Hey All!
This is both an introduction and a trip report. I just bought the SMB a couple months ago, but I've been pouring over the forum for many months. I want to thank all of you for the amazing place you've created and all the wonderful information and help that it provides. Thank you so much!
But now to the trip...
I was doing geology field work so I wasn't able to wander freely, but still got into some very cool places. Drove up the Pleasant Canyon road from Ballarat to the head of the canyon and camped near the Cooper Mine. From there we did some work around the mine area and then backpacked north to Sentinel Peak for a couple days before returning to the vehicle. On the way out hiked up Surprise Canyon. It was beautiful! Although I've often been an advocate of keeping roads out there open...this one definitely wasn't one that should be kept open. The mountain wanted it back, and we should respect that.
Coming up the Pleasant Canyon Road
Campsite near Cooper Mine (yes, even our own little patch of grass!! )
View toward Sentinel Peak
Wildflowers in the burn zone in the south fork of Happy Canyon
View back along the ridge toward Porter Peak
Coming back up and out of Pleasant Canyon
Brand Name Glory shot
The Surprise Canyon "Road"...closed now, but yes, people drove this.
SMB (looking small -- doesn't happen often) in Wood Canyon
Panamint is one of my favorite places. Usually go every year but not yet for 2011.
You didn't happen to go from Pleasant to Southpark where the 3ton bridge is--did you? I have done it in my Jeep but way too dangerous for the SMB.
steve
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'05 Ford V-10 4x4 SMB "50" White
'00 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 Highly Modified
'04 Jeep Grand Cherokee- wife won't let me modify it. :-(
Does anyone really read this stuff other than surfgeek?
Panamint is one of my favorite places. Usually go every year but not yet for 2011.
You didn't happen to go from Pleasant to Southpark where the 3ton bridge is--did you? I have done it in my Jeep but way too dangerous for the SMB.
steve
DEFINITELY did not. Being well over the 6000 lb max on the bridge I didn't even consider it...especially since I was told that the bridge is only the icing on the cake of a road that would probably not be suitable for the SMB.
In contrast the Pleasant Canyon Road was...well...pleasant. There were a couple spots near the mouth of the canyon that had some hairy drop offs, and a couple rough spots near the top (ended up bouncing the microwave loose -- suggestions on fixing that would be great...looks like the screws come from underneath and I'd have to pull the fridge to redo that :\), but nothing that even required actually putting it in 4x4. With Gold at $1500 an ounce all the mines in that area are back up and running...and for better or worse, grading the roads.
My microwave bounced lose and stopped working on my first trip out into the area. The road was so rough but the area is beautiful. SMBW replaced the microwave. They screwed and wedged it in and it has been fine ever since.
Angel
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2008 SMB E350 EB V10 White with Cruiser Top; EB-17 modified floor plan; Salem Kroger 4X4;
285/75/17E tires; Named: "The Lighthouse"
2000 Isuzu Rodeo V6 4WD
2006 Chalet LTW 15ft. Folding Travel Trailer 14 in. tires
Vandiesel II
Linear Mode
