Death Valley Routes
- Thread starter DocTaco
- Start date
Tell us about your rig and off road experience..... that way we can suggest appropriate routes. Are you going alone (not recommended) or with other vehicles?
2013 Toyota Tacoma. Getting Icon Stage 9 suspension installed in 3 weeks so I can increase my tire size and not bottom out when the rig is loaded up. Just completed Mojave Road and loved every minute of it. Overlanding is new to me. I want to do a 3-4 day route with similar or slightly more challenging obstacles than Mojave Road. I have found some routes, but wanted to see if someone has something already mapped out so I can prepare for fuel, water, travel times, good camp spots not blasted by winds, etc. I will be traveling with at least one other vehicle. I prefer to travel with at least one other vehicle for safety and comradery.
Skid plates will protect your drive train and cooling system and sliders will protect your sheet metal and are highly recommended.
Since you are new to off roading, I highly suggest that you go to DV with someone who is experienced with the trails and can provide help in the case of a breakdown or other problem. The sheer size of the park means help is a very long way off and very hard to reach due to very limited cell service. Many trails (ex: Lippincott Rd) are unaccessible to Tow Trucks and even if they could make it to you, it may cost more than you are able to pay.....
Trails that would be appropriate for you would be - Titus Canyon, Saline Valley road, West Side road, Warm Spring Canyon into Butte Valley Canyon and back out, Cottonwood Canyon and Marble Canyon (both dead ends) and Racetrack Road to Homestake dry camp and back to Ubehebe Crater. I would NOT recommend driving Lippincot Pass, Steel Pass, Echo Canyon or Mengel Pass without more experience and full armor.
There are gas stations located in Panamint Springs, Stovepipe Wells, Furnace Creek and the town of Beatty NV (near the entrance to Titus Canyon). If you fill up your tank at the last station before leaving pavement, you should be fine.
It is already getting very hot in DV. I try to get out there by late March while temps are still reasonable (low 90's) or after mid Oct to avoid the oppressive heat.
Sorry but I do not have any maps to share and the NPS map on the DV website seems to be down currently.
This website has some excellent information - http://members.aceweb.com/oldtrailmaster/backroads.htm
Since you are new to off roading, I highly suggest that you go to DV with someone who is experienced with the trails and can provide help in the case of a breakdown or other problem. The sheer size of the park means help is a very long way off and very hard to reach due to very limited cell service. Many trails (ex: Lippincott Rd) are unaccessible to Tow Trucks and even if they could make it to you, it may cost more than you are able to pay.....
Trails that would be appropriate for you would be - Titus Canyon, Saline Valley road, West Side road, Warm Spring Canyon into Butte Valley Canyon and back out, Cottonwood Canyon and Marble Canyon (both dead ends) and Racetrack Road to Homestake dry camp and back to Ubehebe Crater. I would NOT recommend driving Lippincot Pass, Steel Pass, Echo Canyon or Mengel Pass without more experience and full armor.
There are gas stations located in Panamint Springs, Stovepipe Wells, Furnace Creek and the town of Beatty NV (near the entrance to Titus Canyon). If you fill up your tank at the last station before leaving pavement, you should be fine.
It is already getting very hot in DV. I try to get out there by late March while temps are still reasonable (low 90's) or after mid Oct to avoid the oppressive heat.
Sorry but I do not have any maps to share and the NPS map on the DV website seems to be down currently.
This website has some excellent information - http://members.aceweb.com/oldtrailmaster/backroads.htm
Well.... it looks like you've got sliders! Carrying your Rotopax is always a good idea, just in case.
It looks like your rig is pretty well set up for DV. Have a great time!
It looks like your rig is pretty well set up for DV. Have a great time!
Thanks. That is really good information. Working on getting full armor. As you know, it’s a process. Really appreciate the recommendations. Hopefully with experience I can work up to more challenging routes. I’m not landing for next fall. I’ll record our route and report back.
I just spent three days in the park. Three videos will be created. Routes are shown in each video. I had a 14 gal gas caddy on my roof rack. We needed it on the morning of Day 2.
Here's Day 1:
Day 1:
Here's Day 2:
Day 2:
Day 3:
Day 4:
Here's Day 1:
Day 1:
Here's Day 2:
Day 2:
Day 3:
Day 4:
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