Death Valley Tacoma Takeover December 8-11

We polled and the weekend of the 8-11th had enough interest for this trip.

The route is subject to change for better ideas or weather.

Thursday the 8th:
Travel to Big Pine and stay near there. I have a special spot that anyone that does this trip and stays the Thursday night will be in for a nice treat. Just north of Big Pine and close to the morning meetup. Will send out location the week of.

Friday the 9th:
Meet up in Pig Pine. Will say at about 9am for now, but that can change either way if people are meeting us in the morning. Will group up at the Shell and Country Kitchen off 395 between W Crocker and Dewey. The overnight crew may get up and packed quick to get a last breakfast in made by someone else.

Gilbert Pass to Death Valley Rd.
DVRd to Eureka Dunes.

Either Camp around Eureka Dunes or Dedeckera Canyon and camp where the wind is light.

OPTIONAL EDIT:
If everyone can make it to Big Pine early enough, and no one is meeting us Friday morning. I may change this to start up the route to Papoose Flats for the night. Because Tacomas like night wheeling with lights

Saturday 10th:
Continue on to Saline Valley hot springs for lunch, some pit toilets and a warm dip in the tubs. Make our way out of the Valley and toward the Racetrack playa via Lippencott road.

Multiple camp and sight seeing options depending on our time. We may not make it to Racetrack this day but we should get close.

Sunday 11th:
Roll out from camp back towards 395. Hit some mines along the way. Maybe lunch at boxcar cabin before hitting 190.

Misc Info:
Dogs welcome but have a long leash. Will be some spots for some target practice, but most of the Park won't allow it.

Portable toilet is a must in DV Rangers can check for this, they are cheap so have one on hand. There are multiple pit toilets on the route though, the last two times I have went I didn't need to use my squatty potty.

Things to Have:
HAM (I have two loaner handhelds).
Fuel.
Spares.

Be prepared. I shouldn't need to make a list of things that everyone should already have. Come with what you think is prepared, and if you are wrong you can learn a thing or two.

I am hoping to leave my house no later than noon and having a meetup in either Vacaville or Morgan Hill depending on the fastest route the week of. I wouldn't mind leaving earlier either if everyone gets the day off also. The drive to Big Pine is long, the earlier you start it the better.

We have meetups a long the way as needed for others.

Going:
@jAndyMendo
Reed (4Runner)
@Overlanerd
@jberry813
@tetten
@FPpanchhh
@theed

Going to attempt to find us:
@kalieaire with @gomgom

Maybe or trying:
@MJonaGS32
@rob1208

Too cool for school:
@Toynado
@2015whitetaco

 

Days?

 

Waiting to see if we have enough people that want to get out there before we nail down dates. I can make anything work.

November->Early December is what I am hoping we can get out there.

 

I'd be game for a trip depending on days.

 

If the dates work, I'd be interested.

 

I'm in! Been wanting to go for awhile

 

Should be a thursday afternoon start, returning sunday

 

Awesome, will let this simmer for the day then we will see if we can hammer out some dates.

 

What are Death Valley trails like? Because you know, long bed mall crawler with no skids.

 

A good part of it is washboards, but it depends on where you go.

 

You could find yourself a few big rocks, but they are hard to find. I dont remember really needing my skids, but I could add some trails that have switchbacks

How do you spend so much time here and are not basic built yet???

 

I'm down for a road trip, I just need to know a date and fix some clunking sound under my truck. I have taken it to a mechanic and couldn't find the clunking sound under neath my the Tacol

 

I am basic built. Foxes, expos, sliders. Only thing missing is the balls to wheel.

 

ok, sliders and no skids, should be ok. if you need the front two wheels we will just have to pull you.

 

Will Mengel pass be on the DV trail list?

 

not sure yet. one of the trips I am using for reference did not take it. I took it last time, but may come from the north this time.

 

Just asking, never wheeled in DV but Mengel pass looked fun

 

Down as f#%$