DEATH VALLEY SUPER BLOOM

I don't know about nowadays, but 7-8 years ago when when we traveled there in our Class C motorhome RV'ers didn't need to stay in campgrounds in Death Valley.

We learned what the off-road camping rules were and then dry camped out in the middle of nowhere a short ways off a 4X4 road in Death Valley. We didn't need 4X4 capability or high clearance where we were camping, though. Three of us couples in three Class C motorhomes had a great time camping out among the rocks under brilliant night skies. A great experience all around.

Not there, not even close, but the Title of the thread caught my eye.

You see.. I believe it's the title of a book. No, I combined the titles of two books by Walter Tompkins,, CQ Ghost Ship and Death Valley QTH.

I am a avid reader of desertusa.com. This Link Death Valley wildflowers.

OK. I give up. What's CQ DEATH VALLEY? Death Valley, OK, I understand that, but CQ. CampQround? Camp Quarters? Sorry, I'm from the midwest.

garmp1 wrote:
OK. I give up. What's CQ DEATH VALLEY? Death Valley, OK, I understand that, but CQ. CampQround? Camp Quarters? Sorry, I'm from the midwest.

Just guessing ---- CQ = "current question" or "common question". Maybe Jeff will post up the exact meaning when he checks his thread.Super bloom news

We were there from the 5th through the 11th. You don't have to worry about getting a campsite. Sunset Campground at Furnace Creek is kind of an overflow area and more sections are opened as needed. We got there Saturday afternoon and there were still sites left. It's just a big parking lot.

We moved to Texas Springs the next day and stayed there for four days. Texas Springs is a no generator zone. It has picnic tables and fire rings. The sites are close together but fairly long.

Furnace Creek Campground is the only one that takes reservations so you could check for cancellations.

The flowers are still incredible. It's definitely worth the trip but be aware that the fall flooding has closed some of the roads.

tonyandkaren wrote:
We were there from the 5th through the 11th. You don't have to worry about getting a campsite. Sunset Campground at Furnace Creek is kind of an overflow area and more sections are opened as needed. We got there Saturday afternoon and there were still sites left. It's just a big parking lot.

We moved to Texas Springs the next day and stayed there for four days. Texas Springs is a no generator zone. It has picnic tables and fire rings. The sites are close together but fairly long.

Furnace Creek Campground is the only one that takes reservations so you could check for cancellations.

The flowers are still incredible. It's definitely worth the trip but be aware that the fall flooding has closed some of the roads.

Thanks for the info. I have 500w of solar so the generator shouldn't be an issue.

For the rest, with as many hams as are on here I'm a little suprised how foreign "CQ" is to so many. O well, I'll change it

SCVJeff wrote:
...For the rest, with as many hams as are on here I'm a little suprised how foreign "CQ" is to so many. O well, I'll change it

Too much QRN I guess!

If you want to boondock, Furnace Creek Road south of Shoshone on the east side of the park has some nice dispersed sites. You shouldn't have trouble finding a campsite in the park either as mentioned above.

We live about 40 miles from the park and visit often... here is my Super Bloom video... Off Pavement's Super Bloom Video

First Hand Observation, here.

If you have been to Death Valley, the weekends (Friday thru Sunday) are the busiest as those from the various nearby metro areas are arriving for enjoying their weekend here.

Those that have been here during President's Day Weekend (February) understand how super busy it is for that 3 day weekend.

Well, all week is like a President's Day Weekend and the weekend is even busier, during this Super Bloom Year.

The Bloom is way past peak. There are flowers to see, especially in the higher elevations. But the carpet of blooms are now gone.

Currently, this weekend Stove Pipe Wells Campground has been about 3/4 full for the weekend and 1/2 to 3/4 during the week.

Sunset, Furnace Creek, Texas Springs have been filling up each day of the weekend. Including the overflow camps. Week days the over flow camping areas are being used and the Sunset CG is about 70 to 90% filling. Texas Springs fills up every day and the over flow from there are sent to Sunset.

Dispersed Camping is busy too. So you might have expected to be by yourself in many of the West Side Road Canyons and Echo, you will find many there, right now.

So if you are heading to Death Valley for the Super Bloom and the solitude, you will be disappointed.

Oh, yeah. Spring Break is staring too! Watch for those families arriving too.

Death Valley is one of my favorite parks to visit and often is an annual stop. So if you haven't visited DV, and don't mind the crowds and possible lack of a place to camp, don't hesitate visiting.

b

westend wrote:

garmp1 wrote:
OK. I give up. What's CQ DEATH VALLEY? Death Valley, OK, I understand that, but CQ. CampQround? Camp Quarters? Sorry, I'm from the midwest.

Just guessing ---- CQ = "current question" or "common question". Maybe Jeff will post up the exact meaning when he checks his thread.Super bloom news

missed this..

CQ is a radio term that essentially means "calling anyone". so.. Calling Anyone re: Death Valley

To the hams here its second nature when someone does CQ like that. I guess I expected more hams to respond.