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My kids are in or nearing college age, so if someone wants to adopt them now that would be awesome
Last Minute Death Valley trip, Dec 27-31
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Depending what state you’re in, some of them have safe haven drop off laws up until age 13 or so.
Could just leave them at a fire station on way to vacation…
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I’ve had a lot of time “off” from work as I’m changing jobs, so job A has more or less wound down, and job B doesn’t start for 2 weeks. Unfortunately I had various other commitments sprinkled throughout the last 2 months that precluded me from taking a 4 week winter trip.
My youngest goes to college in 6 years, at which point I’ll be more or less free to do what I want, and ~54 is still young enough to explore without age getting too much in the way
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Like dogs, I think they know how to find their way back home.
Im wondering if someone could recommend a 4/5 day tour of DV for a first timer? I have a non triple locked 80 with a 2” lift and 33’s. I would like to see the area without getting myself into trouble if I go solo. I have lived in SoCal my whole life (58 years) and have never been to DV, drive by the turn offs every year on my way to mammoth on 395 but never taken a side trip. Is it tough to get into the camp grounds? From reading the NP map, I can camp in the back country if I maintain distance from day use areas, paved roads and natural water sources. Thx.
For a 4/5 day trip, there are several places worth visiting. Warm Springs road will take you past several talc mines and to the Warm Springs camp. There is an interesting small gold processing mill there. Continuing the drive will take you into Stripped Butte Valley. Several cabins in Stripped Butte Valley are fun to visit. It is one of my favorite places, being remote and beautiful. Depending on your bravery and road conditions, you can continue up to Mengel Pass. There are several mines, such as the Queen of Sheba and nearby Carbonate mine just a little ways from the Warm Springs road, both of which are off the south end of the West Side road. Just outside the park, on the west side is the Panamint Valley. Turning left off of 190 towards Trona, you will come upon Minietta Road. This will take you to both Thompson and Stone Canyons. You can drive all the way to the Minietta Mine and cabin in Thompson Canyon and the Modoc mine in Stone canyon. The road further up Stone Canyon requires modified vehicles and to the Defense mine, something this side of a rock crawler. The ghost town of Ballarat is at the north end of the Panamint Valley. Echo Canyon is a nice drive with the Inyo mine at the end. Some cabins and what's left of the mill is there. The Saline Valley has some warm springs and camping but it is a long ways from nothing to get there. Nice though. Unfortunately, Titus Canyon is closed as is Scotty's Castle. Walking out onto the salt flats at Badwater is worth it. Ubehebe Crater can be interesting if you like big holes. The Race track is fun if you like to look at moving rock tracks and driving 25+ miles on washboard. Lippincott road can be a hit or miss, inquire at the visitor's center. I made it in my Tundra with a 1.5 inch lift but the truck was really too big, making it a bit difficult. The drive up through Monarch Canyon to Chloride City is a nice drive depending on road conditions. The Skidoo mine is worth the trip. The road to the charcoal kilns might be closed due to construction, as is Emigrant Canyon road. Saratoga Springs is a fun visit. Rhyolite is also a fun visit. The Keene Wonder mine is interesting though the hike up to the workings and upper tram station is more of a climb and is grueling. The rangers at the visitor's center at Furnace Creek can give you the latest information plus the museums are worth the visit. To really see Death Valley, there is a lot of driving to do as the park is sizeable. Unless you take the time to get into the back country, most of what makes the park special will be missed.
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First Question, and a very important one
Will you be solo, as in one rig, or will ya have a buddy in another rig?
Second question, almost as important, how mechanical inclined you?
Will you be solo, as in one rig, or will ya have a buddy in another rig?
Second question, almost as important, how mechanical inclined you?
Turn up the volume! Took these in April.
Solo as in alone, no other rig and no one with me. I can change brakes and oil, but that is the extent of what I have done in the past. Thus I’m not looking to get to far off the beaten path, just kinda take it in and see what’s there and get some ideas for more adventurous trips in the future when my sons can join me.
Yeah, smart man, good mindset!
There’s TONS to see without getting too far off the beaten path.
I know most here will talk about getting off the path and this road and that road, but if it’s your first time, I’d suggest some of the main sights.
DV is one of the few NP where you can still see amazing attractions without insane hoards of people.
Ubehebe Crater, Dante’s View, Charcoal Kilns (and that whole area up there), Ballarat, Badwater, Father Crowleys Point, Artist Pallet, Furnace Creek visitor center (and movie) would be easy access and safe solo.
I know some heroes will chime in about how they spent a week ass deep in the DV backcountry solo on a goat trail in 4L, quadruple locked, bla bla bla. Cool story bros
I’ve come across a disturbingly high # of folks solo, broken down, and very ill prepared off the beaten path in DV. Don’t be THAT GUY
Depending which way your heading in, Trona Pinnacles is always one of our stops on the way to DV from San Diego. We Usually spend the night.
The trick to navigating around DV really is keeping tabs on the road closures. Need to check, literally a few days before you head out, that’s how often they change.
So whatever plan you come up with, have a plan B and a plan C, as it’s likely to change
Time of year is also important. Last time we there, had a few road closures due to a snowstorm near the charcoal kilns
Cerro Gordo
Nope.
The YouTube clown that bought it basically destroyed it and doesn’t give the rad tours that the old caretaker Robert used to do.
Used to LOVE my visits and hanging with Robert.
Now it’s an influencer hangout and has lost all the nostalgia
Brought the fam last year, after talking it up, was VERY VERY disappointed
I’d vote, strong pass on this now
Came into it w/out expectation for the 1st time to Cerro Gordo and I had a diff experience than you then. We chatted a while, showed us their property and bought stuff from the gift shop. In and out-checked off my list.
