Death Valley

April 14th 2023

Description

The trip I originally post has had to change due to washed out roads the park service has closed.  The following is a new trip into Death Valley on the same dates with a new route.

This will be a dry base camp staying in the same location both nights. Bring some firewood.

We'll meet at the Chevron station at 6th St in Norco at 7 AM Friday morning.  Get there early if you want to get something at McDonalds or get gas.  We’ll stop for breakfast/brunch/lunch at the Road House at Kramer Junction where highways 395 & 58 cross.

You may get gas in Norco, or Kramer Junction, and you must get gas in Trona.  Plan on eating lunch in camp Friday and on the trail Saturday.  You’ll be back in camp for lunch Sunday or stop somewhere on your way home..

If you plan on coming to camp later on Friday…To get to camp go north out of Trona on highway 178 towards Panamint Springs (Trona Wildrose Rd).  Bear left at Panamint Valley Rd.  Turn left at Minietta Rd. 39 miles from the Valero Gas station in Trona (Last Gas) and head west to camp on a well graded dirt road. You can tow a trailer into camp. I’ll be towing my Jeep into camp.  I will post club signs on both sides of the turn off pavement and the two turns on the dirt road to help you. We have camped in this location several times in the past.  As always we monitor 146.550 MHz. 

I rated this trip a 2+.  It's really a 2 on Friday and Saturday and a 2+ (3ish) on Sunday morning if you wish to go to Lookout city or pass on that and just go home.

 

On Friday we’ll visit Wildrose Spring, the charcoal kilns, Thorndike, Mahogany Flats.

On Saturday we’ll visit Skidoo, Argenta, Harrisburg, Aguerebeery Point  (EL. 6,433 Ft), Tuber Canyon, to name a few and all the mines/cabins/campgrounds associated with these places.   When we’re done with that we’ll head back towards Panamint Springs for gas and ice cream.

On Sunday we’ll run to Look Out City in the Argus range to the west of camp before heading for home.  This run is rough in the beginning followed by a shelf road with a little pucker factor.

Panamint Springs is 10 miles from camp. They have full RV hookups, a motel, gas, a general store, and coin showers.

 

 

Run Checklist

Always Required

  • HAM Radio on 146.550 MHz
  • Full-Sized Spare Tire
  • Seat Belts
  • First Aid Kit
  • Fire Extinguisher
  • Battery Tiedown
  • Working Brakes
  • Tow Straps
  • Tow Points

Run Requirements

  • 33+ Sized Tire
  • 2+ Suspension Lift
  • 4LO Transfer Case
  • Rear Axle Locker
  • Camping Supplies

Run Recommendations

  • Roll Cage

Trail Rating

Trail Rating 2+

Difficulty Level: 2+

Trail Rating 1 Graded road; Any 4x4 vehicle or higher clearance 2x4 vehicle with no other modifications
Trail Rating 2 Road rarely maintained; 4x4 with no low bumpers. Anti-sway bar disconnects recommended. Minimum 30" tires and some off-road experience is helpful
Trail Rating 3 Difficult terrain and road rarely maintained; 33" tires, Suspension lift, Off-road driving experience, body armor and Rear locker recommended. Stock vehicles will likely take damage
Trail Rating 4 Very difficult terrain, road never maintained; 33" tires, sway-bar disconnects, Rear locker, and Rock sliders required. 35" tires, front locker, Full cage, and 4:1 transfer-case recommended. Chance of mechanical failure and body damage
Trail Rating 5 Extremely difficult terrain with large obstacles and roll over potential; Full cage required, 37" tires strongly recommended. Good chance of mechanical failure and strong chance of body damage

Location

Rendezvous @ 6th Street Chevron in Norco

Rendezvous @ 6th Street Chevron in Norco, 7 PM Friday morning.

Participants

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