Cautions about Death Valley
I have been going to Death Valley for 30 years in the winter and wandering in the desert which is a very interesting thing to do. I have taken a TT once, but enjoy going in a pickup and remote campin...
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The paved roads are fine. Most of the dirt roads suffered washouts. Bring a shovel, check the latest postings on the Park website.
The West Side Road is still closed. That is the main access road I use to find remote canyons on the east side of the Panamints.
Cell phones are of little use in DV. A sat phone can get you some contact, but finding anyone to come all the way out to Saline Valley is going to be really difficult. You might be able to get Search and Rescue. A wrecker to pull your truck is going to cost around $3,000 or more.
I got hurt once in a mule wreck a long way from help in eastern Oregon. There were no helicopters available. It took all day to get to a hospital. They drove me 100 miles on dirt roads with a busted femur. The fixed wing plane ride cost $15,000 and my insurance would only pay $5k
One final note, Death Valley is a dangerous place. Do not go anywhere near the back roads in the summer heat. I do not even drive through the Park in the summer months. The best time to be there is Nov to about early March.
The West Side Road is still closed. That is the main access road I use to find remote canyons on the east side of the Panamints.
Cell phones are of little use in DV. A sat phone can get you some contact, but finding anyone to come all the way out to Saline Valley is going to be really difficult. You might be able to get Search and Rescue. A wrecker to pull your truck is going to cost around $3,000 or more.
I got hurt once in a mule wreck a long way from help in eastern Oregon. There were no helicopters available. It took all day to get to a hospital. They drove me 100 miles on dirt roads with a busted femur. The fixed wing plane ride cost $15,000 and my insurance would only pay $5k
One final note, Death Valley is a dangerous place. Do not go anywhere near the back roads in the summer heat. I do not even drive through the Park in the summer months. The best time to be there is Nov to about early March.
