Planning Death Valley trip 12/29/16-1/3/17

[mgosts]

Death Valley trip 12/29/16 - 1/3/17

Wife and I heading to death valley over the new year holiday. Looking to travel the park via dirt to see the amazing landscape and sites.



Welcoming any interested to travel along. Would prefer a second vehicle or more just in case.



We are bringing trailer and furnace creek campground will be base camp.



Inspiration from Adventure Ready - Death Valley Overland Trip Report - Complete



Anyone interested?





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[Bodie the Dog]

Where are you spending New Years Eve?

I'd recommend Saline Valley.

 

[mgosts]

Thanks for the recommendation. Will look into that.


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[Bodie the Dog]

And don't forget...

What happens in Saline stays in Saline.

BTD

 

[grave]

this sounds great. i will bring it up to the wife and see what her thoughts are. we want to get away for the new year but haven't decided on anything yet. do you have a site reserved anywhere, or is it all FCFS out there?

 

[zidaro]

I might try to run out and meet up with your group for a day or two. Depends on my work sched. But we get out and spin around the northern D.V. Area quite a bit. Great to hook up for a tour.
I'll know more on my side as time approaches

 

[mgosts]

this sounds great. i will bring it up to the wife and see what her thoughts are. we want to get away for the new year but haven't decided on anything yet. do you have a site reserved anywhere, or is it all FCFS out there?

[MENTION=142678]grave[/MENTION]
Sorry for the delay in response. For some reason i am not getting messages from this post. Just looked at it.

Yes, i already have a spot for the trailer at furnace creek.

It would be great to have you with us!


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[mgosts]

I might try to run out and meet up with your group for a day or two. Depends on my work sched. But we get out and spin around the northern D.V. Area quite a bit. Great to hook up for a tour.
I'll know more on my side as time approaches

Awesome. Keep us updated as you get your work schedule


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[zidaro]

Awesome. Keep us updated as you get your work schedule


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I will!
and don't worry, ill be in my 4th gen so i can keep up with you guys in your nice rigs

Oh, and just took a spin thru Saline over Steele Pass thru Eureka Dunes last week. Its GORGEOUS out right now!!

 

[BlairB]

I will likely be out that way as well!

I usually monitor 146.460 and 146.520 if you need anything (and have a HAM radio ).

 

[mgosts]

I will likely be out that way as well!

I usually monitor 146.460 and 146.520 if you need anything (and have a HAM radio ).

Working on getting my license before the trip. Hopefully i find the time to get it done.


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[mgosts]

Eureka Dunes to Saline Valley Dunes.

I did this years ago in a mostly stock 3rd gen. Absolutely gorgeous desert. Can't recommend it alone in August, but December with another rig is a good plan.

Tread Lightly.

Great to know. Will check it out. Thanks.


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[VTXWheels]

Ah this should be a fun trek! I will see where I am during that time. Will message you when I get more info on my schedule for December. :naughty:

 

[mgosts]

Ah this should be a fun trek! I will see where I am during that time. Will message you when I get more info on my schedule for December. :naughty:

Hope you can make it! It will be a great time.


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[SunPilot]

I'm working on my build right now. Suspension finished. If I get the rest done in time, I would love to tag along.

 

[mgosts]

That would be great. Geez, we could have 5 rigs or so on this trip. More the better

I do want to say, I did start this thread, but I do not have a "Master Plan" for the route. I will work on it and will pour over that map sent to us early on. Any and all suggestions are welcome!

This trip will be on top us before we know it with the holidays coming.


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[grave]

That would be great. Geez, we could have 5 rigs or so on this trip. More the better

I do want to say, I did start this thread, but I do not have a "Master Plan" for the route. I will work on it and will pour over that map sent to us early on. Any and all suggestions are welcome!

This trip will be on top us before we know it with the holidays coming.


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bumping this up!

 

[mgosts]

DV trip 2016/17

So here is the current plan. Open to modifications if my travel timelines are unreasonable.

Open to having any/ all meet at the following location, date and time if interested.

If interested please let me know just so I have an idea of who to expect. Thanks

INITIAL MEET UP
WHERE: Forty Niner Cafe located at Furnace Creek
DATE: Friday, 12/30/16
TIME: 6:00pm (we will be there for a little while eating dinner / drinking beer / soda)

My Info:
Mike G
Mike's cell #: ____________________ (We SHOULD have cell service at Furnace Creek)
CB Channel: 4 (we can switch up depending on channel traffic)

December 31st - Saturday morning
North on 190 to Daylight Pass road to Titus Canyon road (Popular 4x drive).
After Titus, head toward Scotty’s Castle (CLOSED due to flood) toward Ubehebe Crater (STOP look at crater)
Down to Racetrack (STOP).
After Racetrack, camp at Homestake CG (DRY) or make way to Warm Springs CG in Saline Valley (PREFERRED over Homestake).

Spend night - HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

January 1 - Sunday morning
next morning go up through Steel Pass (sightsee along the way) to Eureka Dunes (4-5 hour trip) (STOP for lunch at dunes - 700 hundred foot high dunes)
Head back down to Furnace Creek
If not THOROUGHLY exhausted, run Echo Canyon (across road from furnace creek, kinda)

January 2 - Monday morning
If we don’t make Echo Canyon Previous afternoon (it would be pushing it) we can go this morning, then the following

Badwater Area - paved roads (99%)
Badwater
Artists Palette
Natural Bridge Canyon
Ventifact Ridge
Other sites on this route.

Swing around to Zabriske Point and be at Dante’s View a bit before sunset

 

[Bodie the Dog]

Sounds fun

DV trip 2016/17

So here is the current plan. Open to modifications if my travel timelines are unreasonable.

Look for petroglyphs in Titus canyon, near the spring. There's also a "real" cave somewhere in the area, although IDK where, and I think it is gated.

Instead of Homestake, I'd suggest going down Lippincott Grade a 1/2 mile or so, just past the warning signs. You'll find solitude and a place to camp with an incredible view on the left. More petroglyphs in the canyon downstream from Homestake, as well as various lead/galena minerals. If you do decide to drive on down to the hot springs, be aware it will take you at least 1.5 hours from the Racetrack, probably longer, on world-class washboard. But the party on New Years Eve might be worth it.

The drive from Eureka Dunes to Scotty's Castle area is another PITA washboard road, but no avoiding it.

Driving nonstop from the hot springs to base of Eureka Dunes takes about 2.5 hours. But you will want to stop. There are many reasons that is my favorite part of the park, but I do keep my favorite fishing holes secret!

Here's a pic of Dedeckera Cyn, Eureka Dunes and Valley, with Steele Pass just to the left out of sight:

 

[mgosts]

Great to get first-hand knowledge of the area.

[MENTION=146753]Bodie the Dog[/MENTION]
How do my travel timelines look to you, especially 12/31 if we shoot for the hot springs in Saline Valley?

I am a bit concerned of going down Lippincott, maps all say that its for "experienced" off-road drivers. How sketchy is it? My 4runner is well equipped, but my nerves are not quite as well equipped!!! My vehicle is much more capable than I.

Now by hot springs, you are referring to Warm Springs in Saline Valley? I ask because there is a Warm Springs Cyn road down south by Barker Ranch.

Thanks Bodie!

Look for petroglyphs in Titus canyon, near the spring. There's also a "real" cave somewhere in the area, although IDK where, and I think it is gated.

Instead of Homestake, I'd suggest going down Lippincott Grade a 1/2 mile or so, just past the warning signs. You'll find solitude and a place to camp with an incredible view on the left. More petroglyphs in the canyon downstream from Homestake, as well as various lead/galena minerals. If you do decide to drive on down to the hot springs, be aware it will take you at least 1.5 hours from the Racetrack, probably longer, on world-class washboard. But the party on New Years Eve might be worth it.

The drive from Eureka Dunes to Scotty's Castle area is another PITA washboard road, but no avoiding it.

Driving nonstop from the hot springs to base of Eureka Dunes takes about 2.5 hours. But you will want to stop. There are many reasons that is my favorite part of the park, but I do keep my favorite fishing holes secret!

Here's a pic of Dedeckera Cyn, Eureka Dunes and Valley, with Steele Pass just to the left out of sight: