Death Valley Trails, 1 day, 200 miles?

[seb75013]

Hi there,

first off, I've been looking for a bunch a 4x4 forums and this one is definitely a goldmine for information!

I'm planning to be in Death Valley around Xmas time for few days. I don't own a 4x4 yet and was hoping to rent a jeep from Farabee's in Furnace Creek to explore a bit of the park off-road (well, that is off paved roads). Their rental policy states a 200 mile limit per day.
I really wanted to drive the Titus Canyon road and get to see as much as I can of the other nice spots in the park while remaining in this 200 mile limit.
I recognize I won't be able to see everything - therefore, I'm looking for the board members' expert advice as to what trails to hit after (or even before) Titus Canyon and not exceed a 200 mile mark. I downloaded few maps from the NPS website and various other sites, but would appreciated it someone could recommend some interesting and scenic routes!

I also need to disclose that I'd like to restrict myself to easy and moderate trails.

Thanks in advance guys!

[broncdawg]

I also need to disclose that I'd like to restrict myself to easy and moderate trails.

Why, It's a rental after all. No matter where you go in DV you'll be hard pressed to put on over 200 miles a day. Go to Zabriske point, Dante's view, artist's palette, scotty's castle, ubehebe crater, titus canyon and wildrose canyon up to the ghost town of skidoo. That would cover most of the park, but don't need a jeep for those.

Some wheeling in the funeral mtns, north/east of furnace creek, but most is clear over in the Panamint valley, which is the next valley west of the park.

Be careful exploring to far alone as people die every year from failed navigation and poor decisions.

google DV websites for lots of info and maps and have fun.

[seb75013]

Originally Posted by broncdawg

I also need to disclose that I'd like to restrict myself to easy and moderate trails.

Why, It's a rental after all. No matter where you go in DV you'll be hard pressed to put on over 200 miles a day. Go to Zabriske point, Dante's view, artist's palette, scotty's castle, ubehebe crater, titus canyon and wildrose canyon up to the ghost town of skidoo. That would cover most of the park, but don't need a jeep for those.

Some wheeling in the funeral mtns, north/east of furnace creek, but most is clear over in the Panamint valley, which is the next valley west of the park.

Be careful exploring to far alone as people die every year from failed navigation and poor decisions.

google DV websites for lots of info and maps and have fun.

thanks for the quick response - I was under the impression that a high-clearance vehicle was required for Titus Canyon road... I only have a modest mazda 6 and I don't know how well it can handle off-road trips - even well graded. Any thoughts?

[B-Spec]

I would save your money and just take the car.. It sounds like you are not going to need the Jeep for anything really.. Titus is very easy to do in a car.. It is one of the most traveled and maintained roads in the park.

[lttlbddy]

Originally Posted by B-Spec

It is one of the most traveled roads in the park.

When it is open.

[seb75013]

Originally Posted by lttlbddy

When it is open.

thanks for the feedback guys - I'll look up few more trails and will only rent the jeep if I plan on doing something more than Titus.

[Krusty]

if i am not mistaken, Titus is open year round--- except in rain or threat of rain !!!! east out of the valley toward Beatty, bout 1/2 way to Beaty is the turn left onto Titus road-- well marked.

i you had a jeep and wanted to do some wheelin and site seeing---- Panamint Valley- up Pleasent canyon behind Ballarat, south down the ridge overlooking Death Valley, down South Park-- back into the Panamint Valley, south to Gohler Canyon, east up the canyon past several mines, past where Manson ranch used to be, down into Death valley past Striped Butte, north on the West side road back to Panamint Springs.

but i would NOT recommend doing ANY off pavement solo !!!!!! ALWAYS have at least two vehicles !!!!!!!!

[seb75013]

Originally Posted by Krusty

if i am not mistaken, Titus is open year round--- except in rain or threat of rain !!!! east out of the valley toward Beatty, bout 1/2 way to Beaty is the turn left onto Titus road-- well marked.

i you had a jeep and wanted to do some wheelin and site seeing---- Panamint Valley- up Pleasent canyon behind Ballarat, south down the ridge overlooking Death Valley, down South Park-- back into the Panamint Valley, south to Gohler Canyon, east up the canyon past several mines, past where Manson ranch used to be, down into Death valley past Striped Butte, north on the West side road back to Panamint Springs.

but i would NOT recommend doing ANY off pavement solo !!!!!! ALWAYS have at least two vehicles !!!!!!!!

hey there - thanks a lot for the suggestions. I certainly won't do anything solo; I'm really just looking for some easy, unpaved roads, on which I can't do much with a boring sedan.
I'll probably do Titus with my car and will rent jeep for the day after to do something along the lines of what you suggested. Much appreciated!

[kellyf]

up Pleasent canyon behind Ballarat, south down the ridge overlooking Death Valley, down South Park-- back into

South Park bridge is out.
Kelly

[Air Ride]

Originally Posted by kellyf

South Park bridge is out.
Kelly

The bridge is still there they just don't want you to drive over it.

[OTR]

Here, lets make this simple.


South Park Bridge info...

/forum/eastern-sierra-great-basin/977388-closure-south-park-canyon-bridge.html



As far as what to see in the park, theres not much you'll miss not having the jeep. You could spend several days on pavement or better quality graded dirt roads seeing the more popular spots. Only well traveled road Id recommend not taking a "car" down is the Racetrack road. Its never in good shape and there are several sections of larger sharp rock that claim lots of passenger car tires. Nothing you need clearance for, they just eat tires.

Give yourself a day at the north end of the pavement. Both Scottys tours will set you back a few hours, and if its open see if you can get a spot on the walking tour to Lower Vine Ranch. Its normally not accessible but was open for a few months this year. Theres also Ubehebe Crater up there. Other than that, if you are an early riser do a sunrise at Badwater, and sunset at Artists Palate is nice too. Get up to Dantes View, and maybe a trip out to Rhyolite if you are into ghost towns on the day you do Titus...


k.

[seb75013]

Originally Posted by OTR

Here, lets make this simple.


South Park Bridge info...

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=977388



As far as what to see in the park, theres not much you'll miss not having the jeep. You could spend several days on pavement or better quality graded dirt roads seeing the more popular spots. Only well traveled road Id recommend not taking a "car" down is the Racetrack road. Its never in good shape and there are several sections of larger sharp rock that claim lots of passenger car tires. Nothing you need clearance for, they just eat tires.

Give yourself a day at the north end of the pavement. Both Scottys tours will set you back a few hours, and if its open see if you can get a spot on the walking tour to Lower Vine Ranch. Its normally not accessible but was open for a few months this year. Theres also Ubehebe Crater up there. Other than that, if you are an early riser do a sunrise at Badwater, and sunset at Artists Palate is nice too. Get up to Dantes View, and maybe a trip out to Rhyolite if you are into ghost towns on the day you do Titus...


k.

great - thanks for all the info! that's useful. It'd be my first time in DV. Based on the responses, I might just decide to take my car and see Titus and few other popular spots. And since I really want to do the racetrack, I'll get a jeep next time I come back. again, thx a lot!

[lttlbddy]

Originally Posted by Air Ride

The bridge is still there they just don't want you to drive over it.

It has been deemed unsafe.

[Krusty]

OK, Hector and the BLM took Surprize Canyon from us forever--- and our access to Panamint City---

now they take 'the loop' away

(BLM didn't want the bridge rebuilt after the druggies blew it up years ago--- but some PRIVATE PERSONS went ahead and rebuilt it anyway--)
so now when a couple roll -overs happen BEFORE the bridge, they close the BRIDGE !!!

makes perfect sense to me !!!!! BLM's liability-?-- it isn't their bridge !!! and who would sue over their own mistake ??


kinda glad i have another reason to sell the Krustoy and spend my days watching TV-



so, if i broach my boat on a wave in the pacific and sink--- i can sue -cause there were waves ! ?????????
i drive on a rocky trail and i hit a rock and roll my truck-- i can sue because there was a rock i hit !????????