Just got back from a camping trip to Death Valley. We went with some friends we met at the last Surf 'N Turf event, and they let us tag along on their trip to DV. We ended up going for 6 days / 5 nights, and got to see a lot of the park. We only stayed in the same spot for more than one night one time, so it was more of an expedition style trip with the majority of it spent off pavement, and it was a blast. There were four vehicles in our group: our 4Runner and three 100 series (2 LC's and 1 LX 470).
Death Valley Camping Trip
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- #2
Day One:
Our friends were coming from the Turlock/Modesto area and Santa Cruz, so we met them in Olancha off the 395 south of Bishop/Mammoth. From there we set up camp in the Lee Flat area just inside the park lines, at the base of Hunter Mtn. The only thing around were some rock hills, which our son and the other kids on the trip loved climbing.
Our friends were coming from the Turlock/Modesto area and Santa Cruz, so we met them in Olancha off the 395 south of Bishop/Mammoth. From there we set up camp in the Lee Flat area just inside the park lines, at the base of Hunter Mtn. The only thing around were some rock hills, which our son and the other kids on the trip loved climbing.
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- #3
Day Two:
We packed up camp and headed out towards Hunter Mtn, but it was closed due to snow. So instead, we took Lippencott grade (singletrack up a few thousand feet with a bunch of switchbacks and shear dropoffs, with half of it climbed in 4-Lo) to the Racetrack (where it looks like the rocks have mysteriously moved on their own). We passed Teakettle Junction and ended up setting up camp near Hidden Valley and White Top Mtns. That was the worst of the nights we had on the trip, as we endured a wind storm that made some of the winds at Surf 'N Turf the past couple years seem like a gentle breeze.
We packed up camp and headed out towards Hunter Mtn, but it was closed due to snow. So instead, we took Lippencott grade (singletrack up a few thousand feet with a bunch of switchbacks and shear dropoffs, with half of it climbed in 4-Lo) to the Racetrack (where it looks like the rocks have mysteriously moved on their own). We passed Teakettle Junction and ended up setting up camp near Hidden Valley and White Top Mtns. That was the worst of the nights we had on the trip, as we endured a wind storm that made some of the winds at Surf 'N Turf the past couple years seem like a gentle breeze.
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- #5
Day Three:
After a couple of cold and windy nights, the women on the trip were miserable and probably ready to call it quits, so we headed for lower elevation with warmer temps and less wind. On the way down, we stopped at Lost Burro Mine, which was pretty cool to check out, and we got lightly snowed on, which the kids thought was great. From there, we kept heading down, and got to check out Ubehebe Crater, which was pretty surreal to see. We ended up continuing down to Stovepipe Wells, and with the weather being drastically warmer (mid 80's), we ended up staying there for two nights.
After a couple of cold and windy nights, the women on the trip were miserable and probably ready to call it quits, so we headed for lower elevation with warmer temps and less wind. On the way down, we stopped at Lost Burro Mine, which was pretty cool to check out, and we got lightly snowed on, which the kids thought was great. From there, we kept heading down, and got to check out Ubehebe Crater, which was pretty surreal to see. We ended up continuing down to Stovepipe Wells, and with the weather being drastically warmer (mid 80's), we ended up staying there for two nights.
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- #6
Day Four:
We base camped this day, which was a nice break from packing up and moving along like a band of gypsies. Our day trip involved driving out to Furnace Creek, and then onto the Devil's Golf Course, and then to what I thought was the highlight of the trip, which was Titus Canyon. It is a one-way trail that is just spectacular as it winds through the Red Pass, down past an old ghost town, and then into the Canyon where you are driving through these walls on either side that are over one hundred feet up. It was absolutely beautiful (the kids obviously shared my enthusiasm, as they both fell asleep). On the way back to camp, we stopped and checked out the Mesquite Sand Dunes just before sundown.
We base camped this day, which was a nice break from packing up and moving along like a band of gypsies. Our day trip involved driving out to Furnace Creek, and then onto the Devil's Golf Course, and then to what I thought was the highlight of the trip, which was Titus Canyon. It is a one-way trail that is just spectacular as it winds through the Red Pass, down past an old ghost town, and then into the Canyon where you are driving through these walls on either side that are over one hundred feet up. It was absolutely beautiful (the kids obviously shared my enthusiasm, as they both fell asleep). On the way back to camp, we stopped and checked out the Mesquite Sand Dunes just before sundown.
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- #9
Day Five:
All packed up again, we ended up meeting up with friends of our friends that were there in DV as well, and went on a hike through Mosaic Canyon. We parted with the big group, and continued on to Panamint Springs. After stopping for the most expensive milkshake we have ever gotten ($10 is highway robbery, but we paid it, and it was good), we found a place to camp in the Panamint Range Valley near Lake Hill for the last night. It was a great spot, with our camp facing the beautiful mountain range, and we were in the flight path of the fighter jets from the China Lake Naval Base, so they came low over our camp a couple times, and it was awesome. For our last exploration trip, we went and checked out an old abandoned mine up near the Panamint Dunes.
All packed up again, we ended up meeting up with friends of our friends that were there in DV as well, and went on a hike through Mosaic Canyon. We parted with the big group, and continued on to Panamint Springs. After stopping for the most expensive milkshake we have ever gotten ($10 is highway robbery, but we paid it, and it was good), we found a place to camp in the Panamint Range Valley near Lake Hill for the last night. It was a great spot, with our camp facing the beautiful mountain range, and we were in the flight path of the fighter jets from the China Lake Naval Base, so they came low over our camp a couple times, and it was awesome. For our last exploration trip, we went and checked out an old abandoned mine up near the Panamint Dunes.
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- #10
Day Six:
Everyone broke down camp one last time, and we headed out of the park. We found a few old cars that looked like they had been there for quite a while (if they would have been Cruisers, they never would have gotten stuck out there). As we were driving out, we also saw the Trona Pinnacles, where the original Planet of the Apes and some other movies have filmed scenes.
It was a great trip and we had a lot of fun. They were a few really nice families, and treated us like family as well, so we were very fortunate, and it made for a very nice time. I definitely would like to go back to Death Valley, as there is so much to see and explore. We were there almost a week, and saw a lot, but I feel we just touched on what the Park has to offer.
It really makes me want to do more of these types of trips.
Everyone broke down camp one last time, and we headed out of the park. We found a few old cars that looked like they had been there for quite a while (if they would have been Cruisers, they never would have gotten stuck out there). As we were driving out, we also saw the Trona Pinnacles, where the original Planet of the Apes and some other movies have filmed scenes.
It was a great trip and we had a lot of fun. They were a few really nice families, and treated us like family as well, so we were very fortunate, and it made for a very nice time. I definitely would like to go back to Death Valley, as there is so much to see and explore. We were there almost a week, and saw a lot, but I feel we just touched on what the Park has to offer.
It really makes me want to do more of these types of trips.
Great photos, thanks for sharing !!
Great pics, haven't been to DV in a number of years. Your trip reminds me of the good times we had out there when we went so long ago.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing.
nice photos
I have been twice, hands down the most beautiful desert, most exciting trails I have been on (Pleasant Canyon & back of Burro with waterfall rock climb attempt). Looks like you saw a lot for one trip which is hard to do. Good ol' Toyotas just out there in the middle of nowhere, love it.
I have been twice, hands down the most beautiful desert, most exciting trails I have been on (Pleasant Canyon & back of Burro with waterfall rock climb attempt). Looks like you saw a lot for one trip which is hard to do. Good ol' Toyotas just out there in the middle of nowhere, love it.
1973Guppie
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cool pics.....
Looks like a fun trip,... thanks for sharing.
