Description
Event Location: Near Ridgecrest, California
“Cradled between two towering mountain ranges wrinkled and streaked with vivid shades of brown and rosy tan, is the famous Death Valley. This vast treeless alkali plain extends north and south for about 130 miles and averages about a dozen miles in width. It is the lowest hottest and driest place in North America. Temperatures annually rise to more than 120 degrees. The Indians named this gristly playa, Tomesha – ground afire.
Ever since California-bound emigrants traversed this dazzling white valley in 1849, exaggerated tales of blazing temperatures and hidden riches have come from here. Apocryphal stores tell of dozens and even hundreds of animals and emigrant men and women dying in the valley.”
From Death Valley Ghost Towns Volume I
by Stanley W. Paher
This is a 4 day trip covering the north and west end of Death Valley, Saline Valley and Eureka Valley. (Saline Valley and Eureka Valley are also part of the Death Valley National Park). We will start near Ridgecrest, California. The plan is to camp each night. Death Valley is quite remote with long distances (and drive time) between destinations. We will spend a lot of time driving on the back roads and camping just to explore where they go and to say we did it. We don’t stop as a rule at places that are paved and you can reach by passenger car. There is very limited cell phone coverage. There are opportunities to buy expensive gas. Just don’t rely on a gas station to be there when you need gas – bring extra. We will avoid the paved road as much as possible.
Expect plenty of washboard roads (and we mean extreme washboard that will shake every part of your vehicle, gear and shocks). This is not the trip for you if you abhor washboard, dust and scenic beauty. Death Valley abounds in history, mines, ghost towns, and natural wonders – like moving rocks. It will not be possible to see it all even thought it will seem like it. At least one night, we will camp next to the warm springs. Bring a swimsuit so you can enjoy the pool. However, it is clothing optional so make your own decision!
The 4WD drive challenge is mild. A stock 4WD vehicle is adequate. Of course there can always be a surprise around the next curve. The trail varies from 2 to 4 (on a 10 point scale). A trail rating of 2 means Roads seldom graded. 4WD, good clearance, and low gears often needed, with some extra care and a bit of off road driving experience useful. A trail rating of 4 means Roads in difficult terrain; expect some erosion damage, repaired barely enough for passage. 4WD, good clearance, and low gears are essential. Complete Trail Rating explanation
“The Racetrack is a unique attraction of Death Valley National Park that not many park visitors get to see. It’s a dry lakebed in a very remote and beautiful area. On the north end of the lakebed is a rock formation known as the grandstands. Rocks from the grandstands and other nearby formations break off and fall onto the lake. There, they perform feats that make this remote playa world-famous. They move! But after all these years, a hundred or more since this phenomenon was brought to the attention of naturalists studying Death Valley, no one has ever seen them move. These rocks aren’t boulders; most are perhaps a foot or so tall, but can still weigh a lot and are not easy to lift. The evidence that they move is the trails they leave behind them as they scoot around the lake. You’ll find a rock sitting innocently anywhere on the playa — from next to the grandstand to the far southern edge — and behind it will be a trail, from the rock sliding across the fine clay surface of the lakebed.” (The Sliding Rocks on the Racetrack Playa by Len Wilcox www.desertusa.com)
“At the northern end of the Cottonwood Mountains, lies a field of volcanic craters, the largest of which the Indians named Ubehebe, which means big basket in the rock. Ubehebe was formed around 6000 years ago when underground water came in contact with molten rock. The resultant steam pressure caused a massive explosion, sending debris high into the sky, blanketing the area with jagged rock up to 20ft in depth. There are several craters in the area, the most easily accessed being the largest, Ubehebe. Walking around the rim is very easy though winds are quite often extreme in this part of Death Valley. A simple 500ft descent awaits those who feel like walking to the bottom of Ubehebe; a rather more strenuous ascent awaits those who want to climb out, as the slopes are lined with a loose volcanic rubble that offers little purchase.” (from USGS web site Death Valley Field Trip)
Medical Self-Assessment: There is inherent risk associated with all the activities involved with off-road driving including the risk of illness in remote areas without medical facilities. Badlands Off-Road Adventures does not conduct a medical screening, examination, or review of the health and fitness of clients & customers to participate in our training programs and adventures trips. It is incumbent on each person to assess their medical capability to participate. By enrolling in our events, you are certifying you are medically fully capable of participating in the activity.
Cancellation and Alcohol Policy
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