PLANNED ROUTE:

The planned route is still being developed to try to hit as many as the cool and popular sites (see list at bottom). Once the route is defined, we’ll make the routes available to everyone to access via GAIA GPS.

SCHEDULE OVERVIEW:

FRIDAY 10/15/21

Afternoon/Evening, depart home

Camp/hotel near Amarillo (if you are coming from DFW, Oklahoma, or Eastern parts)

SATURDAY 10/16/21

6:00 AM: If you stayed in Amarillo, meet up at ‘Donut Stop’ located SW corner of I-40 and Bell Street, exit 66, Amarillo

6:30 AM: Departure for Flagstaff Arizona

3:30 PM: Arrive at Flagstaff Walmart, meet up as a group (for everyone west of Flagstaff)

6:30 PM: Camp between Kingman and Las Vegas

SUNDAY 10/17/21

Breakfast

Departure for Death Valley Junction [3h 11m; 193mi]

As a whole group, we’ll meet up here at Death Valley Junction (time/location TBD)

Explore DVNP

Shared Dinner: Your favorite camp dish

MONDAY 10/18/21

Explore DVNP

TUESDAY 10/19/21

Explore DVNP

Shared Dinner: Taco Tuesday

WEDNESDAY 10/20/21

Explore DVNP

THURSDAY 10/21/21

Explore DVNP

Shared Dinner: Camp Pizza Thursday

FRIDAY 10/22/21

Explore DVNP

SATURDAY 10/23/21

Breakfast (quick and easy is recommended)

Depart DVNP to Flagstaff

Flagstaff to near Santa Rosa or Tucumcari, NM

SUNDAY 10/24/21

Depart for home

REQUIRED FOR VEHICLES:

• You must have Four Wheel Drive; NOT All-Wheel Drive (4-High & 4-Low)
• All Terrain or Mud Terrain tires, minimum 29” tall; ideally 33”+
• A full-size spare tire, a jack and tools. If you have wheel locks, don’t forget the key.
• At least 8 inches of clearance under vehicle (measured at lowest point under vehicle)
• First Aid kit (a personal kit, we’ll bring a more extensive kit as a group).
• ABC fire extinguisher; a minimum one per vehicle
• Spare Car key, losing it or have to bust a window is no fun

PRE-TRIP VEHICLE CHECK:

It is always wise before going on any back road trip to:

• Check all vehicle fluids; grease all grease-points (including UCA bushings),
• Make sure belts and hoses are good condition,
• Ensure vehicle is up to date on any routine maintenance,
• Have a qualified mechanic check and torque every nut and bolt from front to back on your vehicle. It will cost you a little bit of $, but saves you a ton of headaches in the backcountry if you lose an important bolt/nut. Needing a tow vehicle in the outback can really ruin a trip.

HIGHLY SUGGESTED FOR VEHICLE:

• Some type of netting, straps or other containment to keep the camp gear and other heavy things in your vehicle from becoming projectiles inside your vehicle
• Extra fluids, oil, coolant, belts, hoses, tools, and a shovel
• Spare Serpentine belt for your vehicle
• Jumper cables or emergency battery unit.
• A snatch strap and (2) shackles all rated to safely tow the weight of your vehicle.
• Work Gloves – preferably leather

FUEL REQUIREMENTS:

• Reserve/Spare Fuel is required
• Recommend to bring at least 10 gallons or more of spare fuel
• Roto-Pax, NATO jerry-cans, any approved air-tight fuel storage container with a non-spill locking cap (i.e., please avoid the gas cans sold at home improvement stores)
• We will include stops at Stovepipe Wells Village and Panamint Springs for supplies, water, gas, ice.

WATER AND ICE:

• 1 gallon per person per day
• Each vehicle to bring enough water for all your occupants
• We will include stops like Stovepipe Wells Village and Panamint Springs for supplies, water, gas, ice.
• Everyone should have a drinking container for water. DVNP is arid and dehydration can happen quickly.

COMMUNICATIONS:

• Cell Phone coverage in DVNP varies greatly, don’t depend on it.
• As a group, we will have convoy communication via GMRS Radios - (Channel 22).
  We recommend the Midland - MXT115 with the 40-watt Antenna. The antenna must be an externally vehicle mounted antenna for best results.
• Additionally, as a group, we’ll have at least two satellite emergency comms.

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT

LODGING:

• Rooftop tent or ground tent; your preference. If ground tent, include a thick heavy-duty tarp for a tent footprint
• Bedding/Sleeping Bag - ideally a 20-degree bag or extra blankets
• Sleeping pad/mat
• Pillow (what’s glamping without a nice comfortable pillow?)
• Cot (optional)
• Sleeping thermals/pajamas – for cool/cold nights

PERSONAL GEAR:

• 1x Duffel bag or small suitcase
• Clothes:
  • 1x Pair sturdy hiking boots or trail shoes
  • Camp shoes/sandals
  • 3-5 Pair of hiking style socks
  • 1-2 pair Shorts/T-Shirts
  • 1-2 Long Pants
  • 1-2 Long Sleeve Shirts
  • 1x Bathing suit or shorts (for hot springs)
  • 1x WARM Jacket (Down or similar since mornings and evenings can be cold in the desert or mountains)
  • 1x Rain Shell (you never know when it might rain)
  • 1x Warm Gloves
  • A large bag for dirty clothes or a mesh bag
  • 2x Hats (1 for Sun and 1 for warmth)
• Toiletries
  • Personal Medicines/EpiPens, etc.. (EpiPens: tell others where located)
  • Personal hygiene; deodorant, toothbrush, tooth paste, comb, etc.
  • Towel (there is usually a lake, hot spring, or beach on our trips)
  • Sunscreen
• Optional: Hiking backpack, hiking sticks
• 1x headlight or flashlight(s) & extra batteries
• Camera(s), drone, batteries, charger, film cards, etc.
• Camp chair
• Water containers; for hikes and while driving (DVNP is arid and dehydration happens quickly)

SANITATION:

• DVNP requires all solid human waste to be packed out
• Portable toilet, waste bags, TP, sanitizer
• If desired, stand-up portable Privy tent

SAFETY:

• Every vehicle to have an ABC fire extinguisher
• Small personal first-aid kit
• Paper maps (National Geographic and/or Death Valley National Park Recreation Map (Tom Harrison Maps),
• Guide book (The Explorer's Guide to Death Valley National Park, Third Edition)
• Spare Car Key (to be off main driver)
• Spare serpentine belt for your vehicle

Note: Bring a spare key to your rig in case of lockout/lost key.

GROUP EQUIPMENT:

This is equipment that can be shared among our group so not everyone has to bring the garage. We ask for 2 for each item, a primary and secondary.

MEALS:

• Please plan on meals/snacks to feed everyone in your vehicle; B.L.D.
• We will have 3 Shared Dinner nights (see above schedule) where we’ll have a pot-luck style dinner (i.e., Taco Tuesday, everyone brings tacos or sides to share as a group).
• If you have any food allergies; please inform the group.
• Plan on your own drinks. Alcohol beverages in camp are OK when used with discretion. Alcohol beverages while driving is never-ever acceptable.
• 12v refrigerators/freezers are recommended, but Yeti/RTIC/Canyon coolers will work (but will need to restock ice at various villages).
• Bring any hiking snacks you like for some short hikes

DVNP - Key Points of Interest (we’ll try to reasonably visit as many of these)

• Furnace Creek park headquarters (Jr Ranger, maps, info, exhibits, history)
• Stovepipe Wells Village (gas, food, supplies, Ice)
• Panamint Springs (gas, food, supplies, Ice)
• Bad Water Basin (lowest point in US)
• Bailys Hot Springs (East DV)
• Barker Ranch
• Dante's View (View from top of Mountain of DV)
• Lippincott Mine Road / Dedeckera Canyon (most technical and remote) / Steel Pass
• Eureka Sand Dunes
• Father Crowley Point
• Goler Canyon Wash Trail
• Harmony Borax Works (east of Stovepipe Wells)
• Keane Wonder Mine
• Mengal Pass
• Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes (east of Stovepipe Wells)
• Natural Bridge (short Hike, not far from Badwater)
• Petroglyphs nearby
• Race track playa
• Racetrack road into racetrack valley
• Red Pass
• Rhyolite ghost town
• Saline Valley
• Saline Valley (Mojave)
• Stripped Butte
• Tea Kettle Junction
• Titus Canyon road
• Tronoa Pinnacles
• Unehebe Crater
• Warm Springs camp