BajaNomad - Titus Canyon, Death Valley

Titus Canyon, Death Valley

DianaT - 3-6-2016 at 10:09 AM

When we were in Death Valley a couple of weeks ago, we drove one of our favorite roads through Titus Canyon. It is 20+ miles of one way dirt road that starts in Beatty, Nevada climbs up to over 5000 feet and then down and through the very narrow canyon and out to the middle of Death Valley. The wild flowers were barely beginning, but since then, they have been moving to higher elevations.

It is very difficult to capture this wild and beautiful backcountry. But here are a couple of attempts. It is worth going really slow as there is so many "wow" places.

The Road

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The Beautiful Desert Colors
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Just enjoying the beautiful view from the higher ground.

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This vehicle just did not make it in the failed mining town of Leadfield.
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The beautiful narrow canyon

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So many different rock formations --- the one looks like it might swallow the vehicles.

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From the dark out to the light at the end.

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Just one of the many places to explore in Death Valley.

StuckSucks - 3-6-2016 at 10:39 AM

Great photos - I've been thru Titus a few times and it is an amazing place.

How do you like your '16 Tundra?

KurtG - 3-6-2016 at 11:40 AM

Just about my favorite Death Valley motorcycle ride.

AKgringo - 3-6-2016 at 11:50 AM

It looks like a great drive! Did you really mean to say that it is 'one way', or did you mean 'one lane'?

pauldavidmena - 3-6-2016 at 11:57 AM

I've never been to Death Valley, but your photos make me want to put it on my bucket list. How is that it keeps getting longer as I get older?

BornFisher - 3-6-2016 at 12:21 PM

Yes it is one way--- down!! And one lane. Went down years ago in a Jeep. Remember Leadfield and some petros.
Last week in my low riding van, I passed up the road and stayed on pavement. The soil and rocks are so colorful, the whole area looks painted!!
Thanks for the photos. With this beautiful weather and mild temps Death Valley is sure an attractive destination and it`s certainly no secret. Lots of folks there now, almost crowded even!!!

Mexitron - 3-6-2016 at 12:52 PM

Looks like another one for the bucket list!

DianaT - 3-6-2016 at 02:39 PM

Thanks for the comments. So much to see in Death Valley. Of course it is very crowded on weekends and very popular over Thanksgiving. Oh, except for on the summers when it is an oven. Well, there are always some Europeans there just to experience the extreme heat.

It is a large park with a variety of elevations, and the majority of visitors stay around places like Badwater, Furnace Creek, etc. There are a number of back dirt roads that are not crowed. Just driving in from the Big Pine Road, which is great dirt road drive, we only saw three vehicles this time and one was a ranger. And off that road there are the Eureka Dunes and much more to explore and few people.

I so understand how the bucket list grows!

BornFisher answered about the one way. You can walk into the canyon from the Death Valley side, but it is one way driving. There are too many places where someone would need to back up a long ways if it was not one way.

StuckSucks, our Tundra is a 2015. We bought it in December of 2014. We have put 30000 miles on it already and for some trips, we still use our Subaru. Except for the gas mileage, we like it. It handles a lot better than did our 2003, especially in the mountains. Also with the improved brakes and more, it handles our pop-up camper like it wasn't there. We did add airbags however.

[Edited on 3-6-2016 by DianaT]

skipowell - 3-6-2016 at 09:46 PM

Diane
thanks for sharing your pictures. We have been to Death Valley every year for the past three years. once you visit this magic place it keeps drawing you back. Titus Canyon is one of the few things we have not done yet. primarily because we always have our f350 4 wheel crew cab with a large lance camper on it and not sure how it would do. Happy to hear that you went through with your pop up camper. We take our truck and camper off road all the time in Mexico. Would love your opinion if you think their would be any problem. First year we were there a person advised us against it and we had so many other things to see just put it out mind. Thinking of going next week to see the flowers.
Thanks

Skipjack Joe - 3-7-2016 at 07:56 AM

Nice work, Diane.

DianaT - 3-7-2016 at 02:24 PM

Thanks Igor, I appreciate the comment :saint:

Quote: Originally posted by skipowell

Diane
thanks for sharing your pictures. We have been to Death Valley every year for the past three years. once you visit this magic place it keeps drawing you back. Titus Canyon is one of the few things we have not done yet. primarily because we always have our f350 4 wheel crew cab with a large lance camper on it and not sure how it would do. Happy to hear that you went through with your pop up camper. We take our truck and camper off road all the time in Mexico. Would love your opinion if you think their would be any problem. First year we were there a person advised us against it and we had so many other things to see just put it out mind. Thinking of going next week to see the flowers.
Thanks

Boy, I don't know how to answer your question. We didn't have our camper this time, but we have driven through there with the camper before, but it is a very small pop-up similar to a 4 Wheel camper. I really don't know much about the capabilities of your big truck and camper as we have never had one that big!

The first part of the road on the flat land was quite washboardy. There are some quite steep areas up and down, some rocks and trenches from the rain, and it is a narrow road. We never needed 4WD, however, and you don't need to worry about traffic from the other direction. We almost turned on the 4wd once when we stopped on a steep upgrade to take a picture and we had no weight in the back of the truck, but it didn't spin. They do say no motorhomes or trailers.

I hope someone who is familiar with that road and with the capabilities of your big rig will speak up because once you commit yourself, there is no turning around.

Barry A. - 3-7-2016 at 04:03 PM

I don't think your would have a problem with the camper you described in Titus Canyon. I have been thru there with my cab-over camper on a Ford F-250 extended cab with 8' bed with no problems. You have to be very careful not to catch your leading edge/corner of the camper on an overhanging cliff face, but other than that I don't see a problem. Just be really really careful.

disclaimer: (this advice will self-destruct soon, and no liability is excepted or will be responded to)

wessongroup - 3-7-2016 at 04:26 PM

Really good to see you guys "moving" again

WOOF

tripledigitken - 3-7-2016 at 04:56 PM

Nice shots Diane. A great drive, one of my favorites in DV.

When we drove our F250 ext cab 4*4 we left our 10' Lance at Stovepipe Wells CG. Could have made it, but a more enjoyable drive without it.

The park service is pretty vigilant about closing it down after storm event damage.

DianaT - 3-7-2016 at 05:47 PM

Thanks Barry and Ken. Barry, I love your disclaimer!

That road was closed earlier from the floods this year; we are glad they have it opened.

Wessongroup --- Tommy once again, says back at you! WOOF :-)

On edit. On the Native California Plant facebook site, someone just posted a picture of the traffic at Badwater, andd it is wild. Superblooms just don't happen that often. Glad we went in the middle of the week la couple of weeks ago. It seems to be getting more and more crowded!

[Edited on 3-8-2016 by DianaT]

[Edited on 3-8-2016 by DianaT]

bacquito - 3-8-2016 at 07:13 AM

Grear photos, thanks.

mtgoat666 - 3-8-2016 at 11:03 AM

Titus cyn is a nice 1-way mt bike ride. And from the pass, almost anyone can ride it back to dv cyn mouth. Nature is most rewarding when you get out of your cage!

Barry A. - 3-8-2016 at 03:23 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

Titus cyn is a nice 1-way mt bike ride. And from the pass, almost anyone can ride it back to dv cyn mouth. Nature is most rewarding when you get out of your cage!

That last sentence is an opinion, Goat, rather than a fact. Personally I love both, but at my age I can't do much "mountain biking".

What is "dv canyon mouth"?

DianaT - 3-8-2016 at 05:56 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Barry A.

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

Titus cyn is a nice 1-way mt bike ride. And from the pass, almost anyone can ride it back to dv cyn mouth. Nature is most rewarding when you get out of your cage!

That last sentence is an opinion, Goat, rather than a fact. Personally I love both, but at my age I can't do much "mountain biking".

What is "dv canyon mouth"?

Barry,
I am quite sure he means the Death Valley Canyon Mouth.

And yes, it is an opinion and a bit of an indictment. Just keep on enjoying the outdoors that you love for as long as you can! That is what we plan on doing and in whatever fashion suits the moment and us. :biggrin:

Bajahowodd - 3-8-2016 at 05:58 PM

Do you guys ever stay home? Just wondering. :?:

DianaT - 3-8-2016 at 06:05 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bajahowodd

Do you guys ever stay home? Just wondering. :?:

Actually, we love our home and where we live, but there is so much to see and learn out there, so we want to keep on moving as long as possible. Heck, worked long and hard, and invested well so we could do this and the future for us is today. :yes:

Bajahowodd - 3-9-2016 at 05:46 PM

Quote: Originally posted by DianaT

Quote: Originally posted by Bajahowodd

Do you guys ever stay home? Just wondering. :?:

Wonderful for you. I'm slightly jealous, but not too much, as I've had a chance to visit much of the world and most of California.

Keep on keeping on.

Elona - 3-10-2016 at 07:01 AM

What a fantastic drive through slot canyon

DianaT - 3-11-2016 at 07:30 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Elona

What a fantastic drive through slot canyon

Yes it was! Thanks.