Death Valley Raptor Run?

[BigJ]

Hey guys. I'm trying to put together a Raptor Run style Death Valley trip. I'm hoping to hit on a good balance of high speed and slower light to moderate technical 4x4ing. I'm trying to pick tracks that are plenty wide enough for us, aren't too rock crawler-eque and yet still hits some of the more beautiful scenery the back country of DV has to offer. I'm also trying to allow plenty of time to stop get out and see the sights. There's lots to see and experience out there, and it would be a shame to just blow past all of it.

Any/all of this is open to discussion and debate, so please feel free to comment/suggest/advise etc as you see fit.

So with that in mind, I'm thinking 3 days / 2 camping nights might be pretty cool and here's what I have for Day 1 so far. I'm working on Day 2 and I'm not sure if Day 3 is a get out of dodge day or if there can be some cool stuff to maybe see and do in the morning.

Day 1:


1. Meet at Furnace Creek and head north on Hwy 190 early in the morning (pavement)

2. Take Beatty Rd/Daylight Pass Cutoff north for 10mi to Hells Gate (dirt road). Half way we could take the side road east to Keane Wonder Mine (add an extra 6mi in the dirt, round trip)

3. Continue northeast on Hwy374/Daylight Pass Cutoff for 3.4mi to an unnamed dirt road on the right (pavement)

4. Take for 2 mi staying left the whole time to Chloride City Rd (dirt road and some moderate slow 4x4ing)

5. Stay left at fork heading NE and take Chloride City Rd for 10mi to Hwy95 (dirt)

6. Take Hwy95 north for 7 miles into Beatty to Hwy 374 (pavement)

7. HWy374 Southwest for 4mi to the Rhyolite turnoff (pavement)

8. Take the Rhyolite turnoff about 1/2mile to the ghost town of Ryholite, then back to Hwy374 (dirt) and continue southwest for 2mi to the Titus Canyon Turnoff/Leadfield Rd (pavement)

9. Take the (one way) turnoff/Leadfield Rd thru Titus Canyon for 25mi to Hwy190 (dirt)

10. Take Hwy190 NW for 23mi to Ubehebe Crater (pavement)

11. Continue SW for 23mi to the Racetrack Playa (dirt)

12. Turn south at the fork traveling thru the Racetrack Playa Valley for 8mi (dirt)

13. Camp for the night at Homestake Dry Camp (primative camping)

 

[BigJ]

Here's what I'm thinking for Day 2:



Day 2
14. Break camp and back north on Racetrack Valley Road 10mi to Teakettle Junction, turning SE onto an unnamed dirt road (dirt)

15. At or around Salt Flat, turn around and head back out. Round trip without Lost Burro Mine stop is around 30mi. With the Lost Burro Mine stop, around 32mi total. **We may not be able to do this part since its prone to flooding in the winter.

16. Back at Teakettle Junction, head NE on Racetrak Valley Road 20mi to Ubehebe Crater (dirt).

17. Continue east now on Ubehebe Crater Road for 3mi to Death Valley Road. (pavement)

18. Turn left and head north on Death Valley Road for 35mi to Hanging Rock Canyon (dirt)

19. Turn left and head south on S Eureka Rd for 10mi to Eureka Dunes (dirt)

20. Play in the dunes? Camp for the night at Eureka Dunes Dry Camp (primitive camping)

After I/we kinda settle on a route, I'll go back and highlight several of the spots we should try to hit/stop at/hike around some. Tons of amazing stuff to see out there.

 

[The Tank]

You need to hit up the Top Gear route.


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[BigJ]

Any idea where they ran?

 

[Xjrguy]

This looks and sounds fun, count me in. We bought some good books on this and other off road areas. Can't wait.

 

[MagicMtnDan]

Death Valley is a must-see and it's a great place to explore. I've been there multiple times and I always look forward to going back each year.

I was there twice recently and have another trip coming up in October.

If you want I will check my past trip notes and run your proposed trip by my DV "experts" for their feedback.

One thing I will caution everyone on - DV is typically not a high-speed desert run. There are a number of "roads" (trails) that are graded every few years and they're in various conditions from relatively smooth to heavily washboarded. Those are the only trails that would make it enjoyable for Raptor owners looking for "Raptor Runs" (higher speeds).

Also, DV is more remote than places like Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Ocotillo Wells so proper supplies must be taken and expectations must be calibrated.

 

[bstoner59]

I'm in!!!

 

[LVdezertdawg]

J,

Depending on when, I will be a possible.

 

[The Tank]

Any idea where they ran?

A place that looks very similar to Tattooine.

 

[BigJ]

Dan, any thoughts your 'experts' have are greatly appreciated! I've never been out there, so I'm just going on research done via Google Maps, the park service, and sites like everytrail.com, alltrails.com and others. The more first hand experience, the better!

'dawg, stoner, xjr... when works best for you? I'm pretty flexible, so if there's dates that work best for you guys, lets make it happen then. What say you?