Anyone going to be in Death Valley between Dec 28th and Jan 1/2?

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Leaving Sunday AM

I just found this thread... I'm headed to DV first thing tomorrow morning in my 60 for a few days. I'm rolling solo and its my first time as well so it could be cool to drive with some other folks.

I had some ideas of places to check out (Racetrack, Lippincott, Telescope, Titus) but will play it by ear after seeing the conditions in person. Kind of a last minute message, but if you see my tan 60 say hello!

Jason
 
1loudLX said:
Fwiw, in October it said Titus was closed but it was open when I drove by.
Click to expand...

One of the Park Service PDF on DV roads has this comment. It is up to you to interpret what this means, but expect if you get stuck it could be costly.

Park Service said:
Big Pine / Death Valley Road ​
High clearance 2-wheel drive. 48-mile gravel road graded by county. First 36 miles unpaved, then 4 miles paved, followed by 8 additional miles unpaved, then paved to Big Pine. Expect dust and occasional rough spots first 3 miles. Very rough washboard. 4WD is recommended when washed out by floods. Often signed as CLOSED by Inyo County after floods. Visitors going past closed signs "do so at their own risk."
Click to expand...
 
In a Best Western near Reno tonight. Going to make our way down to the park tomorrow. Probably won't get there till dinnertime though as we are going to hit up some hot springs and visit a friend on the way. Not sure where we are staying but we'll be on the lookout for Land Cruisers. We're in a Green 100 with an ARB RTT and two orange Jerry cans on top. Say Hi if you see us.
 
Skidoo said:
One of the Park Service PDF on DV roads has this comment. It is up to you to interpret what this means, but expect if you get stuck it could be costly.
Click to expand...

The website said CLOSED, but the sign was spun around to open on the actual road.


Neo, give me a call so we can organize something, I'm trying to get out of town asap
 
There's supposed to be another storm Weds and even Sat/Sunday. We'll see what transpires. Remember, the signage in DV isn't always true, they just want to keep the tourists in Geo metro's out.

We are keeping an eye on getting into the Saline Valley area.. it may be a tough one come New Years. So far nobody has been in/out of North pass and there's a foot an half on the ground. Steele is passable, but we don't know how many washouts there are so far and it could get worse. South is probably the same as North or just a bit less. Lippencott could have some severe washouts.

Anyhoo, we are sticking to plan as of right now. Locked up front and rear, Bringing chains for our 33's.
 
Lippincott looked, on 12/7 when I went thru, that a severe rainfall COULD wash it out enough to cause it to be impassable...but I'm no desert expert.

South pass had some snow in the shady areas and ice over the puddles, and that was before the huge storm.

I cant run chains and dont have a winch so if it starts to look pretty gnarly I'll probably turn around, or wait for you ;)
 
I think we may spend the night in Big Pine Thursday at a friends (he's going with us) and shove off 8-9am Friday morning. Don't have an official departure time yet. The thing is, with the short days... it could take 3-4 hours to get through Steele or 6. Or we can try North pass and take 3-5 or more. We really don't know yet.. so we need somewhat early.

I will keep you posted. if you want, email me back channel and i'll let you know.
 
OK, I think I've gathered a decent general itinerary for myself.

I'm going to shoot for hitting Eureka Dunes Campsite on thursday night, and wait for Joel & TheDuo. Neoworm, no idea if you got my text but if you somehow get internet and read this, that's the plan.

With the reports of snow on the north pass(and moist likely the south) I'm game for attempting steel pass.
 
So, I was banking on the armagosa river crossings to be passable by now. May have to change up things.

CURRENT ROAD CONDITIONS
December 28, 2010
This report will be updated as conditions change.
All other park roads are open and in standard condition.

Expect most backcountry roads to be muddy

Artists Drive - Open.
Big Pine Road - Open, expect mud.
Dante's View Road - Open.
Devil's Golf Course Road - Open.
Eureka Valley Road (north and south) - CLOSED due to flood damage.
Harry Wade Road - Open; Amargosa River crossing is impassable; high-clearance 4WD recommended due to deep sand.
Hunter Mountain Road - CLOSED due to snow..
Keane Wonder Mine Road - CLOSED; road and mining area closed to all entry due to safety hazards.
Mustard Canyon Road - CLOSED due to mud.
Racetrack Valley Road - Open, high-clearance and heavy-duty tires recommended; If the playa is wet, DO NOT walk on it and leave footprints.
Saline Valley Road (North Pass) - CLOSED due to flood damage and snow.
Saline Valley Road (South Pass) - CLOSED due to flood damage.
Titus Canyon Road - CLOSED due to flood damage.
Twenty Mule Team Canyon Road - CLOSED due to mud.
West Side Road - Open; expect mud; Amargosa River crossing on south end impassable.
Upper Wildrose Road - CLOSED 1/2 mile below Charcoal Kilns due to snow; Mahogany Flat Road currently not accessible.
Click to expand...
 
In a 100, Steel Pass Rd has tight squeeze a few miles past Eureka Dunes just after start up canyon. Its a narrow slot that makes a turn, with a big overhanging rock at beginning. Thought rock would catch roof rack if I took line I wanted. Since we were not going that way I did not try it. I thinking about it since have the idea that backing up that section would make it easier.
 
I hate planning, I think I'm just gonna leave and do HEY LOOK SOMETHING SHINY...and ride a bicycle....SQUIRREL!
 
Skidoo said:
In a 100, Steel Pass Rd has tight squeeze a few miles past Eureka Dunes just after start up canyon. Its a narrow slot that makes a turn, with a big overhanging rock at beginning. Thought rock would catch roof rack if I took line I wanted. Since we were not going that way I did not try it. I thinking about it since have the idea that backing up that section would make it easier.
Click to expand...


Are you referring to Dedeckera Canyon? I've been through there, both up and down canyon, numerous times. I can't visualize the overhang that might pose an issue.


Ok...purely an FYI based upon my past experience with their published road closures. I've been down there when the roads were listed "closed" or "impassable" without issue. In fact one year North Saline was supposedly closed because of mud and a huge snow drift. Upon getting down there within a day of their posting we found it bone dry. Yes...bone dry. We were really hoping Saline would have been devoid. Devoid of the typical freak show because of all the published road closures. But not.

I don't know if they are talking about "closed" to Prius' or what.

Now having said that there has been a sprinkle or two in SoCal the past couple weeks :D
 
1loudLX said:
Well, im gonna try south pass instead of steel. Spresso, I'll email you if I need rescuing!
Click to expand...

Just make sure if you get stuck and need my help its Monday the 3rd... :D
 
1loudLX said:
Well, im gonna try south pass instead of steel. Spresso, I'll email you if I need rescuing!
Click to expand...


South Pass can actually be a beotch. You are much more likely to get through Dedeckera Canyon/Steel Pass or North Saline Pass than South Pass when there is actually bad weather juju down there. South Pass gets drifted in way sooner and way longer than NSP as an FYI. And if its muddy its a very entertaining drop into Saline Valley ;-).

Did you ever get recovery chains? This might be the time...
 
I hadn't had much 4wd experience when I was there, so probably looked worse than it is.
What magic device do you have that you can email when stuck in the middle of nowhere?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom