Showing up at the Ranch House Cafe in Olancha were Ed Valencia (not wearing his white LOST KJ West thong, thanks Ed) and his friend Robert; Ben Thomas; Lou and Denise; and Bill Sidhipong with son Rigel. Lou and Denise were driving a Jeep Rubicon Unlimited pulling a new Adventure Horizon trailer with color matched paint. Pretty rig!
We had encountered a few rain spots on our way, but the skies were clearing and the outlook was good. East on 190 til we came to Saline Valley Road, where we turned in and aired down. Then on to Hunter Mountain.
The group on Hunter Mountain overlooking Panamint Valley
Soon we were in clouds in training, which obscured some of the views. It cleared when we broke out into Hidden Valley, where we went to the Lost Burro Mine. No burros but a number of mining relics.
Then on to Teakettle Junction
Ben taking pictures of his teakettle. It seemed to us that the kettles had been upgraded. Yuppie influence?
From there, south to the Racetrack, where all of us went out to the stadium. Tracks were visible. but at least one was suspicious. Those darn gremlins.
We'd heard some conflicting info about the Lippincott Mine Road, so Ed and I went down first, after giving Ben my handheld 2 meter radio for communication. After going quite a way and finding it OK, I radioed them to come ahead, which they did. The road proved to be easily navigable.
Then the long ride up Saline Valley Road to the junction with the road to the hot springs. We didn't arrive until just after dark, but were able to set up camp and have dinner with no problem. Here is where Lou's trailer sthone with all its facilities. Unlike last year, there was no wind and the temperature was pleasantly warm. Thanks to Lou's bringing firewood, we had a nice campfire after dinner.
Next day, Ed and Lou headed back south. Ben, Bill and I proceeded up north on Saline Valley Road to the mining area.
At Death Valley Road, Ben turned left to head for home and work; Bill and I went right. We had decided not to go to Papoose Flat because we'd been there before and weren't sure if there was snow.
Heading east, I took the wrong turnoff and we wound up at Eureka Dunes, where Bill and Rachel played in the sand. Then we retraced and continued down to Stovepipe Wells for much needed gas, air, ice cream, and home. We had gotten a vivid impression of how really really big the park is, having gone many miles and covered less than half of it.
A shorter but still very enjoyable trip. The more I see of Death Valley, the more I like. Nobody died on our trip and, thanks to the warm springs, nobody even smelled bad. Sorry about the pic size; I've yet to learn how to do this right.
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...is it happy hour yet?
My trusted MJ is hiccuping & farting with fuel control problems and has been in the shop. My mechanic is scratching his head...I have it back but it is not running well enough for me to trust it on a long off road trek like DV.
