Grzldvt

I have had several inquiries from people on when I am going to do another Death Valley trip. This year is not looking very good timing wise, the only weekend I have available is March 16 and 17, after that April 6 and that interferes with the Plank Run, beyond April 6th for me is out.
So, what is the interest level for March 16th and 17th?

Here is the itinerary: Get into Ridgecrest Friday evening and on Saturday morning around 9:30, head out through the Panamint Valley and into Death Valley. From there we spend some time around the Furnace Creek area(walk the dunes, Devils Cornfield), late lunch, visitors center. Then off to Golden Canyon for a short hike up the canyon, Bad Water to go for a walk on the Salt Flats, Artist's Pallete, then back to the hotel.
Sunday is a must get up early to get to Zabriske point(8 AM) in order to catch the sun coming up on the point(has to be one of the best places on earth to see the sun light up the mountains). We can then head back to Furnace Creek for breakfast, meet those that didn't make it to Zabriske. After breakfast we backtrack, past Zabriske, up to Dante's Peak for a huge view of the valley, by that time it is getting into the very late morning/noonish, we can head to the other side of the park for a looong trip to Scotty's Castle or a shorter trip the Uhbeebe Crater, or call it a day and head out.
All of this is done on paved roads.
As always if people want to alter the itinerary after being there or have an interest in seeing something else, we can certainly do that.
From a hotel perspective, I generally stay in Beatty Nevada, because it is an opportunity on Sunday AM to get into the triple digits across the Amaragosa Valley, but time wise to do Zabriske then Dante's Peak, the Furnace Creek Ranch or Inn are the most convenient. However we might take a run to Beatty late Saturday afternoon for a quick trip to a pretty wasted ghost town and some inexpensive gas.

Attending to date:
1. Safety Agent Man (2)
2. Vettenet(hummels) (2) ??? on how many cars :D
3. allanlaw (2)



More weather information http://weather.netscape.com/weather/...?city=USCA0286





[Modified by Grzldvt, 8:06 PM 3/13/2002]

SafetyAgentMan

Steve,

Please sign Pam & I up. We were very disappointed :cry we missed the run last year.

Also, we would like to go on the fall Yosemite run you and spoke about a few nights ago.

Howard

HummelS

Definitely interested.

allanlaw

:yesnod:

SFYellow

Interested! :)

davette

Sounds fun. I have the weekend free!

mozin

I have a wine club "meeting" in Paso Robles Friday night so it looks like my daughter and I will be a couple of days behind you folks in touring the Death Valley area. It would have been fun to join in with out-of-state CF people.

Grzldvt

Ok, this works, I will get some serious hotel information up in the next few days. Count this as a go :cheers:

John Row

Count us in. If this is half as good as Yosemite, it'll be a terrific weekend.

John & Pat


[Modified by John Row, 10:58 AM 2/18/2002]

Grzldvt

Sorry, I have had my head literally buried inside the 85 replacing bushings, brakes shocks, tires, and more... should have bought the 93 :D
John, Death Valley is unique in its own right.I think you and Pat will enjoy it.. Glad to see you on board.

Let's shoot for staying in Death Valley proper Saturday evening.
The Furnace Creek Inn is better to excellent, the Ranch is pretty good in it's own right. I have stayed at the Ranch and was surprised at how nice it was. I will make my reservations Tuesday.
Plan on Saturday night the 16th at the Ranch or the Inn. I am going to stay at the Ranch.
For Friday night I will Email you the plan. Send me an address at zainosj@pacbell.net or grzldvt@pacbell.net.

HummelS

:yesnod: :lol:

Just let us know the plan for Friday nite. Do you have a number for the Ranch?

davette

E-mail us individually or put up for all of us, what night - at what hotel - and the phone number for reservations. I know in your previous post you said that info was coming. :cheers:

allanlaw

Furnace Creek does not appear to accept reservations for just Sat. night - there is a minimum stay requirement. Plan B?

BlackOps

Hi guys. Stove Pipe Wells has 18 rooms available for Saturday the 16th. They have two kinds, two single beds in a room for $70 and two doubles to a room for $90. ( I might be off on the prices, I have CRS syndrome).

I'm not sure how that would fit in with the events, but they have a nice pool! And it's not far from Beatty for those 3 digit runs. :)

Grzldvt

I just found out myself that the Ranch has restrictions in March.

Stovepipe Wells is fine let's go for it, Saturday night March 16th. The telephone number is 760.786.2387.
I have not stayed there myself, but it looked decent from the outside:D

For Friday night, March 15th in Ridgecrest, Let's use the:
Heritage Inn
Reservations: 1-800-843-0693
1050 North Norma
Ridgecrest, CA 93555

I have not stayed here either, but it looked decent form the outside also :D
Let's plan on meeting in the Heritage parking at 9:30 AM Saturday morning



[Modified by Grzldvt, 12:41 PM 2/20/2002]

HummelS

Where is Stovepipe Wells? Just curious...

BlackOps

Stovepipe Wells is about 20 miles northwest of Furnace Creek. Here's a link to their how to get to us page.
http://www.stovepipewells.com/direct...o_get_here.htm

I've spent a couple of nights there and the rooms I had were fine. It's not a 5 star motel, but it's in the middle of Death Valley. The restaurant was nice and the staff was very helpful. They went out of their way to fix me something that wasn't on the menu for the evening. (read that cheeseburger and fries).

I can't make it for Friday night, but I'll hook up with the group in Stovepipe Wells Saturday.


[Modified by BlackOps, 8:39 PM 2/20/2002]

Grzldvt

Option #2 on the above link is how we are going in. Stovepipe Wells, is one of the first areas of civilization we come across as we enter the Valley itself.
Oh yeah and it is still better than what is available in Beatty.

BlackOps, Thanks for helping us out with the rooms for Saturday :cool:

[Modified by Grzldvt, 9:46 PM 2/20/2002]


[Modified by Grzldvt, 9:49 PM 2/20/2002]

HummelS

....Oh, goody!!!! - Highway 127 north from Baker. Talk about a road you can let it out on - there's one stretch out there where you can see about 10 miles in front of you and... YEEEHAAAH! :smash:

Also, I note from the hotel info:

Also please note:
The Resort features a concrete, 3,040 foot by 70 foot, lighted air strip, ideal for private planes.

Could there be some drag racing in our future?@!!!!? 3000 feet should be enough, right?


[Modified by thevettenet CA, 11:49 PM 2/20/2002]


[Modified by thevettenet CA, 12:01 AM 2/21/2002]

BlackOps

Hey Grzldvt, you're welcome. I like the place, it's nice and quiet. Be on the lookout for Deputy Dawg, though. I got a nice little ticket out there the last time I was there. I did get a break, he only wrote me for 80 in a 65. :)