first post

[sicj7]

First to post. going down in history. What is up with this trail anyway a lot of people tell me that it is closed, or severely restricted.

[Air Ride]

Originally Posted by sicj7

First to post. going down in history. What is up with this trail anyway a lot of people tell me that it is closed, or severely restricted.

It’s been closed for 5 years or more, but there is a major effort to reopen it.
http://fopv.org
http://tinbenders.org

[PARTYHOUND]

Where is it?

[sicj7]

It is in thesouth east corner of california. I have not heard of anyone running it that is why I am surprised to see this topic. Will be definitely looking into helping in the movement, heard this was an awesome trail.

[Air Ride]

Originally Posted by PARTYHOUND

Where is it?

Its near Death Valley in the Panamint Valley range.

[Air Ride]

Originally Posted by sicj7

It is in the north east corner of california. I have not heard of anyone running it that is why I am surprised to see this topic. Will be definitely looking into helping in the movement, heard this was an awesome trail.

I think you are confusing Surprise Canyon with some other trail.

[sicj7]

I was thinking of another trail, but typed without thinking. http://www.4x4now.com/trcasc8.htm heres a cool article. Heres the one I was thinking about: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surpris...ey,_California, in modoc county. anyway moving to so cal and will be lookng for ways to help.

[rockchip]

Pics of that trail are what made me want to get into offroad before I could even drive.

[Kim~]

I have never been on this trail, but I am definitely excited for the day it is once again opened.

I'm down for the cause!!

[Krusty]

OK-------OK-----
Camo twisted my arm, so i guess i gotta dig thru the discs again !!!!!

Camo just wants to see pics of his GOOD rig--- and Frosties !

Surprize Canyon and the Rubicon Trail were the TWO off-road adventures that sucked in to wheelin MORE folks !!!!!!!!! (me and Rob included !)



now where did i put that 'foot locker' of floppies ????

Surprize Canyon is on the mountain range west side of Death Valley , accessable from Panamint Valley-- (usta be)-- from the ghost town of Ballarat to the ghost town of Panamint City. the only desert trail that has a flowing large stream 24/7/365 !!!! then at the lower end- from just about knee deep to dry dust in @ 10'

[Krusty]

what it was all about--- was to take your pic in Panamint city beneath the 'smoke stack'-----

[Krusty]

soo----- what do you want--- i've got @500 pics and a bit of history about the beginning of the Tin Benders in Surprize (includeing Camo as a Bender)---

and /or pics of my retirement cabin----

[Krusty]

my 'retirement' cabin--- just to the left of center---
course, haven't been there in 5+ years !

[crusty1007]

thats niiice!

krusty you really own that pimp shack?

[Krusty]

yes--- at least a part of it along with the spring that it is plumbed into, the water rights, and a share of the mine. To the best of my knowledge, about 1/4 of the 'cabins' and lots have been purchased --- and a group of 'greenies' purchased the TOXIC chemical ,refinery/storage building. (with NO plans to clean it up !!!!)

the 'main' cabin,-to the right of center-- (the foremans/caretakers cabin), complete with 12v wireing, (pull a rig up to the east wall and hook on to the battery), propane appliances, air tite stove-(exactly the same model i use here at home), D-6 Cat, and has its own spring water source--- was purchased by another group --- one of the main 'shakers/movers' that is trying to gain access.

in the old days, we hauled firewood and propane/ and stuff, up there every time we went---
all canned food stuffs and things that would keep-- were left in the kitchen as 'survival rations'--- and the propane refrigerator was kept clean, and the hot water was turned off- and the toilet was flushed and cleaned--when we departed-

Bender and i cooked breakfast in the kitchen for all the folks on one trip up !!!!

[OTR]

Originally Posted by crusty1007

thats niiice!

krusty you really own that pimp shack?

Originally Posted by Krusty

yes--- at least a part of it along with the spring that it is plumbed into, the water rights, and a share of the mine. To the best of my knowledge, about 1/4 of the 'cabins' and lots have been purchased --- and a group of 'greenies' purchased the TOXIC chemical ,refinery/storage building. (with NO plans to clean it up !!!!)

the 'main' cabin,-to the right of center-- (the foremans/caretakers cabin), complete with 12v wireing, (pull a rig up to the east wall and hook on to the battery), propane appliances, air tite stove-(exactly the same model i use here at home), D-6 Cat, and has its own spring water source--- was purchased by another group --- one of the main 'shakers/movers' that is trying to gain access.

Hi Krusty...
Hate to break it to you bud, but the Independence Millsite (less than 2 acres, Bakersfield group) and The Little Chief Millsite (less than 5 acres, the group you are in) are millsites. There are no buildings on them and there are no mines on them. There was no share of anything else in the city purchased with these parcels. The parcels did come with water rights but there is no water piped to them as there are no buildings. The foremans cabin you speak of (aka, Panamint Hilton) is on public land. From what I hear, it is not in the shape it used to be. The pipes are in constant need of repair, the rodents are taking over, and firewood is collected locally which is illegal in a national park. Ill be up there soon and will let you know.

The modern mill and its dump are still owned by their long time owner, with no known plans to clean up. It was thought for a time that this wasnt the case but public records say different.

The Sourdough Cabin is still there and used as an overflow cabin by hikers when the Hilton is occupied.


kris.

[crusty1007]

anyone have the cordinates for this trail? @ least the trail head. even a link to google map. I want to try and get out there one of these weekends and check out the "smoke stack" & "hilton" would be funner if it were a winch exercise.
but guess i can use the chevro-Legs.

[Krusty]

the canyon and road are CLOSED and have been for a few years--(illegally, but-)-- foot traffic only !!!

oh, its easy to find--- at Ballarat take the highway north/east til you get to the rock (about 1/2 mile) and turn east and its all uphill from there !

i have NO doubt that over the years, with out the wheelers HAULING in 'maintenance and repair' stuff and firewood and the trash out, that the buildings have fallen into dis-repair !!!
afterall, how many back packers are going to carry firewood and etc up there !!!!!! (much less carry out all the trash and garbage they carried up !!!)

I can not attest to what has gone on up there in the past few years --- i am NOT strong enough to do the HIKE up the canyon since my bout with Cancer , and since we can't have vehicle access, i guess i am to be totally denied. all that i am showing is the way it USED to be -circa 2000/2001, when the canyon and 'city' were cared for and maintained.

[OTR]

Originally Posted by crusty1007

anyone have the cordinates for this trail? @ least the trail head. even a link to google map. I want to try and get out there one of these weekends and check out the "smoke stack" & "hilton" would be funner if it were a winch exercise.
but guess i can use the chevro-Legs.

36.0748°N 117.2211°W (wgs 84)
This is the intersection of Indian Ranch and Surprise Canyon Road.

Here is an overview of the canyon. Pic is centered at Chris Wichts Camp, the current parking area and point of the closure.
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=...5&size=m&s=200

kris.

[Krusty]

if your thinking about hikeing up---- not a quick/easy trip----
another view from the Panamint Valley floor--

from the 'mouth', up to the left to about the dark spot, straight UP to about center of pic, right up behind the reddish ridge center right to near the top, about the whiteish area----
from the 'city', a bit further UP to the top of the ridge--- you will be overlooking Death Valley--- at about center-- AND WHAT A VIEW !!!!!!!!

[crusty1007]

yeah id like to hike it.... thanks for the cordinates!

[rotozuk]

I just hiked the lower part and it will be tough going, but I'd say it is about the only place I'm interested in hiking up to. I was dog tired for the heat already, so didn't make it past the water falls. Foot trail appears to be in good shape, and well used.

While my group was there taking in the beauty of the lower canyon, at least one other wheeler stopped by for a visit and swapped stories.

-Wayne