31Dec2003 (UTC -8)
Here's a current e-mail on the
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/80sCOOL_USA_NorCal
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Death Valley Exploration Trip Feb 26-29
I finally got some time after the holidays to come up with a plan-so here it is. I have been there twice before but am by no means an expert on the area. I got the ideas from Roger Mitchell's book, and from my past trips in Goler Wash and Pleasant Canyon. If you have a better idea, share it. The bottom line: Death Valley is way too big to do more than scratch the surface in 4 days. A full week wouldn't do it justice, but since most of us work for a living 4 days is what there is. Plus, since this is Leap year, the 29th doesn't really count-at least that's what I told my wife. Panamint Springs is just outside the National Park boundry, and seems an appropriate place to start. It's really the last gas for many miles so again, a good place to begin.
Day 1-Feb 26th
Meet at the Panamint Springs resort. 8am for breakfast, 9am depart for the Big Four Mine. Mostly class 1 road, with some class IV near the mine. This is a 1/2 day out and back, with the chance of a nice hike to the summit of Lake Hill. I hope to eat lunch there on the way back from the mine. Gas up back at Panamint Resort.
The second 1/2 of the day drive to Ballarat(maybe 20 miles of pavement), and up Pleasant canyon and into Middle Park. This is a great trail, one moderately challenging part in Pleasant Canyon, with OUTSTANDING views of the entire Death Valley basin at the north end of Middle Park. There is one scary steep ascent on the way out. This area is about 7000 feet and may not be good for camping if it is cold or windy. Camp in Middle Park if nice, lower in Pleasant Canyon coming out if it isn't. If the weather really is bad, we won't make it to Middle Park, but there is a great place to camp in Pleasant Canyon.
Day 2-Feb 27th
Exit Pleasant Canyon, drive the short mining road to Goler Wash. Ascend the wash/slot canyon with lunch at Barker Ranch and the ghosts of the Manson gang. After lunch drive up and over Mengel Pass Lots of mining history to see and visit on the way up. Cresting Mengel Pass puts you in Death Valley proper-camp in Warm Springs Canyon on the way down.
Day 3-Feb 28th
This is a day to get up early and get on the road. Exit Warm Springs Canyon, going below sea level to hit pavement. North on the Pavement to Badwater, Furnace Creek, and Stovepipe wells back to Panamint Springs and a fuel stop. Then, north on Saline Valley road to Hidden Valley, Tea Kettle junction(bring a tea kettle to contribute) Lost Burro Gap and to the "Racetrack". Camp here or just past it at the top of the Lippencot Grade. The Racetrack is where the stones move across the dry lakebed (playa) by unknown forces, leaving tracks of their path across the lake. I've always wanted to see it, so I hope it lives up to expectations.
Day 4-Feb 29th
After the descent of the Lippencott Grade (a famous grade, but I've never heard of it!) if the gas supply looks good, we turn right into the Saline Valley-eventually back to the Owens Valley and 395 at Big Pine. That's close to 100 miles of dirt road so watch your gas guage! From Big Pine, it's a straight shot home. If any in the group are low on gas, we turn left after Lippencot grade and back to the highway and gas at Panamint Springs.
A few other thoughts:
-Bring lots of water. There is none to be had in this part of the world. I'm going alone and will have 7 gallons minimum.
-Be self contained. You need food, snacks and beverages for 4 days. There will be limited opportunity to resupply at Furnace Creek.
-Bring something to haul out your trash. Alvaro hates hauling your trash!
-Be flexible-If the weather turns cold windy or wet, we will have to change the plan. If it is really bad, we will have to stay in Panamint Valley and do day trips to low elevations. Or we could stay in a Park Campground and do day trips in Death Valley. I would much rather camp in the backcountry. This is a harsh environment though, and unpredictable in February.
-Bring warm clothes, coats for the kids etc. If we are lucky enough to camp in Middle Park, it will be very cold.
-Bring a box or two of firewood in case we can have a fire. I'm not sure of the regs in the National Park.
-Be ready to sleep in your truck. We are likely to encounter wind, cold, rain, snow, hail, tornadoes, pestelence, drunkeness, disease or bald face lies around the camp fire. Well, it could happen ; ).
-Gas-I'm not sure what to reccomend. We will probably be fine. I'm bringing an extra 5 gallon can for sure. If you have a roof rack 2-3 extra cans would be nice insurance for the group. The 3rd and 4th day will tax the fuel supply though, particularly if we can run through Saline Valley.
-Cell phones do not work out there.
-This trip is likely to be pretty easy on your Cruiser, but things change fast and I am not making any gaurentees that you won't break something. We will have to scout the Lippencott grade before driving it.
-I'm driving down on the 25th and staying at the Panamint Springs resort.
http://www.deathvalley.com/reserve/reserve.shtml
Email me if you can go, or if you have questions.
Current List:
Me
Alvaro Rodriguez
Jim Brantley?
George Scolaro?
Dana Adams?
You?
Andrew Pollock
Sacramento CA
