2013 Ghost Town Expedition

[Vegas_Nick [OP]]

Departure date set for June 14th!

Making plans for a mid June, 4 day 4 night ghost town trail expedition. Piecing the map together here:
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid...dd14f6d4&msa=0

I have been talking about this with my wife for a while but kind of shelved the idea, now looking at June, things should be good to make the trip! Chemo is done in April, radiation should be done by mid-May so dangit, we're going to do this!

Departing June 14th:

Meet up at Blue Diamond Travel Plaza. 12325 Nevada 160
Las Vegas - West, NV 89445
Rolling out at 0730.

We'll travel to Parhump, make a quick gas stop, then off to Death Valley Junction. We'll stop and explore the opera house and then on to Panamint Springs.
1st Camp (14th) Panamint Springs in Death Valley. (173 miles from Las Vegas)
Once at Panamint, we'll make a short run down to Ballarat and Barker ranch then back to camp for the evening.

The next morning,
We will drive 50 miles to Lone Pine and meet up with the other FJ's from Cali and make a gas stop. Then Lone Pine to Cerro Gordo

Lone to Cerro Gordo is 20 miles

We will take the Yellow Grade to Cerro Gordo. (Anticipate +3 hours due to photo stops, etc) Return via the Yellow Grade.
We may camp at Cerro Gordo or continue on to Mammoth Springs. Group vote. LOL
Cerro Gordo to Bodie: 169 Miles (approx 3 hours)

2nd Camp (15th) at Crags Campground. Make your reservations here:
http://www.recreation.gov/camping/Cr...ex=CampingSpot
There are hotels available here as well for non-tent campers.

This will put us less than 30 minutes from Bodie.

4+ hours to explore Bodie then across the mountains to Hawthorne, NV This takes several hours and you'll want to stop at the Aurora cemetery.

3rd camp (16th) at Hawthorne. (Hotels available)
We're staying here: http://www.northernstarcasinos.com/e...asino/lodging/

Hawthorne to Gold Point for final camp night (17th) (150 miles via Silver peak rd) We'll be able to stop by Blair and then off to Goldfield then on to Gold Point.

Again, Gold Point has cabins available for non-tent campers.
Contact Sheriff Stone at: http://www.goldpointghosttown.com for cabin reservations. I'd make those fairly soon.

Leave Gold Point via Lucky Strike canyon. (30 miles) That ends up at Bonnie Claire (150 miles to Vegas)

Last gas stop in Beatty, NV. Some have asked about making the quick 12 mile trip over to Rhyolite from Beatty. I have no issues with that at all.
Estimate 800 miles. 200+ will be off road.

Estimated gas budget for those traveling from Vegas is around $400

Roll Call:
Nick+1
John
Jason (Romad) +2?
Gary (GW7777) +1?
Teo (Raptor) +1
Mark (LV Deuce) +1 or 2
Bill (FJ Crush) +1
Chasing Dirt
Eastwood +2
BoPro +2

From the Blue Forum:
Gary (Nevadesh)
Scott (Montana FJ61)
Bodi
Hersog
The Brown Note
Willimo
Dago Red
Terence

This all driven by a bucket list item to see Cerro Gordo:




Feel free to chime in with recommendations, suggestions, comments, etc. It looks like I have at least 5 other FJ's going from Vegas. Maybe some of the local Tacoma crew as well. I've done many of these trails solo with the exception of Cerro Gordo.

[Ferby]

Looks fun ... Might be interested when the time comes

[Old Cruiser]

All I know is I cant wait to see the pictures you take!

[Vegas_Nick [OP]]

Old Cruiser previously said:

All I know is I cant wait to see the pictures you take!

Thanks buddy! I also got a GoPro for Christmas so maybe some new stuff added to the portfolio this time!

[FJKayaker]

Man, only if I lived out west. What a awesome ride your putting together. Beautiful country! Looking forward to the pics. Happy New Year

[Smalldog]

That looks awesome and well planned. Im surprised the cabins are so well intact.

Good luck with the treatments!


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[nevadaesh]

Vegas_Nick previously said:

Making plans for a mid June, 4 day 3 night ghost town trail expedition. Piecing the map together here:
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid...dd14f6d4&msa=0

Rough draft plan looks like this:
Las Vegas to Cerro Gordo: 243 Miles (Approx 4.5 hours)

1st Camp at Cerro Gordo? There are cabins at the Cerro Gordo. Altitude is 8,000 feet so not exactly the best for a good nights sleep unless you are used to it..

Possible gas stop: Amargosa Valley then stop in Swansea or Keeler before heading into the mountains.

Leave via Swansea Grade. (Anticipate 3 hours due to photo stops, etc)

Estimate 800 miles. 200+ will be off road.

This all driven by a bucket list item to see Cerro Gordo:

Feel free to chime in with recommendations, suggestions, comments, etc. It looks like I have at least 5 other FJ's going from Vegas. Maybe some of the local Tacoma crew as well. I've done many of these trails solo with the exception of Cerro Gordo.

A few suggestions:
1. If you go through Pahrump, it has the best gas prices by at least .30 per gallon (at least right now).

2. Head out Bell Vista to the Opera House and then into DV. There's a big DV sign as you drive N on 160 from "downtown" Pahrump - can't miss the turn off.

3. Have you visited Darwin yet? A very interesting little town for those in your group that haven't been there yet. A very short detour off 190.

4. There really is no camping at Cerro Gordo. It is a privately held town and the owners are NOT that friendly. We were there maybe a year ago and that was the attitude then. There is a really nice campsite east of the town. If you want I can possibly find the site.
About 4 years ago we led 3 different trips through different parts of DV and had a blast.

5. Depending on travel time out of LV, just west of Lone Pine are the Alabama Hills - a most perfect place to camp. It is the site where alot of old western movies and TV shows were shot. Then head to Swansee and Cerro Gordo. There are many places in there that would hold a large group.

Just a couple of ideas that may work for you.

Gary

[Vegas_Nick [OP]]

nevadaesh previously said:

A few suggestions:
1. If you go through Pahrump, it has the best gas prices by at least .30 per gallon (at least right now).

2. Head out Bell Vista to the Opera House and then into DV. There's a big DV sign as you drive N on 160 from "downtown" Pahrump - can't miss the turn off.

3. Have you visited Darwin yet? A very interesting little town for those in your group that haven't been there yet. A very short detour off 190.

4. There really is no camping at Cerro Gordo. It is a privately held town and the owners are NOT that friendly. We were there maybe a year ago and that was the attitude then. There is a really nice campsite east of the town. If you want I can possibly find the site.
About 4 years ago we led 3 different trips through different parts of DV and had a blast.

5. Depending on travel time out of LV, just west of Lone Pine are the Alabama Hills - a most perfect place to camp. It is the site where alot of old western movies and TV shows were shot. Then head to Swansee and Cerro Gordo. There are many places in there that would hold a large group.

Just a couple of ideas that may work for you.

Gary

Thanks for the input Gary! I've got a few contacts with the people up at Cerro Gordo. The old caretaker died a while back and the people up there are like that because they have to deal with a$$hats that come up and like most places in the desert, act like they own it. Actually you can rent a cabin or a room for the night if you know who to ask. I am hoping old contacts still hold up when the time comes.

Now, I love the idea of going through Parhump and the Opera House! I came back in from a DV trip like that once and really liked that area. we even found the place that had the homes built into the mountain sides.

That area around Lone Pine sounds great! I want to pre plan but have enough lattitude that we don't get worked up about an extra night on the trail. Come on along with us buddy! We'd love the company!

[MontanaFJ61]

Nick, might indeed be up for it. Would you bring your granddaughter? My wife has wanted to do that trip (not exactly as yours) and it sounds great. Would love to bring the little one too, if appropriate.

Scott


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[Vegas_Nick [OP]]

MontanaFJ61 previously said:

Nick, might indeed be up for it. Would you bring your granddaughter? My wife has wanted to do that trip (not exactly as yours) and it sounds great. Would love to bring the little one too, if appropriate.

Scott


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Scott,
My wife is coming along and some of the folks coming along will bringing wives and kids (4 years old or so). I am not sure about my grand daughter just yet. I don't see any issue with it at all! The only caveat to that is keeping a close eye in places like Gold Point where there are open mines and such, but we've taken all of our grandkids there from the time they were two with no issues ever.