Hey Everyone,
We have revised the Death Valley trip some. Same date, October 10th - 11th, but we are going to head up to the high country for some cool clean air of Papoose Flats. This is going to be a one night trip, camping out in the wild. So it's a pack in / pack out deal with no amenities available.

Stock 4x4 can make this trip, only thing that might cause some problems is width. Some parts of the trail get a little tight, with sharp switchbacks as we climb to 8K feet.

This will be a spectacular trip, and here are some pics to wet your appetite. More details about meeting spot, and stuff like to come.

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Take the road less traveled.

Sounds like a great trip Ed. I'm IN!!!

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- Burchie

I'm tentatively in. Have to see about getting the time off work.

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2002 KJ (un)Limited 4x4: OME HD lift, ARB bullbar, Warn 4X flood lights, Skid Row tranny skid, Mopar engine, transfer case and fuel tank skids, Boulder Bars, 245/75/16 Goodyear Duratracs on Moab wheels.

Burchie and Ed, are either of you bringing kids on this trip? I really want to get out on the trail again, but I'd have to burn three vacation days to make this work. If I'm doing that, I'd like to get some family time out of it. If I can get the time off, it'd be me, my wife and my daughter, who's 4 1/2 now.

Oh, and a question about the camping situation: I presume this is backcountry roadside camping (i.e., dig your own latrine)?

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2002 KJ (un)Limited 4x4: OME HD lift, ARB bullbar, Warn 4X flood lights, Skid Row tranny skid, Mopar engine, transfer case and fuel tank skids, Boulder Bars, 245/75/16 Goodyear Duratracs on Moab wheels.

I may bring my 10 year old, but not sure yet. He made the trip when he was about 7 and had a good time. We just took over one of the hot spring tubs.
As far as facilities, it depends on exactly where we end up camping.
If we camp at the springs, they have very well maintained pit toilets and even hot showers (water is from the springs).
If we camp at Papoose, there are no facilities.

I'll post a final camping location as soon as I get in touch with Burchie.
It's a really neat place, so I hope you can make it.

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Take the road less traveled.

Cool. We're good either way. Just wanted to know what to expect. Wife and I took the KJ up to Death Valley in December of 2001 when it was still bone stock. Even had the crappy stock Goodyears on it still. We did all the popular tourist spots off the paved roads -- Badwater, Scotty's Castle, Devil's Golf Course, etc. -- plus Eureka Dunes, Titus Canyon, the Racetrack, the Keene Wonder Mine, Aguerreberry Point, the Charcoal Kilns and Mahogany Flat. And hiked to Darwin Falls. I love the place but we haven't been back since. I've heard about the hot springs but never been to this area, so looking foward to it. Going back to work today, where I'll find out about the time off.

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2002 KJ (un)Limited 4x4: OME HD lift, ARB bullbar, Warn 4X flood lights, Skid Row tranny skid, Mopar engine, transfer case and fuel tank skids, Boulder Bars, 245/75/16 Goodyear Duratracs on Moab wheels.

Gonna say I am In if we can go to papoose flats area.

Lets get Mario to go!

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99 TJ
71 C101
04 KJ
03 SFA KJ Sport
LOST JEEPS So-Cal

Cool, we'll shoot for Papoose Flats

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Take the road less traveled.

Sweet! I got the time off confirmed today. So I'm in, with my wife and 4 1/2-year-old daughter.

Very cool.

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Take the road less traveled.

COME ON PEOPLE... LET'S GO.

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- Burchie

Sadly I will not be able to join. I have a couple classes I will be taking. The only come once in awhile when I can actually take them so, that is where I will be. Stay safe and hope you have a great trip!

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My Rig:
2008 Jeep Wrangler JKU
OME HD lift
35" tires (thus far)
plus a ton of other things. J.E.E.P.

Hey, Ed, do we have a meeting place and time yet? Originally I think you said Olancha? It's a long haul for me so I was planning to drive up Friday night and stay in a motel in Ridgecrest that would leave me a shorter drive Saturday morning.

Yeah ed. What's it going to be? lol

Ed will have the trip all planed out tomorrow.

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- Burchie

Oh, wiseguy. Nyuk nyuk nyuk. All I'm looking for is a starting point. That's the easy part.

We're still a go for Olancha as our meeting spot.
If I remember correctly, there are a couple of motels right in that little area.

We'll meet at 9:00 at the Ranch House Cafe, which is located Right by the intersection of the 395 and HWY 190. -They don't seem to have an actual address

Remember to bring clothing for both warm and cold weather and above all, bring plenty of water. There is a gas station there, so I would suggest you fill up. I'll be bringing extra gas just in case.

If you need to contact me, my cell is: 310.420.1693

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Take the road less traveled.

Thanks, Ed!

From there, we are going to head north though Independence to Big Pine. Then a right on the 168, then another quick right on Death Valley / Waucuba Road. Then about 10 miles, another right on Hines Road. That where we hit the dirt, and it's up, up, up from there. We will be camping at 8K feet, so it will be chilly. Then folling the trail system up there back down Mazourka Canyon Road into Independence and the 395 back home. Lot of driving for a 1 night trip, but it will be well worth it.

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- Burchie

Independence would be closer, and if I remember right, it was a good size town. That's where Big Jim's lower ball joint went out.

I'm going to blow out of Corona about 5am. But then I'm not taking any kids.

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- Burchie

I'm on the fence for this one, I will know more in the next few days. Ed, I know you said the trail was narrow in some spots, but could I get my adventure trailer through? Mario did it right?