Trona Pinnacles somewhat of a trip report

[Txn2daBone]

I just spent the last three days camping at the Trona Pinnacles. Monday I had Deaver replace my springs and shocks all the way around (soooooo cushy now!) so Tuesday morning I headed towards Death Valley as my destination but only made it as far as the pinnacles. I just wanted to camp instead of driving so DV is still on my to do list this year. The weather was great and didn't see another soul until this morning as I was driving out. Here's a few pictures...

 

[EMrider]

Now that is living. Beauty, solitude, fun and comfort. Exactly why I own an SMB.
R

 

[billwilson-THOR]

Now that is living. Beauty, solitude, fun and comfort. Exactly why I own an SMB.
R

amen brother

 

[cellularSTEVE]

Nice shots! I like it there too.

Did you go larger on your lift? In the photos you like like you got some more lift.

steve :c3:

 

[Txn2daBone]

Steve,

When I stopped by Deaver in December I mentioned to Jeff that I'd like to at least try and keep it at the height it was at (no lower) and keep it as level as possible. After it was all said and done the rear was right on and the front is riding a little high after gaining almost an inch which I'm fine with.

Eric

 

[Ford_6L_E350]

I was looking at your bike in the bottom picture, nice - disc brakes, front suspension only - and then I'm puzzled by what looks like a trailer hookup on the bike. Had to go back to see it is the bike rack on the van laid down.

Another place to add to my list of places to visit. Thanks!

Mike

 

[daveb-SMB]

That place is cool. When Calclimber and CellularSteve dragged me in there at night, I was blown away in the morning when it got light.
Nice pics

 

[macmcintire]

Your first picture looks like you are on another planet. Absolutely gorgeous place and your pictures are excellent quality. Obviously you are not using the $79 Cannon digital camera that I use. I have never heard of this place, so it's now on my list of future camping spots. Thanks!!!

 

[cellularSTEVE]

mac,
It is right outside of Ridgecrest, near the town of Trona. This is on the way to Panamint Valley. Another place to definitely put on your list. Panamint is beautiful too.

steve :c3:

 

[Greggde]

Great place , we were there the first of this month , ran up there to have dinner and leave the next morning . If you liked the Pinnacles you owe it to yourself to visit Trona High Schools Football Field !
Greggde

 

[Txn2daBone]

Your first picture looks like you are on another planet

One could easily think that seeing as how over a dozen hit movies have scenes filmed from there. As you drive up the road you can stop and read information about the history of the area and how and when the pinnacles were formed. Scenes from movies such as Planet of the Apes(the remake)...Star Trek...a couple of Disney movies and some others I can't recall were shot there. It's actually pretty cool driving away from that place knowing so much more about it seeing as how I knew nothing about when I first got there.

Eric

 

[stikine]

Nice warm light sure makes your photos pop - they are sweet!

Was wondering about the 3-step scissor steps you have - do they just detach some how and store in the SMB? Do you remember what mfd. they are?

Thanks

 

[rockbender]

x2 for info on the steps... those look great!

 

[Txn2daBone]

About the scissor steps...I did a search online and came across an rv store in town that had some. They were ordered for a customer from a company called C.R. Brophy Machine Works out of Clackamas, Or...I do believe they have other locations. The customer had changed his mind so I snagged them...totally happy with them and they are very sturdy. It came with a bracket that I mounted to the pinch weld below the door and the steps attach with a pin on each side of the bracket...just pull the pins out to remove the steps. If you notice I mounted the steps directly under the right side door. That way if I'm inside I just have to open one door to get in and out instead of opening both.

If you do a search on rv scissor steps you'll come up with just a whole lot of other companies that offer the same thing...just at different prices and maybe closer to where you live.

Hope this helps.

Eric

 

[stikine]

Sure would like to install the scissor steps, but don't see how it is possible to attach the bracket to the pinch weld that my nerf boards are attached to. The nerf boards came with the rig from SMB West - really no room there between the nerf boards and the bottom of the door.

 

[Greggde]

stikine ,
Go to pages two and three of my gallery and look at the brackets that I designed for the Fiamma Awning . You could do the same for rock solid mount . I was going fabricate some for the Scissor Steps but decided not to because lack of storage .
Greggde

 

[stikine]

Thanks Greggde - looked at your brackets - looks like with a fair amount of work a guy could weld something on, but by far those that have a bit of their pinch weld exposed have a fairly simple install at least as far as installing the bracket that comes with the scissor steps, that allows the steps to simply slip over the "J" hooks for very fast mounting/dismounting.