Saline Valley January 2-5 2014

[wgyouree]

We had the itch to go see Death Valley. My buddies had some time off so we checked on the weather and planned a route to the Warm Springs in Saline Valley for some R&R. There were some snow storms a few weeks back but fortunately Inyo country has graded North Saline Valley Road over the pass. It's in better shape than I've ever seen any road in Death Valley, and probably better than some paved roads. Go Inyo County!

We left after work on Thursday January 2nd and drove as far as Mojave where we stayed the night at the Desert Inn. This was a really nice little motel. Very clean and the heater in the room blows hot.



We got up Friday morning and tried to get a view of the airplane boneyard and the Mojave Spaceport. Couldn't see too much from a distance.



We stopped at Lone Pine on the drive to get some Fresh Jerky.





We drove through Big Bine and up into the Inyo mountains. There was a layer of snow covering the ground wherever there is enough shade throughout the day.







Here's the reason why the road is so nicely graded.



On the way into Saline Valley we had several fly-bys with a pair of F/A 18 Hornets possibly doing some mock dog-fighting at very low altitude. I should've gotten pictures of the first fly-by because it was so close to us, but my jaw literally just hit the floor and all I could do was stand in awe and watch.

 

[wgyouree]

Continued...

We passed by the Bat Sign and Face of Saline Valley and made camp at the Oasis.







That night we grilled some steaks and soaked in the Upper Springs while checking out the desert stars.





The Oasis was almost empty. Lizard Lee was out of town. Apparently he avoids the area during the Holidays because it can get pretty crazy, but I guess most folks had left by this point. We almost had the Lower Springs to ourselves. We did meet a guy who had been backpacking up and down the mountains for the last week or so on foot. He said you usually can't do that because of lack of water, but with the recent snow you can hydrate by eating snow. Someone also left Mickey Mouse on the Helipad, presumably to help guide the copters in for a safe landing.

 

[wgyouree]

Continued...

While we were there I got some photos of the Lower Springs (the Oasis). The airport was busier than I've ever seen it and got a picture of a small plane making a desert landing.







There were quite a few coyotes running around camp this time.



Sunday morning we woke up early. On the way out we stopped by the small abandoned mine/site on the North Pass for some photos.









On the highway we passed a Bradley Fighting Vehicle and a photo-op with my buddy's Comanche that I couldn't pass up.





We made it back to San Jose before 7pm. It was another great trip to Death Valley. The weather was beautiful and the road was perfect. Can't wait to head that way again!

 

[Big50]

Great report and pics. I've been to DV once and I can't wait to get back out there. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Byways]

Thanks for posting this! So you had no difficulty getting through from Big Pine to Saline Valley? I thought I'd read somewhere not long ago that the road was badly washed out. All vicious lies?

 

[EMrider]

Saline Valley is one of my favorite places to visit. Very special in a way that you can only fully appreciate if you have been there.

R

 

[wgyouree]

Thanks for posting this! So you had no difficulty getting through from Big Pine to Saline Valley? I thought I'd read somewhere not long ago that the road was badly washed out. All vicious lies?

I believe that it was badly washed out, but a couple weeks ago Inyo County came along and graded the road. There was a crew still working on the road when we drove through. It's very nice now. No washboards or anything. However, the South Pass up Grapevine Canyon is still bad from what I've heard.

 

[Byways]

That's great news, but ... No washboards??? That alone is worth the trip, given how teeth-rattling that road can be.

 

[wgyouree]

That's great news, but ... No washboards??? That alone is worth the trip, given how teeth-rattling that road can be.

That's right We cruised along at around 30 MPH with almost no rattles. We went as far as the turn off to the Warm Springs, but the road appeared to be graded nicely after that at least as far as I could see.

 

[zidaro]

Nice writeup.
We get out there quite a bit. The N. Pass rd. was cleaned up from the Summer floods around Mid-Nov. It is clear and smooth for now. Steel Pass is also in good condition till you get deep into the washes just before the springs where it gets a bit vague but still no probs for a basic 4x4.

 

[Byways]

That's very helpful, zidaro. Many are planning for spring ...