16 replies to this topic

[ski3pin]

I'm looking for an easy 4wd trail where I can get back 10 or 15 miles off the grid and camp out. I have a Chevy Silverado with a Hawk FWC and I don't want to do any heavy 4wdriving, anybody have some ideas.

 

I think one of the nicest easy 4x4 routes is Echo Canyon Road.

 

Info from Jim Boone here -

 

Echo Canyon Road

 

There are a couple possible campsites in the broad wash above the Eye of the Needle. The better spots are at the Schwab townsite trailhead, a hundred yards in on the Amargosa Road (do not drive up to the saddle), and the end of the road past the Inyo Mine (no camping at Inyo Mine).

 

Although not as spectacular as Titus Canyon, it does have fun canyon narrows. The current deep gravel will make you happy to have 4x4 and there is one short bedrock section before entering the canyon to give you a taste of a rougher road. You will see a handful of other vehicles which will give you a sense of a bit of safety.

 

The SUV trails book mentioned above gives a nice description of the rocks you move through as you move up canyon, so stop often and make it a learning experience.

 

When are you gong?

[billharr]

Going to bookmark this thread.  I hope to go to Death Valley sometime in January. Timing depends on weather. 

[Horseshoe]

I would recommend the Cottonwood Canyon/Marble Canyon area. I’ve seen an old VW microbus in there, so if you can match that clearance and are comfortable going slow and picking your route, you should be fine (with a spare tire, of course). There is a stretch of slot canyon which is full of petroglyphs if you are up for a hike, and another stretch with a huge washout “cave” that I like to camp in (although it may not be the safest).

The road out to the Racetrack is washboard hell, but doable. West Side road is fine. Stay out of Goler or any of the canyons heading into the Panamints.

I really love that entire area and so long as you understand your route and don’t get too far out of your comfort zone you’ll be fine.

Have fun!

[Horseshoe]

Oh! And Butte Valley is awesome too. If you time it right you might score one of the cabins. The road in from the park is rocky and slow going but not technical. You will NOT want to attempt this from the west.

[ntsqd]

Stripped Butte Valley that is. Access via Warm Springs Cyn from the SW corner of DV proper. Between the Mine and the Stripped Butte there is a stretch where the road was paved with softball sized rocks.

 

Second not venturing further West past the last cabin.

[Stormfishing]

Just got back from Death Valley I want to thank everybody very much for their suggestions. we wound up going to the racetrack it is washboarded out but still an Easy 4 wheel drive Trail. went to Echo Canyon that was kind of rough lot of loose gravel but still beautiful. Cottonwood Canyon/Marble Canyon area super Sandy Trail you can camp 8 Miles from the road. Very cool place to visit. High dirt and rock burms protects the desert Wilderness so people can't drive around on the unscaved desert floor so make sure wherever you go you leave yourself a place where you can turn around if you need to. Oh we also stayed 3 miles past teakettle Junction it's about 6000 ft and the wind was crazy it was probably about 20 degrees, 30 degrees inside my camper.

[ETAV8R]

Glad to hear you had a good trip.

It does get cold in DV. It does get WINDY! If you don't have a heater yet I assume you will soon. The Buddy heaters are pretty good for pop-ups. I have a Finch and it gets very warm very quickly. So much so that even in temps similar to the ones you experienced it gets too hot to run continuously. I usually turn it on at night before bed and again in the morning to take the edge off. Having the right sleeping arrangement is crucial too. Hope to see some photos soon.