Goler Wash/Barker Ranch/DV Spring 12 - Page 6

Christopher Thwaites · 02-03-2012, 08:04 PM

Mac,Mike,
I will be traveling in "in the valley" until the end of the week so we should have no problem meeting up. I would expect to camp Sunday night at the talc mines off of the southern end of the Westside rd. not far from where the road from Goler wash comes out on Westside rd. I can't rmember the name of the road just now. After Sunday it's totally free form. Mike, a trailer would not be too handy on some sections of the trail from Balarat. Some spots require backing up to make the turn.

Christopher Thwaites · 02-03-2012, 08:06 PM

Just remembered...the road to the Talc mine is Galena Canyon. Great spot to camp easy 2wd access. Stunning views of the valley below, lots of room.

**macmcintire** · 02-03-2012, 08:35 PM

I will plan on it and work out the details as we get closer.

charlie56 · 02-03-2012, 11:19 PM

Count us (Dina and me) in. Depending on how many show up, there isn't a lot of room to park many rigs at the Geologist cabin. If I remember correctly, I think there is more room at the other two cabins (Russell & Stella). They are also little more protected. The Geo cabin is pretty exposed.

As a bail-out option (or 2nd camp if the group gets too large) this location can handle a number of vehicles (6 is the park max for groups), and it is "relatively" flat and fairly sheltered.
35°54'42.08"N 117° 3'22.51"W

woodbee · 02-04-2012, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christopher Thwaites

UPDATE...This trip is still on the table. I will arrive in the vacinity of Balarat no later than the morning of 3/31/12. The plan is to head into Goler Wash that morning and explore the canyon with the intention of ending Sat. aft. east of Mengel Pass at a suitable camp spot. Some folks have indicated they would meet at the Geologists cabin Sat. evening. From there the intention is to move east and north with stops at yet to be soldified points on the Westside road and eventually getting to The Racetrack during the first week of April. Pretty loose plan at this point and I am flexible. So far Tapateo is confirmed.

Hello Chris,

This sounds like a great trip. I sure want to do this but I can't completely commit at this time. If all goes good for me I will be there. Thanks for putting this together.

Woody (woodbee)
Just to the south of you.

Christopher Thwaites · 02-04-2012, 12:38 PM

Charlie56 thanks for the camping info and glad you and your wife will be in the group. Woody I hope you can work it into your plan. As of now that makes 3 vans, me ,Charlie56 and Tapatio and a friend in a Rubicon coming from Balarat and 2, Mike and Mac, coming from DV to meet at a yet to be determined camp spot Saturday afternoon/eve. The trip is shaping up nicely. Thanks to all. And from my perspective having it not be an all guys trip is a bonus.
Chris

pjpvi · 02-04-2012, 12:50 PM

I'm a definite maybe. Just have to see what's going on family and work wise as it gets closer. That is a route I've wanted to do for a while, so hope I can make it.

Phil

Christopher Thwaites · 02-04-2012, 01:04 PM

I accept definate maybes and post dated checks.

yvrr · 02-21-2012, 09:38 AM

My wife (Jacque) and I will be there for the first part of the trip before we need to bail out and head home on Monday or Tuesday.

pjpvi · 02-21-2012, 10:38 AM

I did a quick run from West Side Road through Butte Valley, Mengal Pass, Goler Wash to Ballarat Saturday / Sunday. Could easily spend a couple days just looking around Butte Valley. What a cool place.

I learned a little more about the valley and some of the structures more after I got out and found this history page (http://www.nps.gov/history/history/onli ... ion3a3.htm). Worth a read.

I took a GoPro video from the beginning of Mengal down to Ballarat. I'll boil it down and post it to youtube. The weather / temperature was great.

Phil