Death Valley and Bickel Camp

[1meancruiser]

A few friends and I are planning to make a trip out to Bickel camp in the first week of November and I wanted to post on the forum to find out if anybody has been out there lately and has any updates on road conditions. We will be heading out from the 14 north out to Bickel.

 

[landcrshr]

Where is Bickel camp?

I know DV pretty well but I haven't heard of that one.

Current weather and road info here: http://www.nps.gov/deva/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&pageid=439529

 

[1meancruiser]

Frankly, I haven't been out there for so long I can't give you directions. It is about 15 miles from hwy 395. I have it marked on my GPS, and that is how I'm planning to make it there.

Thanks for the link.

 

[Kofoed]

Its not in DV, or even close.

http://www.bickelcamp.org/

Should be awesome weather, ex-wind.

 

[bogus one]

That's Red Rock, not DV

I'm sure roads (trails) are fine. Call Mark A. and ask him, as he's out there quite often. I haven't been out that way in a bit.

 

[65swb45]

Yup, I was there last Wednesday. The roads are fine. I went in EP100 from the Garlock Road, and went out EP15 thru Bonanza Gulch to the 14.

Be prepared for a little shock. Bickel Camp has been slowly but steadily 'sanitized' over the last five years. It is still very full of history and character, but the character has changed.

Mark

 

[landcrshr]

Its not in DV, or even close.

http://www.bickelcamp.org/

Should be awesome weather, ex-wind.

Thanks, I'm really into this kind of stuff.
Been wanting to check out Burro Schmidt tunnel too so looks like I've got another reason to go.

 

[1meancruiser]

Its not in DV, or even close. http://www.bickelcamp.org/ Should be awesome weather, ex-wind.

I did not know...

 

[1meancruiser]

Yup, I was there last Wednesday. The roads are fine. I went in EP100 from the Garlock Road, and went out EP15 thru Bonanza Gulch to the 14. Be prepared for a little shock. Bickel Camp has been slowly but steadily 'sanitized' over the last five years. It is still very full of history and character, but the character has changed. Mark

Thanks, looking forward to seeing it.

 

[1meancruiser]

Any recommendations for trails nearby, moderate too difficult and level?

 

[65swb45]

Any recommendations for trails nearby, moderate too difficult and level?

"The Crack" in Last Chance Canyon is as hard as anything gets. I wouldn't try it without a. Reckless disregard for body damage, and b. a second rig to help pivot off once you get perma-wedged!

The climb to the Dawson Cabin is steep enough to require 4WD and lo range; most of the rest of the trails can be done in 2WD with moderated speed.

 

[1meancruiser]

"The Crack" in Last Chance Canyon is as hard as anything gets. I wouldn't try it without a. Reckless disregard for body damage, and b. a second rig to help pivot off once you get perma-wedged! The climb to the Dawson Cabin is steep enough to require 4WD and lo range; most of the rest of the trails can be done in 2WD with moderated speed.

I'll look into Dawson cabin. Thanks for the recommendation. "The crack" sounds a bit too much with the potential of body damage.

 

[green73]

"The Crack" is almost filled in after the past rains. Somewhere I read a stock Montero drove "The Crack" in recent weeks, sorry no link to that report. I was on Nightmare/Last Chance a few weeks ago. Nightmare has changed a bit and a little more difficult due to rain driven re-arangement. I made it through without using center diff lock. Nightmare is now closed "Permanently". We'll have to keep an eye on that I guess.

Haven't been to Bickel and or Burro Schmidt in a while, so can't say how those roads are.