Wow you guys. Thanks for the quick responses. I have good enough information between your insights and my last trip. Thanks again
Death Valley advice
- Thread starter DPA200
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- #22
Dedeckera Canyon looks fun but we didn't make it up to that side of the park. Not sure if you'd have width issues pulling a trailer through if you took that route into the park.
Nice write up Phil. This area has been on my hit list for quite some time. Nice pictures as well, thanks for sharing!Just finished 2 weeks and 700+ miles in Death Valley park.
Burro Creek camp ground just outside of Wikeup is easy camp close to the main road with bathrooms but no hook up.
You can avoid the super bad washboard road to the race track coming in the back way through Cero Gordo. Highly recommended
If interested in seeing/touring Cero Gordo contact me for Robert's contact info.
The worst washboard was the road into Saline Hot springs but the exit through Steel Pass and Dedeckera Canyon is very cool. If interested in the Hot Springs be aware I would not recommend them for kids.
The best scenic and off road was Pleasent Canyon/South Park loop. I could spend an easy week on that loop alone. The loop IS NOT trailer friendly though.
I saw a lot but only scratched the surface. I will be back in Spring 2020 for the bloom.
FOB (friends of Brigs) has restored several cabin some with solar and water first come first served. We stayed at Worldbeater cabin getting the LCP best outhouse award
CSC note - The CSC teapot at the junction is no longer
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Thanks again!! Super excited to get back for the second time this year. Confined for 29th - 3rd. If any one is around. I’ll be in the set up as seen on my profile picture. Cheers
Could you do it with a trailer? Yes but it would not be super fun. A couple of pictures with not a lot to see but how narrow it is. In the end I would rather come into the Hot Springs through Steel Pass than the crappy washboard road from the other direction.
Thanks for the trail information. As I did not go up Steel Pass with the trailer in March. Just down through the valley on the washboard roads air downed and going 35 was the sweet speed. With my TD suspension it felt amazingly good for the conditions. Having been to the Hot Springs already not sure if I would go back but Steel Pass looks fun without the trailer, maybe to just the marble bath.
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
On the road into the Saline hot springs I was at 10psi and it still sucked. I do agree for the LC 35mpg was about as good as it gets.
It depends on your trailer and your comfort level. If you set your trailer up to go where your LC goes should not be a problem.
- Thread starter
- #28
unless you luck out and it snows again on the washboard like my trip....smooth as butter
That’s how it was in March. Maybe that’s why I could go 35-40 comfortably
I want to run M/T tires on my 4Runner for Death Valley trip but cant seem to find anything but E load ratings in a 265 70 R17, prefer a C load. I like the KM3’s but only E load in that size. Any suggestions?
Going to Death Valley in November (T-giving week) in our mostly stock 2013 LX 570 (except for tires and wheels). I would consider myself a mostly novice offroader and we (3 kids and wife) are going alone. Would love some recommendations on appropriate trails/destinations/route. Will be in the park about 6 days after the commute to/from SF Bay Area. We've already done the standard touristy stuff in Death Valley so we can dedicate the week to offroad destinations. My son is way into Wild West history and wants to see as many old mines and ghost towns as possible.
Definitely:
-Eureka Dunes
-Titus Canyon
-Racetrack
-Echo Canyon to Inyo only
-Lost Burro Mine
-Saline Valley Warm Springs
Considering:
-Dedeckera - looks incredibly narrow. Would we fit?
-Lippencott
-Butler Canyon Geologist Cabin
Definitely:
-Eureka Dunes
-Titus Canyon
-Racetrack
-Echo Canyon to Inyo only
-Lost Burro Mine
-Saline Valley Warm Springs
Considering:
-Dedeckera - looks incredibly narrow. Would we fit?
-Lippencott
-Butler Canyon Geologist Cabin
Must add: Barker Ranch (read the more recent history before going to ensure sleepless DV nights). Other than that, your list is pretty strong. The LX should have no trouble on any of the routes you mentioned...maybe check a forum about the big step-up coming up Goler Canyon to Barker Ranch. I've seen that be trouble, but sufficient deflation and faith in the electronics should do the trick.
Also, check the NPS website for closure info. (I think Titus was closed for a while) The DVNP follows the coronaopening/closing schedule of the state of CA, and there are a number of spots that have been closed. The actual hot tubs at the Saline Valley Hot Springs were closed for a long time; current status unknown. However, you must (must) read the story of the B24 crew recovery from the floor of the valley in 1944 before you drop into the Saline Valley. (The site on which I found the PDF appears to be gone, but the way back machine has a copy here.) Speaking of: if you start with Saline Valley, come in via Lone Pine; it's an amazing way to start a DV adventure. On your way out, drive up to Hunter Mountain to see all 4,752 climate zones in one drive.
Finally, send a DM and we can exchange waypoints and such. It looks like we'll have about four vehicles and a good crew in DV at the same time.
Thanks for the advice, @isthatalexus! Thanks for pointing out the B24 story. My history-loving son and I will enjoy that. Hope to see you on the trail.
According to the NPS alerts page, Titus is open and Saline Valley Warm Springs tubs are indeed closed. Think that closure would apply to the less developed/visited, upper warm spring?
The route from Big Pine gas station through Eureka, Dedeckera, Saline Valley, Lippincott, Racetrack, Hunter Mountain to Panamint gas station is 178 miles. The LX is new to me so I'm not sure how to estimate the offroad mpg. I'm getting about 11 mpg around town. I've got 2 x 3.5 gallon fuelpax on my Prinsu to give me a total of 31.6 gallons. Will that be adequate? Considering getting another 3.5g Fuelpax.
Lastly, is Dedeckera/Steele Pass easier one way or the other?
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First off - your route is near perfect. I did a version of this last year just not as well laid out. I averaged 8+ mpg because of slow going is certain spots particularly Steel Pass (plan of 4hrs from Dunes to Upper Hot Springs) and up Lippincott. Probably use 4L in a spot or two. 4L guzzles gas. And with being aired down in 90% of this route will guzzle too. I would recommended pushing through to Stovepipe for a refuel as Panamint was extremely expensive and when I went through not operating. Stovepipe was the most responsible in the whole Park.
Feel free to DM with any other questions.
Have fun!!
I will also be in Death Valley Turkey day and day after. Look for a Voodoo Blue 4Runner Pro! It will be my first visit there and with family so plan is to test out new camera, take in the sights and of course wheel some interesting stuff
Death Valley dreaming......2 days and counting Anyone else hitting the lowest point in the lower 48 this coming weekend?
Anyone else hitting the lowest point in the lower 48 this coming weekend?
Thanks, everyone for the advice on Death Valley. We ultimately did a 7-day route:
Alabama Hills - Eureka Dunes - Dedeckera/Steel Pass - Saline Warm Springs - Lippencott Pass - Racetrack Playa - Lost Burro Mine - Hunter Mountain - Rhyolite - Titus Canyon - Darwin Falls - Ballarat
See pictures here: 2013 LX 570 Build: "The Wanderer"
Can't wait to go back!
Alabama Hills - Eureka Dunes - Dedeckera/Steel Pass - Saline Warm Springs - Lippencott Pass - Racetrack Playa - Lost Burro Mine - Hunter Mountain - Rhyolite - Titus Canyon - Darwin Falls - Ballarat
See pictures here: 2013 LX 570 Build: "The Wanderer"
Can't wait to go back!
I know this is an old thread but now is the time to start thinking about a family trip in the 100 for T-day 2021. I noticed the very first post mentioned bringing a dog. My understanding is dogs are not allowed on any trails in the NP, but are OK on roads/in cars. Anyone have any words of caution about bringing a dog - like stink eye from rangers or tickets or ...? Thanks in advance!