20140131(JAN31) Death valley

[troyboy162]

Time to go see things again. Trying to get there before land use issues get worse. Anyone who has gone on other runs with me knows I often have a loose(to say it politely) plan when going places I have never been before. This will be another one of those loosely planed trips so the below itinerary is at this time "Plan A". Also at this time the Harry wade road is closed as well as several others after the flooding. I dont know about ducking the ropes in DV...We may very well be limited to whats "open" and with budgets the way they are who knows when things will be open again. The last trip left unfinished business. This trip will correct that and close out the far southern tip of the DVNP.

Difficulty: 3- trail-rating

When/Where: JAN31-FEB2 Meeting courds sent via email.
CB channel:14
FRMS/GRMS channel:15 (bring two radios to share with a CB equipped rig)
2M HAM: UY simplex primary 146.430MHZ
Monitor 146.52 (National Simplex Calling Frequency)
70CM HAM: as needed
Repeters:not sure any of these are good...
146.970 PL 123
147.060 PL 100
147.210
442.300 PL 131.8
Mount Potosi 146.880 -100.0
Table Mtn 145.280 -131.8
Table Mtn 447.200 -94.8
145.3400 ? pl 100 "this covers most of panamint and high locations in the Inyos."
mazourka 146.7600 ? pl 100 "covers almost all of saline and the inyos."

Itinerary subject to large changes:
google earth file ---> FEB trip.zip
Overview picture below
feb trip.jpg
DAY1
Pleasant Canyon 930ishAM start up to the closed bridge and back.
Camping at dusk possibly by a cabin if one is open.
Day 2
Start 8am
head down pleasent canyon
Stop in at Ballrat and say hi to the Rockie who looks over the place.
up Goler canyon and over Mengel pass
Camp at dusk possibly by cabin if one is open.
Day3
Start 8am
Harry Wade rd
Saratoga springs (pup fish and a historic mule team watering hole)
Ibex dunes (cant drive on them)
Ibex mine
lunch in Baker(Mad Greek? Sooo good!)


Travel times:
San Bernadino to Trona- 2.3 hours
Palmdale to Trona- 2 hours
Las Vegas to Trona- 4 hours

Requirements:
-Working reliable Truck. Recovery's out there can cost 1k in towing fee's easily.
-4x4 (This is bat country)

-32" tires
-AT or MT tires for rock protection. No exceptions
-Spare tire within 3" of other tires
-Tools
-Recovery points front and rear
-tow strap without hooks
-Clothing/food/water/fuel for Three days in DV. (remember the nights could be cold)
-first aid kit.
-ok with severe paint scratches and undercarriage rash at a minimum(very likely to scuff your puma's)

Recommended:
-33" tires
-Rear locker
-Flashlights for mines
-wood for cabin stoves or fire pits.
-cot for sleeping in Cabins. Hanta virus is possible though not likely.

Should be the worst part, but this was before the last rains. Overall it looks better then when we went down it last time.


Fuel requirements:
Minimum fuel requirements ~210 miles from gas station to gas station
The availability of gas in DV is not 100% reliable and they charge 1-2 dollars more per gallon then normal. Figure in off-road mileage too. EX I get about 10-12 mpg off-road.
*Trona (on the way in Panimint valley)
*Shoshone (a little north of where we will be back on pavement sunday noon)

Camping requirements:
Primitive camping. Pack it in/Pack it out.



Weather info and conditions:
http://www.nps.gov/deva/loader.cfm?c...&pageid=439529
https://www.facebook.com/DeathValleyRoadConditions
http://www.nps.gov/deva/upload/Morning-Report.pdf
http://www.death.valley.national-park.com/weather.htm
Febuary will be mild to chilly during the day and down right cold at night. Expect a bit of snow in some higher elevations we may visit.

limit:
for camping purpose the limit is 4 vehicles (more planing available for larger numbers)
1. Troy
2. JD and Fam?
3. Mike UE
4. Dave UE
5. John possibly