I have a trip planned for Death Valley a couple weekends before - but I still want to try to make it. The SoCal group still can't seem to agree on a date - it may be a sign that a smaller group is better... (Nothing against our brethren from south of the Grapevine - but even the organizer keeps changing his dates)
I have a trip planned for Death Valley a couple weekends before - but I still want to try to make it. The SoCal group still can't seem to agree on a date - it may be a sign that a smaller group is better... (Nothing against our brethren from south of the Grapevine - but even the organizer keeps changing his dates)
Its more of an too many SoCal events in one month type of deal, for me the 9 - 12 works better then later in the month. But I could just happen to be traveling the trail on the same day as the rest of you... no way BLM can enforce that... :eeks1:
The trip I was on in '08 we had 22 vehicles and 40 people. http://www.travsite.com/offroad/MojaveRoad/2008/index.html
We had three permits each authorizing eight vehicles. These were acquired individually. It probably helped having applicants from NV and CA. The permit is $50 and as long as everyone has valid liability insurance on the vehicles no group liability insurance is needed. Permits are obtained from the national park service and come with a page and a half of instructions, no firewood gathering, pack in/out everything, watch for desert tortoise etc, notify a ranger when you arrive etc. We stayed the trail and used common sense and had no problems.
Later is probably better with the rain that has been hitting the area this year. From what I understand about this route and current conditions down there, several water crossings and the lakebed may still be too wet even when SoCal goes there April 24-26.
Later is probably better with the rain that has been hitting the area this year. From what I understand about this route and current conditions down there, several water crossings and the lakebed may still be too wet even when SoCal goes there April 24-26.