death Valley trip report

[ssrig55]

This is a thread on my past Death Valley trip I did in April, my wife and I with the dog headed down there for my big five-O, its also a shameless act of building my post count to get an oval sticker in "the chosen one" contest, as I was posting hard but only reached 13 posts!!


We left right away after work on a Friday to maximize our time and as usual the weather was great, we timed it perfectly to get into the Seattle rush hour at peak time, timing is everything.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AIzjAOY5JM4/TaNTFege2RI/AAAAAAAAC6o/Ik_WHgqAkjY/s800/death%252520valley%252520trip%252520033.jpg

We pulled over for dinner instead of crawling along, once chow was done we got back onto I-5 south and stayed the first night in a rest area, in the pouring rain.
Next day (Sat) we made it just past Reno, we turned off of I-5 at mount Shasta, and headed inland through the Lassier forest.

Shasta.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uVqgS7a6MrE/TgurFKP55dI/AAAAAAAAD64/qXDng5yVJ9s/s800/les%252520Death%252520valley%252520trip%252520002. jpg



https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EY3wIp0ytnk/Tgus5TYKigI/AAAAAAAAD7M/jobOOJ3Qtfo/s800/death%252520valley%252520trip%252520047.jpg

Arrived into Reno in the evening, and that was to be our re-supply spot before we get into DV. After several hours of shopping we drove for a bit and were looking for a place to stay and found a state park just off the road and spent the night.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kPvtpyY769U/TbCs4KhpW6I/AAAAAAAADaw/_xfngbRPWHM/s800/death%252520valley%252520trip%252520058.jpg

[deadly99]

Nice truck ! Looking forward to seeing more pictures
:popcorn:

[Cody1771]

wheres the rest of the pics? lol

[ssrig55]

Today we were getting into Death valley park, but before that we needed to get over some high passes on I-395, If I remember right one of them was over 9,000ft.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aBW2na6RGIs/TgwJ_Q-TYLI/AAAAAAAAD7s/-Md36GwG6jA/s800/DSCF1183.JPG

After passing Mono lake and its weird tufa's (no pics, too cold) we did our last fuel up before getting onto the north pass into either Saline Valley or Eureka dunes, because at this point we hadn't decided which one. The weather was getting warmer and no clouds.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I8gVdc1wRZw/TgwLBxFDHXI/AAAAAAAAD70/poVhdkE7o50/s800/DSCF1190.JPG


We reached the turn off where the decision needed to be made, 35 miles of washboard road to Saline warm springs or the Eureka dunes.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zvn7Ocs6K6k/TgwLUjqyEJI/AAAAAAAAD8E/ZAyT9pEF-2U/s800/DSCF1200.JPG

[ssrig55]

Hmmm, decisions , decisions,, after pondering it for a while I decided to go to the dunes with a recommendation from Axelr on this forum.


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The road was paved for a while, and passed through a
nice stand of Joshua trees.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4t576i4XEiI/TgwLryJ__QI/AAAAAAAAD8g/gmujPL5FzTU/s800/DSCF1206.JPG

The pavement ended but the road was real good, we cruised along and were creeping up on a biker.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tZeI0sI7f74/TgwMKEO-ucI/AAAAAAAAD80/Ek5EIGl1ltA/s800/DSCF1209.JPG


We zipped past him and reached the last turn off for the dunes where we stopped for a bit to let the air out of the tires, we'll be on dirt for a while now. Biker dude caught up to us and stopped for a chat, nice beemer.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z30IXvsRLXQ/TgwMazorfiI/AAAAAAAAD9M/fObr0vtHLwY/s800/DSCF1218.JPG


Interesting geology in the area, lots of mining activity every where.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NUT7qelNB_A/TgwMlUBb_tI/AAAAAAAAD9U/4F4Oam5u7UI/s800/DSCF1217.JPG


And my wife finding her first cactus of the trip.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MZNLqi833J0/TgwMp2SxhNI/AAAAAAAAD9o/wRacLR6pRLY/s800/DSCF1215.JPG

Not much further and we get our first glimpse of the dunes.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-v8Z8NoDIRgk/TgwNUN34SII/AAAAAAAAD98/5rCeGXl3J3E/s800/DSCF1734.JPG

Made it!! just in time for happy hour. Two days of travelling and we are ready to chill out for a couple of days.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6PELa_Vx27c/TgwNg_KgrgI/AAAAAAAAD-Q/Ro8HNjF3g3c/s800/DSCF1736.JPG

[ssrig55]

The wind picked up while we sipped on our vodka tonics but there was still some daylight left so the hound and I went up the dune a ways.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XNTb1bToKV4/TgwY1LtcvmI/AAAAAAAAD-s/wnix-e4HrHk/s800/DSCF1755.JPG


The sand blowing around made for some interesting pictures.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iKF5TsQhUs0/TgwZIufADlI/AAAAAAAAD_A/b-s8miD8vLg/s800/DSCF1759.JPG

I was only about a quarter of the way up but the camper looked so small. Our closest neighbor was a kilometer away!
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hbacdv4ChUg/TgwZMtR1ixI/AAAAAAAAD_M/V05CVaq7rII/s800/DSCF1757.JPG

The wind drove us inside as the sun set on a good day, going from cold and rain to dry and sun was just what the doctor ordered.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kvESGklJ-U4/TgwZePOiKXI/AAAAAAAAD_o/Gl6irzDGRaM/s800/DSCF1763.JPG

[TheOtherSide]

Beautiful photos... great report!!

[Jeremy]

Nice pictures, looking forward to more. I really like your setup, maybe for my 50th I will have one too.

[ssrig55]

Next morning was just another beautiful day, ho hum, except today was the big 50 day, we woke up to this awesome view out the back window.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FAyJqJ9P4zk/TgwgACF7iqI/AAAAAAAAEAA/z143Gi_-wxI/s800/DSCF1767.JPG


The wind cleaned up all the tracks on the dunes and the morning sun made for some nice shadows on them.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eVG8EM0QyUk/TgwgJ_Wb_YI/AAAAAAAAEAM/HswkW0SoU1c/s800/DSCF1772.JPG


We had a liesurely morning hanging out taking in the sun, that thing we hadnt seen in so long.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ADjwERb0Dyw/Tgwg8c1hCyI/AAAAAAAAEAc/OPrKKsuz_yA/s800/DSCF1783.JPG

The temps were getting up there and my dog was doing the pantathalon, so I decided to get some scissors and give her a hair cut.
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She was not impressed with the result, and I dont blame her, with that hair cut!
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kMepiY-0ySo/Tgyzha0GDWI/AAAAAAAAEDg/yHiXIjJ3YqE/s800/death%252520valley%252520trip%252520175.jpg

During our stay at the dunes we had many overflight's by F18's, as close by are a couple of military airbases, they are difficult to get a picture of.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-vVJ4yqz1Ftw/TgwizubPd-I/AAAAAAAAEBU/jh5WQuZudS4/s800/DSCF1253.JPG

[ssrig55]

Today was also summit day for me, I had planned to go for the dune summit for my birthday, and as I did an aclimation climb yesterday up to base camp 2 I felt I was good to go for it. So armed with a couple of bottles of water, a vodka and tonic and some sunscreen I headed out in the heat of the day for the summit push. Like I said before, timing is everything, this is not something you want to do in the cool morning temps.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-P1Hjfymjkrs/Tgwi46f4MBI/AAAAAAAAEBc/MXr_YAIiHz8/s800/DSCF1261.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GF7C_ckp9y4/Tgwj7idmFCI/AAAAAAAAEB0/DWPvsL7H-Ss/s800/DSCF1797.JPG

The going was good near the bottom, but the higher up I got the steeper it got and the softer the sand, I was taking two steps forward and sliding one step back, now I was doing the pantatholon.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9ulIM0v3g6g/TgwkONA3SAI/AAAAAAAAECM/ZbB-o63O5zw/s800/DSCF1802.JPG


But I managed to make the final push for the summit and all was good.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7Z8YzZnQaQ0/TgwkOLG8X9I/AAAAAAAAECI/IuDeYXmKogw/s800/DSCF1807.JPG


from the top I could just make out base camp, that wee black speck down there.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1vPwhOS-_-4/Tgy66-3yiGI/AAAAAAAAEEI/Xia_UjdO6k8/s800/death%252520valley%252520trip%252520161.jpg

After downing my V&T I started plodding my way back down.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Zp5s6drfzTw/Tgwk7Xic5II/AAAAAAAAECw/AoR2UdC86Pk/s800/DSCF1290.JPG

Home sweet home, made it!
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DUzzGAAuN9Q/TgwlFaNKefI/AAAAAAAAEDE/Z3hhu1mP_3M/s800/DSCF1294.JPG

Another great day was coming to an end, tomorrow we are moving on, the dunes area was a great spot to hang out, we really enjoyed it and do recommend it.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mLLrbTcbDNo/TgwjIq8WV1I/AAAAAAAAEBs/0d_aiQW-o2Y/s800/DSCF1295.JPG

[Squiggy]

Very, very, nice!!
:cheers:
:rttcamp
:camping:
:cheers:


Brad

[ChrisR]

Great report! Nice pics. Gonna have to make it down there someday to check it out.

[ssrig55]

We got up pretty early even though we really didnt have a plan but needed to get there anyway, loaded up and headed out.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RiuGhR8v5yM/ThFSNNcfP1I/AAAAAAAAEEk/IpK3FQ5qQCQ/s800/DSCF1300.JPG


Bye , Bye dunes, they were a good start to our stay in DV.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-inB4tmJLRdk/ThFSR_336-I/AAAAAAAAEE0/K-N0Xcqtrok/s800/DSCF1305.JPG


Our sort of plan was to drive Hanging Rock canyon to the Ubehehe Crater, then to Race Track Playa, on the way we saw these fellow overlanders from Germany in this Man truck, I have never seen a Man like this one. they were'nt around so didnt stop.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Cs2S7cAk2Fw/ThFSmMcNGKI/AAAAAAAAEE8/XOu_ptsYgA0/s800/DSCF1306.JPG


.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Yg__VMLwtOg/ThFTysZOHvI/AAAAAAAAEFg/IGGfKvWNyuY/s800/DSCF1828.JPG


After getting out of Hanging Rock we stopped at Crank Shaft Junction, this is where you can turn off the road in the middle of nowhere to go further into the middle of nowhere.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RPbMFmZpU_w/ThFT1dkx1WI/AAAAAAAAEFs/khe0kxyjO1U/s800/DSCF1830.JPG

We didnt turn off as we were far enough into the middle of nowhere, so we kept going, the road was okay at the start for the first twenty miles, but turned into ugly washboard, we had to do around 45 Km/hr to smooth it out a bit, but it was nasty.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2n0Kk7dsWEc/ThHqDJp76uI/AAAAAAAAENw/gONzf5QECrU/s800/les%252520Death%252520valley%252520trip%252520158. jpg

Made it to Ubehehe Crater, a steam generated volcanic explosion caused this fairly large crater, the parking lot is just visible on the middle left of the pic, the dog and I decided to circumnavigate the crater.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--hwDgTRp4II/ThFUYWJFNFI/AAAAAAAAEGU/uRz81jSI6lY/s800/DSCF1843.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-a_JrgaaDW9s/ThFWdVPresI/AAAAAAAAEHc/-nWpOs1eV6c/s800/DSCF1835.JPG


Next to the big crater was the Little Ubehehe Crater, this one I managed to fit into the frame.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tNoi1ZCemOM/ThFUWqTW7EI/AAAAAAAAEGI/jOHIDNh2op4/s800/DSCF1841.JPG

On the way we saw this guy, I tried to get closer but as I neared he went into warp drive straight through my dogs legs and was gone.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-joxDUyHix7M/ThFUwqZmYtI/AAAAAAAAEG4/gLBcYB6-1g8/s800/DSCF1846.JPG

After the circumnavigation of the crater we were supposed to drive another 30 miles of extreme washboard road to the Race Track Playa, this was not to be, while sitting next to the road looking at the deep washboard, about a dozen rental cars and a few low rider trucks drove out towards the Playa, I just couldn't do it, I could just see myself fixing flats or towing people outa there, so we turned around and saved it for another day.
We aren't to keen on camping in pay campsites, but our plans were screwed up so we decided to stay at Mesquite Campground for the night and get semi organized.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gOgyvaTeCYA/ThFXYWHUD-I/AAAAAAAAEHk/56_MLxD5as4/s800/DSCF1335.JPG

[ssrig55]

During the night the wind picked up and had everyone scrambling to tie down their tents and lawn chairs, we saw some folks sleeping in their cars, bummer for them.
Our plan for the day was to go see the Charcoal Kilns, they are at a fairly high altitude and a ways away so we got a decent start. Since leaving the dunes we had been slowly seeing more wild flowers.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qbQJCK-VWU0/ThFXtih9QCI/AAAAAAAAEIA/57orAyYCfec/s800/DSCF1347.JPG

The drive was real nice, we passed some interesting geology, these Hoodoo's in the making,
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WzE-CA1_ypw/ThFYVTLqbcI/AAAAAAAAEII/e6M2ArXpzgk/s800/DSCF1353.JPG

and some interesting caves.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZS5bGGzAzHw/ThFYW5av1WI/AAAAAAAAEIQ/Y2vK4scxouA/s800/DSCF1351.JPG

Stopping at an old mine site to explore a bit. A couple of guys stopped to chat. their rides were nicely decked out, but real clean too.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QdZjmf-xQ6U/ThFY0Xj-BdI/AAAAAAAAEIw/BztVXrRB13w/s800/DSCF1358.JPG

There were alot of concrete foundations at this site, I think this spot was the storage and loading area, the mine was further up the mountain. Death Valley has mine activity evidence everywhere. The charcoal Kilns supplied charcoal for smelting the ore, so my guess is this was one of the mines that the kilns supplied charcoal for. Here are two water tanks, something that is in big demand in Death valley.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2hMnezW7KvM/ThJA2Z7wRKI/AAAAAAAAEPg/H7OeG_JJ1OY/s800/death%252520valley%252520trip%252520237.jpg

Wild poppies.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5SEHM5iu28c/ThJAuoXzmII/AAAAAAAAEPU/M3e3daZ0qPs/s800/death%252520valley%252520trip%252520227.jpg

An old miners cabin taken over by the park rangers.
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the road kept climbing and climbing, if I remember right the kilns are at close to 8,000 feet,
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eventually reaching them.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3CSS-CZcYls/ThFZgiAv_wI/AAAAAAAAEJs/ADd_5smbP2Y/s800/DSCF1380.JPG

[ssrig55]

The kilns were awesome, I have wanted to see them for a while, built by chinese, the local pinyan pine was stacked into them and left to smoulder for a week, then cool for another week before shipping to the local mine twenty five miles away, they were only used for three years.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-G7UkQC7pC8k/ThFZsjiw42I/AAAAAAAAEJ0/sSp2W1GiV_M/s800/DSCF1370.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yCg9R5iiI2I/ThFakc0CB6I/AAAAAAAAEKo/xemrx3nPxro/s800/DSCF1394.JPG

My dog still smarting from her hair cut and needing some shades. The temps were still pretty warm despite the elevation, this was also the trail head to Telegragh Peak, the highest peak in DV at 11,000 feet.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rOzltWreCpg/ThFadkKSxBI/AAAAAAAAEKg/j1ySLgXdRiY/s800/DSCF1384.JPG

I spotted the LaSalle mountain range in the distance. Note the top vent in the kiln.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-SpEypCDyJug/ThFaLxJd4KI/AAAAAAAAEKI/RRygzyxPx24/s800/DSCF1388.JPG

Inside was cavernous, I decided to go ahead and drop my camera getting out of my truck and here i am trying to see if it is toast or not. Note the air intake holes here, they controlled the smoulder by opening or blocking these air holes.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3eIYnYtzIFk/ThJKty0-IyI/AAAAAAAAEQY/IMwndMTeTbU/s800/les%252520Death%252520valley%252520trip%252520210. jpg

After exploring for a while we started the trek back down to lower levels, on the way we started to see many blooming cacti.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-n4nweTaA2ew/ThFbNA6MU4I/AAAAAAAAEK0/idx2KXNeMaw/s800/DSCF1406.JPG

And other unknown wild flowers.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n2G8JWHaOHE/ThFbUGhd2rI/AAAAAAAAELM/UL_WgSOYtQU/s800/DSCF1408.JPG


looking down on the valley floor at the Death Valley dunes. Today the temps were in the thirties, and going down hill the temp was rising to the highest of our trip.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gmRHWJJDouE/ThFblewNZjI/AAAAAAAAELc/qtSMoKspIy8/s800/DSCF1420.JPG

[TheOtherSide]

WOW!! Some awesome sights to see... this trip has to be on my list for one day! Keep it coming...

[frankspinz]

Cool ride and a cool trip ! Thanks for the report !

[qcdavid]

Wow, that's a great trek. Thanks for the amazing pictures!

[Cody1771]

wow looks like an awsome trip! im jelous :)

[ssrig55]

Thanks for the comments, it's a great place to visit and explore, its a huge area with lots to see, and a good place to go for some sunshine that is not far away.

[ChrisR]

Again, great report. Very much enjoying the pics and comments.

[ssrig55]

For the rest of the day we were to meander our way to an old prospectors camp, one that we tried to find the last time we were in Death Valley. On our way was Furnace Creek, a small town that has real expensive fuel, and can reach 55'-60' celsius in the summer! We were also doing the mandatory tourist thing at Badwater, lowest point in North America.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GwedyHOZyCA/ThFeHKnImqI/AAAAAAAAELs/JeSgakXcKpM/s800/DSCF1422.JPG

Furnace creek RV park.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4FnRn_kEUL0/ThKfde3Cz1I/AAAAAAAAERg/cOPODn7ZVWw/s800/DSCF1429.JPG

Then we see some people out on the ice,,, nope, not ice, but it looks like it! Thats the dry lake bed at Badwater.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nGDzMoxHcCQ/ThFea5tIDEI/AAAAAAAAEMA/2FIyz1Vq0Tk/s800/DSCF1436.JPG

looking way up the cliff behind the truck to a little white sign,
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Nt007zNIUtA/ThFe1f5ONPI/AAAAAAAAEMI/l53uhdpujA0/s800/DSCF1437.JPG
it says this!
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ECYfkGul65k/ThFfPL8zkFI/AAAAAAAAEMc/ggSgwYrpYm0/s800/DSCF1438.JPG

Badwater, 282 feet below sea level, and Telegraph Peak, 11,000 feet in the background.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BjZl-Gj-LR4/ThFfVF_DMEI/AAAAAAAAEMw/8VWjEOo1eng/s800/DSCF1440.JPG

[ol yeller]

Awsome trip guys, the elusive sun and all...:cheers:

[ssrig55]

Leaving Badwater, we crossed paths with Wile E coyote, he was looking pretty healthy, I think he was on his way to pick up some ACME TNT.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zIwiVoyeal0/ThFfm3VBW0I/AAAAAAAAENA/HuY_MRVF1f8/s800/DSCF1449.JPG

At this stage I had my full arsenal out to find the cabin, I had my laptop, GPS and Delorme topo map all linked together so that we wont getted skunked finding it. I took one wrong turn on the way and the system worked real good and I saw my mistake right away. heading up into the foot hills.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-z2KzYRx_0vQ/ThKdjCl5H6I/AAAAAAAAERA/O8NAcYq97cU/s800/DSCF1454.JPG

After passing through some wadi's we came into view with the cabin, and great! no one here, its all ours!
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XW8WMhjQ680/ThKdqWpBHpI/AAAAAAAAERI/IBVq9Q1OBig/s800/DSCF1458.JPG

[ssrig55]

Right away we set out exploring the cabin, it was very interesting. In Death valley and its surroundings are many cabins, they are looked after by a group of folk that do repairs, and tidy up when others leave a mess. The history is interesting too. A struggle to keep the parks board from levelling this sites is ongoing. This particular cabin was built by a prospector and was used by several other miners during its life, the ores mined here changed often, whatever was giving the best return. One of the folk that looks after this site is a decendant of one of the original prospectors. As you can imagine, life must have been very harsh surviving here, many have died.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HOKWxhveZu0/ThNCUFRuxPI/AAAAAAAAESk/3HlU2aW4qOM/s800/les%252520Death%252520valley%252520trip%252520296. jpg

These cabins are for anyone to stay in, all that is asked is to do a little bit of work.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cBYFWW2pH6k/ThNCWpB3kKI/AAAAAAAAESs/5cIAfUDmQSY/s800/les%252520Death%252520valley%252520trip%252520297. jpg

A sign in book with some history. I read some of the entries and saw some people in there that I know!
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-B9X4Kw5VWRc/ThNDopFEx0I/AAAAAAAAES4/d2r05mUHbSg/s800/les%252520Death%252520valley%252520trip%252520298. jpg

ya'll are very patriotic.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iON61t9khU4/ThNDw9iUMII/AAAAAAAAETE/d0d9XsneoCY/s800/les%252520Death%252520valley%252520trip%252520299. jpg

Comfy bed with the optional mice poo available. But no bed bugs!
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xAL5fH64uJ4/ThND-PMFTNI/AAAAAAAAETg/BZmXNSPCOg0/s800/les%252520Death%252520valley%252520trip%252520300. jpg

The fridge is used for storage, and wait,, whats that blue thing there??
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MWd6OMrEByw/ThNEC2IEYAI/AAAAAAAAETo/NyViXyDoIkw/s800/les%252520Death%252520valley%252520trip%252520301. jpg

Outside there were all sorts of antiquities all over, with some of the nicer ones on this shelf.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IfnfCb1CfzU/ThNEh9WJFbI/AAAAAAAAEUE/QNuNPs2p1ek/s800/les%252520Death%252520valley%252520trip%252520303. jpg

[ssrig55]

many wild flowers here, and all the cacti were in bloom.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CbhlYmwJWGY/ThNE0G5PCeI/AAAAAAAAEUM/bQ-StCfMp0A/s800/les%252520Death%252520valley%252520trip%252520311. jpg

These yellow flowers were everywhere.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hqrshj6rM0s/ThNFMZ0RrBI/AAAAAAAAEU0/thdjEnu0nYQ/s800/les%252520Death%252520valley%252520trip%252520334. jpg

After the initial exploration was complete, I set to levelling the camper, no way we were going to sleep in that cabin.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-u8CS8XkJ9DY/ThNFIR-fHLI/AAAAAAAAEUg/LFtn0cIlUFk/s800/les%252520Death%252520valley%252520trip%252520333. jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qd96Mer2vtw/ThNFgILbo2I/AAAAAAAAEVo/tScVczTmVLA/s800/les%252520Death%252520valley%252520trip%252520340. jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-v6lZoO8GTJw/ThNF73WnTZI/AAAAAAAAEVw/GVoQXogQKXM/s800/les%252520Death%252520valley%252520trip%252520343. jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-froB17XCvj8/ThNGB1bUASI/AAAAAAAAEWI/FdLGibSgeWg/s800/les%252520Death%252520valley%252520trip%252520345. jpg

We settled down for the night as the sun went down, happy to be here, all night a bird sang away outside the camper, I have never heard of that, that thing never shut up, it was a nice sound, but all night!!
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-lEFdoEkSko8/ThNGUadrl8I/AAAAAAAAEWc/6MnnhZyoiaM/s800/les%252520Death%252520valley%252520trip%252520350. jpg

[ssrig55]

In the morning the dog was up early giving us the evil eye, 7:59 am. So up we get, make some coffee and have it while reading some of the history of the place and the log book.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-h9ZlEZXdNL4/ThNHTyaJl0I/AAAAAAAAEXQ/_N4vhbUD_cU/s800/les%252520Death%252520valley%252520trip%252520365. jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LlJVCa7sDiw/ThNHVxmclKI/AAAAAAAAEXY/WLQWl3HnVTI/s800/les%252520Death%252520valley%252520trip%252520367. jpg

Once it warmed up some exploring was in order, after reading an entry by a past occupier, we found out that there were ores and crystals around the old mine site, so off we went. here was an old mesquite tree.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WSI7JM5gArw/ThNGWTts9nI/AAAAAAAAEWk/6JGfW55lg2w/s800/les%252520Death%252520valley%252520trip%252520351. jpg

An old upside down hopper.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HGu2125Fg00/ThNH1BMQ-qI/AAAAAAAAEYM/ICY0hIhFp-c/s800/les%252520Death%252520valley%252520trip%252520377. jpg

An upside down car with my wife holding onto her new piece of old tree that we dragged back to BC.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EDNRJ1ms4rI/ThNI8uqTyPI/AAAAAAAAEYg/d-ECBxdy8fs/s800/les%252520Death%252520valley%252520trip%252520380. jpg

Can anyone tell what kind of car it is?
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bFahYh0UF2k/ThNI-yQYtOI/AAAAAAAAEYw/uskkt1WqonE/s800/les%252520Death%252520valley%252520trip%252520382. jpg
No crystals were found, but we found some gold, well it looked like gold but wasnt.
After several hours of scouring the area, we hung around the cabin for a bit, and saw a putter and a couple of golf balls?? What the heck? then we realised that all the stuff in the front yard was a mini putt course, so a game was in order.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DUIh3fwrwD8/ThNGhjSU5bI/AAAAAAAAEW4/pJAJB0A12Rg/s800/les%252520Death%252520valley%252520trip%252520356. jpg

Last look at the camp site from the mine site.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dgakNYnegNc/ThNHu94vIfI/AAAAAAAAEX4/Hhg5i7DM5SE/s800/les%252520Death%252520valley%252520trip%252520374. jpg

We stayed for as long as we could, but our time was up in Death Valley, we needed to get to Las Vegas for some birthday festivities, so load up and start wandering out, seeing more wild flowers on our way.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-B8xO-OFfnXg/ThNJbIBql3I/AAAAAAAAEZc/VH0qTlju7Fs/s800/les%252520Death%252520valley%252520trip%252520385. jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VtQa9IDq5wo/ThNJgagXhoI/AAAAAAAAEZk/rEo3sx2e_PY/s800/les%252520Death%252520valley%252520trip%252520392. jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-e7W2S2TlxgM/ThNJ-EhWdXI/AAAAAAAAEaE/MrzJo2tTZhk/s800/les%252520Death%252520valley%252520trip%252520393. jpg

This plant had a parasite on it, I cant remember what they call it , but it has an orange tinge, feels like rubber bands, and it eventually kills the host plant.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-j-9f3gCNNZ0/ThNKAHr8iwI/AAAAAAAAEaM/UEeQk4ESMs4/s800/les%252520Death%252520valley%252520trip%252520394. jpg

On our way to Vegas, alot of the roads are like this, basin and range for miles.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Y-kjuG6RhFE/ThNKLcxb39I/AAAAAAAAEag/V4sb92ljhNg/s800/les%252520Death%252520valley%252520trip%252520398. jpg

[ssrig55]

All I can say is YUCK!! Going from Death Valley to Vegas is one disgusting event, this was my site, $60 US because I paid extra for that patch of grass. Note how no one else has grass, nice eh?

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yoh-onMmXsI/ThNKbzxe5aI/AAAAAAAAEa0/gE7Efz2IxhI/s800/les%252520Death%252520valley%252520trip%252520457. jpg

What is the attraction here?? Crammed in like sardines.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ePzuwiSgo40/ThOJgsQGaCI/AAAAAAAAEbc/_wsU_cLbqT8/s800/les%252520Death%252520valley%252520trip%252520402. jpg

The usual stuff.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DMxUDqH8R9g/ThOJjciRvcI/AAAAAAAAEbk/wGrjjrSCEvE/s800/les%252520Death%252520valley%252520trip%252520407. jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RTctYQKZP6o/ThOK-1X60HI/AAAAAAAAEcE/Kcnqd-q1a8M/s800/les%252520Death%252520valley%252520trip%252520409. jpg

We stayed here for two nights, and only because this was a planned birthday get together for family, otherwise we wouldn't be here. This is Ok to visit a couple of times, but I am pretty much done going to Vegas, this will be my last time.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-llb-XMdsSGU/ThOLSr6Hp8I/AAAAAAAAEcM/5T85GX3hgcY/s800/les%252520Death%252520valley%252520trip%252520462. jpg

[ssrig55]

After a couple of nights in Lost Wages, it was time to get home. Here's a few pics of some spots along the way, the drive back was "go like hell" so there was no time to sight see.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-N3_7MTQwD0M/ThOOARADeSI/AAAAAAAAEcg/I8zzlDOqvbA/s800/death%252520valley%252520trip%252520260.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g4EDMoYONig/ThOOEtF5YeI/AAAAAAAAEcs/XZC5pDmq7tA/s800/death%252520valley%252520trip%252520262.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Q_CtUjkxMww/ThOOzK6aR-I/AAAAAAAAEdM/0KmPHd30Qww/s800/death%252520valley%252520trip%252520263.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LsW0eRIhOio/ThOSkLlPNvI/AAAAAAAAEd0/H1Ze4IAUkkM/s800/death%252520valley%252520trip%252520272.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-X302twRwqY4/ThOSkeDgQzI/AAAAAAAAEd4/ZOUb5M_QFKs/s800/death%252520valley%252520trip%252520267.jpg


https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3d63vgeaTlM/ThOTCap9vsI/AAAAAAAAEek/NVtm8Eh7W5A/s800/les%252520Death%252520valley%252520trip%252520526. jpg

It was a great trip, the rig ran great, 4435 kilometers at 17.54mpg ( 16 litres / 100km ) one gph better than my cross Canada trip, I guess its broken in now.

[OutbacKamper]

Thanks for sharing all those great photos. It looks like you had a wonderful trip. I spent 2 days in DV in April 2009 and loved in. I will definitely be returning for a longer trip one day soon.
Very cool camper by the way!
Cheers
Mark

[TheOtherSide]

The big Fuso made it to OLC's front page... nice Overlander!!!

[Abitibi]

No one seemed to have mentioned it... Happy delayed 50th!;)

[ssrig55]

No one seemed to have mentioned it... Happy delayed 50th!;)

Hey , thanks, once past fifty most people dont advertise it, only five more months and its 51:headspin:

[Hai]

nice photos here!! sounds great trip... thanks for posting.:cheers:

[ssrig55]

nice photos here!! sounds great trip... thanks for posting.:cheers:


thanks

[GregB_00XJ]

Not sure why I haven't come across this before? Nice trip...great shots, something I aspire to do some day too. DV looks like it is a pretty interesting drive.