I didn't mean all night.
I could leave pretty early Friday, like 3pm?Oh, and Red Bull gives you wings!
Who wants to go to Death Valley this fall/ winter
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I could leave pretty early Friday, like 3pm?Oh, and Red Bull gives you wings!
@landcrshr Will there be a central meeting point and time for the NorCal rigs if so inclined?
It would depend where we are starting from going into DV, our last trip we met in Cordelia and took 395 south.
Never been down the 395 corridor and it was beautiful sight. That is an 80 in front of me Paul.
It is absolutely stunning. My 1st time East of the mountains was the Fall of 2020. The colors were amazing passing over.Never been down the 395 corridor and it was beautiful sight. That is an 80 in front of me Paul.
Yeah, I get that you guys coming from the North Bay & Sacramento would probably prefer to go through Tahoe and then down 395. Whenever I take a northern approach into DV, I go Hwy 88 to 395. But for the sake of the guys to the south, I was thinking of a Southern approach.
So at this point I have not established a central meeting point, at least not for Saturday. Maybe we'll have two groups, and maybe we'll even hit the trail at staggered times, it's all good with me. My goal for Sunday is to be at Ballarat by noon, fed, fueled and aired down.
And who knows, the way this winter is going, maybe Sonora or even Tioga pass will be open by then and we'll have another option.
I'll be going in early April, thinking about doing A night at trona pinnacles or mahogany flats , then meeting up a friend that booked 2 nights at furnace Creek for more exploring. Looking forward to hearing about current conditions from any of y'all going
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Older son is planning to do the mojave road around 12th of Mar (with some mates in a few vehicles), so I figure I'll meet him in Barstow (coming from the bay area) after exploring a petroglyph site n/w of barstow and then drive the mojave road west-east. Take a few days through that area and then head up to DV from the southerly direction. Do mengel etc (been 20yrs since last there) and then head up the west side and explore. Planning to visit titus since never saw it last time. Also would like to check out dedeckera and anything else that makes sense. Figuring to spend a week+ exploring the area. Will be on my lonesome and living out of the back of our 80.
So, any suggestions of neat things to see/visit factoring I won't have a spotter other than my own eyeballs
Not scared of desert or remoteness - plenty of that in the oz bush
Have a subtank, so fuel is not a significant issue for exploring. Not in a rush and want to explore, relax and enjoy versus zooming around like a headless chook.
cheers,
george.
So, any suggestions of neat things to see/visit factoring I won't have a spotter other than my own eyeballs
Not scared of desert or remoteness - plenty of that in the oz bush Have a subtank, so fuel is not a significant issue for exploring. Not in a rush and want to explore, relax and enjoy versus zooming around like a headless chook.
cheers,
george.
So should the meet up plan be Ballarat on Sunday and ready to roll by noon (or earlier if everyone is arriving on Saturday)?
There's only a slim chance I would be there early. I suppose if I had the energy to drive straight through on Saturday, I could be in Ballarat Saturday night. That would require a good night's sleep though, and I haven't had one of those in years.
Of coarse no one is obligated wait for me either.I think the last time I ever tried to leave the Bay Area on a Friday evening I said "Never again".
Edit: But to answer your question, yeah, that's pretty much it.
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If you're exploring the West side, the Queen of Sheba mine area is a quick side trip. There are some cabins and artifacts to check out as well as a cool view looking up the DV basin.Older son is planning to do the mojave road around 12th of Mar (with some mates in a few vehicles), so I figure I'll meet him in Barstow (coming from the bay area) after exploring a petroglyph site n/w of barstow and then drive the mojave road west-east. Take a few days through that area and then head up to DV from the southerly direction. Do mengel etc (been 20yrs since last there) and then head up the west side and explore. Planning to visit titus since never saw it last time. Also would like to check out dedeckera and anything else that makes sense. Figuring to spend a week+ exploring the area. Will be on my lonesome and living out of the back of our 80.
So, any suggestions of neat things to see/visit factoring I won't have a spotter other than my own eyeballs
Have a subtank, so fuel is not a significant issue for exploring. Not in a rush and want to explore, relax and enjoy versus zooming around like a headless chook.
cheers,
george.
Don't attempt Johnson canyon if you're short on time. It's an agonizingly rough trail, it took me a full two hours to go the 10 miles with having to spot myself several times at the end. I wanted to hike up to see the old site of Hungry Bill's ranch, but the last section of road was washed out so I only hiked as far as the first spring, which was pretty cool to see all the greenery.
Trail Canyon is a good drive with a lot to see. There are supposed to be some fossil beds on the way up, but I couldn't find them. As the road goes up into the Panamints, it will start to turn South then come to a fork. The right fork will take you to some old structures and an awesome old trailer. The left fork continues up the South fork of the canyon and eventually ends at another old camp with some more old cabins and mining ruins. I think you're at about 5000' at that point. I was hoping to head back up there on this trip and hike one of the side canyons.
I didn't get up to Galena canyon or Hanaupah canyon.
HTH, have a good trip!
surfpig
The Anti-Tech
I’m about 96.7% sure I’ll join up, at least for the first 3-4 days, depending on routes, etc. For Saturday I’ll probably camp in the alabama hills, then get an early start.
Interested to see potential itineraries/plans. Definitely want to hit Butte Valley.
Interested to see potential itineraries/plans. Definitely want to hit Butte Valley.
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^ thanks for suggestions. I'll do some google/map searching to get some waypoints of the spots so I know where they are and how to get to them. Given the current trend, the weather should be awesome!
I'm certainly in no rush, as long as I'm back before Mar 28 all would be good with the household swmbo.
cheers,
george.
I'm certainly in no rush, as long as I'm back before Mar 28 all would be good with the household swmbo.
cheers,
george.
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Anyone been on the Owls Hole Spring Rd (that gets into the owlshead mountains? It's the southern most area/road and borders the north edge of fort irwin.
Seems like a nice remote area with some springs and stuff to check out.
cheers,
george.
Seems like a nice remote area with some springs and stuff to check out.
cheers,
george.
Bay Area for me as well. These dates seem more doable. Leaving EARLY 4/2 better than leaving Friday night which is BRUTAL.
Good idea. I'm 80% or so with the 4/1-4/6 dates. I'll still probably start the drive on Friday, despite the opinions to the contrary.
I invited my son who's in Sac. If he joins we may caravan with surfpig, depending on stuff and things.
Alabama Hills looks cool.
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surfpig
The Anti-Tech
It is.
A week isn’t even nearly enough time…
A week isn’t even nearly enough time…
surfpig
The Anti-Tech
A week in Owens valley, a week in Death Valley, and about a week to make it back home.
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