Goler Wash/Barker Ranch/DV Spring 12

[Christopher Thwaites]

OK folks. I'm no good at making plans but Let's start with some tentative dates. This winter is looking to be very dry at least in the Bay Area. Early April if it's been dry would likely keep us out of the mud. I have never been to Race Track so that's on MY list as well. From my home it's at least a day and a half to hit Panamint Springs. I would look at a rendezvou point near Tehachapi???

 

[macmcintire]

I'm in. Just tell me the dates. Barring an unscheduled business trip, I will work it in to my calendar. I've never been to the boondock areas of Death Valley, otherwise I would volunteer to coordinate this. Someone else needs to identify the camping/caravaning spots.

 

[pjpvi]

I'll be watching this post to see what comes together. My schedule moves around so much, I'll just hope I can make whatever gets set up.

Phil

 

[yvrr]

We might be interested. If you are looking for just a place to camp on the way down, I've stayed at Tehachapi Mountain Parks a couple of times and it is fine for an "in route" stop over:

http://www.co.kern.ca.us/parks/tehachapi.asp

 

[daveb-SMB]

Goler would be questionable in 2WD. It changes. Unless someone runs it first I'd be leery sending in a 2WD even with a locker. Don't get me wrong, when I did it, the trail was reasonable. You just don't know.
You can read about the spots I've been to on the forum or at my site.

Needless to say, DV is big.

 

[Jeffrey-SMB]

I led an SMB Rally through Death Valley in Winter '08. We camped remote all nights except for the prelude night when a few of us arrived early and stayed in the 'campground' lot at Stovepipe Wells. I'll be happy to join or share my extensive knowledge of that place. You can still find threads here about that outing.

Dave is spot on, Goler Gulch in 2wd is not at all recommended. And that takes all the fun away.

 

[Christopher Thwaites]

Mac,
I was going to comment on the trail not being 2wd but now I don't need to. When I did it it was only 2wd for short legs and the rest was scary even for 4wd. With a convoy of vans and some winching and towing you could be dragged over the tough spots. Might not be fun. But since Toroweap it appears your van has undergone major mods. I guess you replaced the front bumper you tore off on that big rock. Who knows where this thread will lead but it would be nice to see you again.

 

[macmcintire]

Mac,
I was going to comment on the trail not being 2wd but now I don't need to. When I did it it was only 2wd for short legs and the rest was scary even for 4wd. With a convoy of vans and some winching and towing you could be dragged over the tough spots. Might not be fun. But since Toroweap it appears your van has undergone major mods. I guess you replaced the front bumper you tore off on that big rock. Who knows where this thread will lead but it would be nice to see you again.

I watched some videos on YouTube showing Goler Gulch. No thanks. I value my SMB too much to have it damaged in that canyon. There would have to be a pot of gold at the end of the canyon (to pay for repairs) to make it worthwhile to me. I don't want to hurt my baby again!

 

[Ford_6L_E350]

Like Dave said, the trail is variable. When we went to the Barker Ranch it was easy in 2wd. Of course the ranch house had not burned down either.

Racetrack is well worth the visit. If you continue past Racetrack a mile or so there is a nice place to camp. Actually it was an official camp spot, but has been dropped from all the Park documents. It was listed on an old map I have.

April may be too early for Racetrack. It depends on the weather. The playa has to be dry for many weeks to allow walking - otherwise, you will sink in the mud, and that can get you a pricey ticket. You are not allowed on the Racetrack when you might leave tracks, and the tracks can take 20+ years to disappear.

Mike

 

[daveb-SMB]

Now there is no reason for the group not to split and re-meet somewhere else... like at the geologist cabin. I mean what a great way to capture it for the rest coming over the pass. There are other spots in the Stripped Butte area that can hold more vehicles.

We have always tried to keep the group small so we could grab most any spot fro the night, but someone could always grab a spot while others are coming their way. If you get a list of how many people plan to go, it would be easier to figure a basic route and suggest places to meet up at. Most of DV is doable with Mac's setup.

 

[macmcintire]

"Mac's setup" meaning 2W lifted with a locking differential.

 

[Christopher Thwaites]

Anyone have any thoughts as to avoiding DV during Easter break? I'm not thrilled with crowds so I try to plan my back country adventures in between the usual holidays. What are the typical dates Easter break happens on?

 

[Tapatio]

avoiding DV during Easter break

The week before or after Easter would be better. The only time I've ever seen DV get totally crazy is when there is a large bloom.

 

[pjpvi]

What are the typical dates Easter break happens on?

For my kids school district in N. California spring break is April 9-13 this year.

Phil

 

[Christopher Thwaites]

Let's shoot for meetup at Ridgeview on Friday March 30. Hit Golar Wash and Mengel Pass Sat.Mar.31st. Then camp somewhere on the east side of Mengel Pass. Head down to Westside rd. and then take Galena Rd. to the talc mine and make camp there. It's a spot I have camped at before and it gives sweeping views of DV below. Lots of space for multiple campers. Mac...you could easily get up to the talc mine. It's a slow go on rocky ground but nothing requiring 4wd. I'm not sure how long it takes to get from Mengel Pass to Westside rd. so somebody else will have to inform me.

 

[macmcintire]

I'm in. Got it on my calendar. Did you mean meet up at Ridgecrest for those coming from the West? Since I will be coming from the East and maybe can't make it through Goler in 2W, I could meet you at the west end of Goler Wash or at the Geologist's Cabin.

 

[Tapatio]

3/30-4/6 on my calendar, looking forward to it. :u1:

 

[Christopher Thwaites]

Mac.
Those doing Goler would meet Friday or Sat am at or near Ballarat outside of Ridgecrest. We would meet you at the geologist cabin then on Sat night for the second night of camping. Since I have not done this route completely I don't know what the travel time is from Mengel Pass to the geologist camp. Anybody?
Ok so it's me and Tapatio so far with Mac joining Sat. eve.

 

[macmcintire]

I'd like to meet up with you guys on Friday. Perhaps I could meet you in Ballarat (or wherever you camp Friday night) and then find another way around if I can't make it through Goler. Perhaps with other 4x4 rigs going through Goler I could make it with my locker.

 

[scatter-SMB]

Since I have not done this route completely I don't know what the travel time is from Mengel Pass to the geologist camp. Anybody?

No matter what the road's like, it's all downhill from Mengel to the cabin. Can't imagine much more then half an hour. I've sure done it in a lot less.