Death Valley '07 Planning Thread

[Expat]

Bummer. I'm already committed to DV with the 120Forum on March 23rd-25th. Would like to have run with you guys. Last year was so much fun. Cheers Mark

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[Good Times]

Tentative itinerary posted on first post. If you can make it please comment on which option everyone is interested in so we can finalize our camping arrangements for Monday night.

Those that can attend please post up with total number in your party.

Courtesy pot luck has been scheduled for Saturday night. Please see details on first post.

Thanks!

[slosurfer]

Slosurfer my son 2.5 yrs. old('93 4runner) Fri-Tues
I have campsite #19 reserved for Friday night, will probably leave Friday morning as it appears to be about a 7 hr. drive.
I vote for Option 1

[Photog]

Photog - I will be able to catch up with you on Monday. That looks like the only day I will be able to join in. AND I vote for option 1.

[surf4runner]

st. patricks weekend

me & my son(4.5yo) = 2

my plan: leave LA fri (around peak traffic if all goes as planned ) and arrive DV ~10PM (earliest) - leave DV sun eve

[Good Times]

I know the first post is very long so make sure to take the time to read thru the book. I got carried away while attempting to keep myself occupied watching the darn super bowl game yesterday.

Camping is noted on the top and also on the bottom with details on how to make arrangements. I've also included caravan options available so if you can post up location/eta on departure that'll help build a profile so we can all try to leave around the same time. the drive out to dv is rather dull so going up as a group will definitely be more entertaining than enjoyin the darkness alone.

The second half of the trip has an alternate route. This route will heavily depend on where we stay so please post up on which option best suits your fancy. We'll go with a majority vote in the next few days so make sure to voice your opinions!

[sincity04]

Are PSR and Stovepipe dog friendly?

[Good Times]

PSR and Stovepipe Wells are both pet friendly (leash required).

[slosurfer]

Bump.....

[DealMaker]

Hey Lance, both the Sunday itinerary and the Monday Option 2 itinerary look too thick. I don't think it will be possible to complete those runs in the daylight and enjoying some of the mines, etc., especially if there is a larger group.

As an FYI, Echo Canyon to the dryfalls and back is prolly a half-day run, with the expectation that you will stop and check out the mines and have lunch on the trail. Finishing out Butte Valley and also doing Johnson Canyon will probably take up most of the day if you also Hike to Hungry Bills.

When we did the Pleasant Canyon/South Park loop last year, I think we left PSR by 9:00AM and we arrived back there at sunset. That was with only five vehicles and not many stops.

[Photog]

Tanto, on the first post, mark me down for Monday only.

[Tanto]

You weren't kidding when you said that you were going to do a "little" research and announce that you were probably going to make the trip, Lance!

I revisit this thread and people are talking about reservations and options so I was a bit shocked to see that you came up with so much info already but I likes it

I'm going to withold my opinion on which Option I would like because I need to break out my map of the area and visualize the proposed route to see about DealMaker's comment on doing too much those days.

[Tanto]

I added an Important Info section of the 1st post. Lance, let's throw any future keynotes in there so it won't be so spread out. I don't want to see anyone run out of gas or be cold.

I also added my Caravan route and rough directions to DV from San Diego. I also posted my tentative caravan time on the 20th. Lance, could you post when you're expecting to be leaving the L.A. area so people can get an idea of when they would need to meet up?

Just to clarify a few things on the Panamint Springs campsite....If you aren't able to get a campsite near the rest of the group when you reserve a spot, just explain to the campsite admin that your with group that is in spots XX, XX, etc. and would like a spot as close to them as possible. Chances are that someone backed out on their reservation and the people there are very nice to work with.

[Tanto]

Originally Posted by Expat

Bummer. I'm already committed to DV with the 120Forum on March 23rd-25th. Would like to have run with you guys. Last year was so much fun.

Cheers
Mark

We'll miss seeing you out on the trip this year. Nice skidplate in your avatar BTW.

[slosurfer]

What is a good suggestion for a good detailed map of this whole area? Or is it so spread out, that it will cover a couple maps? I prefer shade relief or contour lines and waterproof if available. If you know of a good one or where to order it let me know. Also, I updated my above post with my campsite #, vehicle, option, and # of people. Thanks Tanto and Goodtimes for putting this together.

[Tanto]

This is the DV map I have: http://www.tomharrisonmaps.com/online%20order.html

It's no match for the right GPS map, but it's pretty good.

[slosurfer]

Those seem pretty good, I use them in conjunction with my GPS, so as long as it is to scale, I can know where I am at. Thanks for the link.

[Good Times]

Pierre you bring up a good point! I stacked the days heavily for sun-tues because I wasn't sure who was going to be left with the group. I'd rather have too much to do than run out of things to do (though in dv you really can't).

We did Hanaupah Canyon which ended up taking up more time than we all anticipated so I suspect if we do take one of those side canyon's that'll be pretty much be the day in itself.

What I was planning to do was assess the group showing up on a daily basis and determine which trails are appropriate for the group size/vehicle type we have. We kinda did the same last year and it actually worked out better than just keeping to the itinerary to the dot.

Btw you gonna be able to join us?

[DealMaker]

Good idea, Lance. I'm not sure if I'll be there or not, it'll be a last-minute decision as I'm buried with work these days.

Originally Posted by Good Times

Pierre you bring up a good point! I stacked the days heavily for sun-tues because I wasn't sure who was going to be left with the group. I'd rather have too much to do than run out of things to do (though in dv you really can't).

We did Hanaupah Canyon which ended up taking up more time than we all anticipated so I suspect if we do take one of those side canyon's that'll be pretty much be the day in itself.

What I was planning to do was assess the group showing up on a daily basis and determine which trails are appropriate for the group size/vehicle type we have. We kinda did the same last year and it actually worked out better than just keeping to the itinerary to the dot.

Btw you gonna be able to join us?

[paddlenbike]

I posted some interesting historical development documents for Death Valley and Panamint Springs Resort in a thread located here:
http://www.yotatech.com/showthread.php?t=106495

[slosurfer]

Just as an FYI to the planners, I have been looking at all the DV stuff on the web and it looks like the gas pumps at Scotty's Castle are down.
http://www.nps.gov/deva/

[surf4runner]

i reserved another tent spot (no confirm. yet) and asked for #16. i can share the spot as well.

id like to caravan up on fri (from LA area?) and find out who else is leaving sun day/eve to team up

[Sleeper]

I was thinking I could make this one but I can't get away for that time period. Hope you guys have a killer trip. I expect pics...........

[Expat]

Registering my interest. Only tentative due to some work issues but these dates look better for me.

Plus I get to catch up with some good buddies I don't see too often.

Not sure who will be coming with me at this stage (whole family/son/mate).

Thanks
Mark

Edit: I have booked online and hopefully secured tent site #15 for PSR

[paddlenbike]

I'm in.