Pre-Thanksgiving DV Quick Strike

[SunMan]

I had Thanksgiving week off but unfortunately the co-pilot had to work so I decided to do a quick Monday-Wednesday trip and be home in time for turkey day. I had been wanting to tackle Mengel Pass via Goler Wash since the first DV Rally several years ago and Gene's recent video of his trip to Butte Valley sent me over the edge!

Pics of the first steps in Goler Wash and Newman Cabin...

 

[SunMan]

Mengel Pass and first views of Butte Valley...

 

[SunMan]

The road down into Butte Valley...picking my way through Goler Wash / Mengel Pass was a real joy without a spotter, guess I need to teach that mangy hound of mine to spot for me. Stella's Cabin also pictured.

 

[SunMan]

All of the cabins (Russell's, Stella's, and Geologist's) were occupied in Butte Valley...not a problem with the FWC though. Pics of camp, sunset and sunrise...

It got down to 26 degrees this night and the Wave 3 kept the camper at a balmy 57 without any type if insulation. Really considering the Reflctix mod down the line though.

 

[SunMan]

The next day I hiked to a nearby mine and also spotted a real nice Landrover. I had planned to hike up the butte but the wind was howling so I decided to save it for another trip. The Striped Butte is quite the mesmerizing landmark and I couldn't stop taking pics of it. It has many different moods in the various stages of light throughout the day.

 

[SunMan]

While I was out exploring I saw the rigs leave the Geologist's Cabin so I headed back up for a look...it is definitely the most cared for and well stocked cabins I have come across in DV.

 

[SunMan]

Anvil Spring, the road into Warm Springs Canyon, and Warm Springs Mine...

 

[SunMan]

Warm Springs Camp and the talc mine...there is actually a warm spring running through the site I would estimate to be at around 80 degrees.

 

[SunMan]

Next stop Johnson Canyon...the main campsite is now walk in only...

 

[SunMan]

It was late afternoon when I finally got there but there was still enough time for the short hike back to Hungry Bill's Ranch. The wind really started to howl on the way out of the canyon and we hunkered down in the camper and napped and read for the rest of the afternoon and evening. It was definitely a "cook inside the camper night", there would be no cooking on the barbie tonight.

 

[SunMan]

Heading out of the canyon the next morning... the views of DV proper and Lake Manly are pretty spectacular from this vantage point...

 

[SunMan]

A quick stop ant the gravesite of Shorty Harris and Jim Dayton...lots of interesting history in these canyons. Last shot airing up at Badwater road and ready to head home for Thanksgiving, you can see it was pretty cold and windy out.

We also made a short stop in Randsburg, a living ghost town on the way home, another spot I had somehow never been to, no pics unfortunately. I had a refreshing libation at The Joint and bombed it home from there. All in all a great quick trip to DV, looking forward to exploring the rest of the canyons off of West Side Road soon.

 

[Marc]

Way cool Suni.

marc

 

[Darryla]

Looks like a great trip. Thats what I want to do. Did you really need to air down? I have never done that.

Darryl

 

[ski3pin]

Mr. Sun, thanks for the great report and photos! We saw a few fun familiar spots. Probably all the apples and figs were gone at Hungry Bills? Looks like you had a great trip!

 

[DLN]

Great stuff SunMan, thanks.

 

[Dughlas Stiubhart]

Sunman, it sounds like you had a great time coming and going from Butte Valley! Thanks for the report and the cool photos.

Too bad you didn't make it up the Striped Butte but I wouldn't want to be on those narrow ridges in a high wind either. The next time you're back there bag the Butte and Mount Manly too. Manly can be gotten from the notch behind Russel's Camp, which makes a great basecamp.

 

[SunMan]

Darryl,
I reset my odometer in Ballarat and when I reached Badwater road I had logged 137 miles offroad and could not have imagined attempting Goler Wash/Mengel Pass or the road up to Johnson Canyon at street pressure. Airing down can save you tire problems and your internal organs will appreciate it as well

3Pins,
Did not see any sign of fruit at Hungry Bills, nor much of the terracing for that matter, it turned into somewhat of an anticlimactic hike, somehow I had expected a little more.

Stew, those are absolutely high on my list of things to do on my next visit, as well as exploring Redlands Canyon a bit more too.

 

[kcowyo]

Awesome SunMan!

Sorry our paths didn't cross out there, but you were a few days ahead of us. We didn't make it into Striped Butte Valley, so I appreciate your great photos. Love that area and the Geologist's Cabin. Good stuff!


Someday I'll find you out on the trail. Someday...
.

 

[sdmarkus]

Very cool, just a man and his dog. Many inspiring pics of striped butte lately..I need to get up there!!!

What's your ventilation technique with the Wave 3? Do you ever set off the CO2 detector?