Terry's 7th Annual Death Valley Trip - President's Weekend, Feb 18-21, 2000

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Join Terry Johnson and others as we explore some of the most fantastic desert country in the world: Death Valley. We'll go across the Slate Range through Fish Canyon, cross the beautiful Panamints via Goler Canyon, visit the infamous Barker Ranch, then travel past Badwater to the Nevada town of Beatty. The next day we'll go through Titus Canyon to Ubehebe Crater, then the Racetrack, and down Lippincott Mine Road.

This is rugged, beautiful country, but all trails can be traveled by stock SUV's. You'll use your 4 wheel drive but the risk of damage or problems is minimal. You'll see some wild country, areas that few others have ever been.

ORN Trails Editor Len Wilcox is planning to go, as we'll be visiting some of his favorite places. The tentative itinerary is as follows:

Friday (2/18) - Meet in Ridgecrest. To get to Ridgecrest from the bay area, take Hwy 5 south to Hwy 58(near Bakersfield). East on Hwy 58 through Bakersfield to Mojave and Hwy 14. North on Hwy 14 approx. 43 miles to Hwy 178. East on Hwy 178 approx. 8 miles to China Lake and Ridgecrest. From Southern CA take Hwy 14 north to Hwy 178 and follow above directions.

Ridgecrest is a decent sized town. The gas prices are reasonable and there are quite a few restaurants. We will be staying at the Econo Lodge 201 Inyokern Road (760) 446-2551. Last year room rates were ~$45. The Econo Lodge is one block before Hwy 178 turns right. It is just at the beginning of the main part of town. Saturday morning you should have breakfast, a full tank of gas, be checked out of the motel and be ready to roll at 7:30 a.m.

For the more adventurous, an alternative is to camp at the Trona Pinnacles National Monument about 30 minutes north of Ridgecrest.

The plans are to head out through Trona (picking up the group from Trona Pinnacles) and into Panamint Valley where we will run up historic Fish Canyon then across the south end of Panamint Valley up Goler Wash, with a mandatory stop to see if Charlie is at home, down Warm Springs Canyon before heading north and east to Beatty, NV. for the night.

Saturday night (2/19) will be spent at the Stagecoach Inn in Beatty, NV. (775) 553-2419. This is a small hotel/casino which is typical of many small towns in Nevada. Room rates ~$40. Beatty is a typical small Nevada town. Gas prices are high but are better than the prices in Death Valley. The hotel has a restaurant (excellent $10 Prime Rib dinner and $4 breakfast buffet and a brand new outdoor hot tub - bring those swimming trunks).

Sunday plans include scenic Titus Canyon, a trip out to Ubehebe Crater and then the spectacular Racetrack playa. The more adventurous may want to tackle the hair raising descent of the Lippincott mine road into Saline Valley, with an equally hair-raising climb over the washed out Grapevine Canyon road before heading west to Lone Pine.

(Editorial note: Hair-raising is a good description of Lippincott. The trail isn't particularly tough, although you'll be in low-range for much of it; the drop-offs are spectacular.

Sunday night (2/20) will be spent in Lone Pine, CA. at the Mt. Whitney Motel, 305 N. Main Street (Hwy 395.) (760) 876-4207. Room rates were ~$40. Lone Pine has several restaurants and gas stations to choose from. Gas prices are moderate. The Mt. Whitney motel only has 29 rooms. Should they be booked there are other motels in Lone Pine.

The motels above are only recommendations, feel free to stay where you like.

This trip is through some spectacularly beautiful country, and this is the best time of year and the best way to see it. You're many, many miles from pavement, and there are no services available; traveling in a group increases the safety factor greatly. You're welcome to join us. We've set up a topic on the Trails Talk bulletin board to register and to answer questions. Select the Trails and Events Forums to find the topic.

Related Links

• A trip up the Lippincott Mine Road
• Trail Talk Trails and Events Forums
• driving and survival tips