Racetrack, Death Valley Group Trip - October 4-6, 2013

[Ocsmb]

How long a drive is it from Panamint to Racetrack?

[Ridge]

I'd really like to go. My work schedule is so unstable.

About the reservations...can I cancel a couple days in advance? Do I need them if just staying in the van?

Other questions (I've never been):
Can I bring my dog?
What about my military trailer for fuel, firewood, and just to look cool...necessary?
Any hard wheeling? (depends what I need to bring)
Weather?
Alcohol for the evenings?

Any ladies going on this trip?

lol...can't wait. I hope I can make it.

[SteveInLA]

Originally Posted by Ocsmb

How long a drive is it from Panamint to Racetrack?

Here is a link to a Google Map route: http://goo.gl/maps/0C87K. I have never traveled this road, but I would estimate about 4-5 hours of driving.

About the reservations...can I cancel a couple days in advance? Do I need them if just staying in the van?

Panamint Springs has a 48 hour cancellation policy. Normally for something like this I would have liked to reserve a group site, but their only group site was already reserved. They have quite a few individual sites still available and if worse comes to worse, you can probably double up with someone else.

Can I bring my dog?

I don't see why not. If Gooseberry comes, it will have company.

What about my military trailer for fuel, firewood, and just to look cool...necessary?
Any hard wheeling?

Recent flooding has damaged most of Death Valley's back country roads. I anticipate some pretty rough spots and maybe a few tight turns. Hunter Mountain Road is also steep in some spots. I think between all who are coming and bringing extra fuel and firewood, you should be fine without a trailer. As far as looking cool, I'm sure that happens with or without your trailer.

Weather?

From http://gocalifornia.about.com/bl_dv_temp.htm:
October Precipitation 0.11", Max. Temperature 92° F, Min. Temperature 62° F. Anticipate hot days and cool nights and hopefully no rain.

Alcohol for the evenings?

I don't drink, but I don't have a problem if you want to.

Any ladies going on this trip?

My wife is not a fan of long bumpy roads, so she is not coming with me this time. I am waiting to hear from my brother who might be joining me, but I will most likely be coming solo. I am a photographer and plan to be at Racetrack before sunrise on Sunday which means packing up super early. I would feel bad inflicting that early of a wake up call on a traveling companion.

Hope you can make it too!

Steve in L.A.

[Ridge]

Thanks Steve!

I'm really intrigued by the area and it's not too far from home.

[pinz712]

Were in, dry RV site.

[Tapatio]

I'm planning on staying Sunday night coming back Monday if anyone is interested. Staying at the Race Track or somewhere off of Hunter Mountain Road on the way back. Open to suggestions for alternative camp spots.

[SteveInLA]

I'm planning on staying Sunday night coming back Monday if anyone is interested.

I am interested. The whole area south of Teakettle Junction along Hidden Valley Road looks like it has many historic mine sites and other interesting things to see. We can play it by ear.

Steve in L.A.

[SteveInLA]

I don't remember if I posted this, but here is a great trip report from November 2002 of the same route we will be taking with some extra items as well: http://www.backroadswest.com/deathvalle ... The%20Road

Steve in L.A.

[woodbee]

Hi Steve,

I have been watching the posts on this meet and greet at Panamint Springs and It looks like I can make it.
Thanks for putting this all together.

Woody

[rob_gendreau]

Check the DV roads page on Facebook; lots of closures last week even on some main roads. Looks like the route is open. DVNP restricts camping in some areas on the Racetrack road; probably pretty hot anyway. Up the mountain is a better bet.