Labor Day Miner's Cabin Tour

[BobWohlers]

If any Outdoor Adventure USA members are looking for a great outing over Labor Day... consider this free Miner’s Cabin Tour in and around Panamint, Saline and Death Valleys. I will have a mixture of past students, members from the JustRuns 4WD club in San Diego and friends.
Run Date: September 3 – 6, 2010 (Labor Day Weekend). Runs begin on Friday, September 3rd.
RSVP Would be nice (just so we don't have a HUGE number of vehicles): email or call Bob Wohlers at bob.wohlers@discoveroffroading.com. 949.872.3022.
Meeting Location: Panamint Valley – Ballarat Campground (Google directions)
Run Meeting Time: 9:00 am each day, departure at 9:15 am
Trail Difficulty Rating: 2 to 2+
Required Equipment: 1) Working CB Radio (Handheld CB with extra batteries or 12v Adapter is acceptable). 2) Tow Attachment Points (Front and Rear). 3) Tow Strap (Rope) with no metal hooks. 4) Jack and Full Size Spare Tire. 5) Reliable 4WD Vehicle with 2 Speed Transfer Case (No Quads, ATVs, ROVs or UTVs). 6) Seat Belts for all Passengers
Type of Run: This is a base camp run. Primary camping location is Ballarat Ghost Town Campground. Since Ballarat is a “dry” campground without ANY facilities, if you do not have an RV you might consider camping nearby at Panamint Springs Resort (PSR) PSR has a complete campground with toilets, showers and water. They have some RV full hook up sites and many non-hook up RV sites. See their website at: http://www.deathvalley.com/psr/ for directions and their phone number for reservations. PSR also has a full restaurant, a small motel and Shell gas station (credit card only). On at least one evening we will be having dinner at PSR.
Run Details: During this run we will visit these cabins – Nelson, Buckhorn, Minietta, World Beater, Rita’s, Brigg’s Camp (both cabins) and Lost Burro Mine cabin. Many of these cabins are on BLM land and are in the “Adopt-A-Cabin” program. You will be surprised with the level of comfort provided by a few of these “adopted” cabins by volunteer groups. We will not be staying at any of these cabins, but you will learn the location should you wish to return. To get to these cabins we will tour Pleasant Canyon, Middle Park, South Park, South Park Canyon, Lee Flat, Lookout City, Race Track and Tea Kettle Junction. For photos of the cabins, see my website at: http://www.discoveroffroading.com. Lunch each day will be on the trail so you will need to be prepared with food, water and snacks.
Itinerary: Day One, Friday – Pleasant Canyon and South Park Canyon loop. Day Two, Saturday – Lookout City and Lee Flat area. Day Three, Sunday – Race Track area. Day Four, Monday – Group decision (multiple choices; low key day as some may head home midday).

[BorregoWrangler]

That looks like a very interesting trip. I've been wanting to head out and explore that area for some time now but I'm afraid that time of the year will be a bit too warm for us. Maybe next spring...

[BobWohlers]

Yes, temperatures can be high in the valleys this time of year. However, most of the runs are at altitude and it's cooler. When we get back to camp in the evening, the temperatures are delightful.

[DennisDawg]

That looks like a very interesting trip. I've been wanting to head out and explore that area for some time now but I'm afraid that time of the year will be a bit too warm for us. Maybe next spring...

Fall is a good time to go as well!

It will be hot in parts of that trip, but like he says, at night and up high, it won't be as bad . . . even nice up high. Up high in those places folks used to grow vegetables in the summer!

The Trona Repeater can be used on the approach (all up Trona Road and even in parts of Panamint Valley), for rendezvous and all that, 146.97 - PL 123.0 I talked to the guy who has been keeping that going on my trip up Wildrose last month. Nice guy who’d like folks to use the repeater! Say hello as you go by is nothing else.

Simplex 147.770 has a few people on it from time to time in Panamint Valley.

From up on top of South Park, where you look down into Butte Valley, you should be able to kit Keller, K6BB and probably Randburg repeaters. Good for a try, I have hit them easily from south of there and lower at Mengle Pass.