Who wants to go to Death Valley this fall/ winter

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Looks like me & @SIZZLE will meet up in Livermore at around 8 or 9am and then head down I-5.

My plan is to drive as far as I can until fatigue gets the better of me. That might be 5 or 6 hours. Sorry, but age is catching up with me it seems.

Jawbone Canyon OHV area will be an option for camping out for the night. It's not much, but the camping is free and they do have (a few) toilets.

I think if we leave Jawbone by 8am, we should still have time to get breakfast in Ridgecrest and make it to Ballarat on schedule.
Is there Camping at Ballarat ? and what time is schedule meet up time for Sunday morning ?

Trying to figure out if I need to start Saturday or early Sunday morning ;) I'm only about 6 Hrs away from Ballarat.

Who all is planing to camp at Jawbone Saturday nite ?
 
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What part of DV are you planning to explore? We were there back in March and we hit up Lippincott trail and Cerro Gordo mines.
I watch those videos on YT from the guy who lives in Cerro Gordo. He's NUTZ but I like the videos regardless!
 
and what time is schedule meet up time for Sunday morning ?
Sorry, I guess that was a few pages back. I'd like to be ready to roll out of Ballarat by Noon on Sunday.

Yes, you can camp there, but there's no mistaking it for an actual campground.

Camping at Jawbone is mostly optional, if I have the energy to push on through the extra 2 hours, I might try and make it to Ballarat Saturday night.
 
And now for the fine print.

As the instigator (I won't say organizer) I feel I should point out the regulations on group size while traveling/camping within the national park.

If you're bored you can read all the rules and regulations here:

Since our group will include more than 4 vehicles, this is the part that would pertain to us:

Group size limits:
  • In designated campgrounds, group size limitations on the number of vehicles and the number of persons per campsite, or campground are as posted. If group size limits are not posted, the limit is 2 vehicles or 4 motorcycles or one recreational vehicle and 8 people per designated campsite.
  • In non-designated campgrounds, group size is limited to 12 persons and no more than 4 vehicles, and/or 8 pack animals, and/or 4 vehicles. Groups larger than 12 must split up into smaller groups and must camp, hike, and eat at least a half-mile apart. Larger groups may request an exception to these limits from the superintendent under the terms of a special use permit.
So it looks like when in the back-country, we might have to camp in two groups at least a half-mile apart. I don't see any issue with that.
 
I never knew that. I wonder if it's ever enforced though.

:hhmm:
 
Probably good to do a roll call and confirm who is still going. Post up if you’re still in. I’m still in.

I say we meet in Ballarat on Sunday morning and roll as soon as everyone is there but plan on heading into the park no later than noon. How does that sound to everyone?
 
In!
 
In ;)
 
I am going and will slowly make my way back home Thursday.
 
I never knew that. I wonder if it's ever enforced though.

:hmm:
Meh..lol
bl.webp
 
Probably good to do a roll call and confirm who is still going. Post up if you’re still in. I’m still in.

I say we meet in Ballarat on Sunday morning and roll as soon as everyone is there but plan on heading into the park no later than noon. How does that sound to everyone?
Sounds good, and of course I'm IN.

Probably a good idea to take this discussion to "conversations" soon where we can exchange phone #'s
 
And now for the fine print.

As the instigator (I won't say organizer) I feel I should point out the regulations on group size while traveling/camping within the national park.

If you're bored you can read all the rules and regulations here:

Since our group will include more than 4 vehicles, this is the part that would pertain to us:

Group size limits:
  • In designated campgrounds, group size limitations on the number of vehicles and the number of persons per campsite, or campground are as posted. If group size limits are not posted, the limit is 2 vehicles or 4 motorcycles or one recreational vehicle and 8 people per designated campsite.
  • In non-designated campgrounds, group size is limited to 12 persons and no more than 4 vehicles, and/or 8 pack animals, and/or 4 vehicles. Groups larger than 12 must split up into smaller groups and must camp, hike, and eat at least a half-mile apart. Larger groups may request an exception to these limits from the superintendent under the terms of a special use permit.
So it looks like when in the back-country, we might have to camp in two groups at least a half-mile apart. I don't see any issue with that.

I am going and will slowly make my way back home Thursday.
On both of our trips to DV there were at least 7 vehicles and 10 adults with 4 kids, we ran into a park ranger at the hot springs and he didn't mention anything about the rules. It would be next to impossible to enforce since there are few rangers that wander around.

I too will plan on returning Thursday unless there is reason to stay, It would be a good idea to exchange info. and maybe we could plan on what to bring.
Of course I'm going.
 

Alas I have been procrasting my post here. I completely forgot that Monday, 4/4 is my GF's birthday. Rewind about a month to me making a big deal that we had to come back from our May vacation a day early to be around on my mother's birthday, and you can see how it would look if I skipped out on that day. :(

I suppose I could sell the house and get a new GF when I get back...
 

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