SALINE/DEATH VALLEY
- Thread starter JB4TRUCKS
- Start date
Off-Road Ranger I
Just was there Dec 25-30.. wind was nuts, some of the roads have been graded recently which was a nice treat. Let me know if you have any questions. Drove about every road you can in the winter north of the 190.
Hi Aron,
Are there areas to avoid after rains. Forecast is calling for rain and would like to avoid any trouble spots if i decide to go still.
Off-Road Ranger I
Off-Road Ranger I
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- First Name
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4284
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Are you using a Farmer's Almanac to forecast rain during that weekend? 10 days away and I know that the weather forecasters in AZ are not good enough to be accurate that far out, much less 3 days out.
Off-Road Ranger I
Coming from Big Pine? There are signs the whole way. Going down Saline or over towards Eureka then down?
Plannibg the east to west route. From I15 to Baker and to Beatty, NV start in to the park from Titus Canyon, up around Ubehebe Crater down to Racetrack. Then across Lipincot up Steele to Eureka Dunes then out Big Pine. Not sure i can do all of this friday - sun but gonna find out soon
Hi Graeman,
Havent checked the Almanac but forecast has been changing daily and now doesnt show rain till Sun night so might get lucky.
Off-Road Ranger I
You'll be plenty fine to run about any trail you could get to this time of year.. no doubt! If you're going solo.. just avoid the Hunter mountain area.. it's traveled lightly in the winter, conditions change fast.
Off-Road Ranger I
Plan extra time from the crater to the racetrack.. rumor has it.. worst road in North America.. washboard... Sounds fun though, you'll make up time from Lippincott to warm springs, it's been grated recently. Going down Dedeckera.. stay left, stay left, stay right, crank to left, swing wide left.. ez pz. Took me 1.5 hrs from warm springs in daytime to Dedeckera.. but I didn't stop for Marble bath. Sand isn't bad either at Eureka, just stay steady. After that, just watch for ice in North pass by the rock fall area, I hit black ice with my trailer and did a 180 deg spin at 11pm.. kids slept through it.
Off-Road Ranger I
Run 15-18 psi and the roads will be a lot more bearable
Pathfinder II
A word of caution, the weather and those roads should not be underestimated. If you haven’t been before it may be easy to do that. Being stuck/broke out there during a government shutdown will not be in your favor.
I’ve been in and out of SV several times, if it were me and I absolutely had to get down there in the winter, I’d go South pass. Safe travels.
I’ve been in and out of SV several times, if it were me and I absolutely had to get down there in the winter, I’d go South pass. Safe travels.
Pathfinder II
Off-Road Ranger I
We were there during a the shut down over the holiday.. loads of people, but yes.. be cautious, my bother busted a rear axle in Dedeckera, we did a full swap, but there were 10-12 rigs that passed is on that Saturday while we were working on it. Worst road conditions were north part of saline up to big pine, you'll avoid those through steel pass. South down to the 190 had a couple snowy spots.. but far less and less steep. My brother and I made it from the saline warm springs turn off to 190 in the dark.. with trailers.. in 1.5 hrs but we have a lot of exterior lighting. Steel pass didn't have any wet or snowy spots at the time. But it was cold for sure. Rain can change the road conditions at any time.. be prepared and you'll be fine.
Sounds like you had an adventure. My rig is not equiped with any accss lights so i travel only during daylight but have been eager to try night travel.
Off-Road Ranger I
A picture tells a thousand words... Some might say it was epic..lol
