Depends on who wants to go. I like no more than 5 vehicles but have had quite a bit more join in. I dont worry about a permit if the number climbs. If were ever asked, its two groups. As you mentioned, October is a bad time to go there. I never plan a trip then. I normally do one in November then in the late winter or early spring with at least one Death Valley trip in-between. So far on my November trip it looks like I have four or five going with a few that will bail out early, dropping down to the I-40 after either the train station or Hole in the wall. I want to be out 4-5 days but, that depends on who's left by then.
I got you.....I think we have six or seven now, and that's enough. I've taken groups as large as 20 trucks, and I'm NEVER doing that again!!! Too many damn people to baby sit, and try Not to have them get lost because they don't follow the rules set fourth in the drivers meeting before taking off...….like, oh I don't know......like keeping an eye on the guy in Front And Behind you!! Lol!! And the damn wagon train was like 10 miles long it seemed...….well, at least though the dustiest parts for sure!!
Plus, I am done with the NPS's antiquated pony express permit process.....who the hell still uses snail mail for anything?! We go out Every Easter weekend and usually the third weekend of September, as Sometimes.....the weather breaks by then and it's not so hot...….not sure that's going to happen this year after the week we're having leading up to it.
After we get to Afton Canyon on Sunday, air up, etc....those going home hit the freeway, then me, and whomever else wants to go back out for a couple more days, hit Baker, then back out to my favorite National Park! We're going to head back out to Riley's Camp and hopefully grab a cabin Sunday night, so far, I know at least two of us are going back out for sure.
On Easter, After everyone else went home Eater Sunday, me and the dog stayed in one of the cabins for three more days...….good thing, as it was windy as hell....and the tent would have just sucked!
We'll be eating steaks all week, thanks to my buddy Mo, who since his first trip out with us has become hooked....and seeming, eats nothing but steak......so his fridge will be full of Steaks! LOL! We'll easily, just between his fridge and mine, will have enough fresh food for more than a week, or for an army! Lol!