Panamint Mts - Death Valley Tour

[DRB]

Wow been to quite a few mines in the last year, these by far have the most history left behind. Would love to see them up close.Thanks for sharing!!

[EricMCJ5]

When I was in college back in 1984 we went to Panamint city. Here are a couple of old scanned pictures:


Driving up the road (it wasn't bad then)








We met this guy who was mining up there.



He told us to check out this mine. He said that if you looked in the right place, you could see a section where Charles Manson had spray painted his name (not sure if this is true or not), but it sure made it creepy to explore.

[Ol Man]

Rich, what are the chances that you'll get access up the canyon?

I think the short answer is probably slim.

Here is a link to our web site

http://fopv.org/

[mkjeepers]

Roger, I am pretty up on Surprise Canyon...a group of us purchased some land up there to try and fight for access.

Rich, what are the chances that you'll get access up the canyon?

[Ol Man]

An HS 9500....perhaps one of the finest winches Warn has ever made! Though I would trade my current Warn to have had a chance to run Surprise Canyon while it was open.

I agree. When I sold my CJ I moved it to my JK.

[Roger]

Roger, I am pretty up on Surprise Canyon...a group of us purchased some land up there to try and fight for access.

Awsome Brian! That might be the best way to do it!

[ECV Jeep]

After my first trip up using my slllooowww Ramsey 8000, I traded it in on my Warn HS9500.

An HS 9500....perhaps one of the finest winches Warn has ever made! Though I would trade my current Warn to have had a chance to run Surprise Canyon while it was open.

[mkjeepers]

[COLOR="Blue"]The road is currently closed to vehicle travel, but it looks like a worth while hike.[/COLOR]

[Ol Man]

Rich - I think the route to Panamint City has been closed for quite some time. I've heard other stories about the challenge up the Surprize Cyn. trail to Paniment City.

Mike - Good report! Up to your usual high standards! I wish we had stayed in a cabin last weekend also! It was COLD in the mornings.

Roger, I am pretty up on Surprise Canyon...a group of us purchased some land up there to try and fight for access.

[Roger]

Rich - I think the route to Panamint City has been closed for quite some time. I've heard other stories about the challenge up the Surprize Cyn. trail to Paniment City.

Mike - Good report! Up to your usual high standards! I wish we had stayed in a cabin last weekend also! It was COLD in the mornings.

[Ol Man]

Here is a good report from Pirate on a hike up to Panamint City:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=936298

That canyon was an awesome experience in a 4 wheel. After my first trip up using my slllooowww Ramsey 8000, I traded it in on my Warn HS9500. Trying to drive up a steep waterfall with a wimpy winch is no fun.

[mkjeepers]

Thanks for the info. Pretty neat that anyone could tour back and just camp out in the cabins,just clean as you go thing. Sweet!

These are on BLM, there others in DVNP.

[InlandZJ]

Thanks for the info. Pretty neat that anyone could tour back and just camp out in the cabins,just clean as you go thing. Sweet!

[mkjeepers]

Thanks for the awesome pics Mkjeepers. Funny question ,do you have to check with someone in advance to staying in these cabins? Also those old cars made the rode trip back there or maybe some other way back less rocks just a dirt rode.

[COLOR="Blue"]The cabins are adopted by the Death Valley NP and maintained by volunteers. They can be used by anyone on a first come first serve basis. Some of the cabins are in top condition and make a nice get-away destination. They ask that you leave the cabins in as good or better condition than when you got there.

The roads back into the Panamint mine areas usually wash out every year and are restored by 4x clubs the NP and miners that are still working the claims. Recently the miners have graded the road up Pleasent Cyn and drive their trucks back there. I'm sure at certain times you could get a Ford Fairlane all the way back to South Park.

The South Park loop can be done in a stock FJ, Tacoma or Jeep easy enough - at this time - most of the loop is 2 wd. If you start by going up Pleasent canyon then down South Park you could pretty much do the whole thing in 2wd. [/COLOR]

[red baron 13]

little shack in BB

Has anyone stayed in the little shack on the trail that connects Onyx Summit to Juniper Springs GroupCamp? I just found it 6 or 7 weeks ago...