Slate Range, Goler and Butte Valley 05/14 – 15/2011

[DennisDawg]

I lead a tiny little group up from Trona To Butte Valley and back and it was a wonderfully mellow and relaxing trip to one of my favorite places. An uneventful trip but for my broken antenna mount. We saw all the usual sites, and I snuck off to go see about a few new ones for another trip (heee heee).

Pictures: http://mainsite.socaltaco.com/index.php ... s&Itemid=6

Story: http://mainsite.socaltaco.com/index.php ... s&Itemid=6

[BorregoWrangler]

Thanks for the report. I'm looking forward to getting out there soon.

[DennisDawg]

Butte Valley is one of my favorite places!

The ‘desert’ season will be over soon as the temps go up. If you do not hurry, you’ll need to wait for fall or at least I do.

After this, it will be high places for me, Big Bear area, Sierras . . . but, Saline Valley may be in October!

[OLLIE]

Another great write-up and another place to visit. It never ends.

[xtatik]

Good to hear the wash is cutting itself in again. Last time I went through there (3-4 yrs ago??)it was freshly graded and the only challenging part was the usual bit at the pass . At least we got to see Barker before it roasted.

[DennisDawg]

Yeah, I actually hate to stop and Barker Ranch now but people always ask to go over there so I take them. Years ago it is was a beautiful place, when the irrigation system was all working and everything was green and pretty. I remember many relaxing times there and so as it is now, just makes me sad.

I think if they’d left Goler rough, everything all around would be in better shape back there. But, I know they had the road all fixed up to the Lotus Mine a few years back when that reopened on a very small scale for a short time. It still is not hard, but the falls is enough to keep the cars out.

Butte Valley has a lot to see, and some good hikes to some of the peaks and all. So, it is always a good trip.

[smslavin]

Looks like a great spot. Enjoyed the report and photos, especially since I'm stuck in a hotel room in Dallas. All these years in CA, and I've never been out to Death Valley. I need to change that this fall.

[DennisDawg]

It is one of the most wonderful places to go! Everything is just big, big valleys and big views, big mountains and dreams . . . all just there. I have spent a lot of time out there, and very much like it.