Darryla
Senior Member
Anyone considering a short Rally to Death Valley right after Christmas?
Death Valley Rally after Christmas
- Thread starter Darryla
- Start date
Anyone considering a short Rally to Death Valley right after Christmas?
I'll be out-and-about ("WTW-ing") between Xmas & New Years. Xmas at my folks in Redding, then heading east and south from there on the 26th, probably. I'm mainly thinking about, headed toward, central/eastern NV, but DV -- for a day or two -- is a possibility for me.
I'll be out-and-about ("WTW-ing") between Xmas & New Years. Xmas at my folks in Redding, then heading east and south from there on the 26th, probably. I'm mainly thinking about, headed toward, central/eastern NV, but DV -- for a day or two -- is a possibility for me.
Darryla
Senior Member
MarkBC: Where are you going in central and eastern Nevada if you do not mind me asking?
Darryl
Darryl
SunMan
King Taco
It is possible. I just got back from a 3 day DV trip but would have no problem going again.
MarkBC: Where are you going in central and eastern Nevada if you do not mind me asking?
Darryl
OK, you asked for it, my long-winded answer:
For me, "Eastern Nevada" traditionally means Great Basin National Park...I have "a thing" for GBNP, it seems.
I've been there lots of times -- more midwinter than during the warmer months....Maybe because my first trip there -- between Xmas and New Years 15 to 20 years ago -- was so freakin' incredible...I can't get over it.
I love everything along US 50 "the loneliest road in America" (once you get east of Fallon, anyway). When driving direct from Bend, OR (instead of from my folks house east of Redding, CA) I usually go Burns, OR to Winnemucca to Battle Mt. then head south on NV 305 to Austin, then head east on US 50...maybe stop at, maybe spend the night at, Spenser Hot Springs (if snowy-roads permit), then continue east on 50 through Eureka and then Ely, the last real town before GBNP. (I usually stop and do whatever serious web-surfing, photo-uploading, I need to do using the WiFi connection that leaks out of the county library, just off main street. Also stock up on whatever other provisions I need.)
Then 60 miles more to GBNP, where I've frequently been the only person camped that Xmas-NY week -- at least for a night or two of that week. At the NV/UT border -- literally straddling the border -- is the somewhat-funky-but-I-like-it Border Inn: Bar/restaurant/micro-casino on the NV side and motel on the UT side. (I've always wondered how they do their taxes...??) I've spent nights there when I got tired of camping/cold, and they have vehicle fuel and a micro-mart, too.
There's a lot more great stuff (for me, being empty enhances the greatness of otherwise non-spectacular places) in central NV, but in the winter there's snow to consider...even desert areas get snow when they're cold, and I don't like getting stuck.
Anyway, if I joined a WTW group in DV it would work out best for me if it was immediately after Xmas (like 26, 27-ish), so after heading east/south from my folks in Redding, when I got to Reno I'd head south on 395 instead of east on 80/50...and then after a day or two at DV head east/north-east into NV -- on my pilgrimage.
Darryl
OK, you asked for it, my long-winded answer:
For me, "Eastern Nevada" traditionally means Great Basin National Park...I have "a thing" for GBNP, it seems.
I love everything along US 50 "the loneliest road in America" (once you get east of Fallon, anyway). When driving direct from Bend, OR (instead of from my folks house east of Redding, CA) I usually go Burns, OR to Winnemucca to Battle Mt. then head south on NV 305 to Austin, then head east on US 50...maybe stop at, maybe spend the night at, Spenser Hot Springs (if snowy-roads permit), then continue east on 50 through Eureka and then Ely, the last real town before GBNP. (I usually stop and do whatever serious web-surfing, photo-uploading, I need to do using the WiFi connection that leaks out of the county library, just off main street. Also stock up on whatever other provisions I need.)
Then 60 miles more to GBNP, where I've frequently been the only person camped that Xmas-NY week -- at least for a night or two of that week. At the NV/UT border -- literally straddling the border -- is the somewhat-funky-but-I-like-it Border Inn: Bar/restaurant/micro-casino on the NV side and motel on the UT side. (I've always wondered how they do their taxes...??) I've spent nights there when I got tired of camping/cold, and they have vehicle fuel and a micro-mart, too.
There's a lot more great stuff (for me, being empty enhances the greatness of otherwise non-spectacular places) in central NV, but in the winter there's snow to consider...even desert areas get snow when they're cold, and I don't like getting stuck.
Anyway, if I joined a WTW group in DV it would work out best for me if it was immediately after Xmas (like 26, 27-ish), so after heading east/south from my folks in Redding, when I got to Reno I'd head south on 395 instead of east on 80/50...and then after a day or two at DV head east/north-east into NV -- on my pilgrimage.
RoamingRobertsons
Member
We've had some discussions with some friends about doing a DV trip between Christmas and New Year. They aren't exactly off road camper per se. They tend to drag an old canned ham trailer out into the dirt but it wouldn't make it up the roads I usually take. I talked about meeting them at Mesquite Spring Campground possibly. We don't have anything set in stone but I suspect we'll be there during that time in a green Nissan Titan with an FRP Flippac.
Are you planning a trip or just looking to meet up at some point?
Are you planning a trip or just looking to meet up at some point?
Darryla
Senior Member
Well, I would like to go during the early part of the week too as MarkBC mentioned. I would like to meet some folks that would like to see a couple of things in DV for a couple of days. I am not particular as I have not been there. I would like to see Titus Canyon and maybe a Ghost Town? I am open for ideas and even though I have 4WD, I'm not interested in getting too crazy. But, getting off the paved road is what I am used too. Other folks with trailers, etc. that can get around like Shruk is talking about would be fine with me (as much as my opinion is worth). I just have a few days about then and I have read past topics where some groups went to DV during that time or so.
Going to Great Basin sounds fantastic. I have been there two times and I really like it so I can understand MarkBC's comments. I wouldn't mind going in the winter if I could work it out. The whole area MarkBC talked about are places I like too, other than I have not been exactly to the Utah / Nevada border where I think he is talking about.
Regards,
Darryl
Going to Great Basin sounds fantastic. I have been there two times and I really like it so I can understand MarkBC's comments. I wouldn't mind going in the winter if I could work it out. The whole area MarkBC talked about are places I like too, other than I have not been exactly to the Utah / Nevada border where I think he is talking about.
Regards,
Darryl
simimike
Contributors
I was planning on going to DV sometime this winter. I haven't been to Race Track so that's on my list. But other than that I'm open. When and where?
mike
mike
ntsqd
Custom User Title
Watching to see what direction this goes. I'm always interested in a DV trip.
Tempting as that is, we will be doing Joshua Tree and Mojave that week. Hope you get a good turnout. Titus Canyon is fun with a group. If you head up to the Racetrack, go SE at Teakettle Junction. After about two miles you go through a short canyon and hit an intersection in a flat area. You can fit a number of rigs there for camping. No 4x4 necessary to get here, just world class washboard. So even Shruk's friend may be able to get here in his trailer. This makes a good overnight near the Racetrack and is within walking distance of a nice old mine (the road west from the intersection). Not exactly the ghost town you are after but some buildings and artifacts remain.
Darryla
Senior Member
Thank you for the ideas, Ted.
Darryl
Darryl
ntsqd
Custom User Title
That is the Lost Burro Mine up that road to the west. World class washboard is right.
HERR42
01110010110101
thats a tough one for us.....
i would like to see the marble bathtub.
i would like to see the marble bathtub.
"i would like to see the marble bathtub"
We'd like to find both.
We'd like to find both.
I just got back from a 3 day DV trip but would have no problem going again.
Sunman, how was the drive to Butte Valley? Can we expect a trip report?
Sunman, how was the drive to Butte Valley? Can we expect a trip report?
SunMan
King Taco
Sunman, how was the drive to Butte Valley? Can we expect a trip report?
It was good fun Ted, I'll try to post some pics by weeks end.
It was good fun Ted, I'll try to post some pics by weeks end.
Darryla
Senior Member
Ok, I was thinking of the meeting the 26th, seeing a few things and then leaving on the 28th (maybe 29). Please let me know if anyone is interested? I am coming from the bay area and will come down Hwy 5 and across (east) to Death Valley from around Bakersfield or so. Who ever is interested in going that has been there can suggest a place for us to meet?
Darryl
Darryl
ntsqd
Custom User Title
Some ideas:
Mike's Cafe in Mojave
High Sierra Cafe in Lone Pine
PSR bar @ Panamint Springs Resort
Maturango Museum parking lot in Ridgecrest
Trona Pinnacles, first parking area below the morraine
Looks like I'm going to be moving then, bummer.
Mike's Cafe in Mojave
High Sierra Cafe in Lone Pine
PSR bar @ Panamint Springs Resort
Maturango Museum parking lot in Ridgecrest
Trona Pinnacles, first parking area below the morraine
Looks like I'm going to be moving then, bummer.
Nimbl Vehicles
Gandalf the Grey
I might go
Darryla
Senior Member
Hi Marc: That would be great if you go.
Darryl
Darryl
