Death Valley tour

[Original_MudButt]

I'm bringing this back up again.

March 27-29 I would like to do a Death Valley tour.

I'm planning on leaving Ballarat Friday around 8:00 am and going up Goler Wash to Barker Ranch (the last residence of Charles Manson as a free man). Then over Mengel Pass, down to West Side Road and spending the first night at Furnace Creek Campground.

Saturday will see us going to Rhyolite then through Titus Canyon then up to Scotty's Castle. Back to Furnace Creek.

For dinner on Saturday I will be making my world famous Cajun spiced beer-butt chicken for everyone.

Sunday has not been defined yet, but I'm thinking of taking the hwy over to Darwin and taking the side road to Darwin falls, then home, but it's open...

I will be taking my Sierra 2500, so if you want me to haul anything for you I will have plenty of room.

I will not go with anything less than 3 vehicles. So far, I am going and a friend with an '03 Wrangler (lifted, locked, etc).

I will need a 100% confirmation from at least 1 other person by 3-22 or I will cancel the trip.

This will probably be the last weekend to do this until fall, unless you like it HOT!!

Let me know. Thanks.....

 

[IslanderOffRoad]

Hows the camping situation there? Restrooms?

If I can talk the g/f into it.. maybe. Restrooms help with that.

 

[Original_MudButt]

Furnace Creek Campground

Open All Year. Located 196 feet below sea level, Furnace Creek has 136 sites with water, tables, fireplaces, flush toilets, and dump station. Furnace Creek is $18 per night during the winter season and $12 a night during the summer. Reservations for sites in Furnace Creek Campground are only taken for the winter season (October 15 through April 15). The campground is first come first served in the summer.

 

[Original_MudButt]

Well it looks like Furnace Creek is full that weekend.

I'll make some calls tomorrow. Perhaps we can get lucky and there will be cancelations or we might be able to camp in overflow. Worst case scenario, we will have to primitive camp somewhere.

 

[Original_MudButt]

It's late, I'm going to bed. But the guidebook I have says there are 9 campgrounds in and around DV. The map I have says there are 11...

I'll look into it more tomorrow....

 

[IslanderOffRoad]

I can't make it up till late Friday night... guess I'm out.

 

[MaxxXJ]

i've been up goler wash and to mansons cabin, but how is the rest of the trail for a stock xj on bfg mt's? or should i just not attempt it...

 

[Original_MudButt]

i've been up goler wash and to mansons cabin, but how is the rest of the trail for a stock xj on bfg mt's? or should i just not attempt it...

Not sure. 4x Santa told me there is somewhat of a drop off near the end of Mengel pass that is fairly steep.:dunno:

The rest of what I want to do is pretty mild. FordGuy said he would do Titus canyon in a stock Honda Civic!

I'm taking my Sierra 4X and recovery gear, so there is no chance of enyone being stuck.

 

[MaxxXJ]

lol im not worried about getting stuck... im worried about breakin my daily driver!... maybe rippin off my diff cover lol.... if i see a rock too big i'll dig it out, move it, then replace it after i got thru it =)

 

[Original_MudButt]

lol im not worried about getting stuck... im worried about breakin my daily driver!... maybe rippin off my diff cover lol.... if i see a rock too big i'll dig it out, move it, then replace it after i got thru it =)

So does that mean you are in?

 

[MaxxXJ]

idk about that drop off thats fairly steep at mengel pass...

 

[MaxxXJ]

idk about that drop off thats fairly steep at mengel pass... i think i'll pass for this year, i should be lifted locked by next year, the next 2 things on my to buy list are crane diff covers and an aussie locker in the rear. then i'll get my lift

 

[lazyxj]

A group of us go the DV every year between Xmas and New Years.
Last year, we went over Mengle Pass, heading east. My friend took his stock XJ down with no problems. Coming back up would have been a different story.

If Furnace Creek is filled, go across the street to Sunset or Texas Springs.
Stovepipe Wells is another choice or just camp in the desert.
http://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/camping.htm

Any vehicle with high ground clearance can drive Titus Canyon, when open.

The road from Darwin Falls to Darwin can be done with a stock XJ.
Check out the koi pond at China Garden while you are at it.

The weather is starting to get warm but is still doable for several weeks.
[FONT=&quot]The high desert wildflowers should be in full bloom.[/FONT]

 

[Original_MudButt]

Thanks Lazyxj......

Due to lack of interest this trip has been canceled.....

 

[FordGuy]

That suck's, its a cool trip!