Death Valley NP Area Adventures...

[Mexray]

We made a two week 'loop' from Northern Calif south to the Death Valley desert area, arriving back home yesterday...

First stop was at Red Rock Cyn SP (35.35973/-117.99708), for two nights - great sights of the canyon walls...bright blue sky's....temps in the 70's during the day...

[Mexray]

We next traveled over to DV NP for a two day stay at the Furnace Creek area's 'Sunset' CG (36.45820/-116.86440)...

It was getting warmer in the Valley...hit the low 90's by the time we left...

We toured some of the Valley during our stay...lots to see if you have a high clearance vehicle and take the time to explore some of the gravel roads up into some of the canyons...

The fuel prices were a bit out-of-this-world! Of course, that was the only station for miles! Those in the know, took a road trip over into Nevada where the prices hovered around $3.79/gal...

[Mexray]

We then hit the road North to the Mesquite Creek CG (36.96204/-117.36952) for a couple of days...

The higher elevation eased the temps a bit during our stay - many others had the same idea, as the CG was crowded...

We used the CG as a base to take a run over to Scotty's Castle, and make a fuel/ice run into Beatty, NV for a day...

[Mexray]

We then headed into Nevada to head North for some more adventures...

Passing Bonnie Clare Dry Lake (37.17209/-117.15607), on the way over to Hwy 95, we stopped to drive out onto the 'Lake' to take some pictures...We also took some video out on the 'Lake' - rolling our rig from afar, directly over the camera to get some neat footage...

We also stopped to look at an old mine ore processing site ruins...then hauled our AS nine miles up a gravel road to a place called 'Hard Luck Mine', where a fellow has been building a huge, round shaped 'house', out in the middle of nowhere...more adventures...good luck with your continuing 'project', Randy...

[Mexray]

We continued North, winding our way through NV/CA/NV...lots of back country to see when you're not in any big hurry...

We stopped to toss a couple of snowballs in a high mountain pass, west of Lida, NV...

We wound up the day on the road at the small town of Dyer, NV (37.66645/-11806363), where there was a nice, full hookup RV park, next to the only 'store/gas station' in town...

Staying overnight, we ate a great breakfast across the highway at the Boonies Saloon before again heading North...Patricia almost felt guilty winning about $40 from one of their 'one armed bandits' (slot machines) after only spending about $15 for our meals...

[Mexray]

After leaving Dyer, we found a great, remote camp spot on BLM land, just south of Wellington, NV...

We traveled 6.5 miles up a gravel road into a deep canyon on Desert Creek (38.63057/-119.33483)...

We had the place to ourselves, and enjoyed a couple of days of solitude, only disturbed by a session of target practice as we broke out our firearms for some 'plinking' and to blow out the cobwebs, as it were...

[Mexray]

We then headed up to the Carson City area, planning to stay for a couple of days before heading over the 'hill' and back home...

We settled in at the Carson Valley Inn's RV park (38.95725/-119.76940), right next to their Casino - how convenient!

After two days with all the RV hookups (civilization) we tried to head back home, but another storm had hit the Sierra's with snow flurries falling on us in Minden, NV!

Not being the 'cold weather' types, I didn't unhook our water hose at night, and we had lots of round ice 'cubes' the next morning! Simple solution - switch over to our internal water system - no problem! Our furnace got a good work out for a couple of days!

We actually had to extend our stay a fourth day to allow Hwy 88 to clear up, so we had plenty of time to explore Carson City and the surrounding area - more adventures!

Coming home, we got to see the HEAVY snow pack up in the Sierra's - lots and lots of that white stuff up there - our rivers in Northern Calif will be flowing wildly for the next several months!

We got to experience the Highs of the desert and the Lows of the mountains (temp wise) on this road trip - or was it the Low of the desert and the High of the mountains (altitude wise)...I'm confused...time for another Adventure!

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, Ray. Great trip and nice pictures. Wish we could get out again, but too many things in the way at this time. You're out having a great time while I'm sitting at home just tinkering with my trailer, painting my tongue, and going to paint my hitch parts. I wish we could go to Casini this year but that is out too. I did sign up for Jackson Rancheria this year.

[Mexray]

Robert....I know what you mean by too many things in the way - us to, but we decided to get away for at least two weeks, to try and dry out our webbed feet!

We're not able to make Casini either, but will see you at Jackson this fall...

Now I've got to get the AS back in shape for a camp trip in August - probably up in the Sierra's for a week or so in one spot...

BTW...our overall fuel cost for this trip was about $0.33 per mile...

Regards, Ray

[newroswell]

That's a nice trip. We stayed in the same spot in Red Rock Canyon just a few weeks ago.

[pmclemore]

Nice. Great trip report and thanks.

Pat

[Mexray]

newroswell ....Like minds, think alike....yes, we rolled into Red Rock Cyn SP after dark, and found that 'spot' to level our AS without having to unhook for the night...

I got up at sunrise to get some pics of the canyon showing the direct, glowing sun reflecting off the walls...spectacular sight!

We then moved to another site, a bit East of there for the second nite...

We had some wind during the day, but it settled down in the evening for a pleasant time...

California indeed has some unique State Parks...

[Mexray]

Additional note about the GPS, Lat/Lon figures I've included in my posts above...

If you 'select' and 'copy' the numbers, IE; 35.35973/-117.99708 and then replace the '/' with a comma ',' you can 'paste' the result into your Google search to get a map/Sat image of that exact location...

In the future I'll just use a comma, ',' between the figures so you can copy/paste directly to get the info...

Give it a try, it's fun to check out Sat images....

Ray...

[nilesrob]

Thanks for sharing! Death Valley is one of our favorite places; great pics!

[nilesrob]

Duh... it just occurred to me that my avatar is from DV!

[kingfisher24]

we were in red rock canyon after a stay in death valley in mid january

[au_ee]

Great photos. We missed an opportunity to visit Death Valley several years ago when we traveled to CA. Won't make that mistake again.

[1953 Flying]

Great trip Ray, Thanks for sharing. Are you sure you can't make Casini? If not see ya at Jackson Rancheria.

[Minnie's Mate]

Originally Posted by Mexray

We next traveled over to DV NP for a two day stay at the Furnace Creek area's 'Sunset' CG (36.45820/-116.86440)...

It was getting warmer in the Valley...hit the low 90's by the time we left...

We toured some of the Valley during our stay...lots to see if you have a high clearance vehicle and take the time to explore some of the gravel roads up into some of the canyons...

The fuel prices were a bit out-of-this-world! Of course, that was the only station for miles! Those in the know, took a road trip over into Nevada where the prices hovered around $3.79/gal...

I noticed the folks out in California do the same slight of hand that I have experienced here in Florida. Note that the diesel fuel price is for #2 and not over-the-road diesel. When you get to the pumps and start pumping (especially if you prepay at the register and it's too late to change your mind) you wind up paying a lot more for what you thought you were getting at a decent price (well, Florida's price was decent by comparison).