect day temp in the 60's early and no wind.


First stop Badwater - another family photo - ok no more of those

then Natural Bridge


Artist Palette

telescope peak 11000 ft + down to -282. impressive for sure


After heading back to camp for lunch I finally get to do some real offroading up Echo Cyn.


Inyo Mine



Look for the eye of the needle on way back


Now I promised my wife and kids we would try to get in the pool at the ranch. We did and its Very Nice after a day on the trail. Showers there also. $5 a day pp. Well worth it.


Quick stop at the museum



Back to camp. Eat, Drink, Toast the day. Sleep. End of day 3

 

Nice! We went to many of the same places. We even stayed in the same hotel in Lone Pine.

 

Day 4 - This was our last full day so I wanted to get the most out of it. Wake up at 630, get coffee at the ranch, go to Zabriskie's point.
A 2 shot panorama that needs more work but you get the idea.

and one closer


back to camp for breakfast, get everyone moving and head to Cloride Cliff, then Beatty NV, and Titus. A lot for one day with family. Lots of flowers still in the higher elevations.


4x4 Low needed for the final ascent to the mine.




The view looking back to DV is awesome

After heading back to the 374 we continued to Beatty for gas and food


Now to Titus. Glad there were no RV's stuck ahead of us. Holy Balls that would suck. I did pass a few cars inching along. Hope they're not in a hurry. We kind of were as the wife and daughters were getting a little ansy so we were booking whenever we could. View from the pass.


Eventually you come upon Leadfield.



and Finally the narrows of Titus canyon





The End of the Canyon. What a ride!


Okay so after a long day on the trail there's nothing like an ice cold 395 IPA back at camp.

Edit- as I said camping at the "furnace creek campground" is great (there are other campgrounds in the area but not as nice) Only thing is HEAT - we got lucky - 2 days before we got there it was 70mph gusts and 2 days after it hit 100 degrees F. It got to 94F on our last day and it doesn't cool till way after dark so plan accordingly. But having trees and running water is a luxury here in DV for sure. Only some of the sites have them. Being close to the Ranch at FC is nice too. Heck you could leave the camping for another trip and stay there.

In closing I'd like to thank Nick for starting this thread and inspiring me to do this and my family and friends for going along and sticking with my busy schedule here. It was truly a trip we wont forget. Even my girls loved it. They would've been happy at the pool all day though. LOL
Last shot technically day 5 of Mesquite Dunes on our way out. Cheers

 

We even stopped at the same undercut area in Titus Canyon. Funny how kids are attracted to certain things.

You really packed a lot into those days. Great trip! Thanks for sharing.

 

Thank You! Yes I'm still trying to recoup! Funny how you had the same plans. I remember you posting that a long time ago. Hows the later video coming?