Death Valley

October 18th 2024

Description

Storm damage has closed many roads in Death Valley.  This trip is a repeat of a trip last year for that reason and to provide an easy trip for potential new members to make a club run.  I’ll put more Death Valley trips on the Calendar this year as the roads are opened by the park service.

https://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

This is a three day run to the southern Death Valley Shoshone area.  We’ll meet in camp.  It’s off Furnace Creek rd (dirt).  Motor homes can drive and tow into camp. It’s dry camping. Bring firewood. 

Find your way to Baker on Highway 15 and take Highway 127 North 51 Miles to the Furnace Creek dirt road (Club sign & Highway sign) and turn left to camp (club sign).  We'll be dry camping about 1.7 miles North of highway 127 on Furnace Creek Road.  The turn onto Furnace Creek road is 246 miles from San Clemente. 

Camp is only 9 miles from Shoshone. We have camped there in the past. 

https://www.google.com/maps/place/35%C2%B054'13.6%22N+116%C2%B017'27.3%22W/@35.9037781,-116.2915467,225m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m4!3m3!8m2!3d35.903777!4d-116.290903?hl=en&entry=ttu

There is a motel, restaurant, bar, gas, and supplies in Shoshone (and porcelain toilets).  No need to bring extra gas cans.  You can always fill up on gas at the end of each day.  You may want to eat at the restaurant rather than cook hot dogs in the dirt...your call.

Plan to be there about noon if you are coming Friday morning.  At about 1 PM we’ll head out for a trail to Chappo Spring, the cross the Amergosa flood plain, and stop at China Ranch for a date shake (and porcelain toilets). The Tacopa Brewery is on the way back to camp if you want to stop for a beer.

If you plan on arriving Friday afternoon or evening then we’ll see you in camp late in the day.

Saturday will be a long cross country run so plan on lunch on the trail.  The route is an easy one.  We’ll cross Deadmans Pass, make a brief stop at the Death Valley Junction tutu museum, continue on the overlook of the ghost town of Ryan (private property), then on to Daunte’s View (Vault toilet), and time permitting a stop at Greenwater ghost town on the way back to camp. Lunch will be on the trail somewhere.

Sunday morning we’ll break camp and head towards home.  There’s a high probability we’ll go to Ibex Springs ghost town & mines, cross Ibex Dunes, and stop a Saratoga Springs on our way to Baker.

Guide Book: BackCountry Adventures Southern California, 2002 edition, D37 and

California Ghost Town Trails (1985)

 

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
  • Camping Supplies

Run Recommendations

  • Roll Cage

Additional Notes

Desert pin striping not probable

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 @ Trailhead/Campsite

Find your way to Baker on Highway 15 and take Highway 127 North 51 Miles to the Furnace Creek dirt road (Club sign & Highway sign) and turn left to camp (club sign).  We'll be dry camping about 1.7 miles North of highway 127 on Furnace Creek Road.  The turn onto Furnace Creek road is 246 miles from San Clemente. 

Participants

There are currently 5 of 12 slots filled.

  • TRAIL BOSS
  • HAM: KG6IVZ

Camperman

Meeting @ Rendezvous

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Evil4X

Meeting @ Rendezvous

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Guest

Meeting @ Rendezvous

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Guest

Meeting @ Trail Head

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Guest

Meeting @ Rendezvous

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