i'll be taking the 10 -> 15 -> 127 -> 190.

potential meeting places on this route that i can think of are: ontario mills mall, victorville, and barstow

 

Dont worry the one trail that will be off limits was a maybe to start with. I think we will be OK for the most part.

I suggest phoning a Ranger station to see what can be done in regards to the campsite at Stovepipewells. Maybe if you establish a campsite it can stay there for the duration, especially if there are a few tents.

 

I looked at mapquest and it also suggests this route, but I don't think it's the best way. 395 up until the split before Ridgecrest seems like the fastest way. Maybe we shoudl figure out the fastest way. I can tell you for sure that coming home Sunday via Baker and the 15 is a BAD idea.

 

My break down of the DV trip I just got back from: https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...660#post554660.

Let me know if you have questions about closed roads or anything else!

 

Hmmm...Interesting trip report with all those flats. I think my choice of tires just changed.

 

Get a Yakima cargo box, like a SPace Booster, and use it to carry all your light stuff, i.e. clothes, sleeping bags and tents, etc. The boxes are lockable and sit on your roof rack, pretty convenient way to transport light but bulky things.

 

3-ply sidewalls..... get 3-ply sidewalls. That is another lesson I learned. I have the road hazzard warrenty on my duelers, but there wasn't a Wheel Works near-by. That's why I got the $20 used tire mounted. I read the warrenty latter and it says you can get the tire replaced and send wheel works the reciept!

 

Yeah get LT tires rather than P rated ones. I only have P rated Revos as they dont make LTs in 17" :cry: FOr the Sports you have to stick to 17" wheels so for AT's your choices of LT tires are limited. BFG is the only one I know, and maybe Yokohama. I liked the Revos more, and with all said I have not had problems in rocks with my P Revos (touch wood).

I have had a bead pop off at Pismo, but that was rather stupidity than the tire. (note to self: "dont make donuts with a permanent 4wd 4Runner")

What I have learned is that you air down less with P tires as the sidewalls are softer, so they deform easier than LTs. It also help to protect them a bit better.

 

Just something my girlfriend mentioned to me...
because of all the rain we got this year's desert foliage will be more spectacular than ever and it will probably be a long time before it's like this again.

Maybe a selling point with a significant other.

I can't make it to this trip because of how far away it is BUT I may be headed out to a local desert this weekend with Jennifer

 

Pffff...excuses excuses.

 

Well, if I get both diffs plugged up, the CV boot secured, the headers installed, and other misc. than I'll be up for it

 

bring the taco instead

bob

 

Mebbe... I'd really prefer to bring the 4runner though.
I might just take some time off this week and next and try to get it all fixed up.

Maybe.

 

I'm thinking I may bow out of this guys. I just can't rationalize going to Death Valley 2 weekends in a row and missing all that work. I could do it, but then I would have no money next month. I really wanted to come to wheel and meet everybody, but I just don't think it's the right thing right now. I'll be sure to report back what I know next week when I get back. Have fun everybody!

- Scottiac (fri PM -> tue PM, FC)
- Bonnie (Scottiac's mom, taco dbl cab, but may ride with S., FC)
- Bulldog( fri PM (Have to sleep in Ridgecrest but will be there early Sat) -> tue PM, SW)
- Bob_98SR5 and Good Times (fri PM -> Sun. Taking Bob's truck)
- Chiefiji (fri PM -> Sun, backcountry) (Assume you are in since Scott cleared tire issue)
- 04Runner (Friday departing Calabasas approx 2.00pm)
- RBLACAUSA (Friday - to ??)

 

What is your itinerary? I just got back from DV and it was an amazing, epic trip.

Maybe avoid Pleasant Canyon for the stock rigs, sliders/lift or both required for that. There is a rocky section, otherwise ok. It's a really fun trail though- possibly an optional for some people?

My group mostly had MTR's but saw a few BFG AT's and other offroad tires. Street tire guys should be dilligent about the sharp rocks.

It's a once-in-a-lifetime Death Valley so you're lucky if you make it out!

 

What dates were you there? Did you see an '88 4Runner and an '86 Turbo Pickup? I was there March 8-13. Where you with a group of about 16 rigs?

 

Yes, it was mostly Land Cruisers. I don't think I saw you guys tho?
Couple shots:

 

Seeing as we are not travelling to DV as a group, we will need to find each other and sometimes things go wrong in plans to meetup. Do you guys want to pm me your details? I can put together a spreadsheet and email it back to you before we go.

YT User name, actual name, vehicle rego number and color/model, cell number, cb call sign. Anything else?

How about getting the info to me by the end of this weekend?

Mark

 

Ok this is the planning in terms of the itinerary. Everybody will also notice that the days might be very full, so we will have to get breakfest early fill up and get going. Oh and pack lunch .

Guys meeting up on Friday night might just want to meet up at SPW campground or restaurant (???). I can only join Sat morning.


Sat:
- Start Stovepipe Wells (SPW) (9:30 am meet at campground, see map below)
- Ubehebe Crater
- Race track
- Lippencott or Hidden Valley
- Saline Valley Rd
- 190
- Cottonwood caynon (Lets see how late it is when we get back to SPW)
- Back at Stovepipe wells (Dinner)

Sun:
- Start Furnace creek (Breakfest?? + gas) (Can decide on time on Sat)
- West side road (Maybe do one of the canyon roads off it ?? )
- Mengel Pass Trail (Butte Valley Road)
- Ballarat
- Wildrose
- Emigrant Canyon
- Stovepipe Wells (or Furnace Creek Dinner)

Mon:
- Start Stovepipe (you know the drill)
- Titus Canyon (Hope is repaired by then or we can see if a 4Runner can clear a 5ft trench  )
- Badwater and Devil’s Golf course ( do a quick round of golf )
- Artist Palette
- Chill out somewhere and play (Dunes??)
- Scotty's Castle or some wild flower spots (We can decide on Sun or during the day)
- Dinner Furnace or StovepipeWells

Tue
- Start Furnace creek (yeah gas and breakfest)
- Echo Canyon (see eye of the needle)
- Dante’s view
- Lunch at Frunace creek
- I got to leave then

I cut some stuff out on Sat and Sun to see if we can make it a day run each time then. Input please, we might want to do something more fun and cut some other stuff out.

So attendee list I have:
- Scottiac (fri PM -> tue PM, FC)
- Bonnie (Scottiac's mom, taco dbl cab, but may ride with S., FC)
- Bulldog( fri PM (Have to sleep in Ridgecrest but will be there early Sat) -> tue PM, SW)
- Bob_98SR5 and Good Times (fri PM -> Sun. Taking Bob's truck)
- Chiefiji (fri PM -> Sun, backcountry) (Assume you are in since Scott cleared tire issue)
- 04Runner (Friday departing Calabasas approx 2.00pm)
- RBLACAUSA (Friday - to ??)

Mark good idea on collecting info. WIll PM mine to you. Cell number might be useful. Also what CB channel are we going to use till we all meet up on Sat?? I propose good ol' CH4.

Steve & James, thanks for the input and pics. Looks like it will defintely be a good time to go with all the flowers, etc. Might have to sacrafice some wheeling time for scenic/pic time


SWP map

 

Oh, the group I saw was mixed vehicles. I did see a few land cruisers with snorkels running around though.