Death Valley camping trip

A few weeks back a big Thursday storm was forecast for the entire west coast. I was able to get away and hoped for some weather in Death Valley. Rain in DV is a rare experience for me so off I went on a solo trip.

This is usually a dry lake in Panamint Valley




a strange cloud over Panamint Valley




afternoon shower over Daylight Pass




sunrise at Badwater




The Badlands west of Zabriski Point, taken on a 5 mile hike accessed from Golden Canyon







my campsite, I got rained on hard that night

Thanks for the ride ... "super" pic's

Really like them all ... but, the tent ... WOW

[Edited on 12-28-2014 by wessongroup]

Quote: Originally posted by tripledigitken

A few weeks back a big Thursday storm was forecast for the entire west coast. I was able to get away and hoped for some weather in Death Valley. Rain in DV is a rare experience for me so off I went on a solo trip. This is usually a dry lake in Panamint Valley Nice Photos Ken. During the 10 years I lived in Ridgecrest/ China Lake I made many day trips to the places you photographed but the only time I ever camped was at the Baker Ranch in Panamint Valley I only did that so I could tell people that I camped where Charlie Manson was captured.

Quote: Originally posted by durrelllrobert

Nice Photos Ken. During the 10 years I lived in Ridgecrest/ China Lake I made many day trips to the places you photographed but the only time I ever camped was at the Baker Ranch in Panamint Valley I only did that so I could tell people that I camped where Charlie Manson was captured.

Bob,

I'm sure you got to this place also.





Thanks to all for the kind comments. I've found that people I have met that love Baja and have been to DV, share a passion for both.

Ken

DurrellRobert-----------that would be the "barker ranch", not the "baker ranch". Unfortunately now burned down, and the girls are gone.

Barry

Quote: Originally posted by tripledigitken

Quote: Originally posted by durrelllrobert   Nice Photos Ken. During the 10 years I lived in Ridgecrest/ China Lake I made many day trips to the places you photographed but the only time I ever camped was at the Baker Ranch in Panamint Valley I only did that so I could tell people that I camped where Charlie Manson was captured. Bob, I'm sure you got to this place also. Thanks to all for the kind comments. I've found that people I have met that love Baja and have been to DV, share a passion for both. Ken

Hmmm...that region sparks some old memories. Maybe some of you will know this fellow.

I went to events called September Fest near Inyokern, California a couple times back in the 80's. A bit to the west of this area, I believe. The gatherings were hosted by a fellow named Johann, who was from South Africa and built his private getaway in this arid land. In a nutshell, that Fest was bizarre...to say the least. Anything and everything happened at his place...kind of like the first few Burning Man gatherings. Another place somewhere out in the desert was called the Hot Springs, the site of some other times. Featured lots of small planes.

I had arrived at Johann's with amigos on motorcycles on my last visit, and I was a mite surprised when Johann warned us all not to drive naked into Inyokern. That's when I found out the theme was nudity. The next day there were about 20 parachutists who floated down and joined the fun times...naked. Now that was quite an entrance.

p.s. As I remember, Johann was a chiropractor, like our mutual friend who originally invited me...Johnny Tequila from Baja.

edit to add this photo...I scratched around in my morgue and found Johann in this collage. Hope that helps.



[Edited on 12-29-2014 by Pompano]

Inyokern

Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy

Pomp...was that Doc Johannes Beyers ???

Quote: Originally posted by Natalie Ann

Sunrise at Badwater.... Love that image, Ken! Nena

WOW
Got to see it last spring with the Fam, your photos are very moving.
Happy New Year

Quote: Originally posted by Skipjack Joe

Nice pictures Ken. I think the first one was taken where the hwy crosses panamint valley? I usually stop there to shoot compositions of cracked mud.

Better than the "home brew" in Darwin ...

Quote: Originally posted by tripledigitken

Quote: Originally posted by Skipjack Joe   Nice pictures Ken. I think the first one was taken where the hwy crosses panamint valley? I usually stop there to shoot compositions of cracked mud. It was taken just east of the intersection of 190 & Panamint Valley Rd. Every trip to DV involves a drive over to Panamint Springs Resort for a craft beer and a burger. They have the largest selection of craft beers for 100+ miles. [Edited on 12-30-2014 by tripledigitken]

Quote: Originally posted by Skipjack Joe

Quote: Originally posted by tripledigitken   Quote: Originally posted by Skipjack Joe   Nice pictures Ken. I think the first one was taken where the hwy crosses panamint valley? I usually stop there to shoot compositions of cracked mud. It was taken just east of the intersection of 190 & Panamint Valley Rd. Every trip to DV involves a drive over to Panamint Springs Resort for a craft beer and a burger. They have the largest selection of craft beers for 100+ miles. [Edited on 12-30-2014 by tripledigitken] Have you ever visited those dunes just north of that spot? You can see them from the road. I would think there are better opportunities there to find one without human tracks, which is a challenge at the mesquite dunes.

Quote: Originally posted by Barry A.

Those dunes you see are the "Panamint dunes" I believe and were totally protected by the BLM for years (no vehicles). Not sure how the Park Service is treating/managing them, but I believe you have to walk to them, and it's a long walk. They are pristine, as are the Eureka Dunes in Eureka Valley north of Saline Valley, and you can drive to the base of the Eureka Dunes, but not "on" them. They are remote, so pretty pristine. Barry

I agree it's a long walk, and I have not noticed any vehicle access. The Eureka Dunes are my favorite. The last time there we didn't see another vehicle in the 4 hours we visited. They are much larger than Mesquite Dunes as well. Here are a few shots of that trip.




My footprints were the only I saw on this visit.








[Edited on 12-30-2014 by tripledigitken]

Quote: Originally posted by Barry A.

The more remote areas surrounding Death Valley Natl. Park, but back then not actually IN the Park, was where some pretty bazaar stuff went on like parts of Panamint Valley, and Saline Valley to the NW was where "Warm Springs" was, and still is. The Park Service having now recently taken over Saline Valley and environs has pretty much had a hands-off attitude for the immediate Warm Springs area, and just let it evolve------a wise decision, IMO as there is a long tradition there (nudity) and it is so remote that most visitors are not even aware of it's existence. Warm Springs is really quite remarkable in that there are several developed pools of warm and hot water where people gather under the palms, all done by private people doing a lot of work over many many years. It's a long and pretty tough dirt road just to get there. Barry

Quote: Originally posted by tripledigitken

Barry, How did u access Saline Valley, south from 190 or the racetrack?

Quote: Originally posted by tripledigitken

Barry, When were going to Saline Valley in the early 70's the road from 190 was in good enough shape for my 1959 ford station wagon to make it. Warm Springs was always a must do while in the valley. We once backpacked up to the old mining town of Beveridge. That's another story. Ken

Quote: Originally posted by Barry A.

The more remote areas surrounding Death Valley Natl. Park, but back then not actually IN the Park, was where some pretty bazaar stuff went on like parts of Panamint Valley, and Saline Valley to the NW was where "Warm Springs" was, and still is. The Park Service having now recently taken over Saline Valley and environs has pretty much had a hands-off attitude for the immediate Warm Springs area, and just let it evolve------a wise decision, IMO as there is a long tradition there (nudity) and it is so remote that most visitors are not even aware of it's existence. Warm Springs is really quite remarkable in that there are several developed pools of warm and hot water where people gather under the palms, all done by private people doing a lot of work over many many years. It's a long and pretty tough dirt road just to get there. Barry

Quote: Originally posted by Barry A.

Quote: Originally posted by tripledigitken   Barry, When were going to Saline Valley in the early 70's the road from 190 was in good enough shape for my 1959 ford station wagon to make it. Warm Springs was always a must do while in the valley. We once backpacked up to the old mining town of Beveridge. That's another story. Ken Wow, Beveridge------------I have heard that is one mighty tough hike!!! Those that I know that have done it have come from the top of the Inyo Mts (via the jeep road out of Cerro Gordo north along the crest) , hiking east down into Beveridge, and then continuing on down to the east to be picked up in Saline Valley-------and that is STILL "one tough hike", tho mostly downhill. I salute you!!!! Barry

Quote: Originally posted by bajalearner

Very nice report with pics. Your tent looks like it was in a drainage system but you didn't report waking up in the lake so I guess not.

Quote: Originally posted by durrelllrobert

Quote: Originally posted by Barry A.   The more remote areas surrounding Death Valley Natl. Park, but back then not actually IN the Park, was where some pretty bazaar stuff went on like parts of Panamint Valley, and Saline Valley to the NW was where "Warm Springs" was, and still is. The Park Service having now recently taken over Saline Valley and environs has pretty much had a hands-off attitude for the immediate Warm Springs area, and just let it evolve------a wise decision, IMO as there is a long tradition there (nudity) and it is so remote that most visitors are not even aware of it's existence. Warm Springs is really quite remarkable in that there are several developed pools of warm and hot water where people gather under the palms, all done by private people doing a lot of work over many many years. It's a long and pretty tough dirt road just to get there. Barry How about Dirty Socks hot springs? On highway 190 about 5 miles east of Olancha

Dunes near Stovepipe Wells. I shot this years ago.

I was intrigued with the brain coral patterns ..