Death Valley Nov 25-26 2011 Trip Report: Pic Heavy!

[Madcowranch]

Ford SVT Raptor @ Goler Wash Death Valley - YouTube

Punch it, Grandma! errr I mean BStoner.

 

[MagicMtnDan]

Great write-up and pics J.

I'm sorry we had to bail out but I injured my feet in Yosemite the weekend before and was (still am) unable to wear shoes until the wounds heal.

I've noticed that you're now a DVA (Death Valley Addict). I'm glad you got the bug so I know we'll be making more trips out there.

There 's a trip in February we can talk about. Before and after that we're ready to bring extra blankets for the cold nights at higher elevations. Death Valley

 

[bstoner59]

Awesome J!! Nice pics and write up!

We need to get something together before Feb MMD!!

 

[puddle hunter]

LOL fair enough... but you'll need to tell me where where ya want the time to start from

If you're asking about how long from from Scotty's, it looks like right around 1:30mins.

Honestly, never been north of the Titus exit... so that was really my start point and according to your fancy shmancy graph it took about 3 hrs from Titus, with a detour to Scotty's. Awesome!!

How was the drive south from Teakettle heading out of the valley? I've heard that it can get pretty rough through there... any truth to that?

 

[BigJ]

Big J...i noticed you have removed the factory running boards and are not running any replacement running boards. Couple questions, how do you like it without the running boards? Going off-road, have you noticed more rock chips/less protection on the body of the truck?

Good eye! Yeah I removed those some time ago. I'm a really tall and big guy (6'9" 330lbs) and I found that I couldn't use them as a step to get in and out of the truck (since my weight was obviously stressing the crap out of them) and it was hard to step out and around them to get out. So my plan was to take them off while they were still in like-new shape and sell 'em off, and then buy some real sliders to take their place. Unfortunately back then (mid 2010?) there wasn't anyone making real weld-to-the-frame and can-be-used-as-a-hi-lift-jack point sliders so my plans were put on hold.

Recently I became aware of Hefty Fabworks though, and have since ordered a set from them. They should be here before Christmas and I can't wait to get them installed.

As for rock chips/less body protection... absolutely. I actually don't have any chips yet, and I can't understand why. I dunno if this is some new special bullet proof paint or what, but rocks and debris hit the side of my truck all the time without those steps/sliders. I love to drive off road with my left arm hanging out the window, but I can't do that without those steps there 'cause my hand and arm end up pelted with little rocks. And that stuff hurts!

Here's a quick pic I just took. This will give you an idea of what happens to the side of the truck off road without those steps. I haven't washed her yet since I've been back from this DV trip

Honestly, never been north of the Titus exit... so that was really my start point and according to your fancy shmancy graph it took about 3 hrs from Titus, with a detour to Scotty's. Awesome!!

If you don't hit Scottys and stop for lunch like we did, you can easily shave 1:15-1:30 off that travel time. From the Titus exit to the Racetrack rocks, in a Raptor doing 50-60mph over those 25+ miles of washboards, is easily an 75min or so trip.

How was the drive south from Teakettle heading out of the valley? I've heard that it can get pretty rough through there... any truth to that?

If we're talking about the Hidden Valley route, easy peasy. In fact there are a few spots (I think the guys got some vids actually) where you can let your Raptor fly.

Up and over Hunter Mtn can be tricky if its wet or snowed in, and only because in several spots there's no room to really slip safely. But if its dry and/or just kinda wet like when we went, no problem what so ever. You could stay in 2wd the whole way in fact.

If we're talking about carrying past the Junction south, past the Racetrack rocks and then using Lippencott to cut over west to Saline... well that can be tricky year round and it depends on when the last time they graded the trail was. Rumor has it they're not going to maintain it anymore, in hopes of forcing its permanent closure (these comments were made by a Ranger in Furnace Creek when asked about it, last time we were out there.)

But all that said, bstoner did it both ways when we were there last. In the dark. So its definitely doable in a Raptor if you go slow and take your time, as of a month or so ago.

 

[Raptizzle]

Good eye! Yeah I removed those some time ago. I'm a really tall and big guy (6'9" 330lbs) and I found that I couldn't use them as a step to get in and out of the truck (since my weight was obviously stressing the crap out of them) and it was hard to step out and around them to get out. So my plan was to take them off while they were still in like-new shape and sell 'em off, and then buy some real sliders to take their place. Unfortunately back then (mid 2010?) there wasn't anyone making real weld-to-the-frame and can-be-used-as-a-hi-lift-jack point sliders so my plans were put on hold.
.

Surprised you didn't just pick the truck up and carry it over the Waterfall section!

 

[BigJ]

I tried but I had my flip flops on. The footing was a lil too slippery for comfort.

 

[OUTCAST]

What a RIDE! Pictures are incredible, but being behind the wheel and putting these BEASTS on to what they were built for (...and some of what they weren’t) is a whole different experience! There are too many great experiences to speak of on this ride and words wouldn’t describe anyway. All I can say is, if you who are lucky enough to own one of these trucks and have never put it to its paces, Shame on ya! There were some good people out there. I still giggle about the Ole Guy in his ‘Old School’ Bronco pulling up and asking me, “Is it cheaper to buy those things in a 3-Pack?” What a character he was! I know you guys are tired of hearing it, But who cares! THANKS FOR GREAT TIME!! Jr. and I couldn’t have done it without Stoner and you, BigJ!

On another note:
Honey confiscated all SD cards for all the cameras and brought them strait to work for processing! More Photos and Vids will be forth coming

 

[BigJ]

What a RIDE! Pictures are incredible, but being behind the wheel and putting these BEASTS on to what they were built for (...and some of what they weren’t) is a whole different experience! There are too many great experiences to speak of on this ride and words wouldn’t describe anyway. All I can say is, if you who are lucky enough to own one of these trucks and have never put it to its paces, Shame on ya! There were some good people out there. I still giggle about the Ole Guy in his ‘Old School’ Bronco pulling up and asking me, “Is it cheaper to buy those things in a 3-Pack?” What a character he was! I know you guys are tired of hearing it, But who cares! THANKS FOR GREAT TIME!! Jr. and I couldn’t have done it without Stoner and you, BigJ!

Great stuff. Thank you for making the trip! And for trusting us to take ya out, enjoy our Raptors like they're meant to be enjoyed and maybe most importantly, not get you broken in the process

On another note:
Honey confiscated all SD cards for all the cameras and brought them strait to work for processing! More Photos and Vids will be forth coming

Sweeeeeet! Cannot wait!

 

[JP7]

Nice pics and write up BigJ!
You sure have some beautiful terrain there.

And yeah - these trucks are great climbers. I was able to climb a grade (hill in my avatar) where the front tires were barely sitting down yet it still went to the top.