{"id":13141,"date":"2021-06-14T21:15:25","date_gmt":"2021-06-14T21:15:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/?page_id=13141"},"modified":"2021-06-28T21:28:45","modified_gmt":"2021-06-28T21:28:45","slug":"100-days-journey-glamis-to-death-valley-february-2021","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/100-days-journey-glamis-to-death-valley-february-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"100 Days Journey: Part 2 &#8211; Glamis to Death Valley"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; content_placement=&#8221;middle&#8221; bg_type=&#8221;bg_color&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1610214283171{background-color: #000000 !important;}&#8221; bg_color_value=&#8221;#000000&#8243;][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624214803678{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><strong>100 Days Journey: Part 2 &#8211; Glamis to Death Valley<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; bg_type=&#8221;bg_color&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1610224958479{padding-top: 10px !important;}&#8221; bg_color_value=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text]After a three-day pause for some training in advanced dunes driving with the Barlow Adventures crew at the Imperial Sand Dunes (aka &#8220;Glamis&#8221;) the journey continues heading north to Nevada for a bit of exploring, before turning west into Death Valley where I meet up with some friends from the California 4-Wheel Drive Association to pre-run trails for an upcoming event. (Click through the images below for each day&#8217;s notes)&#8230;[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; bg_type=&#8221;bg_color&#8221; bg_color_value=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221;][vc_column]<style type='text\/css'>#cbpw-wrap92 {margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;}#cbpw-grid92 .cbp-l-caption-title {color:#ffffff;background-color:transparent;font-size:15px;font-family:Open Sans;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;line-height:21px;text-align:center;padding:0px 10px 0px 10px;margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;text-transform:capitalize;}#cbpw-grid92 .cbp-l-caption-desc {color:#aaa;background-color:transparent;font-size:12px;font-family:Open Sans;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;line-height:16px;text-align:center;padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;text-transform:none;}#cbpw-grid92 .cbp-caption-activeWrap {background-color:#000000;}#cbpw-filters79 .cbp-filter-item {background-color:transparent;border-color:#313eec;color:#76788a;font-size:13px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;line-height:35px;margin:0px 0px 10px 0px;padding:0px 18px 0px 18px;text-transform:none;}#cbpw-filters79 .cbp-filter-item:hover {background-color:transparent;border-color:#3288C4;color:#313eec;font-size:13px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;line-height:35px;margin:0px 0px 10px 0px;padding:0px 18px 0px 18px;text-transform:none;}#cbpw-filters79 .cbp-filter-item.cbp-filter-item-active {background-color:#313eec;border-color:#313eec;color:#FFFFFF;font-size:12px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;line-height:35px;margin:0px 0px 10px 0px;padding:0px 18px 0px 18px;text-transform:none;}#cbpw-filters79 .cbp-filter-item.cbp-filter-item-active:hover {background-color:#313eec;border-color:#3288C4;color:#FFFFFF;font-size:12px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;line-height:35px;margin:0px 0px 10px 0px;padding:0px 18px 0px 18px;text-transform:none;}#cbpw-loadMore92 .cbp-l-loadMore-link {color:#7E7B7B;background-color:transparent;border-width:1px 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#DEDEDE;font-size:12px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;line-height:34px;text-align:center;padding:0px 30px 0px 30px;margin:40px 0px 0px 0px;text-transform:none;}#cbpw-loadMore92 .cbp-l-loadMore-link:hover {color:#B0B0B0;background-color:transparent;border-width:1px 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#DEDEDE;font-size:12px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;line-height:34px;text-align:center;padding:0px 30px 0px 30px;margin:40px 0px 0px 0px;text-transform:none;}#cbpw-loadMore92 .cbp-l-loadMore-loading {color:#B0B0B0;background-color:transparent;border-width:1px 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#DEDEDE;font-size:12px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;line-height:34px;text-align:center;padding:0px 30px 0px 30px;margin:40px 0px 0px 0px;text-transform:none;}#cbpw-loadMore92 .cbp-l-loadMore-loading:hover {color:#B0B0B0;background-color:transparent;border-width:1px 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#DEDEDE;font-size:12px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;line-height:34px;text-align:center;padding:0px 30px 0px 30px;margin:40px 0px 0px 0px;text-transform:none;}#cbpw-loadMore92 .cbp-l-loadMore-stop {color:#B0B0B0;background-color:transparent;border-width:1px 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#DEDEDE;font-size:12px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;line-height:34px;text-align:center;padding:0px 30px 0px 30px;margin:40px 0px 0px 0px;text-transform:none;}#cbpw-loadMore92 .cbp-l-loadMore-stop:hover {color:#B0B0B0;background-color:transparent;border-width:1px 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#DEDEDE;font-size:12px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;line-height:34px;text-align:center;padding:0px 30px 0px 30px;margin:40px 0px 0px 0px;text-transform:none;}#cbpw-singlePage92 .cbp-popup-navigation-wrap {background-color:#000000;}#cbpw-singlePage92 .cbp-popup-singlePage-counter {color:#ffffff;font-size:13px;font-family:Open Sans;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;}<\/style><link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css?family=Open+Sans:700normal,400normal\" type=\"text\/css\" media=\"all\" property=\"stylesheet\"><div id=\"cbpw-wrap92\"><div id=\"cbpw-grid92\" class=\"cbp-l-grid-masonry cbp\"><div><div class=\"cbp-item logo\"><a href=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-roadtrip_Jan-Mar2021_0205-Glamis_BarlowDunesDay1-JMFjeepleadinglinelowangle_IMG_8070_1200w.jpg\" class=\"cbp-caption cbp-lightbox\" data-title=\"<p><strong>DAY 10:<\/strong> The wind had settled down a bit, and I met up with the group for the first day of a three-day advanced\/intermediate sand dune driving course intended to expand our skills and boost our confidence. The training, led by Nena Barlow, founder of Barlow Adventures, got off to a great start in the smaller dunes (affectionately known as \u201cthe shitty dunes\u201d) as we re-familiarized ourselves with the sand and the Glamis landscape. The \u201cwarm up\u201d included some driving exercises and some free-style line-selection to navigate to a distant visual waypoint. And honestly it just felt good to be driving the dunes again \u2026<\/p>\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cbp-caption-defaultWrap\"><img src=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-roadtrip_Jan-Mar2021_0205-Glamis_BarlowDunesDay1-JMFjeepleadinglinelowangle_IMG_8070_1200w.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cbp-caption-activeWrap\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-alignCenter\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-body\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-title\">Day 10: CA - Glamis<\/div><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-desc\">Training in the Imperial Sand Dunes - Day 1...<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"cbp-item logo\"><a href=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-roadtrip_Jan-Mar2021_0206-Glamis_BarlowDunesDay2-SilverGladiator_bigdunes-frombackkickingmassivedust_DSC_0507-box-1200w.jpg\" class=\"cbp-caption cbp-lightbox\" data-title=\"<p><strong>DAY 11:<\/strong> The second day of the Barlow Dunes training brought us into the bigger dunes to face some challenges and get more comfortable \u201csurfing the sand\u201d while maneuvering across the steeper sections of the sand sea. There was also some review of different types of recovery scenarios. The big dunes can be psychologically intimidating, and part of today was really just about getting to know them like an \u201cold friend,\u201d learning to feel the rhythm of the desert\u2019s soul in a playful up and down rainbow arc of sand repeated again and again. By the end of the day we had sand in our Jeeps, in our hair, in our shoes and in the pores of our skin \u2014 we were literally becoming one with the desert\u2026<\/p>\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cbp-caption-defaultWrap\"><img src=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-roadtrip_Jan-Mar2021_0206-Glamis_BarlowDunesDay2-SilverGladiator_bigdunes-frombackkickingmassivedust_DSC_0507-box-1200w.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cbp-caption-activeWrap\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-alignCenter\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-body\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-title\">Day 11: CA - Glamis<\/div><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-desc\">Training in the Imperial Sand Dunes - Day 2...<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"cbp-item logo\"><a href=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-roadtrip_Jan-Mar2021_0207-Glamis_BarlowDunesDay3-3jeepsSparrowgoingdowntoswingsetbuggiesinforeground_DSC_0967_box-size-scaled.jpg\" class=\"cbp-caption cbp-lightbox\" data-title=\"<p><strong>DAY 12:<\/strong> Our final day of training was all about bringing together the elements of driving and navigation to cross the steepest sections of the dunes in search of a very specific point. This simulates the \u201cblack checkpoint\u201d scenario of the Rebelle Rally where teams must navigate using only their map and compass to a precise GPS coordinate that will not have any visual marker to indicate they are there. There is always a sense of it all being like \u201cmagic\u201d when we actually \u201cfind\u201d the \u201ccheckpoint\u201d in this massive sea of sand where there are few visual points of reference and all the sand dunes look alike. When we got to the \u201ccheckpoint\u201d it turned out to be \u201cthe swing set\u201d \u2014 a surreal installation of an actual working swingset in the middle of nowhere. As we crested the last dune we could see a huge crowd of buggies below, and people playing on the swings. We headed down to join them and It was a great way to wrap up the training and the day\u2026<\/p>\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cbp-caption-defaultWrap\"><img src=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-roadtrip_Jan-Mar2021_0207-Glamis_BarlowDunesDay3-3jeepsSparrowgoingdowntoswingsetbuggiesinforeground_DSC_0967_box-size-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cbp-caption-activeWrap\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-alignCenter\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-body\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-title\">Day 12: CA - Glamis<\/div><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-desc\">Training in the Imperial Sand Dunes - Day 3...<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"cbp-item logo\"><a href=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-roadtrip_Jan-Mar2021_0208-NV_Laughlin_grapevinecanyon_sheeppetroglypswithcanyonbehind_IMG_8430_1200w.jpg\" class=\"cbp-caption cbp-lightbox\" data-title=\"<p><strong>DAY 13:<\/strong> Left the dunes last night and made it to Laughlin, Nevada. This morning was only a little windy and not too cold so I took some time to enjoy a loop from Laughlin around Grapevine Canyon and Christmas Tree Pass. This easy dirt road route goes into the Spirit Mountain Wilderness, and as it was a beautiful day, I decided to hike up into Grapevine Canyon beyond the petroglyphs up to where there was actually water flowing between the rocks. On the way back down I spent some time contemplating the petroglyphs before continuing the drive along Christmas tree pass. As I reached the area of decorated trees, I saw that people were taking down the Christmas ornaments. I guess they are doing that because some of the decorations can blow off the trees and become litter, but I still kind of wish they were up all year \u2026<\/p>\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cbp-caption-defaultWrap\"><img src=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-roadtrip_Jan-Mar2021_0208-NV_Laughlin_grapevinecanyon_sheeppetroglypswithcanyonbehind_IMG_8430_1200w.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cbp-caption-activeWrap\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-alignCenter\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-body\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-title\">Day 13: NV - Grapevine Canyon<\/div><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-desc\">Grapevine Canyon and Christmas Tree Pass...<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"cbp-item logo\"><a href=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-roadtrip_Jan-Mar2021_0209-NV-Laughlin_pioneercowboyatnight_IMG_8667_1200w.jpg\" class=\"cbp-caption cbp-lightbox\" data-title=\"<p><strong>DAY 14:<\/strong> Spent the day taking care of administrative matters and some logistics in Laughlin, Nevada, a town of riverfront casinos, where the \u201cstrip\u201d has a strange charm very different from the glitz of Las Vegas. Here it is like a step back into time, with cowboy kitsch and an easy-going pace along the Colorado River. It made me think about the role of the river historically linking up all these disparate places across the desert. It\u2019s hard to say who frequents these casinos today, but I can imagine that \u201conce upon a time\u201d these riverfront areas may have been a bit \u201crough and tumble.\u201d In any case, for me it serves as a place to rest and resupply before going back out to camp \u2026<\/p>\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cbp-caption-defaultWrap\"><img src=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-roadtrip_Jan-Mar2021_0209-NV-Laughlin_pioneercowboyatnight_IMG_8667_1200w.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cbp-caption-activeWrap\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-alignCenter\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-body\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-title\">Day 14: NV - Laughlin<\/div><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-desc\">Around the Laughlin strip...<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"cbp-item logo\"><a href=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-roadtrip_Jan-Mar2021_0210-NV-BigDune_sandduneswithtracksinfront3_IMG_8750_1200w.jpg\" class=\"cbp-caption cbp-lightbox\" data-title=\"<p><strong>DAY 15:<\/strong> Left Laughlin heading north and west into the Amargosa Valley, where I set up camp for the night at Big Dune. I took a different route around the back of the dune field this time, and drove along the edge of it as the sun lowered in the sky casting beautiful shadows and turning the dunes golden. I stopped to shoot a few photos and then hurried to find a good place for camp. Settled on a semi-protected and sort-of-private spot between a small dune and a bush, and barely got the tent up before sunset. It was dusk by the time I got the fire going, but that was fine, as I had nothing else pressing to do but wait for the stars to enjoy a very beautiful night of desert solitude \u2026<\/p>\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cbp-caption-defaultWrap\"><img src=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-roadtrip_Jan-Mar2021_0210-NV-BigDune_sandduneswithtracksinfront3_IMG_8750_1200w.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cbp-caption-activeWrap\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-alignCenter\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-body\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-title\">Day 15: NV - Laughlin to Big Dune<\/div><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-desc\">Getting back to the desert...<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"cbp-item logo\"><a href=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-roadtrip_Jan-Mar2021_0211-NV_BigDune_jeepdrivingdustbehind_videoscreenshot_IMG8833_box-size_1200w.jpg\" class=\"cbp-caption cbp-lightbox\" data-title=\"<p><strong>DAY 16:<\/strong> Woke with the sunrise and took advantage of the fact that the Big Dune OHV area was empty to spend a little time just playing in the sand. Big Dune is not as vast a sea of sand as Glamis, but it\u2019s namesake \u201cBig\u201d dune towers above the desert and makes for a fun challenge. The sand highway in front of it is whooped out, so it is hard for a Jeep to get a good run up, and I can\u2019t make it very \u201chigh\u201d on the big one. Never mind, I continued to \u201csurf\u201d around the edges of the dune field and ride the ridges of the smaller ones until a few other vehicles showed up. With my solitude broken, I left, and continued my journey into Death Valley. I was meeting my friends from Cal4WD at the Texas Springs campground, near Furnace Creek, and though it was early when I arrived the tent campground was almost completely full. I quickly grabbed a spot and set up, then reviewed my trail maps while I waited for the others to arrive. We are going to be based here for the next few days while we do the pre-runs of the Death Valley Experience trails \u2026<\/p>\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cbp-caption-defaultWrap\"><img src=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-roadtrip_Jan-Mar2021_0211-NV_BigDune_jeepdrivingdustbehind_videoscreenshot_IMG8833_box-size_1200w.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cbp-caption-activeWrap\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-alignCenter\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-body\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-title\">Day 16: NV to CA<\/div><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-desc\">Big Dune to Death Valley...<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"cbp-item logo\"><a href=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-roadtrip_Jan-Mar2021_0212-CA-DeathValley_PreRun1_barkerranch_mengelmonument-therockoovo_IMG_9081_1200w.jpg\" class=\"cbp-caption cbp-lightbox\" data-title=\"<p><strong>DAY 17:<\/strong> The rest of the team from the California 4-Wheel Drive Association got in late last night, but everyone was up and ready to pre-run our longest route this morning.  The Barker Ranch route is a trail that I would normally do as a loop with an overnight stay, but because of the limitations of the event permit we have to make it a one-day out-and-back trip.  We left from the Harmony Borax Works at 8am, and didn\u2019t get back before dark, but it was a good day. The trail out there was long and scenic with just one \u201cobstacle\u201d and a lot of interesting history enroute. In the strange way I sometimes tend to cross-reference details from different places, I really thought the rock-pile monument near Mengel Pass looked a lot like a Mongolian Oovo. I also felt like the former Manson compound along the remote southwestern edge of the national park would definitely make for a good hide-out \u2026<\/p>\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cbp-caption-defaultWrap\"><img src=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-roadtrip_Jan-Mar2021_0212-CA-DeathValley_PreRun1_barkerranch_mengelmonument-therockoovo_IMG_9081_1200w.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cbp-caption-activeWrap\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-alignCenter\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-body\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-title\">Day 17: CA - Death Valley<\/div><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-desc\">DVE Prerun Day 1 - Barker Ranch...<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"cbp-item logo\"><a href=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-roadtrip_Jan-Mar2021_0213-CA-DeathValley_PreRun2_echocanyon-eyeofneedle_4vehiclesinlinearchabove_IMG_9365_1200w.jpg\" class=\"cbp-caption cbp-lightbox\" data-title=\"<p><strong>DAY 18:<\/strong> Today we checked out the Echo Canyon route, which we are going to run a little differently from most of the published itineraries for this trail. For the DVE event we created a cool loop that comes out by Big Dune, instead of an \u201cout-and-back\u201d trail. Our loop also avoids the heavily washboarded \u201cfarm\u201d road back to Death Valley Junction. The route requires drivers to get over a small but narrow and twisted rock \u201cwaterfall\u201d obstacle, then continues with a scenic drive to explore the foundations at the Lee\u2019s camp site, which is really more like an archaeological site than any of the other ruins or ghost towns around the park. At a certain point, when crossing from California to Nevada, it is very hard to see the \u201ctrail\u201d at all and we could feel like we were really \u201cpathfinding\u201d out there, though the road is legal and marked clearly on the map.  Our route ends with a lesser used trail northeast across the Amargosa Valley to Beatty, then loops back into the park via the paved Daylight Pass road. The wind had really picked up by the time we came out, but we still had some daylight so we checked one more spot on our way back to camp. It was a high overlook and the wind was gusting so hard I had to hold on tightly to my door when I opened it, to prevent it from blowing back and breaking a hinge. I shot a few photos, but really felt like I might blow over the edge myself. When we got back to camp I had an unpleasant surprise \u2014 the wind had blown my tent in and flattened it (luckily I had it well staked and weighted down, so it didn\u2019t blow away). I set up to sleep in the back of the Jeep for the night\u2026<\/p>\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cbp-caption-defaultWrap\"><img src=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-roadtrip_Jan-Mar2021_0213-CA-DeathValley_PreRun2_echocanyon-eyeofneedle_4vehiclesinlinearchabove_IMG_9365_1200w.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cbp-caption-activeWrap\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-alignCenter\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-body\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-title\">Day 18: CA - Death Valley<\/div><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-desc\">DVE Prerun Day 2 - Echo Canyon...<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"cbp-item logo\"><a href=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-roadtrip_Jan-Mar2021_0214-CA-DeathValley_PreRun3_charcoalkilns-augerberrypoint_CUofPointmountaintops_IMG_9741_1200w.jpg\" class=\"cbp-caption cbp-lightbox\" data-title=\"<p><strong>DAY 19:<\/strong> The wind eased up a little overnight, and in the morning I was able to \u201cpop\u201d my tent back upright, and was pleased to see that everything inside hadn\u2019t really moved, so there was no \u201ccleanup\u201d to do. It was a bit cold out though, and we were heading up to higher elevations, so I made sure to take my winter coat and snow hat when we left for the Panamint range. We were pre-running the \u201cCharcoal Kilns\u201d route today, an easy scenic drive that really goes deeply into the mining history of the region, following the traces through a series of sites, starting with the Wildrose Charcoal Kilns that were used to provide fuel for the mining activity. We included a stop at the Eureka mine site, then paused for lunch at Aguereberry Point. But we spent most of our time exploring the Skidoo mine site, which remains mostly in ruins, just the way you might find it if you happened to stumble across it in the desert. I liked the feeling of \u201cdiscovery\u201d and the authenticity of this site more than the restored high-visitation sites like the Eureka mine, which almost seem like \u201cinterpretive exhibits\u201d rather than ruins. But for the DVE event it is good to be able to show both sites, this way participants will have a fuller understanding of the history that created \u201cDeath Valley\u201d as a famous place and set it apart from all the neighboring desert valleys. We wrapped up the pre-running, then got back to camp before sunset, and enjoyed a team campfire late into the evening  \u2026<\/p>\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cbp-caption-defaultWrap\"><img src=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-roadtrip_Jan-Mar2021_0214-CA-DeathValley_PreRun3_charcoalkilns-augerberrypoint_CUofPointmountaintops_IMG_9741_1200w.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cbp-caption-activeWrap\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-alignCenter\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-body\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-title\">Day 19: CA - Death Valley<\/div><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-desc\">DVE Prerun Day 3 - Panamint...<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"cbp-item logo\"><a href=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-roadtrip_Jan-Mar2021_0215-CA-DeathValley_20muleteamcanyon_windshieldviewbadlands_IMG_0077_1200w.jpg\" class=\"cbp-caption cbp-lightbox\" data-title=\"<p><strong>DAY 20:<\/strong> Broke camp slowly and took my time leaving Death Valley this morning. As I headed for Pahrump I detoured for the loop around Twenty Mule Team Canyon, a very short scenic trail through what seems like petrified sand dunes that has a wonderful view over the badlands beyond. This is one of my favorite places in the park, and I usually stop here at least once a trip. Despite the fact that the park is very crowded with tourists right now, there were not too many people on this loop, and I pulled off to the side to park the Jeep and just go for a short wander between the folds of the badlands and up on one of the many ridge lines for a bit. The view down into the deeper badlands beyond is really awe inspiring. I left the park, continuing on into Nevada to take care of some Jeep maintenance and administrative matters before getting back to the next leg of my journey \u2026<\/p>\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cbp-caption-defaultWrap\"><img src=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-roadtrip_Jan-Mar2021_0215-CA-DeathValley_20muleteamcanyon_windshieldviewbadlands_IMG_0077_1200w.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cbp-caption-activeWrap\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-alignCenter\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-body\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-title\">Day 20: CA to NV<\/div><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-desc\">Leaving Death Valley...<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"cbp-item logo\"><a href=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-roadtrip_Jan-Mar2021_0216-NV-LasVegas_nightstreetscape_IMG_0112_1200w.jpg\" class=\"cbp-caption cbp-lightbox\" data-title=\"<p><strong>DAY 21:<\/strong> Made it back to \u201ccivilization\u201d and a hot shower in Las Vegas last night. It\u2019s always a bit odd when \u201ccivilization\u201d is defined by the surreal ambiance of the Vegas Strip, but I made a brief stop there this afternoon anyway. The crowded streets seemed almost aggressive in comparison to the desert. And the way everything is structurally designed to channel all movement into the casinos or shopping areas suddenly felt oppressive. I raced through the labyrinth of fake Paris to find my way from the casino parking garage to the outdoors where I could breathe. A few hours of Las Vegas was enough for me. Tomorrow it is back to the trail for a long loop and it will be awhile before the next hotel\u2026<\/p>\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cbp-caption-defaultWrap\"><img src=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-roadtrip_Jan-Mar2021_0216-NV-LasVegas_nightstreetscape_IMG_0112_1200w.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cbp-caption-activeWrap\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-alignCenter\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-body\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-title\">Day 21: NV - Las Vegas<\/div><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-desc\">A day in \"civilization\"...<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\">this.initCubePortfolio =  this.initCubePortfolio || []; this.initCubePortfolio.push({id: 92, options: {\"filters\":\"\",\"loadMore\":\"\",\"loadMoreAction\":\"click\",\"search\":\"\",\"layoutMode\":\"grid\",\"sortToPreventGaps\":true,\"drag\":true,\"auto\":false,\"autoTimeout\":5000,\"autoPauseOnHover\":true,\"showNavigation\":true,\"showPagination\":true,\"rewindNav\":true,\"scrollByPage\":false,\"defaultFilter\":\"*\",\"filterDeeplinking\":false,\"animationType\":\"scaleSides\",\"gridAdjustment\":\"responsive\",\"mediaQueries\":[{\"width\":1400,\"cols\":43},{\"width\":1170,\"cols\":3},{\"width\":1024,\"cols\":3},{\"width\":960,\"cols\":3},{\"width\":778,\"cols\":3},{\"width\":640,\"cols\":2},{\"width\":480,\"cols\":1}],\"gapHorizontal\":20,\"gapVertical\":20,\"caption\":\"overlayBottomAlong\",\"displayType\":\"bottomToTop\",\"displayTypeSpeed\":200,\"lightboxDelegate\":\".cbp-lightbox\",\"lightboxGallery\":true,\"lightboxTitleSrc\":\"data-title\",\"lightboxCounter\":\"<div class=\\\"cbp-popup-lightbox-counter\\\">{{current}} of {{total}}<\/div>\",\"singlePageDelegate\":\".cbp-singlePage\",\"singlePageDeeplinking\":true,\"singlePageStickyNavigation\":true,\"singlePageCounter\":\"<div class=\\\"cbp-popup-singlePage-counter\\\">{{current}} of {{total}}<\/div>\",\"singlePageAnimation\":\"middle\",\"singlePageInlineDelegate\":\".cbp-singlePageInline\",\"singlePageInlineDeeplinking\":false,\"singlePageInlinePosition\":\"top\",\"singlePageInlineInFocus\":true,\"plugins\":{},\"cols\":3,\"coverRatio\":\"4:3\"}});<\/script>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1610299121889{margin-top: 15px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;slideInLeft&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">ROUTE<\/h3>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gmaps link=&#8221;#E-8_JTNDaWZyYW1lJTIwc3JjJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbSUyRm1hcHMlMkZkJTJGZW1iZWQlM0ZtaWQlM0QxZlU5WXNwdlVUZHpncVNRQnVJUVhKVWUwdGtUcDFyN0ElMjIlMjB3aWR0aCUzRCUyMjY0MCUyMiUyMGhlaWdodCUzRCUyMjQ4MCUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRmlmcmFtZSUzRQ==&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;none&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; bg_type=&#8221;bg_color&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1610224958479{padding-top: 10px !important;}&#8221; bg_color_value=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text]Note this map provides an overview of the second segment of the journey&#8211;from the Imperial Sand Dunes to Death Valley via Laughlin, Nevada. The route on this map shows the overall direction of travel and key &#8220;stops&#8221; but does not include any detailed GPX tracks for backcountry trails, etc&#8230;[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1610299121889{margin-top: 15px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;slideInLeft&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">KEY LOCATIONS: Desert Waypoints<\/h3>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1610296030586{margin-top: 15px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_tta_tabs][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Imperial Sand Dunes&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1624289915246-d24186cb-8128&#8243;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;13132&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624300409964{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}&#8221;]The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blm.gov\/visit\/imperial-sand-dunes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area<\/span><\/a>, located in the southeast corner of California near the border with Arizona and the Mexican state of Baja California, is the largest mass of sand dunes in the state. Formed by windblown sands of ancient Lake Cahuilla, the dune system extends for more than 40 miles in a band averaging 5 miles wide. Widely known as \u201cGlamis\u201d it is an off-road paradise, with an extensive open area for OHV use. The recreation area is part of the Algodones Dunes field which extends along a northwest-southeast line that correlates to the prevailing northerly and westerly wind directions. The name \u201cAlgodones Dunes\u201d refers to the entire geographic feature, while the administrative designation for that portion managed by the Bureau of Land Management is the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area. The dunes are now separated at the southern end by agricultural land from the much more extensive Gran Desierto de Altar, to which they once were linked as an extreme peripheral \u201cfinger\u201d. The only significant human-made structures in the area are the All-American Canal that cuts across the southern portion from east to west and the Coachella Canal on the western edge. Most of the dunes located north of State Route 78 are off-limits to vehicular traffic due to designation as the North Algodones Dunes Wilderness, while the area south of this road remains open for off-highway vehicle use.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Grapevine Canyon&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1624289915430-f948092c-1d30&#8243;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;13166&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624297620160{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}&#8221;]<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.birdandhike.com\/Glyphs\/LAME\/Grapevine\/_Grapevine.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Grapevine Canyon<\/a><\/span>, a rocky canyon nestled in a range of granite mountains, is located on the Nevada side of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, near the town of Laughlin. The canyon sits in the shadow of the Spirit Mountain and is known for the many petroglyphs etched into its walls. During non-drought years the canyon contains a fresh water spring. This desert spring provides life-giving water to a variety of plants and animals. There are more than 700 petroglyphs adorning huge boulders and outcrops of granite throughout the area. While the petroglyphs extend deep into the canyon, the most significant concentration lies on both sides of the entrance, creating a portal-like impression. Most of the glyphs were created between 1100 and 1900 AD. The area was inhabited by the Mojave people, but who created the art, and why, remains unclear. Some speculate that the canyon may have served as a ritual location for summer solstice observations.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Laughlin&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1624289915620-c8b6da53-307b&#8221;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;13443&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624297635207{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}&#8221;]<a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitlaughlin.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Laughlin<\/span><\/a>, Nevada, is located on the Colorado River, directly across from the much larger Bullhead City, and is known for its gaming and water recreation. The townsite was established in the 1940s as South Pointe because of the proximity to the southern tip of the state of Nevada. The early town consisted of a motel and bar that catered to gold and silver miners, construction workers building Davis Dam, and fishing enthusiasts. In the 1950s, construction workers left, and the town all but disappeared. In 1964, Don Laughlin, owner of the 101 Club in Las Vegas, flew over the site and saw its tourism potential. He offered to buy the land, and within a few years, the small motel and casino, consisting of only 12 slots and two live tables, was bustling. Over the years several more hotels and casinos sprung up. Today there are nine hotel-casinos in Laughlin, attracting just under 2 million visitors annually.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Big Dune&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1624289915811-95e7a872-25dd&#8221;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;13168&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624297815994{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}&#8221;]<a href=\"https:\/\/www.blm.gov\/visit\/big-dune-0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Big Dune<\/span><\/a> is a star dune complex lying about 100 miles north of Las Vegas in the arid Amargosa Valley. Big Dune covers five square miles with the tallest dunes standing between 300 and 500 feet\u00a0 high. Mostly used by locals, these relatively undiscovered sand dunes offer an ideal open OHV area for offroaders with dispersed camping permitted around the edge of the dunes. These dunes were formed by the wind blowing excess dirt from a bend in the Amargosa River, and they continue to move and change shape over time. This is a <a href=\"https:\/\/living-las-vegas.com\/2017\/01\/big-dune-sacred-magnificent\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">sacred place<\/span><\/a> for the Southern Paiute and Numic Speaking peoples of the Mojave Desert. Sand dunes in general were considered living beings by the Paiutes because they move. Paiutes used to follow the Amargosa River\u2019s path through the area between Pahrump and Beatty, and Big Dune features prominently in their songs and legends.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Death Valley&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1624289915994-5082eb3a-fe52&#8243;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;13172&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624298299068{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}&#8221;]<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/deva\/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Death Valley National Park<\/span><\/a> is the largest national park outside of Alaska. Near the border of California and Nevada, in the Great Basin, east of the Sierra Nevada mountains, Death Valley is the principal feature of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts Biosphere Reserve. This desert valley is one of the hottest places in the world. It is a landscape of extremes. With over 3 million acres of federally designated Wilderness it is possible to walk along majestic sand dunes, navigate twisted slot canyons, climb rocky peaks and stroll along salt flats. The variety of terrains offer everything from easy to very challenging adventures. The Grapevine Mountains and the Owlshead Mountains form its northern and southern boundaries, respectively, and the valley sits between the Amargosa Range on the east and the Panamint Range on the west. Badwater Basin, at 282 feet below sea level, is the point of the lowest elevation in North America.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_tabs][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1610296030586{margin-top: 15px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;slideInLeft&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">KEY LOCATIONS: Death Valley sites<\/h3>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1610299121889{margin-top: 15px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_tta_tabs][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Badwater Basin&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1623702060875-ed2d4cc9-7a68&#8243;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;13171&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624299810300{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}&#8221;]<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/places\/badwater-basin.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Badwater Basin<\/span><\/a>, the lowest point in North America, is an expansive salt flat, devoid of obvious life, nestled between distant desert mountains. The salt flats here cover nearly 200 square miles, and are composed mostly of sodium chloride (table salt), along with calcite, gypsum, and borax. The low point is at 282 ft below sea level. Stories suggest that Badwater Basin earned its name when a mule belonging to an early surveyor refused to drink from the spring-fed pool near the present-day boardwalk. However, the water here is not truly \u201cbad,\u201d just very salty. The site once contained a large ancient inland lake, called Lake Manly, which evaporated tens of thousands of years ago. The lake had no outlet, leading to the accumulation of sediment and salt over time. When the water evaporated, concentrated salt deposits were left behind. Today, fascinating geometric salt polygons form on the flats as groundwater rises up through these deposits and evaporates. The pool and boardwalk are easily accessible from the parking lot off Badwater Road, but the best views of the salt polygons require an easy walk out onto the salt flats.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Mengel Pass&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1623778298366-aa0ed6ea-d727&#8243;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;13465&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624441034015{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}&#8221;]<a href=\"https:\/\/www.trailsoffroad.com\/trails\/935-mengel-pass\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Mengel Pass<\/span><\/a> is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.314m above sea level located in the Death Valley National Park. The pass links Panamint Valley on the west end of Death Valley with Butte Valley on the east side. It is part of a favorite Jeep trail in Death Valley that leads to the Barker Ranch site where Charles Manson was captured by police. The pass is named after Carl Mengel, a historic prospector from the early 20th century. At the summit is a memorial monument of stacked rocks. Mengel settled in the area of Butte Valley and bought a mine claim in Goler Wash in 1912. He is said to have lost a leg in a mining accident but continued mining and living in the area for the rest of his days. Mengel died in 1944 and his ashes and prosthetic leg are said to be buried beneath the stone cairn. The road to the summit is a long, but scenic trail, and is generally easy driving, though there are heavily washboarded sections and some spots may be steep and rutted. The only really challenging part is on the pass itself which has some deep ruts and steep rock steps in a narrow tight spot.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Barker Ranch&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1624289040002-37ca2d1a-c181&#8243;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;13467&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624303578406{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}&#8221;]<a href=\"https:\/\/www.atlasobscura.com\/places\/barker-ranch-2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">The Barker Ranch<\/span><\/a>, located inside Death Valley National Park, is infamous due to its association with Charles Manson and his &#8220;family&#8221;. It is accessible only by primitive and rugged roads. Bluch and Helen Thomason began construction of Barker Ranch around 1940. It was originally used as a storage and shop facility to support their mining activity in the area. The Barker family bought the property in 1956, and expanded the cabin into a larger house. In 1968, Charles Manson learned about the Barker Ranch and relocated his \u201cfamily\u201d there. Once the Mansons moved in, the ranch became one of the locations from which they planned a series of murders in an attempt to start an apocalyptic race-war, his \u201cHelter Skelter.\u201d But as Manson orchestrated the killings of nine people, his followers also conducted raids in Death Valley stealing dune buggies and vandalizing National Park property. It was these relatively petty crimes, not the murders, that led to the Manson family\u2019s arrest. In 1969, a joint force of National Park rangers, California Highway Patrol and Inyo County Sheriff\u2019s officers burst into Barker Ranch and dragged a crazed Swastika-tattooed man out from under a bathroom vanity. At the time they thought they were nabbing a group of local troublemakers, they were completely unaware that they had a mass-murder suspect and his followers. In 1976, the ranch became part of the California Desert Conservation Area. In 1994, it was incorporated into Death Valley National Park.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Echo Canyon&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1623781165672-4cfca01d-b15d&#8221;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;13471&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624303563679{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}&#8221;]<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dangerousroads.org\/north-america\/usa\/6586-echo-canyon-road.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Echo Canyon<\/span><\/a> is a jeep trail that starts 2 miles east of Furnace Creek Inn on Hwy 190. From the pavement the road runs northeast along the base of a low hill, then continues across the broad, open bajada towards the mouth of Echo Canyon in the distance. Dispersed camping is allowed after the first two miles, but campfires are not permitted. The trail is generally easy, but it gets more rocky 3 miles from the highway. The Needle\u2019s Eye, a natural arch, is located within the canyon narrows. The arch looks like a hole in a thin fin of rock that juts out into the canyon forming a tight gooseneck turn. The trail curves east and continues up a broad valley with scattered mines and prospects on both sides. The main trail leads to the Inyo Mine. At the mine site there are the remains of several buildings, mine tailings and additional structures. The trail is typically run as an \u201cout-and-back\u201d route from the highway to the Inyo Mine. To do the trail all the way through to the Nevada side requires a short wheelbase 4&#215;4 and an experienced driver due to the \u201cwaterfall\u201d rock obstacle. That route takes a side road that climbs over a small saddle leading to Lee\u2019s Camp and the Amargosa Valley.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Aguereberry Point&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1623782638040-55e0442a-2b2b&#8221;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;13472&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624304728403{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}&#8221;]<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/deva\/learn\/historyculture\/pete-aguereberry.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Aguereberry Point<\/a><\/span>, is a 6,300 foot peak, reached by a 6.5 mile unpaved track on the west side of Death Valley. Because of its westerly setting, this place is one of the best locations to photograph the valley in afternoon and around sunset. The summit is named for Pete Aguereberry, who was born in 1874 into a Basque family in France and immigrated to America at the age of 16 with the intention of discovering gold. He made it to California in 1905, and almost died trying to cross Death Valley in summer heat. After being nursed back to health Aguereberry found a ledge that contained some gold and filed a claim for the Eureka Mine. Aguereberry worked at the mine from 1907 until the early 1930\u2019s when his health was failing him. To reach the area where Aguereberry lived and worked for over 40 years, take Hwy. 190 past Stovepipe Wells and up Emigrant Campground. Turn left following the signs to Wildrose. In about 10 miles there will be a turn off for Aguereberry Point. When you turn here you will come to the Aguereberry camp a mile down the road. At Aguereberry camp you will find Pete\u2019s original cabin built in 1907. Around the corner is the site of the Eureka gold mine. And if you follow the road to the summit, you will reach Aguereberry\u2019s favorite view of Death Valley below.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Skidoo&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1624298669526-daa61cf2-5f82&#8243;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;13473&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624306131060{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}&#8221;]The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.americansouthwest.net\/california\/death_valley\/skidoo.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Skidoo town site<\/span><\/a>, at an elevation of 5,689 feet, is representative of the boom towns that flourished in Death Valley during the early 20th century. About half a dozen significant towns once existed in the area, all thriving for only a short time until the nearby mines were exhausted. Some like Darwin and Rhyolite are still partly inhabited, but nothing remains of Skidoo. The town&#8217;s livelihood depended primarily on the output of the Skidoo Mine, which operated between 1906 and 1917, producing about 75,000 ounces of gold, worth at the time more than $1.5 million. Two unique items are associated with Skidoo&#8217;s mining heyday. First the town possessed the only milling plant in the desert operated almost completely by water power. Second, the construction of the water pipeline was a phenomenal engineering feat; its scar can still be seen between its origin near Telescope Peak and the mill site. The old street grid is faintly discernible in a few places, now covered by the ubiquitous sagebrush. But the surrounding hills contain many mine entrances and associated structures &#8211; wooden cabins, headframes, iron machinery, old cars and, most visibly, the fifteen-stamp amalgamation and cyanide mill built by the Skidoo Mines Company, situated high in a side canyon near the edge of a steep hillside and sloping down 3,000 feet towards Telephone Canyon. The mill is a rare surviving example of an early 20th-century gravity-feed system for separating gold from its ore. The townsite and mining district are reached by an 8 mile unpaved road, generally fine for regular vehicles, which forks off Wildrose Road 9.4 miles from CA 190.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Twenty Mule Team Canyon&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1624298686364-fe003c5a-1106&#8243;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;13458&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624915623305{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}&#8221;]<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/thingstodo\/drive-twenty-mule-team-canyon.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Twenty Mule Team Canyon<\/span><\/a><\/span>, close to Furnace Creek and the &#8220;center&#8221; of Death Valley, is very easily accessible. The entrance to this short 2.5 mile one-way dirt road is just east of Zabriskie Point off CA-190. And the dirt road is usually fine for most cars, although those with very low clearance should check with the Ranger station on conditions. The scenic drive goes through colorful, eroded badlands that have been the setting for scenes from several popular films including Star Wars Episode VI. The best time to go is early morning or late afternoon when the light causes the erosion in the hills to become highlighted and shadowed, creating spectacular contrast, and superb photo opportunities. The name &#8220;Twenty Mule Team&#8221; references the <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/deva\/learn\/historyculture\/twenty-mule-teams.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">famous mule teams<\/a><\/span> that pulled massive wagons of borax from near Furnace Creek to the railhead near Mojave. The journey was a grueling 165 mile ten day trip across primitive roads. The teams became nationally famous due to a successful advertising campaign promoting 20-Mule-Team Borax Soap and the long-running Death Valley Days radio and television program.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_tabs][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=&#8221;black&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624222759513{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row content_placement=&#8221;middle&#8221;][vc_column][vc_btn title=&#8221;Back to Days 1-9&#8243; i_icon_fontawesome=&#8221;fas fa-angle-double-left&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;none&#8221; add_icon=&#8221;true&#8221; link=&#8221;url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usnomadstudio.com%2Ftheroadbook%2Fsouthwestern-journeys-january-march-2021%2F&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624222549951{margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;}&#8221;][vc_btn title=&#8221;100 Days &#8211; Main Page&#8221; link=&#8221;url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usnomadstudio.com%2Ftheroadbook%2F100-days-journey-across-the-usa-january-may-2021%2F&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624222565732{margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;}&#8221;][vc_btn title=&#8221;Ahead to Days 22-33&#8243; i_align=&#8221;right&#8221; i_icon_fontawesome=&#8221;fas fa-angle-double-right&#8221; add_icon=&#8221;true&#8221; link=&#8221;url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usnomadstudio.com%2Ftheroadbook%2F100-days-journey-mojave-road-to-trona-february-2021%2F|title:100%20Days%20Journey%3A%20Mojave%20Road%20to%20Alabama%20Hills%20(February%202021)&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624222581428{margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;}&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; content_placement=&#8221;middle&#8221; bg_type=&#8221;bg_color&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1610214283171{background-color: #000000 !important;}&#8221; bg_color_value=&#8221;#000000&#8243;][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624214803678{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;}&#8221;] 100 Days Journey: Part 2 &#8211; Glamis to Death Valley [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; bg_type=&#8221;bg_color&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1610224958479{padding-top: 10px !important;}&#8221; bg_color_value=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text]After a three-day pause for some training in advanced dunes driving with the Barlow Adventures crew at the Imperial Sand Dunes (aka &#8220;Glamis&#8221;) the journey continues [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"template-home.php","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13141"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13141"}],"version-history":[{"count":42,"href":"https:\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13141\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13689,"href":"https:\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13141\/revisions\/13689"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13141"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}