Walk down memory lane... or wheel up a waterfall..PICS

[camo]

So lets take a walk down memory lane and post up any pics you have of Surprise canyon or panamint city

Get It !!

camo

[Jes]

I have none of "memory lane" as the only time I've run it in a vehicle was in about 1976 in a 1974(maybe 1975) Jeep Cherokee. At the time I was four years old but remembered it well(surprisingly, no pun intended) when I finally went back there a couple years ago and found the surroundings very familiar.
Here's a few pics of what Surprise Canyon looks like currently.
First, a view of 11,049' Telescope Peak, the top of the Panamints...

Mining ruins as you enter the canyon...

One of the newer side erosion cuts...

Waterfalls...




It takes a lot of water to do something like this...

I've been back a few times in the last couple years, love observing the spectacle of erosion. Panamint Valley and the surrounding area is one of my favorite destinations for pure back country adventure.

[Krusty]

i've got a question that in the twenty years or so-- has not found an answer----- where does the water that comes down the stream come from ????????

don't say the spring--- i know that---- BUT--- think about it---- water does not run uphill----- and the spring is near the top of the Panamint range-- @ 6,000+ '--- there are NO taller hills around !!! there is NOT a snow pack----- the only hills with snow or glaciers is about 100 miles away !!! just south of Mammouth !----------- so where does the thousands upon thousands of gallons of cool/clear water come from ??????? 24/7/365 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Krusty]

the stream IS the road to Panamint City

[Krusty]

and once in the canyon, there is no where else to go-

[Wilson]

:drewl: Keep up the work Benders and everyone who contributes

[Krusty]

in those days, this line-up for a run up the canyon, was a sample of the 'hard core' wheelers of that time frame !!!-(Frosty paint job THIS TIME was the yellow flames)

the next is in the canyon on the way down-- WITH CAMO !!!

the next shot is the Panamint range, shot from the PVD (Panamint Valley Days) encampment-- the entrance to Surprize is above the forth rig from the right--- and runs to JUST ABOUT THE TOP OF THE MTS. !!!!!!! Death Valley is the other side of the mts. !

[Krusty]

in the SEVERAL trips in the canyon, we NEVER had a spill of any 'chemicals' -oil-fuel-or the like !!--- and as odd as it might seem, never had a rig roll to where it was disabled !!!
The canyon is impossible to photo in !!!!
once your in the canyon, everything is UP or DOWN and your prospective thru a lens can not due justice to the up-ness or down-er !!!!!

but maybe you get the idea------------

[Krusty]

as i look back at most of the pics i have--- they mostly seem to be the 'down' leg !!!!
maybe cause you are too busy on the way up to get pics !!!

But before Camo found his cape and was able to leap tall buildings-----
he wanted a strap down 'fall 7' (at the top of the hard part ) (there were 7 'water falls' to go up/down), on the start of the homeward leg--- "get me outta here !!!"
note-- Lisa and the kids walked !!!
Rob workin the 'let down winch'---- but being last- Rob had to DRIVE down !!!!! (near bone stock runner !)

[Krusty]

and so on--- down the canyon---
line up #6
down #6
line up #5
kinda down #5
lean the roof on what ? going down #4

[UGET IT]

Sure glad I had a chance to drive that once. What a trip! I'll never forget it!

[Krusty]

and then----
where's the next one ???
down #3
down 3- get the line for #2
the line for #2
down #2

[Krusty]

and the biggest 'pucker factor' had to be fall #1--- up or down !!!! (especally DOWN !!)

Camo ready for #1
bottom of #1 looking up, STANDING in the 'landing pad'-- -- "BRING IT !!!"
Camo down #1
Rob lineing up #1 --- AND CAMO CHECKIN HIS PANTS AFTER HIS DECENT !!!!
and Rob down--

[mobil1syn]

a few i collect over the years of websurfing

[Krusty]

Mobil1--- looks a lot like Marlin------ he used the canyon for R&D as he was developing the stuff we take for granted now, as well the pleasure of the trip!!!!!!!


that nose stand is the FAMED FALL#1 !!

[Krusty]

And that folks is the way it WAS--- 'back then'-- a day up and a day down--
I kinda featured Camo cause a lot of folks know him, and he IS a Tin Bender !

those rigs were about the best there were and piloted by just about the best drivers ---

in those days, you couldn't pick up a 4X mag that didn't have pics/articals about the 'Big Two"-- the Rubicon and Surprize Canyon.

I kinda wish we could have those days back again !!!!!


and as a kinda side note;;; there was NO TRASH !!! (not 1 can/bottle/candy wrapper--- ) and we didn't carry bottled water--- no need to !!! there was a cool stream there !!!! drink to your full !

those were the days when people cared about their trails and condition/beauty of those trails !!! NO ONE would think of throwing trash out !!!!!! It just wasn't done !

[rockrknockr]

Originally Posted by Krusty

in those days, this line-up for a run up the canyon, was a sample of the 'hard core' wheelers of that time frame !!!-(Frosty paint job THIS TIME was the yellow flames)

the next is in the canyon on the way down-- WITH CAMO !!!

the next shot is the Panamint range, shot from the PVD (Panamint Valley Days) encampment-- the entrance to Surprize is above the forth rig from the right--- and runs to JUST ABOUT THE TOP OF THE MTS. !!!!!!! Death Valley is the other side of the mts. !

hey KRUSTY...........don't know if you are familiar with the "shark" figure on the panamint range..............but you captured a good (but rather close) shot of it in the last pic here. it covers the entire left-to-right length of your pic..............the shark is the entire lower white section of the mountain range here and he is facing right...................you can see his jaw open and a dark eye

[rockrknockr]

oh and KRUSTY.........great job on the pics and narative

i told ya before but just a reminder............i lived at wildrose station 1965-71............been up to panamint city a bunch back then in 2WD! tey, it sure did change

i am gonna print-out some of your pics and send to my dad who would also really appreciate them. he is 91 years old and pounded the panamints in his 57 land rover

thanks again KRUST

[OTR]

Originally Posted by rockrknockr

oh and KRUSTY.........great job on the pics and narative

i told ya before but just a reminder............i lived at wildrose station 1965-71...

Have I seen a pic of you and Slim on the front porch ?



kris.

[rockrknockr]

Originally Posted by OTR

Have I seen a pic of you and Slim on the front porch ?



kris.

yeah KRIS........that be me in about 1968-69? sittin with seldom seen slim (charles ferge). he was very ill and he stayed in one of the cabins for a few weeks before he was taken to the hospital and eventually passed away.


http://www.goldrush.com/~hofs/dvtrails.html

[Live Wire]

Great thread. I sure miss this place. Here's a few pics & a link to more.
Pics are from Panamint Valley days 6th annual Suprise Canyon Expedition,Nov.1995.


http://public.fotki.com/Lordmodelbui...nnual_suprise/

[D-rail]

What a great thred! great pictures, and cool stories. I would love to run this trail some day. If it ever gets re-opened.
D-Rail www.totalkarnage.net

[Easy Rick]

This is a great thread, cool to see what I have not yet experienced. Soon though Right!

wishfull,
Rick.

[kibblerange]

Wow, those trails look amazing.

Talk about a place forgotten, it's very beautiful.

[madjeeper622]

Anyone reamber "Happy Cyn"? It was on the right of Surpise Cyn. Went up there w the Nov event, 89. The next year they closed Happy Cyn. So i went up Surprise Cyn. 4Wheeler Mag went with the 12 of us. I did the run with a hardtop on, they took my photo. Only pushed in the rear window on the top. Did "Panamint valley days" from 89-93.