GeoRock
Nomad
Posts: 329
Registered: 3-7-2003
Location: Mammoth Lakes, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Always have one
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Death Valley: the next best thing to Baja
My internal compass pointed south and I nearly missed the westerly turnoff towards Death Valley from Lone Pine. It would have been so easy to
continue to Baja. We had all our camping gear, plenty of ice--everything we'd need to land in Bahia.
Alas, my head-for-the-border suggestions landed on deaf ears and so I turned west for DV. Once the decision was made, I got excited over visiting my
old stomping grounds.
Many years ago, friends gave me the nickname of Death Valley Suzie. It was earned one night when they were searching for me in the valley. But
that's another story.
Some of the geology of Death Valley is like Baja's. Volcanic blow-outs and flows color much of the valley's walls. With the mercury hitting 112
degrees today, we felt like we were in Baja but without the culture.
On the way there, we stopped and filled up at a whopping $3.10 for regular unleaded in Panamint Springs. That is the highest I've ever paid for
gasoline.
Headed into South Fork Canyon, into the western flanks of the Panamint Mountains. Has some great 4wheeling. Spent the night at a cabin in Briggs
Camp. Completed the loop the next day, coming out Surprise Canyon in early afternoon.
Headed into Death Valley and camped a couple nights at Furnace Creek campground. It was blazing hot and there was lots of wind. Cold ones went down
quite smoothly, as did margaritas.
Had a great time. Hope you all had a fun Memorial Weekend.
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Skeet/Loreto
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4709
Registered: 9-2-2003
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Geo; Are the Tecopa Hot Springs still the Best Place for "Skinny Dipping"?
Skeet/Loreto
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GeoRock
Nomad
Posts: 329
Registered: 3-7-2003
Location: Mammoth Lakes, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Always have one
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You betcha, lots of old hippies with their white bare bottoms showing!
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Kathleen
Newbie
Posts: 18
Registered: 4-12-2004
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hot springs
ARe the tecopa hot springs segregated--men in one pool, women in the other?
To me nothing beats Saline Hot Springs in death valley.
AND it is free!
Kathleen
Kathleen
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish,
ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.
Mother Teresa
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64855
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by GeoRock
You betcha, lots of old hippies with their white bare bottoms showing! |
Suzy, not all details are needed... I almost lost my breakfast!
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surfer jim
Super Nomad
Posts: 1891
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: high desert
Member Is Offline
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Sounds like a dark pair of sunglasses would be useful there.....
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Taco de Baja
Super Nomad
Posts: 1913
Registered: 4-14-2004
Location: Behind the Orange Curtain, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Dreamin' of Baja
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white to pink ?
In 112 degrees the blinding white in the hot springs, might get turned pink to red by the sun quite quickly  
[Edited on 6-1-2004 by Taco de Baja]
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jide
Nomad
Posts: 245
Registered: 4-9-2003
Location: san diego
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cabins
Hey Georock,
A couple years ago, I got a hold of a BLM "adopt-a-cabin" map, it shows all the cabins(some of them restored) on public land in the southern sierra to
death valley area, have you heard of this map?
it shows the briggs cabin (haven't been there but I heard lotsa good things about it)
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GeoRock
Nomad
Posts: 329
Registered: 3-7-2003
Location: Mammoth Lakes, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Always have one
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Jide,
I have hunted and hunted online. I cannot find any map anywhere that shows all the cabins.
Any leads?
Briggs cabin was great. If you go there I guarantee you won't be disappointed. I can't wait to go back!
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Kathleen
Newbie
Posts: 18
Registered: 4-12-2004
Member Is Offline
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adopt-a-cabin
go to this website for some great info:
http://www.ca.blm.gov//ridgecrest/adoptacabin.html
| Quote: | Originally posted by GeoRock
Jide,
I have hunted and hunted online. I cannot find any map anywhere that shows all the cabins.
Any leads?
Briggs cabin was great. If you go there I guarantee you won't be disappointed. I can't wait to go back! |
Kathleen
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish,
ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.
Mother Teresa
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