Doing all the tamest stuff in Death Valley - what do I need? (1 Viewer)

[usedname]

Alright I have a real question:

Anyone know where the hell I should camp if I'm coming from 395 and going to be closing in on sunset when I get to DVNP?

You can't carcamp along all the major roads, and if I go on north as I planned, I need to go all the way out to Oasis on 168 and then come down to Big Pine road where it heads off to Eureka Dunes, and maybe camp there.

Alternatively I can go down to Lone Pine and head in to the park on 190 and then maybe cut off toward Saline Valley Rd and just park along it? Even though it's technically not in the park for the first 8 miles.

Orrr I could go further in and then take a L on Lake Hill Rd going towards Panamint Dunes and camp somewhere there.


Basically it looks like I might be coming late and I'm not sure if I can get to any of the 'spots' - Mesquite Spring or Eureka Dunes etc.

 

[dallen341]

Campground on 395 in Big Pine right at the road that takes you in to the valley.

Then head in first light

 

[Live to Ski]

dude: as they say "been there, done that"

Lets see, u 0 times, me 4+ (not alot, but enough to be dangerous). been to the highest place (well, that was my wife as I as too injured), and the lowest and believe me, like others have verified, it gets cold. If your lucky, it will stay out of the teens overnight.

you may want to check out Death Valley National Park | Furnace Creek CA - https://www.facebook.com/DeathValleyNPS/ as there is a lot of "real time" info posted there.

 

[GerLC100]

Regarding Saline Valley Road and others... Your vehicle is surely capable of doing all trails in DV with proper care, spotting and similar.
BUT:
1. You said you're beginner, so skip things like Lippincott, perhaps Steele.
2. Tires, tires, tires! Saline Valley and other backcountry roads have quite some sharp stones and I think this is the main risk of your trip. Proper tires and a RAV4 can do most of the stuff... Saw enough vehicles going to Racetrack or Saline Valley on street tires and they paid their fees...

Sleeping bag....
I'm not a friend of too cold sleeping bags for one time use. I would rather have a silk inliner, therm. underwear and similar to layer up. Also depends on your tent setup and how tight it is. I got a Mountain Hardware Trango 3 for very cold as well as for windy desert nights. Another more open tent for "regular camping".
Wear a beanie as you loose 30% (?!?) of heat via your head.

For the rest: have fun! Enjoy! Don't risk your vehicle and be brave enough to turn around! Last but not least: watch out for the mules :-D

 

[hoser]

@RAMf1
Whoa. Taking propane for the stove, maybe I should take the Mr Heater along...

Even propane can have a difficult time in the cold. Store inside your vehicle over night… even insulate it with a towel or something.

Plan not to camp at high elevations unless you are prepared for it (cold).

Buy or borrow a real air compressor. Most combination compressor/anything aren’t good at providing air for 4 tires. I actually air up/down in the park as some of the highway stretches can be pretty long.

Sunset is around 4:30pm this time of year.

Instead of a sleeping bag, look into a 0 degree quilt (down). It is more like a down blanket that can be configured as a sleeping bag. Just a bit more versatile for these types of trips and California camping in general. But also, like @GerLC100 said, beanies, thermal underwear, socks, etc.... essential.

 

[RAMf1]

I've been visiting Death Valley from the Bay Area since 1980 and I almost always enter the park through Ridgecrest. We usually drive down over Tehachapi Pass and then spend the first night at Trona Pinnacles. That way you get an early start driving into Panamint Valley after topping off your gas in Trona. On our last visit, we entered the park through Goler Wash, up to Barker Ranch, and then over Mengel Pass. Goler Wash is fun with many dispersed camping locations located just off the route. It can easily be done solo as there is only one tricky section to drive up. Mengel Pass though requires driving skills and competent spotters as the rocks, ruts and off-camber areas will test you. Once through the pass, Striped Butte comes into view and the road becomes much easier through Warm Spring Canyon.

For easy off-road adventures in Death Valley, I'd recommend Goler Wash as an out-and-back, You can also visit Warm Spring Canyon from the east by accessing the road from the southern end of West Side Road. There are numerous places to disperse camp along Warm Springs, such as the cabins at the top or the Talc Mine.

If you are dead set on entering from the North... You might consider taking Pig Pine/Death Valley Road through Crankshaft Junction and into the park that way. You'll end up at Ubehebe Crater... Where you can either continue on towards the Racetrack and then down Lippincott ... Which has been graded and is easier than it used to be. There is the Homestake Dry Camp just past the Racetrack which is usually pretty empty. The whole Hidden Valley / Hunter Mountain area is usually easy 4WD roads with plenty of dispersed camping with very few other people.

 

[usedname]

Regarding Saline Valley Road and others... Your vehicle is surely capable of doing all trails in DV with proper care, spotting and similar.
BUT:
1. You said you're beginner, so skip things like Lippincott, perhaps Steele.
2. Tires, tires, tires! Saline Valley and other backcountry roads have quite some sharp stones and I think this is the main risk of your trip. Proper tires and a RAV4 can do most of the stuff... Saw enough vehicles going to Racetrack or Saline Valley on street tires and they paid their fees...

Sleeping bag....
I'm not a friend of too cold sleeping bags for one time use. I would rather have a silk inliner, therm. underwear and similar to layer up. Also depends on your tent setup and how tight it is. I got a Mountain Hardware Trango 3 for very cold as well as for windy desert nights. Another more open tent for "regular camping".
Wear a beanie as you loose 30% (?!?) of heat via your head.

For the rest: have fun! Enjoy! Don't risk your vehicle and be brave enough to turn around! Last but not least: watch out for the mules :-D

Well I heard enough about it that I pulled the trigger on some A/T tires. Maybe not top of the line, but I really didn't want E-rated bricks, so I got these half-price Rocky Mountains for 600. Didn't gain much if any weight compared to the LTX but should provide some protection. They're just as quiet and soft as the LTX right now, although Americas Tire aired them up to 35 compared to the Michelins which I usually have at 30/32.

Maybe it's psychological, 275/65 is only an inch taller, which means half an inch on the axel, but it FEELS taller!

Discount Tire | Tires and Wheels for Sale | Online & In-Person

www.americastire.com

So now the Q is: how low can I go on
1. gravel?
2. sand?

Even propane can have a difficult time in the cold. Store inside your vehicle over night… even insulate it with a towel or something.

Plan not to camp at high elevations unless you are prepared for it (cold).

Buy or borrow a real air compressor. Most combination compressor/anything aren’t good at providing air for 4 tires. I actually air up/down in the park as some of the highway stretches can be pretty long.

Sunset is around 4:30pm this time of year.

Instead of a sleeping bag, look into a 0 degree quilt (down). It is more like a down blanket that can be configured as a sleeping bag. Just a bit more versatile for these types of trips and California camping in general. But also, like @GerLC100 said, beanies, thermal underwear, socks, etc.... essential.

Also broke down and got a Harbor Freight 12v compressor that hooks up straight to the battery. 60 bucks with coupon.
Project Farm guy gave it decent reviews. Way faster than the combo, thanks.

Yeah I'm going to try to stay down low to avoid the cold, that's why I was thinking of Panamint Dunes... I ended up getting a 0F bag, and I'm still taking the other (double) bag with me so that should provide plenty of coverage. I have wool thermals. Kinda scratchy but that's alright.

I've been visiting Death Valley from the Bay Area since 1980 and I almost always enter the park through Ridgecrest. We usually drive down over Tehachapi Pass and then spend the first night at Trona Pinnacles. That way you get an early start driving into Panamint Valley after topping off your gas in Trona. On our last visit, we entered the park through Goler Wash, up to Barker Ranch, and then over Mengel Pass. Goler Wash is fun with many dispersed camping locations located just off the route. It can easily be done solo as there is only one tricky section to drive up. Mengel Pass though requires driving skills and competent spotters as the rocks, ruts and off-camber areas will test you. Once through the pass, Striped Butte comes into view and the road becomes much easier through Warm Spring Canyon.

For easy off-road adventures in Death Valley, I'd recommend Goler Wash as an out-and-back, You can also visit Warm Spring Canyon from the east by accessing the road from the southern end of West Side Road. There are numerous places to disperse camp along Warm Springs, such as the cabins at the top or the Talc Mine.

If you are dead set on entering from the North... You might consider taking Pig Pine/Death Valley Road through Crankshaft Junction and into the park that way. You'll end up at Ubehebe Crater... Where you can either continue on towards the Racetrack and then down Lippincott ... Which has been graded and is easier than it used to be. There is the Homestake Dry Camp just past the Racetrack which is usually pretty empty. The whole Hidden Valley / Hunter Mountain area is usually easy 4WD roads with plenty of dispersed camping with very few other people.

TY, Goler looks fun. Main reason is that I make the drive through Tehachapi all the time when I visit my folks near Joshua Tree. For once I want to take the 395. Actually taking the 395 was the primary reason for the trip, and DVNP only became the ultimate goal after I realized where it falls. Basically Big Pine to Ubehebe seems to tack on a lot of time so might not be doable at the end of my trip, so I'm thinkin Panamint...

Just my luck that Tahoe is supposed to get snow tomorrow. I bought some chains but I don't know about the likelihood of accidents. Day before xmas is supposed to be a light travel day so fingers crossed...

 

[MechE30]

Cruise around off-road at 18psi. Safe but comfy. If you’re stuck in the silt then go as low as necessary to get out! 10psi just to get out would not be unheard of.

 

[usedname]

18! Even if the tires are SL not E-rated?

 

[eatSleepWoof]

Maybe some more specific Qs - is Steele pass a bad idea?

View attachment 3797285

I've been to DV twice, doing Steele path once each way. Both times were in a Tacoma.

The four ledges/steps are the only somewhat challenging step where it's helpful to have a spotter, as well as some logs/rocks that can be used to make up for lack of clearance on a vehicle. It's a tight spot, so you'll need to be careful with a somewhat-wide vehicle like the LX.

The rest of the trail is very easy in just about any truck/SUV.

 

[2001LC]

100 series are very reliable, tanks that just keep ticking. Provided properly maintained.

"Properly maintained", is key. They have a few spots, often missed or serviced improperly. That can put at the side of the road.
Number #1 is coolant system:

Radiator fins need cleaning! Alert Alert Alert

I've a 06LC w/192K I just bought. In reading history I found PO complained of engine temp raising when both front and rear AC on. Toyota Dealership diagnosed with clogged radiator fins. Recommended new OEM radiator, $600 for the US spec Radaitor plus coolant and labor. They should have added...

forum.ih8mud.com

Number #2, is tune the engine. Make sure to check or better yet, R&R spark plugs:

Ticking time bomb TICK TICK TICK: Spark plugs Alert Alert Alert!

TICK TICK TICK POP POP POP is a ticking time bomb, often mistaken as exhaust manifold crack or gasket leak leak. ALERT, ALERT, ALERT: Spark plugs are working themselves loose. "Walking Out" Then blowing out of head, taking their female threads of head with them! Very damaging! You think TICK...

forum.ih8mud.com

The 04-07 Automatic Transmissions, were under filled at the factory. A TSB gives the corrected AT fluid, fill temp 97f-115f.

I use a bluetooth OBDII plug-in device. To monitor ECT, FT, AT temp, CATs, etc., on my smartphone.

Wheel bearings service, too often serviced improperly.
Check to make sure wheel bearing have zero play, by grasp the tire at 6 & 12 o'clock, to see if any movement. There should no movement/zero play.


One of the very most common issues with, improper wheel bearing service. Is the reuse of hub flange snap ring, along with not setting its gap.
Each time hub flange snap ring, reused. They expand, losing grip around axle. Eventually these loose old snap rings, pop off.


Make sure your AHC, is flushed and and adjusted properly.

The ABCs of AHC - How to Measure, Flush, and Adjust all in one place

I initially put this in the Definitive list of AHC maintenance items thread, but at almost 800 posts long and growing, it's going to get buried and the thread itself is very unwieldy. In an attempt to make as focused a summary as possible, I present "The ABCs of AHC." It's intended as a...

forum.ih8mud.com

Toyota AT fluid temp TSB:

 

[Live to Ski]

2001lc,

first: your posts are much appreciated. I always like reading posts from people who are smarter than me (not that i'm smart...thank you brain mri).

Second: inquiring minds want to know....what obd2 platform do you use?

 

[2001LC]

I've a few, the most used are bluedriver & OBDmxII.

The bluedriver was my first and seems very reliable, accurate and real-time data points.. But it lacks the AT temp & AHC pressures, and is closed software.

The OBDmxII has most all data points I looked for. It's Open software. Which use one of their recommended download.

Both I used with iphone.

They're are many brands in the market.

 

[GerLC100]

Regarding tire pressure:
I'm doing 50% of normal and drive ~35mph on regular dirt. Typically you come along very fine. For more rugge stuff, washboards you can even go lower, but then your top speed should also be lower.

Quick test:
Feel the side wall. It should stay "cold" and not heat up. Once it heats up you take some life off the tires. Solution: air up or go slower.

 

[toy_tek]

I've been going to DV for 15+ years, one of my favorite places. Have always had great weather, but the last trip I learned the hard way to avoid anything that remotely looks like a rain storm. The flash flooding out there is not to be underestimated, so if you even think it might rain anywhere in a 30 mile radius of your location, get to high ground asap. Also the trail condition changes pretty drastically when wet - something that a Subaru can handle in dry weather can stop a Landcruiser in it's tracks when wet.

Tires, fuel and water - you can't have enough. I've blown 2 BFG's in DV (on different trips) and every truck I've seen off-road with street tires has had a blowout.

Rent a sat phone for a little piece of mind if you're going solo.

Here's some interesting reading - and a preparedness reminder: The Hunt for the Death Valley Germans - https://www.otherhand.org/home-page/search-and-rescue/the-hunt-for-the-death-valley-germans/

 

[MechE30]

I've been going to DV for 15+ years, one of my favorite places. Have always had great weather, but the last trip I learned the hard way to avoid anything that remotely looks like a rain storm. The flash flooding out there is not to be underestimated, so if you even think it might rain anywhere in a 30 mile radius of your location, get to high ground asap. Also the trail condition changes pretty drastically when wet - something that a Subaru can handle in dry weather can stop a Landcruiser in it's tracks when wet.

Tires, fuel and water - you can't have enough. I've blown 2 BFG's in DV (on different trips) and every truck I've seen off-road with street tires has had a blowout.

Rent a sat phone for a little piece of mind if you're going solo.

Here's some interesting reading - and a preparedness reminder: The Hunt for the Death Valley Germans - https://www.otherhand.org/home-page/search-and-rescue/the-hunt-for-the-death-valley-germans/

That story has haunted me since the first time I read it.

 

[usedname]

Well, I'm back. Kept to the lower elevations - camped out near Panamint Dunes and then in Mesquite Springs. It was definitely cold and I'm glad y'all convinced me to get the 0F sleeping bag. I really didn't get cold from below (Ikea latex mattress topper) so I used the bag as a cover.

The new Rocky Mountain tires (Discount tire house brand), so far, are just as quiet on road as the LTX - so I might try to sell those. I think they also helped going over Donner Pass - I ran into a lot of fresh snow and old slush. I went to Eureka Dunes from the craters but didn't attempt the racetrack just because I was worried about flats. I aired down to 22/24 or so. This was my first time going over washboard - painful! I found myself wondering how much juddering it takes to turn my nice and quiet LX into a creaky noise heap.

A lot of the time I would run one side up near the edge of the road because that's where the finer gravel piles up, and that saved me from the worst of the juddering. In other places, I just drove faster. A lot of times somewhere in the 40-45 mph range resulted in a lot less vibrations. I think that probably has mostly to do with wheelbase + the spacing of the washboard. There were times that I went a lot faster - up to 60. Probably ill-advised. The tires didn't seem warm although the rims overall got warm - this isn't something I checked, just noticed when I was airing back up. ALSO glad that I got an air compressor, although hooking it up to the battery was a pain in the ass so I think I'll do a bit of research and find a durable and strong battery operated one for the future.

DV is gorgeous and I could explore for a week or two. Really enjoyed the remoteness. I mostly kept to the north side and didn't see a lotta people until I went south - it was pretty busy! But I cut the trip short - only 3 days - because my sleeping arrangement was bugging me. I am just short enough to fit diagonally in the back with the 2nd row folder forward. Next time I think I'll come up with a plywood base that covers the 60% seat with storage underneath, and then leave the 40% side up.

Thanks for all the advice, folks.


@2001LC - I have to do ALL that maintenance. Hoping new plugs also help with the mpg. Maybe...

 

[usedname]

Actually it looks like this HF tire inflator is no worse in convenience than what's out there. They're mostly the same compressor form factor + battery clamps + coiled air tubing. I'm not going for a mounted solution, so I'm gonna keep it.