Trip Report: Inyo Mountains, Panamint Range and Beyond, January 2013

[Dave]

We started out with a simple plan: Do as much of Death Valley and it's surroundings as possible in a 4 day weekend with AAV Originals Trump, Mitch and Mike.

Day 1 was from home up the 15 to the 395 and on to Big Pine for lunch and fuel before heading into Saline Valley from the north over Waucoba/Death Valley/Saline Valley road.

From L to R: Lisa, Mike, Me, Mark, Heidi, Apryl and Mitch

Snow in the Sierras

Some snow and patches of ice going in but easy overall

Old mining operations

Saline Valley!

Bat Rock Road: Gateway to Saline Valley Hot Springs

Or Saline Valley Warm Springs depending where you read it. Amazing place. Hippie culture. 100% off the grid and maintained by volunteers and good karma. We didn't want to leave here.

The feeding of the Burros at the springs has led them to raid food lockers and other rowdy behavior. They know how to open coolers... help keep them wild (and alive) by not feeding them.

Middle Springs. Lots of great camp spots here, a shaded grassy area, fire rings and two nice pit toilet bathrooms put in by NPS. And lots of hot water in the pools and a shower!

Joint Point. What's that in the distance?

Heading over to the Upper Springs

The Wizard Pool

Hot shower... priceless.

Dishwashing/laundry area

Volcano Pool aka Barnacle Pool

Volunteers keep these pools super clean, and there is a constant inflow of fresh hot water from deep in the earth

The "Source" at Upper Springs. Keep out!

Headed back down to Middle Springs on our way out towards Saline Valley Road and beyond. Inyo Mountains in the distance.

View of Middle Springs from Upper Springs. Note one of two NPS built vault toilets.

Leaving paradise behind...

Day 2 saw us pushing on to the next nights camp at Mesquite Spring.


Reluctantly leaving the Hot Springs behind, we passed the dunes enroute to the Salt Tram remains and the famous Saline Valley washboards... they will test your rig and it's hardware every time.


Sand!

Salt Tram over the Inyos

Me and the Missus

Lunch on the road

Mitch's meticulous organization

Headed south on Saline Valley road enroute to Lippincott aka Ubehebe road

Turn off onto Lippincott

Headed up into the Panamints

Looking to see if the Dodge could make this washout (one of many). No problem.

Looking back into Saline Valley towards the Inyos

Top of Lippincott and as far as you'll get in a rental car from the south...

After the climb up Lippincott it was faster going to the Racetrack and beyond.

The Playa

Magic rocks

Teakettle Junction

Ubehebe Crater... sun was low... We decided to air up and head for camp at Mesquite Spring and hit Scotty's Castle in the morning...

 

[Dave]

Death Valley 2013: Part Two

Spent the night at Mesquite Spring campground ($12). We were pretty tired and it was getting dark... cold and windy, no photos.

Day 3 we were up and at 'em and made the trip over to Scotty's Castle.

I couldn't get the chorus to "Hotel California" out of my head here... strange...

After Scotty's we hit Stovepipe Well's for some fuel and supplies and headed down Badwater towards Butte Valley

Made it to Striped Butte and the geologists cabin just before dark. It was occupied by some folks with a Wildernest so we made a brief stop and then went down and camped at the base of Striped Butte

Day 4: After a quiet, windless night we woke to clear blue morning skies in Butte Valley. Mark and Heidi and I got in our morning PT by climbing Striped Butte. At 4,744 feet (1,445.97 meters) above sea level it was a good workout. When we came back down we gathered up the group and began the last day of our trip by heading for the infamous Mengel Pass.

View from atop Striped Butte. Can you spot Mengel Pass, the Geologist's Cabin and Stella's in the distance?

Stella's Cabin

Mengel Pass... in a full size Dodge 2500 w/Cummins diesel and FWC!

Trump Overland

Looking back down Mengel at the gatekeeper. The trail is actually in pretty good shape as of 22JAN13

Top of Mengel Pass

Looking back into Butte Valley

Hidden in the Panamint Range 20 miles from the nearest paved road, Barker Ranch is famous for being the hideout of Charles Manson and his followers. In October, 1969, the Inyo County Sheriff's Department, California Highway Patrol, and National Park Service were searching for persons responsible for vandalism within Death Valley National Park, when they stumbled upon the eccentric group hiding out at the cabin - Manson was caught hiding under the bathroom vanity. A fire destroyed most of the main structure in May, 2009, leaving only the cement and rock portions of the cabin still standing. There is a small one room guest house located to the side of the main house with Hantavirus warnings and other decorations from visitors posted at the door. I'd stay outta there if you visit.

Barker Ranch before the blaze...

After the fire...

Barker Ranch today...

... or what's left of it.

Leaving Barker Ranch behind we headed down the Goler Wash "Super Highway" towards Ballarat

Leaving Goler Wash behind

Where the hell is Ballarat?

Manson's Power Wagon

After Ballarat we aired up and headed home... until next time!​

 

[Trump]

Great trip report, Dave.

To illustrate the severity of the washboard on Saline Valley Rd. look at pictures of the front of my truck at the beginning of the trip and compare to the picture at Mengel Pass.


Hint: Foglight

 

[Dave]

Thanks Mark. Good thing that fog light wasnt a keeper... LOL

 

[Rubiconcruiser]

Great post report, thanks for sharing.

 

[Dave]

Photo links fixed

 

[BrentHaywoodPhotography]

J E A L O U S.....I need to make this trip especially after reading this.....

 

[Dave]

J E A L O U S.....I need to make this trip especially after reading this.....

We've been talking about going again, I'll let you know

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

Some Awesome Pics and Memories right there!

Keep Going!..................

 

[David Croyle]

Fun stuff. The washboard from Ubehebe Crater to The Racetrack and south was brutal and pretty much unrelenting when we were there, 25 miles and then back again. Vibrated one of my battery cables right off the terminal.

 

[XploreBaja]

Excellent report! Love the details and great photos. Keep us informed, I'd like to join next time.

Tim

 

[OutdoorX4]

Looks like a blast...nice!

 

[NetDep]

We've been talking about going again, I'll let you know

Sub'd -- definitely a "bucket list" trip for me and with adequate notice a trip I would love to make!! Just wonder if you think my teardrop would be welcome???

Thanks!!!

 

[Dave]

Your teardrop would be fine.

 

[NetDep]

Your teardrop would be fine.

Keeping both eyes on this thread!!!

Thank you, Dave!!

 

[BorregoWrangler]

Awesome trip report! I gotta get out there once I get my Jeep situated to carry my growing family along with all our gear.