Death Valley NP for Thanksgiving

[Occidental]

The trip report for the first half of our trip to the western portion of Death Valley National Park is now posted. The Thanksgiving weekend gave us enough time to make the drive. This trip also brought us up over 70 nights in the camper this year, a best for us!

Please enjoy: https://www.occidentalist.org/death-valley-2021-part-1/
Part 2: https://www.occidentalist.org/death-valley-2021-part-2/
And the video: https://youtu.be/Qm73iRxZzI0

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

That looks like a nice getaway trip. The long drive part would be grueling, but a fantastic reward when you get there.

Thanks for letting us tag along!

 

[AWG_Pics]

We love Death Valley for just the reasons you said. We even spent Thanksgiving there several years ago -- mostly on the east side. Thanks for sharing your trip -- I look forward to part 2.

 

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

Sounds like you had a great time, thanks for the TR. Bummer about Hidden Valley. I’m planning a Spring trip with some newbies and a loop around Hunter to the Racetrack was on the menu. I’ll have to keep tabs on its condition.

 

[Vic Harder]

that does look nice! What were the temps like?

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Thanks for the trip. Very beautiful country.
A great way to spend T day.
Frank

 

[Occidental]

Sounds like you had a great time, thanks for the TR. Bummer about Hidden Valley. I’m planning a Spring trip with some newbies and a loop around Hunter to the Racetrack was on the menu. I’ll have to keep tabs on its condition.

It may already be shaped up, a grader had been in the area right before we arrived, but since we didn't drive out that way I can't be sure of the condition.

 

[Occidental]

that does look nice! What were the temps like?

Temps were in the low 60's for highs, and mid 30's for lows. With the wind in the evening it was chilly to be out, but t shirt weather during the day, pretty nice for November! Especially during the couple days spent at higher elevation.

 

[ski3pin]

So much familiar, and much loved terrain in your report; packed full of memories for us. Thanks for the great trip report and photos!

The sand bog in Hidden Valley is awful. We last time we drove it was last December. There are hard invisible ruts hidden below the sand - more like silt. It is a messy bumpy ride. To make it worse. we watched (from camp) one long line of overlanders (10 vehicles) hit it hard at high speed and tore it up badly. The dust still hung in the air as it got dark, two hours later.

We also had the idea of camping near Goldbelt Spring. That did not happen. Julie very much wants to hike the length of Marble Canyon from the top. The logistics of arranging vehicles/transportation is a daunting task.

You can't beat a trip to Death Valley National Park!

 

[goinoregon]

Thank you !!

 

[Occidental]

The sand bog in Hidden Valley is awful. We last time we drove it was last December. There are hard invisible ruts hidden below the sand - more like silt. It is a messy bumpy ride. To make it worse. we watched (from camp) one long line of overlanders (10 vehicles) hit it hard at high speed and tore it up badly. The dust still hung in the air as it got dark, two hours later.

Interesting, the next night when we were overlooking Saline Valley we noticed a haze hanging over the valley. I hypothesized that it was due to the dust kicked up by all those that were passing us up. I don't think there's another plausible source of pollution, especially when the surrounding valleys were clear.

We crossed paths with two "tricked out" overland vehicles on their way out of Hidden Valley the afternoon of Thanksgiving, and we couldn't even tell their paint color due to the dust coating them. Fun?

 

[Occidental]

We also had the idea of camping near Goldbelt Spring. That did not happen. Julie very much wants to hike the length of Marble Canyon from the top. The logistics of arranging vehicles/transportation is a daunting task.

Goldbelt has a great view, and lots of stuff to explore. It also left me thinking of a thru hike, but I'm not sure which would be more time, a out and back or a thru hike, considering the time needed for driving. Normally I'd lean to a thru hike, but the access is so poor, and so separated, it may not be the way to go, unless you have friends just willing to pick you up and don't want to also do the hike, which would require a shuttle that all would have to do. I've now hiked it all, in two separate hikes, and I think a separate top and bottom trip, the way I've already done it, may be more preferable, if I ever got to do it again. But that is assuming I'd have to drive to the mouth of Marble Canyon twice, once for a pick up, and another for a drop off.

 

[Occidental]

Part 2 is now up: https://www.occidentalist.org/death-valley-2021-part-2/

 

[Lighthawk]

Thanks for your report. We've been on the backside of Hunter Mtn a few times, and have plans to return.
Hidden Valley sand daunted me the first time, but we had a bypass. I've read there are petros nearby.

 

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

“Let me just start by saying the Saline Valley road is long an rough. It seemed like we descended from Hunter Mountain for hours before we were on the valley floor. I do admit we were passed by many and we passed none, so maybe I’m just a slow poke. Or maybe everyone else is driving a rental?”

Slow poke? Nah, just preserving your fillings. Saline has a real mix of road conditions, although I think The Racetrack Rd has the worst washboard. Benton is a great way to finish your trip, thanks again for bringing us along!

 

[Occidental]

Slow poke? Nah, just preserving your fillings. Saline has a real mix of road conditions, although I think The Racetrack Rd has the worst washboard. Benton is a great way to finish your trip, thanks again for bringing us along!

Yes I have to agree Racetrack road had the most impressive washboard I've ever been on. I vowed to never return, I lost so many screws out of the cabinets of my old Eagle the time I visited. Then again, never is a strong word....maybe? That trip there were definitely rental jeeps from Furnace Creek that were passing me up at 2x my speed or better. I got to wishing I rented one myself, but then I wouldn't have been able to spend the night near Lost Burro gap, which was a memorable camp.

 

[heinphoto]

We are headed there for a week in January, so your excellent posts are a nice preview! We have visited Death Valley many times over the years, but this will be our first time in our camper, so we are excited. I would love to get up to Hunter Mountain, but I suspect that snow and ice will be an issue by the time of our visit. So, that may have to wait for another trip...

 

[Lighthawk]

We are headed there for a week in January, so your excellent posts are a nice preview! We have visited Death Valley many times over the years, but this will be our first time in our camper, so we are excited. I would love to get up to Hunter Mountain, but I suspect that snow and ice will be an issue by the time of our visit. So, that may have to wait for another trip...

We're heading down next Saturday, weather and roads permitting. We went over Hunter from South Pass last December and noticed deep mud ruts in sections. Conditions were dry but there was ice at several locations. Hopefully this year will be a wetter year everywhere.

 

[ski3pin]

We're heading down next Saturday, weather and roads permitting. We went over Hunter from South Pass last December and noticed deep mud ruts in sections. Conditions were dry but there was ice at several locations. Hopefully this year will be a wetter year everywhere.

About half way down the switchbacks is a spring that can cover the road with ice in cold weather. It is a steep section and should not be forgotten.

 

[Vic Harder]

Goldbelt has a great view, and lots of stuff to explore. It also left me thinking of a thru hike, but I'm not sure which would be more time, a out and back or a thru hike, considering the time needed for driving. Normally I'd lean to a thru hike, but the access is so poor, and so separated, it may not be the way to go, unless you have friends just willing to pick you up and don't want to also do the hike, which would require a shuttle that all would have to do. I've now hiked it all, in two separate hikes, and I think a separate top and bottom trip, the way I've already done it, may be more preferable, if I ever got to do it again. But that is assuming I'd have to drive to the mouth of Marble Canyon twice, once for a pick up, and another for a drop off.

Something we have done on other long hikes is exchange spare keys with another couple, and set up a shuttle. One group hikes down, the other up. You meet in the middle for a nice lunch together, then complete the hikes and drive the other's vehicle back to camp.