Steel Pass, Dedeckera Canyon to Saline Valley - Page 2

woodbee · 03-22-2010, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saline

BTW, Inyo County always puts up the Road Closed signs during the winter on both North and South Passes due to liability. It is often not "closed" at all and worth a look see.

We had no plan to go into Saline Valley through the north pass, I had been planing to try Steel Pass before I picked up our SMB last December. Several people at the hot springs in Saline Valley also told us it was closed due to very deep snow.
On the road closed sign, the piece of paper said "big 4x4 and big snow tires, you might make it in".

Woody

Christopher Thwaites · 03-24-2010, 07:39 PM

Absolutely wonderful pics. I'm sure Phil and I both said..." yup that's where we both dinged a rim..I busted the plastic cover over the rear hub"!
Thanks for the memory. It's doable for any SMB..side ladders excluded and a spotter is a must but the worst section is only about 100yds. in length.
Not to mention the the wide flat smooth section over the pass out of Saline Valley where is broke 2 tires!

woodbee · 03-24-2010, 08:19 PM

Thanks for all the nice responses

Woody

**daveb** · 03-24-2010, 08:27 PM

Hum...I see you have no ladders. So like Bw said, I have twin ladders. Do you think it's doable with ladders on both sides Woody? We had planned that route now I'm not sure. Great writeup...thanks DaveB

woodbee · 03-24-2010, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveb

Hum...I see you have no ladders. So like Bw said, I have twin ladders. Do you think it's doable with ladders on both sides Woody? We had planned that route now I'm not sure. Great writeup...thanks DaveB

I don't think I would even try it with the wheel spacers some are talking about and that is only about 4" wider. Ladders I would say no way.

Woody

**daveb** · 03-24-2010, 08:41 PM

Bummer. I also have a full floater. I thought maybe you could ride high on one side or something. Guess that one will have to be crossed off the list. Thanks for the heads up Woody....Dave

Christopher Thwaites · 03-24-2010, 09:30 PM

My van is an RB. I don't have spacers. The narrowest spot on that section is probably 3"-4" less than the tire width. To negotiate it you have to get as close as possible to the vertical wall on the drivers side..mirrors in...because as you move through the opening the right wheels climb up the angular rock face and then drop back. For a moment you tip left to within an inch or 2 of the wall on your left. Phil's van is an EB and I think he has spacers. I broke a hub cover on the right rear and dinged the rim. He dinged his rim. Woodbee's pics show the spot exactly.

**daveb** · 03-24-2010, 10:15 PM

wow...I just don't know. I'd like to hear from somebody that has done it with ladders on both sides but if you have to fold in the mirriors??? Is the worst spot easy to back out of if it's too tight?

Christopher Thwaites · 03-24-2010, 11:26 PM

Look at the pics with woodbee standing in front. That is the spot. Yes you could back down but by now you are about 10 miles from the dunes headed north to south. Worst case, you could unscrew the ladders!!

pjpvi · 03-25-2010, 09:05 AM

The narrow width is down at tire level, not up at ladder level. I have one ladder and wasn't concerned at all about it. I do have spacers as well (I don't recall if Chris has spacers). We both dinged our wheels. I think a slightly different line would have avoided the wheel damage.

Go do it. It's a beautiful area.

Phil