Death Valley 2006 : March 24 (Friday) – March 28 (Tuesday)
01-11-2006, 12:55 PM
#61
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JokePlayer, Thanks for the input. I looked at this on my map and gave it serious consideration as I believe you've been to the area (rescued Land Rover with 2 popped tires IIRC?).
Anyway, the Saturday run does look like it may be too much driving though, with alot of it on paved roads. Same with the Sunday run. I've never been to Darwin tho I've heard the locals don't exactly roll out the red carpet. Also, I think there may be closer mines/places to camp which are closer to Goler.
Have you guys seen Roger Brown's trip report? I know of some guys that were at Lookout 'bout a month after RB was there. Seems both parties enjoyed the place, and its relatively close to PSR, which is why I thought it may be a good destination. In fact, maybe I'll PM RB and some guys I know on other forums as well, to get feedback.
Anyway, the Saturday run does look like it may be too much driving though, with alot of it on paved roads. Same with the Sunday run. I've never been to Darwin tho I've heard the locals don't exactly roll out the red carpet. Also, I think there may be closer mines/places to camp which are closer to Goler.
Have you guys seen Roger Brown's trip report? I know of some guys that were at Lookout 'bout a month after RB was there. Seems both parties enjoyed the place, and its relatively close to PSR, which is why I thought it may be a good destination. In fact, maybe I'll PM RB and some guys I know on other forums as well, to get feedback.
Originally Posted by JoKEpLaYeR
I've done trips like this and it works out well:
Friday: Night at Furnace Creek
Saturday: Run Titus Canyon, Head north, fuel at Scotties Castle, head south through the eureka sand dunes and steel pass. Camp at the Oasis (Hot Springs!)
Sunday: Lippencott mine road (parts of it are marked on my map, but it's there) to the racetrack, take saline valley back toward to 190. Fuel in FC and drop those who want to stay in the hotels off there and find a place to back country camp, maybe johnson canyon? That might be too much driving though.
Monday: Run Goler and explore the mines down there - Camp at Darwin or a mine near by
Tuesday: Head home?
Friday: Night at Furnace Creek
Saturday: Run Titus Canyon, Head north, fuel at Scotties Castle, head south through the eureka sand dunes and steel pass. Camp at the Oasis (Hot Springs!)
Sunday: Lippencott mine road (parts of it are marked on my map, but it's there) to the racetrack, take saline valley back toward to 190. Fuel in FC and drop those who want to stay in the hotels off there and find a place to back country camp, maybe johnson canyon? That might be too much driving though.
Monday: Run Goler and explore the mines down there - Camp at Darwin or a mine near by
Tuesday: Head home?
01-11-2006, 12:55 PM
#62
Originally Posted by DealMaker
This whole DV / PV / EV / SV area is HUGE!!! Keep in mind that it sounds like everyone wants to see alot of stuff, and so do I, but I think we need to plan to maximize what we can see in the given timeframe. The itinerary I listed in one of the previous posts was meant to take advantage of the destinations that are closer together or that can be kooked up w/o too much driving.
01-11-2006, 04:28 PM
#63
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Originally Posted by DealMaker
JokePlayer, Thanks for the input. I looked at this on my map and gave it serious consideration as I believe you've been to the area (rescued Land Rover with 2 popped tires IIRC?).
Sounds like you guys are going to have fun! I wish I could go.
Last edited by JoKEpLaYeR; 01-11-2006 at 04:29 PM.
01-14-2006, 12:31 PM
#64
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Wrong! I found it on my map. Salt Creek is just north of Furnace Creek near Mustard Canyon, another worthy scenic venue. I'll plan on adding both to our Monday to-see list. It very well could be that Monday will be mostly an on-road "sight-seeing" day.
Originally Posted by DealMaker
...salt creek – this is along the Saline Valley Rd. about 12 miles past the Lippencot trail turnoff.....
01-14-2006, 01:46 PM
#65
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Definite
Good Times
Bob98SR5
Paddlenbike
Expat
VerticalToy
Scottiac
chiefiji
Maybe
MeinPapa
DealMaker
DrBeau
tour4fun (if I can stuff the turbo back in fast enough, I'll be there)
Good Times
Bob98SR5
Paddlenbike
Expat
VerticalToy
Scottiac
chiefiji
Maybe
MeinPapa
DealMaker
DrBeau
tour4fun (if I can stuff the turbo back in fast enough, I'll be there)
01-14-2006, 10:46 PM
#66
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Hmmm.....Now that I'm working again (my 1st week). I may be able to afford 2 DV trips a year!!So add me as a maybe...for this trip 
I've been taking my girls 4 and 6 years old to DV since the eldest was 2 yrs old and they love it. My wife gets cars-sick easily, so its a natural dad and daughter trip, so I would say bring 'em if you got 'em!
We will be going in February, so I'll give you guys a heads up on what to expect. It looks like this year we will be doing: Fish Cnyn, Golar Wash, Phinney Cnyn....plus Titus Cyn, Scotty's Castle, Ubehebe Crater, Racetrack Valley, Lippencott Mine Rd, Saline Valley South Pass.
here's some pics from last years trip: PICS
(We missed the 2nd day of 4x4 last year because my youngest started getting a cold.)
I've been taking my girls 4 and 6 years old to DV since the eldest was 2 yrs old and they love it. My wife gets cars-sick easily, so its a natural dad and daughter trip, so I would say bring 'em if you got 'em!
We will be going in February, so I'll give you guys a heads up on what to expect. It looks like this year we will be doing: Fish Cnyn, Golar Wash, Phinney Cnyn....plus Titus Cyn, Scotty's Castle, Ubehebe Crater, Racetrack Valley, Lippencott Mine Rd, Saline Valley South Pass.
here's some pics from last years trip: PICS
(We missed the 2nd day of 4x4 last year because my youngest started getting a cold.)
01-17-2006, 10:16 AM
#68
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Originally Posted by DealMaker
the last "cheapest" gas before getting to Panamint/Death Valley area should probably be bought at Ridgecrest if coming in from So Cal
Ridgecrest, I have been there ...
Put me in the maybe block.
:pat: 
01-17-2006, 10:44 AM
#70
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Ok, I *think* I've got a start and end plan for me... just waiting on the stuff in the middle! I am going to head down the Wednesday before, stay in Bishop most likely, then go in from the north end Thursday morning, and play around in Eureka Dunes and all that other fun stuff at that end of the world. Thursday night I'll either stay up there (Mesquite Springs, maybe, or just bc) or head down to PSR if we're going to meet up early on Friday.
Friday-Tuesday, whatever the mobs come up with
Tuesday - Thursday or Friday, hang out on the Furnace Creek side of things, and do the hiking sort of activities with a high "wing it" factor, then head back home somewhere after that. If the wife can take *that* weekend off too, I'll stay longer, but not too likely at this point.
Friday-Tuesday, whatever the mobs come up with
Tuesday - Thursday or Friday, hang out on the Furnace Creek side of things, and do the hiking sort of activities with a high "wing it" factor, then head back home somewhere after that. If the wife can take *that* weekend off too, I'll stay longer, but not too likely at this point.
01-17-2006, 11:18 AM
#72
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UPDATE
Dates:
March 24 (Friday) – March 28 (Tuesday) plus or minus
Itinerary:
23-Thursday Arrive and sleep at PSR campground or lodge
24-Friday Run Pleasant Canyon or Lookout Mountain, sleep at PSR.
25-Saturday Run Goler Wash, sleep b/c in Butte Valley
26-Sunday Exit Butte Valley, Warm Spring Canyon and go to Johnson
Canyon. Back country camp at end of trail? Note: Those who
need to head home on Sunday will probably be best to turn
around and exit back thru Goler Wash after we break camp if
they want to save a good hour + on their drive home. Or
they can break off at the Johnson Canyon/West Side Rd.
turn-off and continue north to the pavement and thru
Badwater to Furnace Creek, about 28 miles. and continue
taking the pavement the rest of the way.
27-Monday Exit Johnson Canyon to Furnace Creek. See: Eagle Borax
Works, Badwater, Devils Golf Course, Artist Drive/Palette (if
open by then), Mustard Canyon and Salt Creek, run part of
Echo Canyon trail to Eye of the Needle or maybe even up to
the dry fall and bang up our trucks), back to FC and see the
Visitors Center, set up camp or check in hotels, etc. Group
dinner at the restaurant?
28-Tuesday Head home, passing thru Stovepipe Wells for those that want
to see Grotto Canyon and Mosaic Canyon and maybe even
The Sand Dunes.
Things to Consider:
1. This is a family trip. As such, I’m sure it would be appreciated by most if not all of us that there not be any recreational drug use, drunken stupidity, lewd and crude behavior and language, gun play, fireworks, etc.
2. An entrance fee is required, and is expected to be paid when we are within a reasonable proximity to a NPS fee station. Unless some of you are passing thru DV on your way to the Friday meeting spot, the closest one will be in Furnace Creek when we get there. Those who don’t have an annual pass should expect to pay $20 (per their own vehicle) at that time.
3. There are restrictions on Overnight Group Camping and Campfires. Read this page for details.
4. This is not a professionally sponsored or organized trip. It is simply a shared itinerary for a gathering of people with a common interest, and who will probably be doing the same things for a certain period of time. All attendees understand and agree that they assume full responsibility for their own actions and vehicles, and agree to hold harmless any organizers, trail spotters, cooks, advice-givers and fortune tellers, real or perceived, from any liability whatsoever.
Attendees:
Definite
Good Times
Bob98SR5
Paddlenbike
Expat
VerticalToy
Scottiac
chiefiji
Maybe
MeinPapa
DealMaker
DrBeau
tour4fun
RLJ3RD
Dates:
March 24 (Friday) – March 28 (Tuesday) plus or minus
Itinerary:
23-Thursday Arrive and sleep at PSR campground or lodge
24-Friday Run Pleasant Canyon or Lookout Mountain, sleep at PSR.
25-Saturday Run Goler Wash, sleep b/c in Butte Valley
26-Sunday Exit Butte Valley, Warm Spring Canyon and go to Johnson
Canyon. Back country camp at end of trail? Note: Those who
need to head home on Sunday will probably be best to turn
around and exit back thru Goler Wash after we break camp if
they want to save a good hour + on their drive home. Or
they can break off at the Johnson Canyon/West Side Rd.
turn-off and continue north to the pavement and thru
Badwater to Furnace Creek, about 28 miles. and continue
taking the pavement the rest of the way.
27-Monday Exit Johnson Canyon to Furnace Creek. See: Eagle Borax
Works, Badwater, Devils Golf Course, Artist Drive/Palette (if
open by then), Mustard Canyon and Salt Creek, run part of
Echo Canyon trail to Eye of the Needle or maybe even up to
the dry fall and bang up our trucks), back to FC and see the
Visitors Center, set up camp or check in hotels, etc. Group
dinner at the restaurant?
28-Tuesday Head home, passing thru Stovepipe Wells for those that want
to see Grotto Canyon and Mosaic Canyon and maybe even
The Sand Dunes.
Things to Consider:
1. This is a family trip. As such, I’m sure it would be appreciated by most if not all of us that there not be any recreational drug use, drunken stupidity, lewd and crude behavior and language, gun play, fireworks, etc.
2. An entrance fee is required, and is expected to be paid when we are within a reasonable proximity to a NPS fee station. Unless some of you are passing thru DV on your way to the Friday meeting spot, the closest one will be in Furnace Creek when we get there. Those who don’t have an annual pass should expect to pay $20 (per their own vehicle) at that time.
3. There are restrictions on Overnight Group Camping and Campfires. Read this page for details.
4. This is not a professionally sponsored or organized trip. It is simply a shared itinerary for a gathering of people with a common interest, and who will probably be doing the same things for a certain period of time. All attendees understand and agree that they assume full responsibility for their own actions and vehicles, and agree to hold harmless any organizers, trail spotters, cooks, advice-givers and fortune tellers, real or perceived, from any liability whatsoever.
Attendees:
Definite
Good Times
Bob98SR5
Paddlenbike
Expat
VerticalToy
Scottiac
chiefiji
Maybe
MeinPapa
DealMaker
DrBeau
tour4fun
RLJ3RD
Last edited by DealMaker; 01-17-2006 at 03:16 PM.
01-17-2006, 12:11 PM
#73
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SOunds great and more relaxed than last year, good planning 
I will be a maybe for Sat/Sun, I will see if I can driv edown Friday night and join you guys at PSR. I will then have to drive back Sunday afternoon/evening.
So I updated the list.
Attendees:
Definite
Good Times
Bob98SR5
Paddlenbike
Expat
VerticalToy
Scottiac
chiefiji
Maybe
MeinPapa
DealMaker
DrBeau
tour4fun
RLJ3RD
bulldog (Fri night/Sat/Sun)
I will be a maybe for Sat/Sun, I will see if I can driv edown Friday night and join you guys at PSR. I will then have to drive back Sunday afternoon/evening.
So I updated the list.
Attendees:
Definite
Good Times
Bob98SR5
Paddlenbike
Expat
VerticalToy
Scottiac
chiefiji
Maybe
MeinPapa
DealMaker
DrBeau
tour4fun
RLJ3RD
bulldog (Fri night/Sat/Sun)
01-17-2006, 02:01 PM
#74
This is sounding great to me!
I will be leaving the central valley either Wednesday (stay with a friend in Mammoth Lakes) or if that doesn't work I will arrive in DV Thurs night. I plan on extending my stay until Friday or Saturday to make time to visit Titus Canyon areas to the northeast, do some hikes (shown in the photos I posted above) between Furnace Creek and Badwater to the south and I would like to spend a day or two poking around in the northwest in the vicinity of the Racetrack and Eureka Dunes. This is shaping up nicely, thanks for all the efforts!
I will be leaving the central valley either Wednesday (stay with a friend in Mammoth Lakes) or if that doesn't work I will arrive in DV Thurs night. I plan on extending my stay until Friday or Saturday to make time to visit Titus Canyon areas to the northeast, do some hikes (shown in the photos I posted above) between Furnace Creek and Badwater to the south and I would like to spend a day or two poking around in the northwest in the vicinity of the Racetrack and Eureka Dunes. This is shaping up nicely, thanks for all the efforts!
01-17-2006, 02:24 PM
#75
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Originally Posted by Good Times
Just booked a room ($152.92 after tax - 1 queen) at Furnace Creek Ranch for Monday Mar 27. Figure that'll be a good nice night for me to unwind and clean up before heading back home for work.. lol
This means that I'm a YES for sure!!!
Expect me Fri night ... super late.. Will try to leave work early but most likely head out of LA around 7-8pm... 
sux to be me I think... Atleast I'll have a copilot keeping me company
P... hope you can make it and bring your FAM! well if not atleast your wife ... then again that goes for all of ya other guys/gals too!
This means that I'm a YES for sure!!!
Expect me Fri night ... super late.. Will try to leave work early but most likely head out of LA around 7-8pm... sux to be me I think... Atleast I'll have a copilot keeping me company P... hope you can make it and bring your FAM! well if not atleast your wife
... then again that goes for all of ya other guys/gals too!Last edited by RLJ3RD; 01-17-2006 at 02:26 PM.
02-03-2006, 06:38 AM
#78
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Originally Posted by RLJ3RD
FWIW ... Beatty Nevada is not that far from DV and close to Scotty's Castle. Call the Stage Coach Hotel and Casino and tell them you are from Ridgecrest and a decent room will only cost you $19.95 a nite.
Second, can you give more details as how far the motel is from DV? When you say "not that far," what does that mean in miles and time?
Thanks.
02-03-2006, 07:25 AM
#79
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Originally Posted by ebelen1
First off, I'm in.
Second, can you give more details as how far the motel is from DV? When you say "not that far," what does that mean in miles and time?
Thanks.
Second, can you give more details as how far the motel is from DV? When you say "not that far," what does that mean in miles and time?
Thanks.
Beatty to Death Valley
