Death Valley (One Mo' Time)

[SunMan]

Since coming out of Saline Valley via the Lippencott during the DV Rally I've been haunted by not having been able to head north to the hotsprings that day. It had been heavily on my mind since then so we finally found a good weekend, packed up and headed out. We zorched out on a Thursday night and considered bombing straight thru to SV in the dark. I started thinking how much I really wanted to just enjoy the drive and take it all in so I decided to camp for the night near Darwin. This would enable us to head out the next morning, hike to the falls and then enjoy a leisurely drive, stopping as much as we wanted. As we picked our way past Darwin down to China Garden Springs in complete darkness we somehow spotted exactly where DD and Marc had camped during the DVR.

Pics from camp the next day, Darwin Falls and some wildflowers:

 

[SunMan]

After the falls we headed for Saline and the winds were really kicking up by this time. After airing down we stopped at the Boxcar Cabin, there was a note on the door stating somebody went to get firewood and would be back. Must've been a group camp planned. The cabin was full of stuff so we respected their privacy and bailed. I was a little bummed as I really wanted to check it out.

Coming down into SV you could really see the dust was kicking up, it's times like this when we are really stoked to have the camper!

 

[SunMan]

We got to camp and it was simply howling, probably 30-40 kts. We grabbed a shower and a soak, had dinner, had another soak and finally hunkered down for the night. Man, did it blow. We had planned to leave the next day for Eureka Dunes via Steel Pass but the next day was just gorgeous so we figured we'd stay, catch some much needed rays and save it for another time, sometimes you just gotta stop and smell the roses.

 

[SunMan]

Some shots of the local wildlife and character of the place...

 

[SunMan]

A couple of interesting rigs. The guy with the utility bed/FWC combo was from Texas, he had a shell model Granby and had done some very impressive work inside. He had one of the most interesting fold down table/bed designs I've seen. He also built a pretty cool permanent dog bed. Meant to take pics but never got around to it. I told him about WTW, maybe we'll see him here...Guy, you out there??? The Alaskan was pretty sweet too.

 

[SunMan]

We reluctantly headed for home on Sunday, we took the long way out via the North Pass just to check it out, beautiful drive through the Pinon Pines.

We had a leisurely and uneventful ride home. Unfortunately this poor fella on the Grapevine didn't, looked like he lost a dune buggy and a quad. Bummer.

 

[pvstoy]

Sounds like you had a great trip. Thanks for sharing. Yes that was you I saw heading home with that red gas can on the roof.

 

[Darryla]

Hot Springs

Thank you for the pictures. Can you give me some more detail as to where the hot springs are?

Regards,

Darryl

 

[pvstoy]

Thank you for the pictures. Can you give me some more detail as to where the hot springs are?

Regards,

Darryl


I have not read this yet but here is something.
http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/02/06/travel/escapes/06american.html

 

[EdoHart]

Thanks Sunman.

Boy, that brings back some memories - the old cabin, wind, bat rock, and burros...that almost sounds like a band name.

 

[chnlisle]

As Usual great pix and story. Thanks Sunny.
Man I miss Saline its been 3 years now. I dont miss that gale that you can actually coming down the eastern Sierra from Whitney. But when its right there is no better. Get naked soak and have a TEQUILA.

 

[DirtyDog]

I can never get enough DV reports keep em coming! That looks like just the kind of area I'd like to spend some time in. I think next time I go down there I'm definitely going to hit that area, and hopefully via Cerro Gordo road to make it really interesting! Great report Sunman thanks!

Also, good use of "zorched", going to integrate that into my vocab.

 

[SunMan]

Les, We were wondering what his reaction would be too but that was the day the winds were howling and he was in siesta mode and never caught his scent. He could care less about the burros.

Jay, you are so right, I made more than a few friends with my Costco sized bottle of Corralejo! BTW, neither of us managed to draw blood but we did leave with a nice dose of sunburn...we'll try harder next time.

Darryla, PM sent.

 

[DLN]

Nice report and pix Sunman, thanks for posting.

 

[kcowyo]

Yessah!

Get your bohemian ass nekkid and soak up Saline Valley!


Awesome SunMan. Glad you made it back -

.

 

[HERR42]

was that a dodge on fire?

 

[Marc]

Hi Sonny,

Looks like the three of you had a great time and the pics look great Ya gotta love DV. You guys going to the pigapalooza at Jon's ??

 

[SunMan]

Hi Sonny,

Looks like the three of you had a great time and the pics look great Ya gotta love DV. You guys going to the pigapalooza at Jon's ??

Thanks Marc. Can't pull off the pigapalooza. That's a multi-day off trip for me (a full week to do it right). I'm getting close to "real" vacation time so I'm gonna save the days. Remember what that's like you retired guys??!!.

We need to plan a weekend mission in the near future though (Jalama?). Have fun up there and take a bunch of pics!

 

[erod]

great pics and reports sunman...your set up looks sweet!

 

[pods8]

I'm getting close to "real" vacation time so I'm gonna save the days. Remember what that's like you retired guys??!!.


As a 2weeks still guy I feel that pain.