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Old 01-06-2016, 06:31 PM   #11
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Enjoyed 5 days of windless weather last week. You might want to be careful, there's no snow removal on the north and south entrances. I don't have GPS, do a google search and you can easily find the route.










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Old 01-06-2016, 08:24 PM   #12
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I thought they are off Warm Springs Rd where Steele Pass starts...could be wrong cause I've never been there yet. Somewhere around this area I'm thinkin:
36* 48' 20.71" N
117* 46' 23.25" W
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Old 01-07-2016, 02:12 AM   #13
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You're right Dave, it's exactly there. GPS coordinates are 36.805490°N - 117.773321°W for the main spring.

The easiest road to access there is the South one over South Pass (36.525729°N - 117.547470°W) and Grapevine Canyon. Nothing difficult despite some washboard on the flat before the salt tramway.
The North one through Marble Canyon (37.087786°N - 117.987833°W) isn't difficult either.
When I drove it in 2014, the trail from hot springs to Steel Pass (36.968074°N - 117.637043°W) was quite rough after some big thunderstroms that partially washed out the trail. And if you want to go
through Dedeckera Canyon (37.058212°N - 117.638681°W, right East of Eureka Dunes), for a first drive, I would recommend to drive it from Saline Valley to Eureka Dunes. They are some steps that are easier
to get through going down the canyon.

Here VivaLaVida in the narrowest place in Dedeckera Canyon




Another step with axle crossing




Some mineral colors along Steel Pass road
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Old 01-07-2016, 02:33 AM   #14
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Here another image of the upper hot spring (36.812988°N - 117.766423°) which is more natural and less crowded, at least when I was there.


Dave, if you've never been in Saline valley yet, you really should plan to discover that place. You would enjoy it for sure!
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Old 01-07-2016, 03:01 PM   #15
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I've been all around it Claude just never completed the road even though its been on my list for several years. Dedeckera Canyon/Steele pass might give me issues with ladders on both side of my vehicle but I think I'd squeeze through.
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Old 01-07-2016, 04:16 PM   #16
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Steel Pass will be ok, there is no narrow place on that road. Dedeckera Canyon is another storry. You might have to take at least on lader off, that's right. It's not a big deal but believe me, it's worth it! Discovering Eureka Dunes coming down the canyon is just amazing!
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Old 01-07-2016, 05:07 PM   #17
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I came through Steel Pass in 2010 from Eureka Dunes to Saline Valley in my EB Sportsmobile. Went through with a couple of very minor dings on the third step. I felt that if I went the other way, Saline Valley to the Dunes, I would have drug my rear end so I never have went that way. Is there anyone out there with an EB that has went through Steel Pass from Saline Valley to the Dunes?

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Old 01-07-2016, 05:12 PM   #18
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Ooo this might be too much for my lifted 2wd
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Old 01-08-2016, 05:22 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by woodbee View Post
... I felt that if I went the other way, Saline Valley to the Dunes, I would have drug my rear end so I never have went that way. Is there anyone out there with an EB that has went through Steel Pass from Saline Valley to the Dunes?
It likely depends of the lift of your van. I drove it from Steel Pass to Eureka Dunes in VivaLaVida which is an extended body with 6'' lift on 35'' tires. It touched only once and since it have a hitch receiver, it had no concequences. Juste something to think about : on the third step - the narrowest one - don't deflate the tires that much since they touch pretty much on the side wall. That will keep the van higher.
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Old 01-08-2016, 05:29 AM   #20
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Originally Posted by DerPo View Post
Ooo this might be too much for my lifted 2wd
Depends of your lift. When I drove it from Steel Pass to Eureka Dunes, VivaLaVida was in 2WD because of a drive shaft issue and it made it quite well. Problem will be the stretch between Saline Hot Springs and Steel Pass where you wouldn't go with a low ratio gearbox.

Anyway, you certainly could access to hot springs with only 2WD from South Pass if trail is dry.
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