Desertcrawler Posted January 4, 2011 Report Share Posted January 4, 2011 This is a thread to do some preplanning about a club trip (trips) to Death Valley in April over Easer Break. Post up any planning ideas or questions here -- things aren't firmed up yet but will be over the next month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NigelCowan Posted January 4, 2011 Report Share Posted January 4, 2011 Chuck, As I am new to all this I just have a couple of questions to start:1. Is this a trip that an LR4 could do?2. Do we need to carry food for a week or are there places to replenish the food supply?3. Would a trip like this be kid friendly?4. I'm assuming tent camping and not a tent trailer? Thanks, Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFlores Posted January 4, 2011 Report Share Posted January 4, 2011 Keep me posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertcrawler Posted January 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2011 Josh, to answer your questions: 1. This is definitely a trip a stock LR4 could do. There are a few tricky spots (namely the last 1/4 mile of Defense Mine) where I would suggest parking the LR4 if it is in clean and shiny shape because there might be some body damage for a stock rig. Also, I would need to scout what we would be getting to in the Cerro Gordo area to see if stock rigs can make it (I think they can) Plus a chance of some pinstripes from the brush in the canyons. But we can plan the route so that stock rigs will make it fine. 2. You most likely would want to plan food for the entire trip, and then just fill up on gas or ice. The groceries out there are expensive and far between. We would have 2 or 3 days in a row where we wouldn't be seeing a gas station, so I'd also advise an extra 5 gallons of gas just in case. 3. I will be bringing my 12 year old and 9 year old, so yes kid friendly. If we stick with current plan, the only "non kid friendly" area would be the "clothing optional" hot springs -- where I personally wear a suit, but odds are pretty high of a "bare" sighting if you decide to take a dip. Of course, most kids don't care too much about that anyway. At the NCLR camp -- we will be wearing clothes around the campfire and will be away from the "wild folks". 4. This is definitely tent camping -- no trailer. We will be on offroad trails most of the trip. I am going to be trying to find us "adopt a cabins" to stay in for cooking (and sleeping) but it may be a busy week for staying in those which are first come first serve. I have answers for some of the earlier questions next response... Chuck, As I am new to all this I just have a couple of questions to start:1. Is this a trip that an LR4 could do?2. Do we need to carry food for a week or are there places to replenish the food supply?3. Would a trip like this be kid friendly?4. I'm assuming tent camping and not a tent trailer? Thanks, Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertcrawler Posted January 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2011 Keep me posted. Josh - I will keep you posted! For some of the other questons people were asking: 1. Jen - What school district are you in? Both my kids, which go to Catholic schools - have break the following week. I would plan on setting the trip up so it is really two trips: a)The first part that could be run Good Friday through Sunday (with optional bail out to head home)b)The second part that would run Monday - Fri of the following week Thought being that foks who could only join Friday - Sunday could wheel with us then, and then the remaining folks who took week off get even more in. Maybe we could find someone else to do something earlier that week of Good Friday (like a Scott Castle/more roadside attraction version of the trip) -- and then you could join us on Friday for the offroads part. If there was enough interest, we could change the rally point to someplace more central (like Panamin Springs) to faciliate joining/meeting up. 2)ColinB -- Can't guarantee you won't break -- but your experience is a good reminder for us to be thinking about spare parts. Even an extra tire or two might not be bad for the group, cause odds are we will slice one. Hopefully, we will have enough interchangeable spares... 3)SloHybrid -- I will be dissapointed as will the kids beyond belief if you don't make it. Of course, as currently planned the Racetrack /Teakettle are not on the agenda. I substituted Cerro Gordo. But if we get enough interest from folks new to Death Valley, I might switch back and add that to the excursion... 4)Roverman - You have been there before.... a)Church would be a bit of an issue on Easter Sunday. All I could say is you could drive out early and make it, but who knows which oine would be there.. We usually do something with the kids on Easter morning -- the walls don't make the church after all! b)Rally point would be the Pine closest to the Eureka Dunes. Lone/Big I forget. Then across Steele to the Springs, and up the backside of Cerro Gordo (unless we decide on the Lippencott/Racetrack/Teakettle route). c)I have not done the Cerro Gordo loop trail before -- just the backside climb and the exit out on the main road. I hear there is a very good trail to try up there -- and would like to give it a shot. d)Goler Wash, passed Barker (now burned down) , and into Striped Butte Valley where we would camp. Striped Butte is about 5 miles away from Barkers Ranch (over Mengel Pass). e)Pleasant Canyon/South Park is a loop trail leaving and returning to Ballarat. Ever hear of Chicken Rock? Thats the one. Not technically real challenging, but lots of elevation and a few spots that you will most definetly need a spotter. f)Defense Mine is located in the same Valley as Ballarat -- just on the other side of the freeway. There is a cool underground mine to take the kids and explore. Ok - post up your ideas and questions. Also take a look at the trip report from a year or so ago to get an idea of what you would be getting in to. I am sitting in the Red Carpet lounge and my flight to Columbus is now leaving -- so gotta go... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelBeaver Posted January 4, 2011 Report Share Posted January 4, 2011 Add me to the list... Beaver Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen Posted January 5, 2011 Report Share Posted January 5, 2011 1. Jen - What school district are you in?- I work at, and my kids go to San Jose Unified. We have a screwy calendar, school starts the second week of August. I think that I would love to do the whole week if I was by myself or a friend, but I can really only handle a weekend of camping with my kids anyway. You know why I love working at a school? It's the only place I can ask kids to do something, and they actually listen! So count us in for the weekend, departing on Sunday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AA Journey Posted January 5, 2011 Report Share Posted January 5, 2011 I am interested on this trip as longest it does not fall during the Easter wknd. I might only be there for a few days. I will probably skip the hot springs this time as i have been there several times. For those who have not yet been there, here are some pictures i took during my trip over the Thanksgiving weekend. http://web.me.com/antonioanguiano/Friends_Pictures/Death_Valley_2010_Trip.html I will be following this tread and decide what dates I will be able to make it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertcrawler Posted January 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2011 Thanks Antonip & Jen - I am thinking the best "rally point" for those doing the second part of the trip (only) would be either Panamint Spring Resort or Ballarat, as my plans would have us hopefully bunking over in an adopt a cabin in the area on Sunday night and Monday. As time gets close and things solidify, we'll need to define a way to firm up locations/time and a communications mechanism. I had heard that cell phoine service was now possibly available in certain areas of the park due to a new tower being put up. Does anyone know if it extends into the Ballarat/Panamint Springs area? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linus Tremaine Posted January 5, 2011 Report Share Posted January 5, 2011 Chuck,cerro gordo loop is pretty easy. Are you planning to come down through the town or go down to Swansea? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertcrawler Posted January 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2011 Chuck,cerro gordo loop is pretty easy. Are you planning to come down through the town or go down to Swansea? Linus: Are you tempted? If you help me trip lead we can plan one heck of an excursion...? a)I've never done that loop. Is it worth doing? Or would you suggest Lippencott/Teakettle/via Hunter on the way out? I've not ever done Cerro Gordo Loop, just climbed up the backside from the Springs and down the gravel road. b)I heard both owners/caretakers (Linda and her husband) recently passed --- do you know if there is still possiblity of renting the bunkhouse/getting an insider tour or are those days over? c)How long would it take to do that loop starting from the town of Cerro Gordo and then end up back down at the PSR? Could a stock rig handle it (ie an LR4?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linus Tremaine Posted January 6, 2011 Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 I am tempted. I just spent ten days in DV from christmas to new years. It was a blast. We got a great break from bad weather and had a few nights of high wind and one of snow. As far as the loop is concerned- if you came from PSR and went to cerro gordo from saline valley road (something I have not done) and then tried to drive from cerro gordo through the rest of the loop and down it would take probably 6-8 hours. Its a LONG way to go. You could not reasonably make the loop back to PSR unless you went down to keeler from cerro gordo and that would cut off the whole useful and interesting part of the loop. Really, you would need to stay up there one night not try to drive all the way back to PSR. It is a beautiful and moderatly challenging (interesting!) road with great views into saline valley and of the sierras. The loop from cerro gordo to swansea has a few steep sections and a few steps all of which we would be driving down. I think any stock 4x4 can do it, but not a novice driver. It has a few sections that are very tippy so no giant tall top heavy things. Also, no trailers. Its too steep and curvy for trailers. It can be done if you have lockers though. We had to tow a vehicle and its trailer up the steepest parts. There is a caretaker at cerro gordo named frank. Mike was the caretaker but he died. I think linda was his wife but she died before him. Now, it is owned by their son. Who doesnt spend much time there. You can take a tour from Frank for 10 but I dont know about staying in the hotel. I dont know if they offer that anymore since they dont have any water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertcrawler Posted January 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 I am tempted. I just spent ten days in DV from christmas to new years. It was a blast. We got a great break from bad weather and had a few nights of high wind and one of snow. As far as the loop is concerned- if you came from PSR and went to cerro gordo from saline valley road (something I have not done) and then tried to drive from cerro gordo through the rest of the loop and down it would take probably 6-8 hours. Its a LONG way to go. You could not reasonably make the loop back to PSR unless you went down to keeler from cerro gordo and that would cut off the whole useful and interesting part of the loop. Really, you would need to stay up there one night not try to drive all the way back to PSR. It is a beautiful and moderatly challenging (interesting!) road with great views into saline valley and of the sierras. The loop from cerro gordo to swansea has a few steep sections and a few steps all of which we would be driving down. I think any stock 4x4 can do it, but not a novice driver. It has a few sections that are very tippy so no giant tall top heavy things. Also, no trailers. Its too steep and curvy for trailers. It can be done if you have lockers though. We had to tow a vehicle and its trailer up the steepest parts. There is a caretaker at cerro gordo named frank. Mike was the caretaker but he died. I think linda was his wife but she died before him. Now, it is owned by their son. Who doesnt spend much time there. You can take a tour from Frank for 10 but I dont know about staying in the hotel. I dont know if they offer that anymore since they dont have any water. Yes, the plan would be to climb into Cerro Gordo from Saline Valley Road. But I was thinking about camping at the top (in the town) then spending some time exploring town, etc and then do the loop (either that day or the day following). Then head down to PSR and gas up -- then find another spot to camp near Ballarat area. Have a few ideas of some cabins that might be free then. No trailers allowed this trip. I'd need to figure out the camping situation up there (and Frank's availability) plus the snow situation. Easter is in late April this year, but it still might be covered in snow which would make things even more challenging. If that plan doesn't work out -- I'd end up going the more traditional Lippencott/Teakettle route out to PSR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TigerDan Posted January 8, 2011 Report Share Posted January 8, 2011 I'm definitely in on this. Spent a week up there last year with Chuck, Barry and their families and had a great time, been looking forward to going back all year. Chuck and I have talked a bit about possible scenarios, and I'm up for helping out with planning in whatever way I can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linus Tremaine Posted January 19, 2011 Report Share Posted January 19, 2011 Chuck, stop sheduling this at the same time as mendo!Dan, Im not sure if you are a traitor or not.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TigerDan Posted January 20, 2011 Report Share Posted January 20, 2011 It wasn't at the same time as Mendo, it was at the same time as Easter. If the Mendo guys had agreed to move the date, there wouldn't be a conflict and I could do both... I think it's awfully selfish of them not to take my needs into consideration here... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROVRMAN2 Posted January 24, 2011 Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 Chuck,Got the dates settled yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertcrawler Posted January 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 Chuck,Got the dates settled yet? Yes. There are two separate trip segments, which can be combined into one big one (they won't repeat). The first starts Friday, April 22nd and goes through Sunday, April 24th (Easter). This is a good short, but intense run. Right now, we are talking Steele Pass, Saline Springs, and Lippencott grade. Good intro to the park and the type of wheeling there. The second starts Monday, April 25th and goes through the 30th (Friday). More of a focus on the Ballarat/Panamints areas. Still expedition style. I need to write up a trip plan with rally points and get the official trip approved by the BOD -- will try to do this weekend. Will be limiting it to 8 - 10 rigs per trip segment. Right now, I've got myself and TigerDan down as confirmed, plus my friend Barry -- leaves 7 open slots.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROVRMAN2 Posted January 25, 2011 Report Share Posted January 25, 2011 1st part of trip, are u convoying on thurs the 21st to DV? or convoy starts Fri am on the 22nd TO DV? these "long' distances are confusing to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertcrawler Posted January 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2011 Planning on getting to a hotel near Death Valley Thursday night -- spending the night there -- heading into the park Friday morning. So if there is a convoy to Lone Pine or wherever we decide to meet up -- that would be happening on the 21st. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Solis Posted January 25, 2011 Report Share Posted January 25, 2011 I'm a "pretty sure" for the short run 4/22-4/24 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertcrawler Posted January 27, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2011 I'm a "pretty sure" for the short run 4/22-4/24 Awesome! So for Run 1: We have Chuck, Dan, Barry, and "pretty sure" Chris locked in. For Run 2: We have Chuck, Dan, and Barry. How about the rest of you early posters? What's your status? Nathan? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NigelCowan Posted January 27, 2011 Report Share Posted January 27, 2011 Chuck, Right now I'm 99% sure that I would be in for the whole venture. It would be my 7 year old son and myself in the D1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HMBRover Posted January 27, 2011 Report Share Posted January 27, 2011 Chuck, put us down for a slot. Unless something else intervenes, we're in. Need our DV fix - it's been a couple years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertcrawler Posted January 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2011 Nice! With luick, should be good wildflowers given all the rain. Are you in for both segments? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.