Death Valley Off-Road Adventures

I want to do Saline Valley south to north looping around to Death Valley Rd to Ubehebe Crater and down to the racetrack then back to Hidden Valley and thru Hunter Mtn and back to where I started. Should make for a good weekend. Probably mid to late Oct. Anyone want to go is welcome. Will fix a date as it approchs.

 

Sounds like a good plan. You will miss out on Lippencott though and Steel Pass/Dedeckera Canyon. In trade you will enjoy many miles of washboard roads. Find the sweet spot between 35-55 mph and keep a good eye out for the washouts.

 

good thread.

 

Heads up about South Pass on Saline Valley Road. It is apparently un-passable. Bad washouts and boulders.

 

This was posted on a Saline Valley forum board dated:

Posted 09/15/12 at 05:34 PM #71 Attempted south pass today, 09/15/12. No WAY anyone is getting through. About 1.2 miles past the Hunter cut-off, about 16 miles in, there was a washout no Jeep, No 4x4, nothing could cross. It is OUT till the graders get there, whenever. Huge boulders everywhere.

I tried to go around on Hunter mountain, Teakettle , etc, got about 16 miles and came to a ponded out section of the Hidden Valley flatlands that was at least 20 car lengths long. Didn't want to risk it, turned around. Lost a tire on my trailer anyway.

We are going to try the North Pass tomorrow morning. If we find something uncrossable, we are heading back to LA.

Today was the first time in 25 years I could not get to Saline at all from the South Pass. Had some hairy crossings in the past, but always got through.

 

I hate to say it but I'd like to see!

Pictures or it's passable!

 

LOL go get em Murph! Let me know how it goes and post some pics. From the description it doesn't seem passable. Sounds like the hellacious drive to the camp at the base of Beverage Canyon.

I'll head in either Lippencott, Steel Pass, or North Pass on my October ventures.

Another post by the same guy who reported on South Pass:
" Correct, correct. I did make it. North Pass is a little rough, but totally passable. Couple crawlie spots where ya gotta go slow. No ruts deeper than 2 feet. 4x4 is helpful but not totally necessary. 2WD truck with some clearance would be fine. Good tires an absolute must, as always.

I talked to a Southern African couple (with a badass Range Rover Pick-up w/custom camper kit, African edition, right hand driver, totally heavy duty) came in the Lippencott and they said it was passable."

 

Wow, sounds like it's a mess down south. Has anyone done Dedeckera from Eureka Sand Dunes to Saline Hot Springs via Saline Rd (north pass) lately? I'm gonna be out in that area in January & was just wondering how those roads are holding up.
-Thanks

 

I have a couple trips planned and my friend wouldn't be opposed to trekking to Eureka Via Dedeckera. I would kinda like to run it from Eureka to Saline.
Will report if we do get out that way.

 

From the intel department:

"On a lark, my wife and I drove down to the washout yesterday. It's just above the corral on the right. It's do-able with a high clearance low range 4x4. Two rigs have been through it having done some rock stacking and careful spotting. I could have gone down through it, but am not sure at all I could have come back up the stone "ramps". Since the two aforementioned did not come back up I assume they made it through successfully...

I only walked about 300 yards beyond. All looked satisfactory as far as I could see. Just a large still-drying mud hole with deep ruts. That spot alone will take a bit of clearance until it dries out more (that will be soon in this weather). I didn't attempt it, but it's likely one could bypass the washout by cutting down off the road and going 100 yards down the sandy canyon bottom to the old corral, where you can access the road again. Although that would require "driving off-road", anathema to NPS, sandy was bottom though it is. Best not beard the lion, though.


...Woah! I saw that washout last Saturday and thought no one could get through. They must have worked on it for awhile. How do you think they moved those large boulders? I am sure it was a good piece of work...


...Whoever went through had excellent ground clearance. I even looked for metal scrapes on the rocks. But rather than moving the large ones, they put (very little) time into moving smaller rocks into position for rolling over the larger ones. I think I could have crept through it as well, but NOT with my wife spotting me! I'm daring, but not stupid.

It was down and dirty. I think most people would prefer the North pass than risk high centering. Unless it's the risk they like!"

 

Cant wait to head back up there with HBMurphy. Now that I have all my Expo stuff, I can stay anywhere!

 

I would love to get there and see it. I can't wait to get back.

 

subbed, Awesome pics guys! I really want to make a Death Valley trip so bad! Is it 2WD with locker friendly?

 

Depends on where you go. There is a lot you could see with a prerunner but some you wont. Just do your research on specific trails. It is an awesome place.

 

Thanks a lot! That would be great. Good luck!

 

Sounds like a place i need to go, nere been to Death Valley and what I am reading sounds like a great adventure.

 

Death Valley is a special place for sure, like no where else I have ever been, it's got it's own certain vibe, It's old, it's dry and it's extreme. It didn't get it's name by accident, it's for a reason, anyplace that can hit 134F should get your attention, respect it or it can be fatal.

Tourist season : Mid fall to mid spring. Then it only tops out somewhere around 100F.
Water: Brings LOTS of it if you plan on going off the main road for any real distance.
Gas: Bring lots of that too, more than you think you need plus it's stupid expensive at Furnace Creek.
Trails: Stay on them, it's a very important and fragile ecosystem not to mention a National Park.
Rangers: Best to talk to the Rangers in person and find out what's drivable and what's not, also, tell them your itinerary and estimated time of return so they know where to find your bones if you fuck up.

 

^THIS

The park rangers for the Mojave National Preserve were actually very friendly, they encouraged us to call if we could each day to find out trail conditions and lake bed conditions to now if they were passable before getting there so we could route our way thru, they even helped point out some non crowded camping areas. As long as you follow the rules they are there to help you enjoy the park to its full potential!

 

Yup, great advice right there! I've been out there quite a few times now and every time, it's been different. Real cool place to explore. Theres soooo much to see out there too. You have to check out Saline Valley hot springs! It's a small oasis (with palm trees & everything) in the middle of Saline Valley with glorious hot springs that are truly special. And if your lucky, while your soaking, you might get a low fly-by from a military jet or bomber! The last time I was there, a couple of C-5's flew right over our springs! It was incredible!