Death Valley- Saline Valley/ Racetrack

[bruce p]

I am planning a sightseeing trip to Saline Valley, near Death Valley, for New Year's weekend. This will be more of an exploratory/ backcountry sightseeing trip than a hardcore trail ride.

We plan to leave early on Saturday morning (or maybe even camp at Redrock Fri night) and return to the LA area late in the day on Monday 12/31.

If you are interested, please understand that this is a multi- night backcountry camping trip that will require that you bring all your gear, food, water, extra gas etc with you, as there are limited places to resupply or refuel. For a TJ, that means you will likely need 1 extra fuel can and a second for safety margin. If we can refuel at Scotty's (see below) the extra gas may not be needed for some rigs.

The preliminary itinerary is:
Saturday 12/29:
Leave LA early, arrive at Saline Valley road off Hwy 190
Explore Indian rock art, Salt tram ruins, silver mine, plane crash sites, talc mines
Camp at the hot springs (warning: I understand clothing is optional here!)

Sunday 12/30:
Continue up Saline Valley Road, explore tungsten mines, crystal ridge, exit to the east on Death Valley Road, explore Eureka Dunes, refuel if possible at Scotty's Castle (have to be there by 4pm I understand)
Camp at Mesquite Springs

Monday 12/31:
Explore Ubehebe Crater, head down Racetrack road to Racetrack, then head up Hidden Valley road, explore old mines and cabins along the way, exit through Hunter Mountain back onto Saline Valley Road to complete the VERY big circle, then head for home!

Note that DV weather can be very unpredictable this time of year- some of the worst storms I have ever encountereed have been out there, so come prepared for any conditions.

Mileage calculations:
-Approx 170 miles on dirt from Hwy 190 cutoff to Scotty's- that's one tank in my TJ, maybe a little more than that on dirt. Remember that it is a ways from the nearest gas station in Olancha to the turnoff onto Hwy 190- probably 50 miles. Gas is also available down the Road at Panamint, but that is going the wrong direction.
-Approx 75 miles on dirt from Scotty's through Racetrack and back out to Hwy 190

[womb raider 940]

this sounds like something i would be interested in.

[bruce p]

Update- No gas at Scotty's

Someone just pointed out to me that as of 5/07 there is no longer gas available at Scotty's, so we will have to able to carry everything we need.

[Chris_L]

I did this trip a few years a go and you will have a blast. I went in January and the days were nice, but friggen cold at night. As we were leaving saleen valley we were buzzed by fighter jets. The place is beautiful. Dont forget to stop at the lippencott mine.

[bruce p]

I did this trip a few years a go and you will have a blast. I went in January and the days were nice, but friggen cold at night. As we were leaving saleen valley we were buzzed by fighter jets. The place is beautiful. Dont forget to stop at the lippencott mine.

A few years ago my wife insisted that I buy a tent heater- I thought the thing was dorky until I tried it. Now I never leave on a winter trip without it.:smile:

[Chris_L]

A few years ago my wife insisted that I buy a tent heater- I thought the thing was dorky until I tried it. Now I never leave on a winter trip without it.:smile:

I remember being there the first week in january. I remember spilling water for coffee and watching it freeze, but the days were nice.

[bruce p]

I remember being there the first week in january. I remember spilling water for coffee and watching it freeze, but the days were nice.

Geez, and I was trying to entice people to come with ....

[womb raider 940]

should be fun. i went camping to seqouia in winter. the nights were too cold to even sleep. a storm had moved in and was freezing at night and somehwat nice during day.

[calico kid]

Mileage calculations:
-Approx 170 miles on dirt from Hwy 190 cutoff to Scotty's- that's one tank in my TJ, maybe a little more than that on dirt. Remember that it is a ways from the nearest gas station in Olancha to the turnoff onto Hwy 190- probably 50 miles. Gas is also available down the Road at Panamint, but that is going the wrong direction.
-Approx 75 miles on dirt from Scotty's through Racetrack and back out to Hwy 190



I believe it is 35 miles from olancha to the tune off
and 86 from olancha to the springs.
(that is with 33s
that sounds like a grait trip I my be out that way
I will look for you all

[womb raider 940]

I am debating this. How many people are for sure going? This is in a week and a half. My tent broke the zipper this weekend at Calico. Will have to find another one.

[Chris_L]

This is a great trip and I highly recommend it if you have not been there before. You will be able to get hot showers at saleen hot springs. Just watch out for the naked hippies. Oh and be prepared for many, many, many miles of wash board conditions on the main road. And remember no burn outs on the race track ;-) Have a great time.

[womb raider 940]

so if you sold everything what do you wheel now. and I wish I had 40's

[Chris_L]

I was looking at your itinerary and I did the trip in the opposite direction as you. Just wanted to ad that before you leave the race track area, be sure to visit the lippencott mine. There is also a 4 wheel drive trail that leads down from the lippencott mine. I think its called lippencott mine road, and there is a warning saying 4 wheel drive only. It leads down to the valley floor and to the main road back to the hwy. The mine is really cool inside and has various ladders and tunnels that are in great shape. no trash inside and everything is original. To get in though you have to be a skinny bastard like me to squeeze through the cables. If your unfamiliar with going into a mine, then I highly DO NOT recommend it for safety issues.

[Chris_L]

so if you sold everything what do you wheel now. and I wish I had 40's

I had to sell the buggy for financial reasons since I broke my legs a while ago. Insurance is trying to settle with me now, so I will be looking for a new ride in a couple of months hopefully.
Its been too long since I have been on rocks :sad:

[bruce p]

Looks like we have 3 or 4 rigs going right now. We have done a slight change of plans. Due to the high passes coming out of Saline and the chance of ice/snow to the north, we are going to camp 2 nights at Panamint and day trip it into Saline and other areas from there. I doubt they will fill up in the CG, but you can make a reservation if you want.

If you are interested in going, PLEASE email at dennylou1@yahoo.com, as I do not regularly check this board.
Thanks
Bruce