Death Valley NP for Thanksgiving

[ski3pin]

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.

The issue with Marble Canyon in DVNP is the roads, miles, and driving time - far far far from a usual shuttle. First we'll do the upper section down to Deadhorse and back (as Occidental suggests), or possibly ascend a connecting canyon for the back up and connect with some cross country. We will still consider a through hike but the best scenario would be a ride in and dropped off by a very kind soul at Goldbelt, sleep under the stars, and descend Marble the next day to our waiting camper at the bottom.

 

[Occidental]

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.

As of our visit, the road off the top of hunter was graded, with a large berm on the outside road edge. I am sure conditions can change day to day, but at least the road and drainage ditches were shaped up prior to the hopefully wet season.

 

[Occidental]

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.

I have a upcoming shot of that big switchback in the upcoming video, hopefully out tomorrow...prep for Baja dominated today and I didn't get to it.

 

[Occidental]

The issue with Marble Canyon in DVNP is the roads, miles, and driving time - far far far from a usual shuttle. First we'll do the upper section down to Deadhorse and back (as Occidental suggests), or possibly ascend a connecting canyon for the back up and connect with some cross country. We will still consider a through hike but the best scenario would be a ride in and dropped off by a very kind soul at Goldbelt, sleep under the stars, and descend Marble the next day to our waiting camper at the bottom.

Vic - you have a good idea, but yes, with Marble Canyon it would still be a 3-4 day commitment in my opinion, and also as Ski points out here. That's not a bad thing! My recollection of the drive into lower Marble, its a full day in the short days of winter to drive in - great drive, but it is slow. Not as slow to get into the top, roads are pretty good, but still remote. Hike down Marble (Shorty Harris) and back up or back up Deadhorse, then drive around and hike up from bottom, drive around would be at least a day, or maybe 2, then hike up and back. Or, if you could arrange it, have a party meet in the middle around Deadhorse, exchange keys, spend the night there (backpacking) with plenty of water packed in, and only have to drive each stretch once. Spring might be ideal for this if no showers are expected. Anyway, it's a great problem to have, I love to think about the possibilities and logistics of things like this.

 

[Occidental]

There's one more part to this report, the video. Starscapes, some trail footage and a few other highlights are included.
https://youtu.be/Qm73iRxZzI0

 

[ETAV8R]

Nice report.
I've hiked up the canyon where you camped next to the "junker" car near North Pass in Saline Valley. There are interesting tales about that canyon and the yellow truck in the wash. The time I visited I thought it would make a very good campsite...but the springs are always too tempting.

I visited Saline Valley in early November and again in early December driving North to South the first trip and opposite the second trip. South Pass is nasty. Even when it is in good shape I prefer North Pass for various reasons. On both trips there was dust hanging in the valley. I do admit I drive SVR quickly but I do slow down when passing as to not dust anyone else.

 

[Occidental]

Nice report.
I've hiked up the canyon where you camped next to the "junker" car near North Pass in Saline Valley. There are interesting tales about that canyon and the yellow truck in the wash. The time I visited I thought it would make a very good campsite...but the springs are always too tempting.

I visited Saline Valley in early November and again in early December driving North to South the first trip and opposite the second trip. South Pass is nasty. Even when it is in good shape I prefer North Pass for various reasons. On both trips there was dust hanging in the valley. I do admit I drive SVR quickly but I do slow down when passing as to not dust anyone else.

We aren't tempted by the springs, so that site worked out great for us. I didn't run across the yellow truck - is it below or above the camp? We hiked up the wash a ways, before we ran out of daylight, but it's pretty deep in places and we might have missed it.

I agree, the south end is nasty, and there is nothing but boulders in the road bed, so I don't expect it to ever be better. It was amazing to be above the valley and see the dust in the air down below. Probably a common occurrence over long weekends such as Thanksgiving.

 

[Gussie]

Love it! Thanks for the ride-along.