Death Valley National Park - February 2022

Lighthawk, we knew much of the initial trip would be familiar to you! There is so much to discover and enjoy. You two are lucky with the amount of time you're able spend in the Saline area. Thanks for your nice comments!

Locked out of our truck with the engine running? When did that happen?

Lighthawk said:

Great tale from ancient trilobites to new friends.
Familiar sites and sights are always a welcoming read, seen through your story and photos.
We've been thinking of using our Inreach for backcountry messaging, assuming everyone is checking their devices.

Did someone say Elvis is in the house?

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Lighthawk said:

Part II is another wonderful tour of familiar haunts. Our friend Mitch guided us to the hogan a few years ago.
That bench with springs at the base of the limestone butte is a special place for sure.



If we ever see you broke down, or locked out of your truck I'll always ask "Got everything you need?"

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Casa Escarlata Robles Too said:

Rubberlegs,is that Dave Brubeck on your avatar?
Frank

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Nope, it’s me at our daughter’s wedding.

Thanks for a great DV report. Alabama Hills always amazes.

Casa Escarlata Robles Too said:

Thanks for part 2.
Great find the Hogan.
Frank

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Thanks to rubberlegs for providing me with further information on the hogan that I've added to the blog -

[SIZE=large]The research paper adds this information about the hogan: it was not mentioned in a survey done in 1931, "therefore [/SIZE][SIZE=large]a post-1931 date seems reasonable. It is conceivable that the structure [/SIZE]was built and occupied by remnant Shoshone people."

rubberlegs said:

Nope, it’s me at our daughter’s wedding.

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You look like a much younger Brubeck.
Frank

ski3pin said:

goinoregon, first off thanks for the kind comment! Also thanks for your knowledgeable perspective on truck design. I appreciate your views. From my simple old time driver view, mid sized truck power plants have not changed that much but its obvious the trend is to bigger and aggressive front ends. All I want my truck to do is get me where I'm going. Image means nothing to me. I want to see the rocks right in front of me.

I was interested in the new 2022 Nissan Frontier. With exactly the same power plant as the 2021 Frontier (with a nice sloping hood), it too, has followed the trend of a big aggressive front end. Eye changing design has always been a main piece of selling vehicles. And most manufacturers are timid about deviating from what the current trend is. I just think its silly when it gets in the way of actually using the vehicle where I take one. But, I have hope. In a year or two there will be cameras hung everywhere under the truck and I'll not need to even look out the windshield!

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if the new frontier's now offer diesel, that might be reason for larger grill. the current diesels run hotter for emission control, and require larger radiators.

Do gas engines also run at higher temps?

ski3pin said:

Lighthawk, we knew much of the initial trip would be familiar to you! There is so much to discover and enjoy. You two are lucky with the amount of time you're able spend in the Saline area. Thanks for your nice comments!

Locked out of our truck with the engine running? When did that happen?

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It's been almost a decade ago, Ski. This was in 2013 on our trip with the Ted's, MarkBC and the Barking Spiders.

Thanks for another fascinating trip report, Ski. Your experience with the fellow passing you without stopping no longer surprises me. The internet has opened formerly remote places to the masses but unfortunately, that same internet does little to school these new visitors in backcountry or campground etiquette.

Awesome trip report. Thanks for sharing.