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A couple of SoCal questions
Good Afternoon.. I'm plotting/planning yet another western roadtrip this summer and I need a little "pre research" info. We really want to 'tour" Death Valley and the Mojave and could use a few landmarks/advice. My wife and I will be alone in a stock FJ, so I'm just looking for main/good/dirt would be fine roads. I have experience in the SW, so we'll be properly equipped with food, water, etc.. I'm using Garmin MapSource, atlas and other paper maps. Can anyone help me with advice on where to base/stay, etc..? I was last there 36 years ago and my memory of the trip is a little smokey, to say the least.. It'll be my wifes first trip to CA. Ron
Edit.. PS: The wife does not "rough it".. B&B's and/or upscale inn's are the preferred plan.. LOL
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Last edited by kokopelli : 03-27-2008 at 12:45 PM.
Good Afternoon.. I'm plotting/planning yet another western roadtrip this summer and I need a little "pre research" info. We really want to 'tour" Death Valley and the Mojave and could use a few landmarks/advice. My wife and I will be alone in a stock FJ, so I'm just looking for main/good/dirt would be fine roads. I have experience in the SW, so we'll be properly equipped with food, water, etc.. I'm using Garmin MapSource, atlas and other paper maps. Can anyone help me with advice on where to base/stay, etc..? I was last there 36 years ago and my memory of the trip is a little smokey, to say the least.. It'll be my wifes first trip to CA. Ron
Edit.. PS: The wife does not "rough it".. B&B's and/or upscale inn's are the preferred plan.. LOL
I go there all the time, I can give you some tips this weekend.
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Location: I ain't like them, but I can pretend <<<=8)
Posts: 2,105
Re: A couple of SoCal questions
Great and thanks.. We'll be going in July or August (I know) so we have a lot of time.. Ron
Quote:
spertierra previously said:
I go there all the time, I can give you some tips this weekend.
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08 SS, SS valve stem caps and exhaust tip
Rapper standing on the corner, wrappers flying in the wind... And in my quite reflection, I wonder why..
I go there all the time, I can give you some tips this weekend.
Spertierra, You'll be seeing "kokopeli" with his sons at Hungry Valley this weekend.
This is another "kokopelli" from out of state.
Kokopelli, since your wife doesn't want to rough it, make reservations Panamint Springs for a little room. Do it very early. Panamint Springs is on the Western side of DV. Beatty is a small town on the NE side of DV. I think a lodging at Beatty or Panamint will give you the position to do a few loops to explore DV. I'm sure Spertierra can help I more.
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Location: I ain't like them, but I can pretend <<<=8)
Posts: 2,105
Re: A couple of SoCal questions
So that's what he meant I thought he was going to plot this great adventure for me and it would take so much time that he needed to wait until the weekend!
Great.. I'd like to spend at least a week between DV and Mojave!
Another add-on question.. Where would you go for a few days at the beach nead SD? Thanks Again.. I'll check Panamint and Beatty.. Ron
Quote:
pokerDawg previously said:
Spertierra, You'll be seeing "kokopeli" with his sons at Hungry Valley this weekend.
This is another "kokopelli" from out of state.
Kokopelli, since your wife doesn't want to rough it, make reservations Panamint Springs for a little room. Do it very early. Panamint Springs is on the Western side of DV. Beatty is a small town on the NE side of DV. I think a lodging at Beatty or Panamint will give you the position to do a few loops to explore DV. I'm sure Spertierra can help I more.
__________________
08 SS, SS valve stem caps and exhaust tip
Rapper standing on the corner, wrappers flying in the wind... And in my quite reflection, I wonder why..
Spertierra, You'll be seeing "kokopeli" with his sons at Hungry Valley this weekend.
This is another "kokopelli" from out of state.
Kokopelli, since your wife doesn't want to rough it, make reservations Panamint Springs for a little room. Do it very early. Panamint Springs is on the Western side of DV. Beatty is a small town on the NE side of DV. I think a lodging at Beatty or Panamint will give you the position to do a few loops to explore DV. I'm sure Spertierra can help I more.
Oops, thanks for the explanation. Okay, If you want kokopeli, I can give you some tips tonite, when I get back to my hotel, post you a map.
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2007 Olive Green & Black FJ Cruiser, 5 speed A/T, 3" OME lift, Volant Snorkal & CAI, Bandi Mount, Four Trek lift mount, A-Trac Hack, All Pro front bumper, Rock Crawler black steelies, Pro-Comp 33" A/T's, Smittybilt XCR 8 winch, Hella Series 500 Walmart special, Lorenz Custom Fab Sliders, Scuba Mod
OMG - Poker - Thanks for that.... I'm like, I thought his name was Brian, but now it's Ron??? And I thought he already lived in SoCal, why's his wife elsewhere???
My word KOKOPELLI. Don't get me wrong Death Vally is an awesome place to visit but do you know how hot it's going to be that time of year. They don't name places like Furnace Creek, Furnace Creek for nothing. I'd suggest saving this trip for the Spring or Fall. VOO
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I've always wanted to visit DV in the heat of the summer to get the full effect. Never have though - always been a fall/winter/spring destination for me. Chicken I guess.
Here are a few other thoughts for you:
Besides Panamint Springs, Furnace Creek is your other lodging option in DV itself. It's right in the heart of the park. I've never stayed there, but I think it's pretty nice. Panamint Springs is on the western edge (not sure, but it might actually be outside the park?)
From what I know, upscale lodging is not to be found in Beatty, but there might be some there, maybe if you looked into a B&B. As far as hotels go I think the Motel 6 may be the nicest place in town.
Beatty is a convenient place to stay at least for one night though. It sets you up to run Titus Canyon, which takes you down into the park through a narrow canyon. Not difficult at all (in good weather you can do it in a passenger car) but a very scenic drive of about 25 miles. You are only allowed to run Titus canyon from east to west, hence the value of staying in Beatty. In Titus canyon you'll pass a few remains of an old mining town along the way, and there are some petroglyphs you might see if you keep your eyes peeled. On the way out of Beatty you might want to check out the Beatty open air art museum. Right near there is another ghost town - Rhyolite I believe it's called.
Truthfully, I've not explored many of the less well known features in the park, so it sounds like Spertierra may be more help to you there. The common places to see are Badwater (have a taste while you're there!), Ubehebe Crater, Scotty's Castle, the Racetrack, Marble Canyon, and there are a number of old mining ruins scattered about the area. I'm sure the NPS has good info on all these attractions.
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