It’s time again for a “Death Valley Expedition”, scheduled for April 12-14, 2024.
This trip will include some formerly familiar territory – since the flash flooding, much of the park may look somewhat familiar, but, believe me, the landscape has changed. Considerably. Some roads have completely vanished! Look at this photo.
My plan is to meet Friday morning around 9 am – meeting place is yet to be determined.
We’ll explore various places throughout the three days – I’m putting together the specifics as we speak.
I wanted to post this as early as possible to give you time to arrange your schedules.
Our night halts will be either Stovepipe Wells or Furnace Creek Ranch, and maybe the Death Valley Inn Motel in Beatty. There are open campgrounds for those who wish to camp.
I may also include some GeoCaching outside of the National Park – those are always fun to hunt down. Geocaches are not permitted inside National Parks.
Destinations under consideration are:
- Echo Canyon (Inyo Mine) – I’m still trying to learn if the road is open all the way into Nevada.
- Hole In The Wall
- Badwater (as of 2/19, it is still a shallow lake – see photo)
- Golden Canyon (hiking)
- Artist’s Palette
- Dante’s View
- Mosaic Canyon (hiking)
- Cottonwood/Marble Canyon (the road was open a week ago, the recent rains have forced another closure. I’m hoping they’ll have the road re-opened by April 12)
- Ubehebe Crater (you have to hike to the bottom of the crater – it’s a treat!)
- Teakettle Junction – bring a teakettle to hang
- The Racetrack
- Lost Burro Mine
- Lippencott Canyon
- Hunter Mountain (hopefully snow will melt in time)
- Skidoo Ghost Town (Emigrant Pass forecast to be opened late February 2024)
- Ballarat
- Fish Canyon
- Goler Wash Road
- Mengel Pass
- Geologist’s Cabin/Striped Butte
- Barker Ranch/Manson Hideout
- Gold Hill Road
- Warm Springs Road
- Split Cinder Cone
Since we’ll be doing some hiking/exploring, bring water, day pack, snacks, appropriate footwear, flashlights, headlamps, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc.
Please bring appropriate spares for your vehicle – fluids, hoses, belts, fuses, etc. as well as additional gasoline.
This trip is doable by any four-wheel-drive vehicle. Road conditions may force us to reroute, but there will be plenty to see.
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Four-wheel driving difficulty is hard to describe objectively. Opinions will always vary, and even an individual’s judgment may change as they gain experience. The easiest of trails will be suitable for virtually any stock, high-clearance, four-wheel drive vehicle. The most difficult trails are barely passable even for first-rate off-road equipment. The in-between trails are well within the capabilities of stock four-wheel-drive trucks and utility vehicles.
During our four-wheeling adventure, we’ll be using a SPOT (a satellite tracking device) which will allow those folks who couldn’t make the trip to follow our daily travels on their computer. We’ll supply the link for the arm-chair expeditioners.
Health notice/restrictions: Off-road tours are rough, bumpy rides often through rough terrain. Our off-road Expeditions are not suitable for guests with back problems, neck problems, motion sickness, pregnancy, major medical conditions, or any other health condition(s) that could be aggravated by a bumpy ride through rough terrain.
** NOTE: What if a specific Expedition is canceled? While incredibly rare, from time to time, an Expedition may have to be canceled. For almost all of our events, you will be given the choice to either receive a full refund, or transfer your registration to another event that has openings. For some Expeditions, we may deduct up to a 15% fee from your refund to offset unrecoverable expenses. Due to unforeseen circumstances all Black Rhino Expeditions trips and trails are subject to change or cancellation without advance notice.