for the dates, put me down as friday pm - sunday.

 

I'm definitely in. Me, Wife and two kids 12 & 8 yrs.

By the sounds of it we'll be back camping too. Damn I didn't realise it would be filled up so soon. Wife's gunna love this news

The schedule looks great. We'll head out on Friday and maybe stop somewhere "civilised" before meeting up on Sat. am.

Later.

Mark

 

Why are you suggesting just a handheld? I was about to go get a fixed unit.

 

I think he was just suggesting something easy....

Fixed is almost always better, but more work.

 

FYI, This is the handheld I was gonna get, it can be used as a "walkie-talkie" but will also plug into your lighter and an external mag-mount antennae and operate somewhat like a fixed unit.

Midland 75-822
http://www.alfenterprises.com/cb_rad...ndheld_cbs.htm

FirstToy has this and seems happy with it.

 

You can get a fixed unit, they always seem to work better, I was looking at ease of install (i.e. none with hand held).

I just got a magnetic mount antenna for my klittle handheld tonight from Radio Shack, this should work better than the little runner antenna. My handheld wasn't too good and hopefully with will work with external antenna.

Scott has a nice CB, which is removeable and mounts are out of the way.

Mine you unclip the battery pack and get an adpater for lighter and external antenna. Exactly the same as the Midland shown above.

 

People, times, lodging so far...

- 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 (fri PM -> sun PM, backcountry )
- Good Times (fri PM -> sun PM, backcountry (hiding from Bob's ))
- Chiefiji (fri PM -> Sun, backcountry)
- 04Runner (Sat am (early ) ->??, accom pending wife approval)
- Robinhood (need to confirm another rig ??) Maybe
- RBLACAUSA (???? buying CB ????????)

Everybody let me know if there needs to be changes to the planned agenda. We can probably confirm road conditions like a week before and make necessary changes.

04, I will be staying in Ridgecrest (2H drive from Stovepipe Wells) at the moment trying to see if I can get in Stovepipewells on Friday too.

 

Andries - I will hold off until I find out what you are doing. Originally we thought of staying at Barstow on Fri night but Ridgecrest does look much closer. What accomodation exits are Ridgecrest? I'll have to check it out. Keep us posted on what you intend to do.

I'll find some time later tonight to do some research on accomodation but have too much work to do right now.

Later.

Mark

 

Mark, I currently have a booking at the Best Western on China Lake Blvd in Ridgecrest. I'm trying to see if I can get in at Stovepipe Wells on Friday as well. Once I get a spot I'll cancel my reservation in Ridgecrest.

 

These are the accommodation options from our trip last week. However, we were in Panamint Vallleys most of the time not DV proper.

Econo Lodge was $50 with AAA discount for me and 2 kids, but I didn't call until I was driving up. It may be cheaper if you call ahead.

Another option is camping at Trona Pinnacles, it's only 22mi down the road from Ridgecrest. If there isn't any rain, it's a great place to camp. There is a lot of soft sand around the Pinnacles and fire rings. Also, there is a decent head (fairly new cinderblock bldg). No running water, but better than a porta-poty.

Plus you'll get to bring back great alien looking landscape pictures!







The Pinnacles and Dunes at Stovepipewells are my kids favorite places....(except when there is snow)



======================================
Motel, Camping, Tow Rig Options:

Camping - Those who wish to camp may camp in Panamint Valley both Fri and Sat night. You have the option to set up camp for a two night stay. Camping is primitive, there are no facilities. Those who plan to go on the optional trip on Mon will need to break camp on Sun morning. Tentatively planning to use the CA4WDC Panamint Valley Days camp site near the intersection of Nadeau Rd and Slate Range Rd. Directions are here:
http://www.cal4wheel.com/pvd/Hidezmap.htm

Motels -
Fri night in Ridgecrest
Econo Lodge 201 Inyokern Road (760) 446-2551 or
Budget Inn 831 N. China Lake Blvd (760) 375-1351

Sat night
There are limited accommodations at Panamint Springs Resort which is only 30 miles from Ballarat and approx 10 miles from the meeting place on Sun morning. I'm told the rooms are somewhat primitive.
Reservations (760) 764-2002

Lone Pine is another 50 miles out and another 50 miles back on Sun morning. Lone Pine has a better selection of motels and restaurants.
I've stayed at the Mt. Whitney Motel, 305 N. Main St, Lone Pine (760) 876-4207

================================================== ==============

 

News about camping from the park service...

1. group sites at furnace creek are indeed booked solid

2. All campsites that are NOT furnace creek are first come, first serve. The sites at stovepipe wells (while not pretty) will very likely be available. The ranger indicated that the tent sites are on the periphery of the great r.v. parking lot.

3. Showers are available at the stovepipe wells pool all the time, and at furnace creek motel's pool when they feel like it. (I've never asked, it makes things easier.)
And a suggestion from me... If you are going to hit more than one nat'l park this year, get an annual national park's pass. Around $50 for the pass, and death valley alone is a $20 chomp. (most of the majors are going up to $20). Get it from their website, or from REI, or at the park itself.

 

scott,

so if im reading this correctly:

- there are FC/FS tent sites available at stovepipe wells
- it is located on the periphery of the great RV parking lot

or are you saying:

- there are FC/FS tent sites available at stovepipe wells
- and there are tent sites on the periphery of the great RV parking lot

can you please clarify?

thanks,
bob

 

At stovepipe wells, there is a "campground".

This campground is a little weak; it consists of a very large parking lot ("RV camp sites") with some tent sites dotted around the edges of it.

This campground (in my experience) has a history of being rather empty, so I believe people won't have trouble finding a place to plop.

 

Here is a map of DV in PDF (1MB)

and below a map of Stovepipe Wells

 

Yep....The tent sites have fire pits and are usually taken, but the RV site which is basically a parking lot is never filled.

If your worried about getting run over by an RV, there are some primitive sites down the Cottonwood Cyn trail passed the airport.

 

alfred,

regarding those primitive sites you are talking about, do you need to make a reservation? or is it first come, first serve?

bob

 

Hmmm.... according to the earlier link......You can't.

=========================================
Camping is not allowed on the following "day use only" dirt roads:

*
Titus Canyon road
*
West Side Road
*
Wildrose Road
*
Skidoo Road
*
Aguereberry Point Road.
*
Cottonwood Canyon Road (first 8 miles only)
*
Racetrack Road (from Teakettle Junction to Homestake Dry Camp)
================================================== =======
But I do remember people camped near the Cottonwood Cyn road (2yrs ago).....They basically pulled off away from the road and pitched tents.
Not sure if it was illegal or they changed the rules or 8 miles doesn't seem very far in the dessert.

Also, no reservations for primitive campsites since there isn't anyone/thing there.

 

Here's where we camped last year...a primative campsite.


Basically, we found a spot that had an existing fire ring (just rocks in a circle) and camped there for the night. We tried to camp next to some mines, but it was already taken. The white 4runner in front is Roger Brown and the dark 2nd gen in the way back is Alfred.

Alfred, do you remember where this was?



Oh, by the way, I got my gallery back up from last year
http://www.robinhood4x4.com/gallery2/DeathValley04/

 

Ok - some organisational questions

What are you guys who are staying for a few days, doing for food? Are you taking most, buying it somewhere nearby etc?

What are you doing for breakfasts/lunches/dinners?

Is ice available?

Will you be cooking food on an open fire or a LP gas fire?

Are fuel stops planned or do we need to be carrying gas at any time?

Sorry if these questions are a bit anal but I hate to hold anyone up because I haven't adequately prepared.

What are the likley night temps.?

 

I'll try to answer as best I can.

There are stores and gas at both FC and SW, so it would be best to fill every morning before we go. I plan to take some food with, but will get more at the stores there. I'm planning on having breakfest at the motel/or similar every day and then pack lunch for the day. I'll probably bring some steak and my little LP gas grill for a good cookout one or two nights. Other nights I will probably just get something to chow at SW or FC.

Dont know about ice or temps yet.

Hope you get the CB sorted

Are you stock or lifted?