Death Valley Days 2/12-2/15

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For those on Facebook this is a good page on current road conditions:
Death Valley Road Conditions

You can put me as IN. I have the time off that week and was planning on doing some type of trip that weekend. If something has to change for me KOFA will be the backup. Only concern would be if it turns into a epic El Nino weekend I might bow out.

Roger at Overland Frontier writes very cool guides:
Death Valley Journey | Overland Frontier

NEVADA GHOST TOWN & ICONIC TRAILS JOURNEY | Overland Frontier
 
Saddletramp said:
Have seen the trailer, the Campfire in a can and heard the sounds of a very sound sleeper. Hope you can make it.
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People have been saying for years that I snore. It simply is not true. You are hearing yourself and dreaming it is the guy high above you in the RTT. Are non-Toyotas allowed or is that blasphemy?
 
Put me down as on the fence too. It's Valentine's weekend, may not be too popular around the house if I don't handle this well...
 
@Saddletramp , might be helpful to come up with a checklist of items which will be MUST have, should have, and nice-to-have for this trip. Still thinking through options to carry a few extra gallons (5-10) of fuel outside the LandCruiser for extra range, and don't want to forget anything important, ask overlanding is still pretty new to me. I can camp 2-3days/nights without issue, but usually end up in one place for the duration; this is a little different. Thanks,
 
I'm thinking once we have the route, we should have gas mapped and know if anyone would go bingo fuel during the trip.

@brices123 and I will begin adding suggested carry items and not carry.
 
I think we'll all be in the same boat as far as gas goes. Of course, some get better mileage than my tractor.
 
LongDuck said:
@Saddletramp , might be helpful to come up with a checklist of items which will be MUST have, should have, and nice-to-have for this trip. Still thinking through options to carry a few extra gallons (5-10) of fuel outside the LandCruiser for extra range, and don't want to forget anything important, ask overlanding is still pretty new to me. I can camp 2-3days/nights without issue, but usually end up in one place for the duration; this is a little different. Thanks,
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My fuel economy stinks when I pull my trailer with the FJ so I will have 10 gallons with me.

As for stuff to bring I always bring too much food including backpacker meals in case I don't feel like cooking or bad weather. I also bring too much water. Plenty of clothing layers for any kind of weather. It will be cold at night so plan accordingly. Extra fuel for your stove or heater is always good. I pretty much bring the same stuff for a weekend trip or a week long trip because of how my stuff is packed. The only thing that varies is amount of food, water, and clothing.

When traveling in a group there is usually someone who has something you might have forgotten or need. Most importantly bring beer! (If you drink of course)

Specific to this trip a Death Valley Map would be good. The National Geographic one can be found at REI or Amazon.
 
Here are some basic distances:

Day 1
Phoenix to Kingman (via Wickenburg) - 186 miles - stop for gas
Kingman to Las Vegas - 77 miles
Las Vegas to Beatty, NV - 142 miles - stop for gas

Day 2
Beatty to Titus Canyon - 33 miles
Titus Canyon to Racetrack - 55 miles
Racetrack to Lippencott Road - 11 miles
Lippencott Road to Panamint Springs - 38 miles - stop for gas
Panamint to Wildrose - 24 miles

Day 3
Wildrose to Furnace Creek - 50 miles
Furnace Creek to Las Vegas - 120 miles

In Death Valley, gas is currently available at Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells and Panamint Springs. Diesel and propane are only available at Furnace Creek.
 
I currently have two maps:
1. The National Geographic Death Valley National Park
2. Tom Harrison Maps Death Valley National Park - a nice, wax coated map.

and two books:
1. California Desert Byways by Tony Hegel
2. California Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails by Charles Wells and Matt Peterson.

I got all four on Amazon, with free Prime shipping. I will bring them to the meeting on Friday.
 
brices123 said:
Day 2
Beatty to Titus Canyon - 33 miles
Titus Canyon to Racetrack - 55 miles
Racetrack to Lippencott Road - 11 miles
Lippencott Road to Panamint Springs - 38 miles - stop for gas
Panamint to Wildrose - 24 miles
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Wow that's a very ambitious day 2. It took us at least 2 hours to drive one way to the Racetrack from Ubehebe Crater. It's not difficult just very "washboardy", and lots of nasty sharp rocks made the going slow. (and Robby Gordon wannabes in their rental jeeps trying to get back to their dinner reservation at Furnace Creek).

DV is awesome. Still looking forward to going back one day. Please forgive my vicarious watching / comments on this. Oh and sunrise is a full hour later in February than December.

If I may suggest, we didn't bring firewood, and the ONLY place we could get any was Furnace Creek. Pretty long hike from where we camped at Mesquite Springs.
 
February 13 sunrise is 6:38am and sunset is 5:26pm
February 14 sunrise is 6:37am and sunset is 5:27pm
February 15 sunrise is 6:36am and sunset is 5:28pm.
I see a trend!
The moon will be in its first quarter, so nights will be dark.
At Furnace Creek (194 feet below sea level), the average temperatures for February are 46 - 73. February is also the wettest month with an average of .51"
 
The plan put forward is the one Brice and I would like to manage to, if we have groups that want to splinter off and then remeet on the third day it is possible. Our reason behind the day one destination is to allow people who might leave in the afternoon or very late night a chance to catch the rest of the group.


We will share more on Friday
 
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My trailer will start with about 35 gallons of water, so we should have some to share on the trip. I figure I can fill up at one of the stops if need be.
 
brices123 said:
My trailer will start with about 35 gallons of water, so we should have some to share on the trip. I figure I can fill up at one of the stops if need be.
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I can hold 32 in my trailer. I also have 4 3.5 gallon water bricks if anyone needs to borrow one and a couple of other water containers that I no longer use. I have lots of gear so if you think you need something ask the group and I am sure we can share/borrow.
 
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