First Death Valley trip, chicken rock and hot springs

[DannyLlama]

Wanted to share with this group my recent trip to Death Valley. Was fortunate enough to to tag along with [MENTION=46138]chmura[/MENTION].

Didn't take too many pictures the first 20 hours of the trip since it was literally the most intense situation I have been in, so a photo was the least of my priorities.

Four trucks, three Toyotas and one Jeep...

First day, we went up Briggs Cabin trail.. For those who don't know, there's a cabin up there that someone(s) built in the middle of the mountain. Again, didn't take any photos but google will find you some.

It's a full cabin with solar lighting, bunk beds and mattresses, an oven and an outside fireplace. There are two cabins and only one was free.

The group wanted to press on, and what comes next was the most challenging 3 or 4 hours of my life. Mind you this was at midnight.

After passing Briggs Cabin, we passed a sign that said "No turning back and narrow bridge can only handle 3 tons" which dropped my jaw, bridge?!

Not my video, video for reference:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mgd4HHhUl3U" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Here is one FJ's that was us that nearly tipped

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.zenfolio.com/zf/core/embedvideo.aspx?p=07969dee.10" frameborder="0"></iframe>

And to put things into perspective

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/jeep-over-cliff-chicken-rock-death-valley.61404/

 

[DannyLlama]

First night, I only got a few shot because we headed up through midnight and didn't get to our camp past chicken rock till almost 1 or 2 in the morning.

 

[DannyLlama]

Camp site, after sleeping for three hours. We all pretty much were up at 6 in the morning due to 30 degree weather!

Using the water port, very useful and highly recommended

Our first trail break down, the jeeper got a flat and plugged it right on the spot!

 

[DannyLlama]

Exploring an abandon mine

left over equipment

 

[DannyLlama]

After 10 hours of driving and 3 hours of sleep, we hit the trails to make out to the Sand Dunes (which we never got to)

This is the coordinates of where we camped at, after chicken f*ck Its also where you can send out a beacon if using APRS

And heading down the other side of the hill past the mines

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.zenfolio.com/zf/core/embedvideo.aspx?p=24b89525.10" frameborder="0"></iframe>

Down the hill

There was enough a$$ for everyone

 

[DannyLlama]

Exploring one of the view points

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.zenfolio.com/zf/core/embedvideo.aspx?p=3109b6ce.10" frameborder="0"></iframe>

 

[DannyLlama]

Coming back down and making our way through almost 20 miles of loose rock, downhill driving. Brutal! and very slow

 

[DannyLlama]

Than this happened

One of the trucks sway bar link cracked in half and ripped through the CV boot!

Carnage !

And ran into this handsome things

 

[DannyLlama]

This where we were supposed to head out to Eureka Dunes, but due to the trail damage, we decided to hit our final destination and head to the hot springs.

Finally after 24 hours of driving with only three hours of sleep, we get to our final destination of hot springs

Exhausted face:

 

[DannyLlama]

Hot springs are incredible! The weather was perfect and we camped there for two nights.

Obligatory stars photo

Camp site and hot springs

Imported palm trees and built hut tubs

Camp fire and more night shots

 

[nb rob]

great pics and writeup!! That must have been so intense travelling at night!

Which vehicle had the broken swaybar? I've been meaning to pick up a half shaft and a big socket in case I wind up with CV damage in the whillywhacks one day.

Thanks for sharing. Looks like a killer trip!

 

[DannyLlama]

great pics and writeup!! That must have been so intense travelling at night!

Which vehicle had the broken swaybar? I've been meaning to pick up a half shaft and a big socket in case I wind up with CV damage in the whillywhacks one day.

Thanks for sharing. Looks like a killer trip!

4th Gen 4runner... Culprit maybe the sway bar collars, him and I picked up after market collars from All pro ... There's indication from FJ cruise forums that post lifts, the sway bar collars aren't as solid and will allow sway bar to travel , thus moving the links.

Sway Bar Collar | All-Pro Off Road

 

[DannyLlama]

My right passenger tire kept running low, after some digging around, I found a hair pin puncture.. Went to swap out the tire and realized I didn't have a full size spare

Luckily, I pumped it up ever once in a while heading out and on the road and made it home fine.

Coordinates for hot springs

 

[DannyLlama]

Stopped by old salt mining

Two dried up wooden posts

Me and the co-pilot

 

[DannyLlama]

On the way out!

 

[FlightMedic303]

My right passenger tire kept running low, after some digging around, I found a hair pin puncture.. Went to swap out the tire and realized I didn't have a full size spare

Luckily, I pumped it up ever once in a while heading out and on the road and made it home fine.

Coordinates for hot springs

I respect that you share the coordinates to such a hidden treasure! If I make it to Cali next summer this will be a must do expedition for me! Thanks for sharing!

 

[stphnman20]

Awesome pics! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Jhalko]

No full size spare Danny???? Good pics, wheeling in the dark always brings challenges, good times.

 

[Muskrat14]

Don't know if I would have the balls to do that Chicken Rock trail at night. Scary enough during the day watching that video.

Looks like it was a great trip.

I envy your wheeling out west.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Cymon]

What an awesome experience! Great pics and descriptions, thanks for sharing!