Ditto for me... I think we should have plenty of spots, from the sound of things...

 

Lance, there is a very good chance I will drive out early (5:30AM) Thursday so I can get a bit of action on Thursday and also run Pleasant Canyon Friday, then I'll drive home Sat AM. If I abort I'll let you know so I can pass off the map & book to you.

eeeesh...bad traffic memories of our last DV trip!
Yes.

Thanks Lee. My 395 directions were kinda screwy. I was thinking of that Garlock Rd./Trona Rd.(?) shortcut and not the 395.

 

Good point on the Trona Cutoff. If you won't be filling up in Ridgecrest you can take the Trona Cutoff (located between the little towns of Red Mountain and Johannesburg) and save a few miles, maybe this map will be helpful.

 

Hey guys, check trail conditions if you are going up the passes. There are flash floods and snow at higher elevations.

Panamint and other places can have up-to-the-min info on conditions. Last week it was nice but cold at night and rains moved in (snow at higher elev).

Be safe, it is very beautiful there right now

 

Well, Bob has the same womanly figure as Martha, although a little shorter I'd imagine...

Hope that helps...

 

steve,

dont hate. but i will say this: you got some nice looking man boobs. i think i'll stop by victoria's secret for your bday gift, k?

bob

 

firewood is welcome to be stored in the bed of my truck for this trip. I shouldn't have too much stuff back there and the more wood there is, the less my hilift will bounce around

Any areas where we can pick up some cheap firewood?

 

Maybe Lee (RLJ3RD) can make a recommendation of a place to p/u some cheap up in Ridgecrest. Other than that, I know of a place in West LA on Sepulveda between Pico and Olympic. (right off the 405)

 

Contact info and itinerary sent via email and pm. Please email me at goodtimes (at) chaosedition.com if you did not receive it.

Thanks!

 

i usually goto local lumberyards and pick up scrap for FREE! most pieces are under 24" so no need to cut either


wish i was goin :cry:

 

Temperatures are forecasted in the high 80s/low 90s during our stay...spring is here!

Is there any shade at the PSR campgrounds? I have a sun canopy I could bring along; my stock rear coil springs scream "no!" but it might be nice to have.

 

Yes, the beauty of PSR is that there are trees at many of the tent campsites, and there is a nice covered patio at the restaurant with killer views. PSR will be cooler than the valley floor in Death Valley proper by ten degrees or so due to its higher elevation.

Also, the higher altitude portion of the run to Lippencott and up to the Racetrack Playa, the Goler Wash wash run at Mengal Pass and the upper portions of Butte Valley should be cooler, and Pleasant Canyon/South Park loop will be much cooler. Very good chance of snow on the ground in places from the weather up there the past few days.

You guys who are planning on coming in fromthe north thru Eureka, Steel, etc. should also verify the conditions with the NPS before you head out.

 

Due to my family obligation cutting short my trip, I'm gonna head up there early Thursday AM so I can get in some action that day. If any of you early arrivers (Scottiac, Paddlenbike, dfireballd, any others??) want to meet up if you get in early on Thursday, let me know.

 

I am planning on leaving Sacramento around 7:30 a.m. and heading to Tahoe, over Kingsbury Grade and down 395, which means I likely will not arrive in Panamint Springs until 5:30 p.m. at best. I presume you will you have the tri-tip ready when we arrive?

Anyone else headed south on 395?

 

It turns out that I won't be leaving San Diego until 2:30pm on Thursday

I'll be moving to get to DV ASAP so I'll get there in about 5 hours.

 

Dam, That would have worked perfectly for me but I just took my truck in for some new rear springs and I won't have it back until at least Friday.

Hopefully next time.

 

EDIT: Titus Canyon still closed.

 

Not unless you want to buy a cord. The grocery stores should still be carrying small bundles though.

FWIW ... I wouldn't count on temps in the 80's at least not around PSR. The Coso's and Panamints all got a good dusting of snow last night. It's unusually cold right now and I would bring warm clothing just in case. If your sleeping on the ground have a really good sleeping bag, one good down to freezing temps or so, it's gonna get cold at night!

 

The Norcal 80 guys were there a week or so ago and reported temps as low as 18 at night, so be prepared. James can probably give an indication of the cold spots.

 

Ya, during the cold spell PV and DV valley floor lows were in the mid-high 30's and way below freezing at the higher elevations. Most of our trip is at the lower elevations and the weather has improved since last week. Here is the forecast for Darwin, which is close to PSR...
AccuWeather for Darwin

and for Death Valley...

the coldest night will probably be Sunday night when you guys camp b/c in Butte Valley (4,000+ elevation?), unless you continue into Warm Springs Canyon (the later part of that whole run) which is closer to the Death Valley valley floor and at least a couple thousand feet lower in elevation.

Daytime run portions before heading into DV proper will be at elevations of 2,000-7,000 on Friday, 2,000-6,000 ft. Saturday, and 2000-4,500 ft (Mengal Pass?) on Sunday. From then on its life below sea level.

The south portion of Saline Valley Rd. goes thru South Pass, elev. 6000, and may not allow access to Lipencott Grade due to winter conditions. I'll check it out and report what I find.

In any event, YES, bring some warm clothes, sweats for sleeping (or just your G/F), and a good pad and bag if you'll be sleeping on the ground. Oh...lots of water, too.