Any update on this? it's March already ( well in a few hours )

Officially, in my time zone, it's 10:27AM of March 1st already <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I have two or three vehicles with friends with me (tentatively). Plus my own vehicle. Plus vovkus (he fixed his tranny). Plus Alex&Oxana (they fixed the tranny, too <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> ).

It seems like we have quite a group. We probably need to start thinking right now, because the people have to make the arrangements.

Ray, do you have any update for this outing ?

You crack me up... yes it's march now. I'm thinking the weekend 4/16-4/18 or even until Monday 4/19.

Still vacillating on which trails to run. Will decide & post up in a day or two.

Would be good to have Vlad and Alex/Oxana back out on the trails with refreshed, running gear. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

vaci-who? Does that prevent the clap? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Here you go...

I know you 0's sometimes just don't think clearly. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

OK, did some more research...
In addition to what Holger has suggested (are any of the trails below a duplicate of yours?), here some trails I'm considering (in order of difficulty (hardest first). They are all located in the Charles Wells Guide to N. Cal.

Swansea-Cerro Gordo Rd.:


Pg 161, 33mi, 5-6hrs, moderate
Rd climbs to ridge atop Inyo Mtns. Great views, wildflowers, and historical mining structures.
Web page w/ Swansea-Cerro Gordo Rd trail info.

Racetrack via Hunter Mtn:

Pg 163, 87mi, full day, moderate
'Moving Rocks' at The Racetrack is interesting, hilly in places with great views, including a spectacular view of Panamint Valley. Teakettle Junction & Lost Burro Mine are 2 interesting features. We will encounter a 'brief' washboard road through Racetrack Valley but is relatively short compared to the commonly used route from Scottys Castle.
Web page w/ info on Lippencott Grade section of this trail.

Armstrong Canyon:

Pg 157, 9mi, 3-4hrs, moderate
Pass mines on way to great capt spot in secluded wooded canyon. Wildflowers and dramatic views of lava domes from 8300 ft.
Web page with info on the Armstrong Canyon trail.

Mazourka Canyon:

Pg 155, 40mi, 5-6hrs, moderate
High views of Owens Valley and the Sierra Nevada. Many secluded, scenic places to camp along this little-used trail. Interesting remote mining spurs we can explore. Trail will climb 9,412ft Mazourka Pk.
Sorry, no decent online descriptions/photos of this trail.

Movie Rd/Alabama Hills:


Pg 159, 25mi, 1+ hrs depending on # of stops, easy
Can spend 1hr or 1 day exploring rock formations so euniqe they've been used in movies for over 70 yrs. Enjoy breathtaking scenery on way to Mt. Whitney. Can explore dozens of side roads to move sites in the Movie Flat Area Sites include Gunga Din Site, Lone Ranger Ambush Site, Gene Autry Rock, Arrastra, etc. I'll need a copy of the Movie Rd Alabama Hills Driving Tour if we want to explore this area properly.
BLM page on Movie Rd / Alabama Hills

For more about the Swansea-Cerro Gordo trail, see:

http://www.4x4wire.com/4x4-campsite/swansea-cerro-gordo-trail

Mazorka Canyon is a great spot.

There is a campground where you can set up and day-trip to hit Swansea-Cerro Gordo, Mazoruka Canyon and Alabama Hills.

I am fine with whatever route you choose, Ray. Just keep in mind that we will have families and we need to sleep, to have some rest and to look around.

Technically, the Swansea route is not part of Death Valley. In my books, it is described in the book "Inyo-Mono SUV trails" by Roger Mitchell. He is saying that this is a Class III trail, with few Class IV sections and two Class V sections (on 6-grade scale).

My personal feeling is that the DV mountain trails (like Roger Pass, Pleasant Canyon, South Park Canyon, Mengel Pass, Goler Wash) provide more scenery and more technical driving. But I am fine with any route. We probably can somehow connect several trails to get everything - I mean both the desert driving and the mountain trails.

Ray, you have to sit with the map and with the books and realistically draw the route <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Ray <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> the dates mention earlier set, so I can schedule the time off. Due you think a stock SUV (my Armada) with decent tires can handle the trail? I did not go through the links provided, but will this be a base camp style?