FJ Cruisers of Northern California

Death Valley March 2013

3/22 - 3/26

Planning on mostly primitive camping (dry campgrounds or the side of the trail).

I have never been to Death Valley and am doing this quick trip to see some of the places I have always wanted to see. The trip is too short to see everything (or even 1%), but it's a start.

Anyone is welcome to join us. Insights, recommendations, etc. are welcomed as well. My plans below are flexible and are only an idea.

Friday

I will be leaving ~8AM from El Dorado Hills, going up Hwy 50 and then down 395.

Can also arrange meet up in Big Pine.

From Big Pine to camp at Eureka Dunes.

Saturday

From Eureka Dunes across Steel Pass into saline valley.

Stop and look at stuff.

Lippincott road to Racetrack Playa.

Camp at Homestake Dry Camp south of Racetrack. I want to overnight near Racetrack for best photography light, others may wish to stay in the Saline Valley.

Sunday

Back over Lippincott into the Saline Valley and down to Panamint Springs for gas.

Depending on time do one of the following:

1. South to go over Mengel Pass and camp at Striped Butte.

2. East to see the charcoal kilns and camp at Wildrose campground.

Monday

Coming from option #1 on Sunday:

Stop at Badwater.

Out to Beatty for gas.

Camp near Ryolite.

Coming from #2 on Sunday:

Out to Beatty for gas.

Run Titus Canyon.

Up to Ubehebe Crater.

Depending on time, backtrack to Mesquite campground, or try to push for a long day and camp in the Saline Valley.

Tuesday

Coming from #1:

Run Titus Canyon and head home via Death Valley Road to Big Pine.

Coming from #2:

Out Saline Valley via North Pass and head home, or from Mesquite campground, just head home via Death Valley Road.

Scott

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by josh on March 13, 2013 at 5:33pm

I'll be there at the concrete campground area. At that time.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Hope on March 13, 2013 at 6:01pm

Its already between 88 and 95F over the next couple of days. We went in early Feb several years ago. Was nicely in the 70,s

If you go to Badwater Basin, you are only a few miles from Furnace Creek with fuel,food and camping and lodging. be sure to stop at Artists Pallete for great scenary.

I remember going by Ryolite on the way to Vegas.

Enjoy and take pics and post em up . Im off to the Panama Canal in a week, see you all later.

Steve Hope.

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Permalink Reply by Shaman Rawb on March 13, 2013 at 9:53pm

I wrote a blog on DV:

http://www.shamanrawb.com/wpblog/2012/02/death-valley-offroad-exped...

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Permalink Reply by Scott Serl on March 21, 2013 at 10:39pm

I'm just packing the last bits into the over-stuffed truck so I can head out at 8am; good thing I just added air-lift bags to the rear suspension last weekend.

If anyone is going to be in any of the areas in my plans, I will be monitoring 146.460 and 146.520 on 2m in addition to trying out different repeaters around the Death Valley area. I have an Iceberg FJ with norcal stickers. Updates on my return...probably not until Wednesday night as I will be tired Tues, and have to work Wed.

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Permalink Reply by sandyann on March 22, 2013 at 7:03am

Scott - Hope you have a great adventure. When I drove out of my drive-way headed to Death Vally for New Years my headlights were definitely pointing upward and the back was sitting low. Driving was interesting til I got used to it. =0)

Try to make it to Zabriskie Point for sunrise. It won't be solitary but the view should be stunnning regardless.

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Permalink Reply by Scott Serl on March 27, 2013 at 7:17am

The air-lift bags seemed to help control the weight a bit (no sag and a little less sway when turning). They took me about 3 hours to install (could do it again in 1.5 hrs due to the experience) and cost under $90.

I didn't make it to the south part of DV, but ended up staying N of Panamint Springs the whole time. Check out my blog when I get a chance to make an entry.

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Permalink Reply by Sonof40 on March 22, 2013 at 8:21am

Have fun. I just returned from a week in DV and I want to go back already.

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Permalink Reply by UlySi on March 22, 2013 at 10:28pm

Hey Scott my stuff is up for sale interested??

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Permalink Reply by Scott Serl on March 27, 2013 at 7:13am

Thanks for remembering, but I think I am going to put together something with heavier than usual springs to help support all the extra weight of camping gear I take with me. I'm still not sure what yet, but maybe Icon or SAW.

I hope you are enjoying Oregon; it is very beautiful up there. The terrain is different than here, and there is plenty of snow wheeling to be had as well.

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Permalink Reply by Scott Serl on March 27, 2013 at 7:24am

I will be making a blog entry for this trip soon (and lots of pictures).

We stayed at Eureka Dunes Friday night. We took Steel Pass into the Saline valley the next day and had lunch at the springs. I was planning to take Lippincott road over to The Racetrack, but my girl friend talked to some people at the springs and refused to go over it, so we ended up going to Panamint Springs and camped. On Sunday we went to Stovepipe Wells, then on to Beatty, NV for cheaper gas. We stopped at Ryolite, then went through Titus Canyon. Next, we went to The Racetrack and camped. Monday we took pictures at The Racetrack, visited Ubehebe Crater, then home.