Death Valley Road Trip--1926

[Kofoed]

Death Valley Automobile Trip, 1926

I'm not sure if it qualifies for this forum, but this is so cool, IMHO.

For those not familiar with the SoCal area, once you left the LA Basin you were out in the sticks. The trip starts, as near as I can tell, since the last time I really looked at it, is near Baker, CA (Silurian Lake?), after leaving Highway 66 (which didn't officially open until later that year). Then north up through the heart of Death Valley to the Furnance Creek area, then east to Rhyolite/Beatty, Nevada.

Some of the buildings at Furnace Creek and Rhyolite are still there....

 

[Bluetribal]

That was really great, thanks for sharing!

 

[OGBeno]

..and to think that women were interested in these trips...

Great historical pics.

 

[spressomon]

WOW! Great post Kofoed!!! All are wonderful photos but the one where they are crossing the Devil's Golf Course: I can't imagine how that must have gone .

Thanks!

 

[Cruiserdrew]

That's a great find.

Awesome historical pictures.

It doesn't look much different today.

Just think, the issues like enough fuel, and breaking down in the desert must have been 100 times what they are now.

 

[alvarorb]

Thanks!
I really enjoyed them. From the caption you can tell their sense of adventure, not much different of what we have experienced there.

 

[D'Animal]

What is a fliver?


I can only imagine where those adventure driven people would go today with a built 80 series set up as an expedition rig.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[nomembername]

Amazing pictures! Thanks for sharing the link.

 

[Kofoed]

What is a fliver?


QUOTE]

Typically a cheap car i.e., Model T. Did you catch the hand start crank hanging off the front of the vehicles?

 

[Bluetribal]

..and to think that women were interested in these trips...

Great historical pics.

Ha! that photo inspired me to do a little Photoshop for my buddy Dave and his Trasharoo!

 

[SOCALFJ]

Awesome find, thanks for sharing it with us.

 

[e9999]

neat


and to think many here worry about whether their tires are big enough and strong enough... those guys and gals (!) had b@lls...

 

[TrickyT]

...Just think, the issues like enough fuel, and breaking down in the desert must have been 100 times what they are now.

No kidding. And no satellite or cell phone, and though technically possible, not likely ham radio either. So no way to summon help if you really needed it. I found the captions that go with the pictures fascinating to read. So much DV history already in 1926. For example, the Bottle House in Rhyolite had already been restored by then! Good quality photos too.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

 

[lcolon]

This is a great post. Just got back tonight from my third trip out to Death Valley. It is truly one of my most favorite places in CA. Last year I broke my front diff and twisted my front driveshaft on south park canyon. This year, my rig only kissed a rock coming down Mengel Pass. Too bad the Barker Ranch has burned down.

Amazing pics of Rhyolite in this archive. There is nothing but some walls from the buildings left today and some strange sculptures. For those who have not wheeled there - DO IT! You will not regret it.

 

[Ducks]

Wow. Great pics. Nice looking breakfast.

 

[The911s]

Awesome! Thanks for posting.