24 replies to this topic

[RC Pilot Jim]

Friend Terry and I just returned from our annual 9 day trip to the beautiful Saline Valley hot Springs. Weather for the first 6.5 days was beautiful. Temps 45* Low - 85* high and no wind. Well no wind till Saturday the 10th at 3 pm. Than it started blowing 40 mph gusting to 50 for the next 26 hours. Very glad I was in the "Eagle". 

 

Terry , not so happy, since he sold his Hawk. He now sleeps  in a Honda Pilot. Unfortunately with 25 hours of wind there is no place he can get out of it and the Eagle with the bed deployed is too small for two adult males.

 

Sorry Terry, you need to buy another camper !!

 

No pictures. Google "Saline Valley hot springs" in Death Valley. Tons of pictures non line.

Edited by RC Pilot Jim, 17 February 2018 - 07:28 PM.

[DavidGraves]

Hi Jim

 

Glad you had a good visit despite the weather.

 

Have you ever approached Saline Hot Springs from the north ?

 

What was the time of year and nature of the road ?

 

Many thanks

 

David Graves

 

PS Could you expound on "bolted on?"

Edited by DavidGraves, 18 February 2018 - 08:48 PM.

[CougarCouple]

Mr Graves

Wife and I came out from the north last year. I think it was early April. I likes that route much better. Less track across the desert floor and the route thru the mountain was nice there was still snow, but not on the road.
Russ

[DavidGraves]

Thanks Russ

 

I had heard it described as deeply rutted and best traveled southward for being pretty steep downhill....make any sense to you?

 

David

[ETAV8R]

North Pass is easy going right now. I came in and out last month with no issues. I prefer it to South Pass due to less off-road miles and it just seems easier to coast downhill most of the way to Bat Rock Road. Both ways are no issue right now since the county has been grading fairly regularly. If you go in one way and come out the other you get to see quite a variance of terrain, geology, and flora.

[CougarCouple]

Hi David

This was last year. A lot can change, if your info is current I’d go with that. ETAV8R says it’s good.

[pollux]

Jim:

I plan to drive from Big Pine, along Death Valley Road, to Whippoorwill Canyon, going south and looking for trilobite fossils in Waucoba canyon, then driving southeast to Saline Hotsppring. I am afraid of driving on washboard road because of camper bumping. Are you familiar with this route and how is the road condition? 

Edited by pollux, 21 February 2018 - 12:14 AM.

[slash2]

The latest word I’ve heard from folks who traveled to the Saline Valley for Presidents Day was that there was some snow and ice on North Pass but with 4WD and care it was fine. It’s been recently graded so I don’t think the wash boards are a big issue at this time.
My wife is into fossil hunting for trilobites, are you willing to share info on where to look in Waucoba Canyon for the little ancient critters? I was thinking about heading over that way soon myself to check out something I saw on Google Earth and would like an excuse to scout that area as well.

[Lighthawk]

 looking for trilobite fossils in Waucoba canyon

 

Fossils are cool finds.  We've seen crinoids in Perdido Canyon, off the Race Track Rd.

I think DVNP doesn't allow collecting, just photos and memories.

[Backroad Joe]

fossil hunting for trilobites

 Please don't be that guy. You can't even take home a souvenir rock from any national park. Leave it were you found it.