Hehe if you get lost and have no food. Doesn't that mean he also gets eaten first...
Death Valley/Mojave in springtime
- Thread starter hairy_apple
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- Thread starter
- #62
Yeah, that would be cool. I think it's just going to be me and my wife in our 40 and my parents in a newer 4Runner. My brother and his GF might go if he's got the funds for gas, but most likely not.
We don't really have a set plan yet other then just end up in DV early on the 20th. We're going to split the drive down into two days.. being in the 40 I wanted to take it a little slower getting down there. Also, we just wanted to enjoy the drive down a little too.
And you're the trail leader on this one
It's scarier when you're all alone.
If I get anyone lost, they are welcome to eat me and take my Cruiser.
Cool! Let me get in touch with the friend of mine and see if he thinks he can join us. On another note...have you heard of the Cerro Gordo ghost town, and the Swansea/Cerro Gordo Road? I think you can link that into Death Valley via Saline Valley and the trip looks REALLY cool. Take a look at that and see if that is the kind of thing you are interested in.
Cruiserdrew
On the way there
It is likely the Swansee-Cero Gordo road will still be closed. It is nearly 10000 feet, very exposed and even a few inches of snow is enough to close it. Cerro Gordo itself is a cool place. Be very careful if you decide to take that high traverse out of Cerro Gordo. Snow drifts into the corners and it's like 5000 feet down.
The best way to go to Cerro Gordo is from Lee Flat-assuming you are already in Saline valley. You'd head south, over south pass. When you see a whole pre-historic forest of Joshua Trees, look for a right turn just as the road takes a major turn south leaving the flat.
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- #66
I had wanted to do that as well but like cruiserdrew said, I am assuming in April it will still be closed due to snow. I don't want to mess around with icy snow drifts in a place I don't know at all. Cliffs and snow drifts are not something I want to do!
I think we'll be hitting as many of the ghost town areas of DV as we can, I love the old mining era stuff and just enjoy seeing old ghost towns. I think tonight I'm going to get out the maps and start figuring out our exact route plans and backup plans. I'm not going to stress about sticking exactly to the "plan" but I've gone on enough trips with my parents to know if we don't have a plan it's going to be.. what do you guys want to do today. I dont' know. What do you want to do... ect. Very annoying! So, I want to have a planned route for the trip instead of just wandering. If we find some amazing area that we want to spend more time in.. oh well we'll adjust the plan as we go, but at least an idea of the stuff we want to do and see while there.
I think we'll be hitting as many of the ghost town areas of DV as we can, I love the old mining era stuff and just enjoy seeing old ghost towns. I think tonight I'm going to get out the maps and start figuring out our exact route plans and backup plans. I'm not going to stress about sticking exactly to the "plan" but I've gone on enough trips with my parents to know if we don't have a plan it's going to be.. what do you guys want to do today. I dont' know. What do you want to do... ect. Very annoying! So, I want to have a planned route for the trip instead of just wandering. If we find some amazing area that we want to spend more time in.. oh well we'll adjust the plan as we go, but at least an idea of the stuff we want to do and see while there.
Agreed, you may want to save Cerro Gordo for when you've had a few more DV trips under your belt, after you have a good scope of the place and can better judge travel times. Swansea grade is sloooow!
I wanted to go to Cerro Gordo on my trip as well but the road was closed last Feb. There was a cool story in an old expedition journal that inspired my trip. Anyone read it?
OK, April is getting near and my dates are confirmed: 4/10~19
I know a few of you were interested so I'm checking now to see who is on board to go during this time.
Finnyfam60?
pkelly72?
Tempered117?
Anyone else?
About the trip:
This will be an adventure-wheeling type of trip. What's required is a good set of tires, a reliable truck, and the capability to go self-supported for at least 5 days.
The first leg (goler wash/Mengel pass) will have a few semi-difficult challenges where having a moderately built truck will be helpfull.
We plan to spend a few days in Butte valley, doing some exploring on foot too.
By Monday 4/14 we should be back on pavement at Furnace Creek and gassing up at $6.00/gal.
This is a good place for others to split off or join up.
From there we'll head off to Saline valley where we'll meet up with more friends and spend the rest of the week.
Hope to hear from you.
P.S. Thanks to hairy_apple for letting me use his thread.
I know a few of you were interested so I'm checking now to see who is on board to go during this time.
Finnyfam60?
pkelly72?
Tempered117?
Anyone else?
About the trip:
This will be an adventure-wheeling type of trip. What's required is a good set of tires, a reliable truck, and the capability to go self-supported for at least 5 days.
The first leg (goler wash/Mengel pass) will have a few semi-difficult challenges where having a moderately built truck will be helpfull.
We plan to spend a few days in Butte valley, doing some exploring on foot too.
By Monday 4/14 we should be back on pavement at Furnace Creek and gassing up at $6.00/gal.
This is a good place for others to split off or join up.
From there we'll head off to Saline valley where we'll meet up with more friends and spend the rest of the week.
Hope to hear from you.
P.S. Thanks to hairy_apple for letting me use his thread.
I'll be in that area at the same time. I'll look for some cruisers. My group will be a motley assortment of vehicles.
check www.cerrogordo.us for contact info. Maybe they can help with road conditions, and definitley set up a tour (they don't take you into any mines though)
The main road up from Keeler is well maintained, and if the ridge line road is open you can see some interesting stuff (and not have to run Swansea)
Pssst, Stovepipe Wells is a Park concessioniarre, and the gas prices are much lower than Furnace
Cool, I'll look for you.
I will, however, take you into mines.
That is if you're thin enough to fit through the bars at the entrance.
I will, however, take you into mines.
That is if you're thin enough to fit through the bars at the entrance.
I apologize in advance for muddying the waters, but I am need of some mud-love! I need a mudship for a 8274 with no wire and no fairlead (so it should be a reasonable weight) from san Diego. I think someone from SD is coming up to this trip... Beer and cigars to the kind souls that help.
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- #73
Well, I've VERY disappointed, but we had to postpone our trip. Between the septic backing up, and some other major unexpected bills.. we just needed the funds from the trip to pay for life and it sucks big time. I really was looking forward to this. On the plus side, the cruiser is in the best shape it's been in in a long time, and I did a lot of upgrades and fixed a lot of stuff I might never have otherwise.
I think we're going to shoot for October now. Give us a few months to save up money again and let it cool down to a tolerable temp down there. I am really, really disappointed, but it will happen, just not in three weeks like we had planned
I think we're going to shoot for October now. Give us a few months to save up money again and let it cool down to a tolerable temp down there. I am really, really disappointed, but it will happen, just not in three weeks like we had planned
That's too bad, sorry to hear that.
At least you'll have October to look forward to, it's a nice time to go.
Keep us posted on your plans.
Last call for anyone who wants to tag along with me in two weeks!
At least you'll have October to look forward to, it's a nice time to go.
Keep us posted on your plans.
Last call for anyone who wants to tag along with me in two weeks!
Or you could plan on Thanksgiving week. We spend 10-12 days out there every year that time.
- Thread starter
- #76
Yeah, I am very disappointed, I really needed a good vacation. I think we are still going to go camping that week, just up to Fordyce or something instead of DV. I'm really bummed, but we'll go in the fall now and it will be fun. I'm still hoping a huge order comes in or something saves us! haha
Just got home Saturday, another great trip. Here's a few pics:
Lippencott rd.
Hiking around Butte Valley
Exploring some mines
Lippencott rd.
Hiking around Butte Valley
Exploring some mines
And upon leaving on the last day I ran into these guys. Turns out they're not Mudders.
We were at the geo. cabin Fri. & Sat. nights (4/11 & 4/12). the new brick s***house was a cool addition.
Sad to see Goler wash had been graded and no longer a challenge. My friend was kinda sorry since he just spent $5k on gears/lockers/tires & wheels.
The palm tree actually blew over in the wind, right across the goldfish pond and kiddy tub (no one was hurt).
within a day volunteers had it stripped, cut and removed!
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