The 395 and Owens Valley-Eastern Sierra Region

I am not familiar with China Garden Spring but just looked it up and yes it appears you can get there from Darwin. But it looks like the long way to get there. Did you access it from Darwin or from deeper into Death Valley which appears to be the shorter way?

Edit - Oh I see the shorter way is via Darwin Falls Road, which I believe was destryed in 2023 flooding. It was closed except to hiking when I was there.

Anotehr Edit: Looks like all military to the south of town, which is where I thought of exploring. Looks like a no go!

 

I've come at it from Darwin and the "old toll road" that departs highway 190 just west of Panamint Springs. But the last time was probably 10 years ago so my knowledge of road conditions is severely dated.

 

I've turned off 190 at BM 4873.5 drove back into Centennial Flat, and then walked up I think Black Rock Canyon to a real interesting area. From there drove east toward Darwin and then out the Darwin Falls road. several years ago. I don't know about the map apps, can't comment beyond this.

 

Crews struggling to reach Crest Fire outside Bishop

 

It's like they should send spotters and a giant tanker and just dump. I know that's over simplification but sometimes I wonder if, at least for now, that shouldn't be the default response for some of these fires. Even if all it does is slow the fire down until crews or resources can get there.