Tarantula Run 5 - A MOTHER T RUN! May 16-May 20

[96Runr]

We’re making up for no April run with a choice overland run in May

DV Racetrack - Centennial Canyon - Cerro Gordo/Salt Tram - Alabama Hills!

Wednesday May 16:
Drive thru Baker, check out Bob & Ward’s Cabin for future base camp adventures

https://robatzzyzx.smugmug.com/Adventures-and-interests/Bob-and-Wards-cabin-Salt-Basin/

Drive up 127 to cool off at Topeca Hot Springs and check out some local Mine action

https://www.outdoorproject.com/adventures/california/hot-springs/tecopa-hot-tub
War Eagle

Crash in Shoshone


Thursday, May 17

Drive up 127, around and south on the 190
Check out Lost Burro Mine after hitting TeaKettle Junction

https://californiathroughmylens.com/lost-burro-mine-death-valley

check out the sailing rocks of the Racetrack

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racetrack_Playa

Crash at Lippincott Mine

Lippincott Lead Mine ? Explore Real California Gold Mines!


Friday, May 18

Take Lippincott Road to Centennial Canyon, crash at my buddy Astro’s Cabin (he left the front door key under the flower pot) just north of Navy base. Get to wonk out on glyphs and crashed F4’s!

Centennial Canyon and the Coso Petroglyphs - Calipidder

Saturday May 20

Back up 395, check out Cerro Gordo, Salt Tram and crash at Alabama Hills

Cerro Gordo Mines


Who’s interested?

 

[96Runr]

Looks like final tally is 6 strong coming along - including Anthony [MENTION=144394]Maadcaap[/MENTION], Sean [MENTION=130595]grapemilk[/MENTION] and Frank [MENTION=168976]Doc.SS[/MENTION]

Keep you posted as we are in phone range

War Eagle Mine

 

[Zach_F]

Well, where are the pictures? At least let me experience it vicariously.

 

[96Runr]

Well, where are the pictures? At least let me experience it vicariously.

Getting there....

 

[96Runr]

Epic Trip!

I'm going to do my best to recap what we experienced...

1st of all, big THANK YOU! to Anthony [MENTION=144394]Maadcaap[/MENTION], no way able to pull this off without his input and direction... thanks buddy

Missed you Sean [MENTION=130595]grapemilk[/MENTION], Zach [MENTION=127436]Zach_F[/MENTION] and Owen... hopefully next time

 

[96Runr]

Day One...

Started events by 1st checking out Bob & Ward's Cabin off of the 127... for those who know, this is a old mining cabin out in the middle of nowhere, that was retro'ed in the 90s. Very cool... after driving about 20miles, you feel you are on another planet. Great place to set up as basecamp and check out Ibex Springs Ghost town and surrounding mines...

The cabin can sleep 4 (2 bunk beds) and has a sink, a table and misc items... no running water or power... but a great base camp... the main rule is to leave cabin in better condition then what you found it in

 

[96Runr]

Tocopa Mines - Noonday

We continued up the 127 until hitting Old Spanish Trail - going to the mines outside of Tocopa. There are about a dozen in total to visit, but we focused on two in particular - Noonday Mine and War Eagle Mine. Noonday Mine a little bit of challenge to get to, road was washed out - but we found a way

 

[96Runr]

Tocopa Mines - War Eagle

By far, best mine I explored on the trip was the War Eagle... not closed by NPS, I read that it goes down 6 layers... my brother Ted and I only went so far on the primary level, not bringing helmet or breathing apparatus. Next time....

 

[96Runr]

Day 2 - Death Valley

After fueling up our rigs and stomachs at Shoshone, we crashed there for the night at a great place called Shoshone Village... with Anthony and his buddy Chris joining us, we headed up north to DV. Visited many sights along the way, but main goal was Racetrack Playa to spend time with the sailing rocks... first Devil's Golf Course. Very cool salt fixtures constantly changing with weather and time, you can actually hear them crack and reform themselves if you listen long enough.
Our Tarantula group was mutating and growing... now including Jeeps!

 

[96Runr]

FMU - under sea level

Always wanted to know what FMU would do if below sea level. At Devils GC, sealevel ‘s about -160 feet, now I know. Apologies for photo quality

 

[96Runr]

TeaKettle Junction & Lost Burro Mine

Bumpy 20+ mile ride from Devil’s GC to Racetrack. We decided to run about 40+ Mph & held breath for no flats. My FMU was recording outside temp of 120F but it was only in low 90’s - precursor to problem that would occur on way home. My Faulklins held up great deflated to 15psi.

 

[96Runr]

Racetrack Playa

Nothing short of spiritual. Walking with those rocks is something I will never forget. Unfortunately, some d-bag decided to drive his car out on the playa a few years ago, can still see the tracks.
If you do make it out there, PLEASE don’t drive your rig or even walk on the lakebed if the ground is soft (IE after rain). People are idiots

My best photos w iPhone 5

 

[96Runr]

Lippincott Mine

Before crashing for night, went exploring the Lippincott Mine
!!!

NPS Bat cages were cracked open (don’t tell anyone). Able to check out mult levels before sun went down. Nice relics. Found old tractor used at Mine w straight 8 block and number stamped 10-24 on engine block, most likely production date. Front wheel spokes made out of wood!

 

[96Runr]

Day 3 - Lippincott Road (or how I grew to love 4x4L)

For those of you lucky enough to do Lippincott Road in a 3rd gen, suggest not to w/o a TBU 231 upgrade. Man, I am glad I did that! Not a place to have a break down or breaks to go out

Photos to come

 

[96Runr]

Centennial Canyon

Able to see jets at Father Crowley Point - trying to make MOV file work on post

Met Frank [MENTION=168976]Doc.SS[/MENTION] and his wife April at Centennial Canyon. Checked out Astro Artz Cabin, hiked up dry waterfall to Petroglyphs and checked out F4 jet crash debree from the early 1970’s

 

[96Runr]

Day 4 - Bishop Volcanic Tablelands Petroglyphs

We changed plans, decided to go north on 395 and check out some ancient rock art. Rosetta Stone, 13 Moons and Skyrock ‘glyphs. Fun trying to locate. Threatening to rain all day, weather was perfect!

 

[96Runr]

Drive home - Junker had enough

As I was driving home from epic trip, party fowl occurred. My Junker decided to give up the ghost right at intersection of 58/395. Just stopped at the light.
Nice
What was it? Shaman’s revenge?
Nope, fan clutch. Ohhh, thats why FMU temp gauge was reading so high. Turns out 100 mile ride in tow truck wasn’t so bad - driver had a 2nd gen!

I’m counting my blessings! Great run

 

[WhiteBoomer04]

Glad your trip was a success. Breaking down sux!

 

[tay4R]

I may have to try and find some of these petroglyphs next time I'm up exploring around the 395. Very nice!