Salton Sea, Death Valley, Lone Pine

Left Monday Feb. 29th from the San Diego area for some road tripping. Headed out solo around 1PM for the Salton Sea. Camped at Salt Creek ($8), then drove to Bombay Beach for meat loaf, potatoes, bread and vegies (special at Ski Inn for $7).



Camped at south end of campground, lazed around until about 10 AM then headed out. Yes my camp is my van (stove, sink, fridge, bed, and bano), and chair.





Stopped at Headquarters to the visitor center, then drove up to Mecca, and up to Joshua Tree National Monument .My National Pass meant no money to go thru park. Went to Amboy then thru Kelso then to Baker. Was getting dark so camped about 30 miles WEST of Baker at a rest stop that was another Salt Creek.



Here there were hiking trails and a short hike led to an area where a rare desert creek flows.



Breakfast at Shoshone, then on to Death Valley Junction. Wasn`t sure my destination so continued north. Here is a random selfie shot, nothing really to see here.



Thru Beatty NV, down to Death Valley and out thru Stovepipe Wells. Found a Caltrans crew digging up this sign. They said they were moving it up the hill???????



The road thru Panamint Springs to Lone Pine is amazing. I took one pic but it doesn`t do it justice. 9% grade in some stretches so had to put the old van in low gear. Stopped several places, look forward to doing the road traveling west to east.
Made it to Lone Pine with plenty of time to stop at the hostel for a $5 shower. Then to Alabama hills to camp. Parked near this Silver Back---



Left Lone Pine Thurs. afternoon, and made it to Short Canyon where I considered camping (parking). It is about 1 mile from the intersection of 395 and hwy 14, and about 4 miles west. My old low rider van made it no problem, but maybe after a storm, not so easy. Flowers and canyon were beautiful and there was phone service enough there so I could FaceTime my wife and show her the scenery.



But felt like I was being watched (Big Foot?) and was creeped out so went down the hill to camp down toward Red Rock Canyon. Then today it was getting on the road and fighting the traffic to get home to wife, son, granddaughter, and dog. Things are great, now what to do next week???

[Edited on 3-5-2016 by BornFisher]

Quote: Originally posted by BornFisher

Meant WEST of Baker for the other Salt Creek. Note to Nomads--- It was pretty easy to post this. Maybe 1 hour and painless. I encourage any trippers to post. I took pics on my Iphone, emailed them back to me on a medium setting (less than 250KB), downloaded them and posted. My biggest problem was controlling myself to keep it simple!!!

When i lived in Ridgecrest I used to drive down to Red Rock canyon and take pictures when ever a western movie was being filmed there. I can't find any of the action stuff I photograped but this was the spot where the action took place (I did not take this picture and don't know who did) :

Quote: Originally posted by bigboy

Like it! Love Lone Pine and the Alabama Hills. Bristle Pine Forest is great as well.

All part of my old stomping grounds Larry. PS; you forgot to mention Dirty Socks Well

Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy

If you explore any of the old movie sites and look closely as you walk you can find remnants of filming. I have found old bottles, cans, a few film canisters and both 3-in-one and 5-in-one blanks used in movie firearms

OK a few comments-- AK, my dog won`t go with me anymore. Once I put her in the van and she didn`t see home for 2 weeks. Now when I open the van door, she runs back inside the house and tries to lock the door!! It`s bad enough when your wife refuses to go with you, but when your dog refuses, it adds injury to insult!!!
Smart dog---



Bigboy-- I heart Lone Pine, Bristle Pines, Cerro Gordo, Whitney Portal
Robert-- Dirty Socks is well named. I had to talk my crazy cousin from getting in the water there!!
Diana-- never made it to Movie Road. The spot I camped is the first place possible on the north side of WP Rd. There was road work going on with a sign that said 30 minute delay possible so I stayed where I was. And yes, LOVE the movie museum, last time there bought the video they show. Was also there when Movie Days was happening. Boy, gun fights, and horses all over town. Also tours and out on Movie Road, many placards showing movie scenes where they were filmed.
Woody-- I knew you would love the upside down selfie!!
Hey, I thought my sea level joke was good for the forum??

Quote: Originally posted by durrelllrobert

Quote: Originally posted by BornFisher   Meant WEST of Baker for the other Salt Creek. Note to Nomads--- It was pretty easy to post this. Maybe 1 hour and painless. I encourage any trippers to post. I took pics on my Iphone, emailed them back to me on a medium setting (less than 250KB), downloaded them and posted. My biggest problem was controlling myself to keep it simple!!! When i lived in Ridgecrest I used to drive down to Red Rock canyon and take pictures when ever a western movie was being filmed there. I can't find any of the action stuff I photograped but this was the spot where the action took place (I did not take this picture and don't know who did) :

Quote: Originally posted by durrelllrobert

Quote: Originally posted by bigboy   Like it! Love Lone Pine and the Alabama Hills. Bristle Pine Forest is great as well. All part of my old stomping grounds Larry. PS; you forgot to mention Dirty Socks Well