Death Valley Exploration

[Dennx]

Day 1 - Friday, Feb. 15, 2013

All photos: http://www.dennislloydphoto.com/

Map: http://goo.gl/maps/gl4F1 (click on 3D for an animated track)

We rolled out at 7am on Friday. Our route was to take the 15 to the 395, take the turnoff to Trona (Trona Rd.) to get gas then onto Panamint Springs to top off gas and head west on the 190 to Saline Valley Rd and Lippincott Rd. to Homestake Dry Camp. This camp is a primitive camp with a porta-potty at the south end of the Racetrack Playa.

Entering Saline Valley Rd. Ignore the Road Closed sign.


While we were stopped at Saline Valley Rd./Lippincott Rd. for photos and were buzzed by a lone F/A-18 practicing low level runs. We saw a pair of them earlier while on Saline Valley Rd.


Lippincott was a fun trail leading up and over to Homestake Dry Camp. There were a few washed out areas along the trail which made for some narrow approaches and a few rough patches with embedded boulders.


After we setup camp we went to explore the Racetrack.

Camping at Homestake Dry Camp.

My wife supplied us with some delicious brownies.



 

[Dennx]

Day 2 - Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013

All photos: http://www.dennislloydphoto.com/

Map: http://goo.gl/maps/GSZh6 (click on 3D for an animated track)

We headed to Tea Kettle Junction to take photos and I discovered the top left panel had broke a clip. Probably due to the infamous Racetrack washboard road. A quick fix and onto the Lost Burro Mine and White Mountain area.

At the Lost Burro Mine.

White Mountain trail in the distance. While out on a trail going to White Mountain we met Sparky and Lexology. They continued up the trail to camp while we went back to the Racetrack for sunset shots.


On top of a ridge trail near White Mountain.


Racetrack Playa and The Grandstand.

Fun with glow sticks.



 

[Dennx]

Day 3 - Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013

All photos: http://www.dennislloydphoto.com/

Map http://goo.gl/maps/LXYvS (click on 3D for an animated track)

We packed up camp and went to check out the Ubehebe Crater. Shawn left from here to go back home and we continued on to Eureka Dunes to camp. My CO2 tank ran out so I borrowed Shawn's compressor for the rest of the trip, but it stopped working on the next air up.

We went from Ubehebe to Scotty's Castle and had lunch in the park. After that we continued onto Eureka Dunes via Death Valley Rd. to Eureka Valley Rd. We made camp, cooked dinner and got a fire started. We planned on packing up everything except the tent to start at 4am the morning to drive over the mountain back to Death Valley Rd. to catch the sunrise and drive in the dark with our lights on.

Ubehebe Crater

At the bottom of Ubehebe Crater. Shawn and I joked about how we could drive the FJs down into the crater. Getting back up would have been a whole other matter.

Eureka Dunes ahead.

Camp.









 

[Dennx]

Day 4 - Monday, Feb. 18, 2013

All photos: http://www.dennislloydphoto.com/

Map http://goo.gl/maps/rkzFe (click on 3D for an animated track)

Since we got an early start, we made a side trip to Titus Canyon. You have to start on the Nevada side because it's a one way road through the canyon. After we went to Stovepipe to airup, we headed for Beatty, NV for the Titus Canyon turnoff. After Titus Canyon we went back to Stovepipe Wells to get gas and air up again and then head home via 190, Wildrose Camp then out to Trona Rd.

On the way to Death Valley Road and Stovepipe Wells.

Leadfield Mining town near Titus Canyon.

The strange thing is I never got out to take photos while driving inside the canyon. I kept staring at the various rock formations and forgot all about it. Next time. It was a great trip! I can't wait to get back out there to explore other trails and sights. Highly Recommended, Two thumbs up.

 

[JHa6av8r]

That's a Navy F/A-18 out of either NAS Lemoore or NWC China Lake. Flown many times down that valley.

 

[Dennx]

Thanks, post corrected. Thanks for your service.

That's a Navy F/A-18 out of either NAS Lemoore or NWC China Lake. Flown many times down that valley.

 

[lqdchkn]

I see you got RotoPax. Did you end up using any of the fuel you brought in?

 

[stioc]

Very cool, thanks for sharing!

BTW, what size are those Duratracs? 285s?

 

[Dennx]

I see you got RotoPax. Did you end up using any of the fuel you brought in?

12 gallons. I think I brought too much, but better to have more than not enough. On Sunday night I filled the tank after getting to the dunes on empty.

Very cool, thanks for sharing!

BTW, what size are those Duratracs? 285s?

Yes, Duratracs 285s.

 

[roverrocks]

Great adventure! Really cool pictures! Felt like I was there even though I have never been to Death Valley. Thanks..................Nice FJ's too.

 

[toymaster]

Looks like a great trip. I was just commenting to my wife that I wanted to go to Death Valley soon and then I find your thread.

I see you got RotoPax. Did you end up using any of the fuel you brought in?

12 gallons. I think I brought too much, but better to have more than not enough. On Sunday night I filled the tank after getting to the dunes on empty.

From my experience I feel better knowing I have more than enough for the planned trip; emergencies are never planned. Also, fuel near the remote spots always seem to cost more so it makes me feel better to have "cheaper" fuel on board. Not sure how the extra weight and lessened fuel economy factor in but I still feel better about it.

 

[Dennx]

From my experience I feel better knowing I have more than enough for the planned trip; emergencies are never planned. Also, fuel near the remote spots always seem to cost more so it makes me feel better to have "cheaper" fuel on board. Not sure how the extra weight and lessened fuel economy factor in but I still feel better about it.

Definitely. The gas in Stovepipe Wells was $4.56 for unleaded and Panamint Springs was $6+. At home in Irvine, it was $4.39.

 

[BorregoWrangler]

Now that was a great trip report! You have me looking forward to my first trip there even more!

 

[86Runner]

Beautiful pictures! Thank you for sharing. I hope to get back to DV this spring, as well.

 

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

That's a Navy F/A-18 out of either NAS Lemoore or NWC China Lake. Flown many times down that valley.

They may also be out of Pt. Mugu here on the coast. They fly over my house quite often on final along with other aggressors. :sombrero: