Panamint Range

[hole]

We were going to go to Emmets cabin in the morning but the group in the Geologist's cabin told us it was pretty trashed so we opted not to go.

 

[Torxhead]

The history and stories of this area never cease to amaze me. Quite often I search for and purchase books about the Death Valley area. Hole, I thought I would add a pic of the Striped Butte monument as I did not see one in your run report.

 

[Sasquach]

Was unaware the bridge was open again even with the weight limit. That's great to hear.

 

[Sasquach]

Since you mentioned the Keystone mine, did you go up the from were the equipment is? There is another mine up over the saddle and down the other side that is interesting, there is a huge boulder that fell onto the trail that is a bit hairy to go around for some, my narrow track was no problem but a guy with us in a Toyota with 1 ton full size axles had to hang some tire over the side while leaving paint on the boulder.

 

[hole]

Thank you Torx for posting up yours, made me go back and look at mine again. We were coming up on the Geologist cabin at dusk and a small group was in it already so no good shot was to be had by the time we got to Russel's cabin. However, it seems one was taken at sunrise on the hill above Russel's

A shot of my best side waiting for the sun to rise. Nothing better than watching the sun rise in the desert!

Sasquach, we discussed going up further but it was after lunch at that point and we still wanted to head up Jail Canyon before getting to our final camp spot at Wildrose. As luck would have it, the shortcut road to Wildrose was washed out and closed, so we had to take the long way around to get there which dropped Jail Canyon off the schedule Oh well, theres always next time

 

[hole]

Sasquach, as far as the bridge being open or not, if a sign was posted I must have missed it. I wish I would've known about the by-pass road avoiding the jungle at the bottom of Pleasant Canyon though

 

[Sasquach]

Sasquach, as far as the bridge being open or not, if a sign was posted I must have missed it. I wish I would've known about the by-pass road avoiding the jungle at the bottom of Pleasant Canyon though

Here is the sign put up in 2011 after the Cherokee went over the side of Chicken rock. As far as I know BLM has not lifted the restriction but the sign apparantly has been lifted. lol

 

[Sasquach]

Jail canyon is a bit challenging since the recent flooding and the mill at the trails end is really worth seeing, you hike up the creek a short ways to find it.
Also check out Coyote canyon back by Goler wash if you ever get a chance.
I think Wildrose rd, below the campground has been closed over a year now and have a hunch they would just as soon leave it that way.

 

[Torxhead]

Thanks for posting that Sasquach, I am glad to see the restriction has let up for the mid size vehicles. There is quite a narrow spot just to the West side of it though, making it tough for the wider rigs. I did see a pic of you on PV.com heading up Jail Cyn. and it has really changed.
Hole, I have been up Pleasant Canyon and number of times and really liked it until somebody torched it so they could get their mining trucks up it. I guess now it is quite overgrown?
I'm looking forward to my next trip.

 

[Posi]

I enjoy reading the stories and viewing pics of member's western wheeling trips. The terrain is so different from the Northeast. Thanks for sharing!

 

[hole]

Torx, I'm working on the video we took going through the end of Pleasant Canyon. It's not language appropriate by any means in its original format, and I'm very new to trying to edit music in it's place. It was quite tight, and without doors we got the bejeebas beat out of us. If it didnt have thorns or stickers the brush had some kind of blossom that filled the cab and caused us to choke, then we hit a stretch that had locust. Good times

 

[hole]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KEQh4knAbw&list=UUq6mEj7QAB5p5hkjyMSSXBw
Lets see if this works

 

[Torxhead]

That worked just fine, looks like it could go for some hedge trimming. I think that route up to Clair Camp will eventually fill in completely due to the by pass that was cut a few years back. I am sure it hurt to head home after that adventure still.

 

[hagar]

Back in the 80's that road was challenging as you climbed out of the narrows.
Around 1989 or 1990 they blew that out the first time.
Frenchy was still the caretaker at Clair Camp and had kept the gate locked.
Road/bridge in South Park canyon had been blown out for some time.
Rita's cabin was real nice back then, even had a key to it. Spent a couple times with her and other up there.
The old cabin at Middle Park (we called Raiders Camp) we had fixed that up as well. Don't know when/who burned that one down.
Funkhausers cabin in South Park was probably the nicest; does anyone know if it's still standing...that was supposed to be a patent claim.
Good times; shot a very nice 4 point buck up there in 1989.

 

[Torxhead]

The first caretaker I met at Ballarat was Don in the early '90s, There was another mine caretaker north of Clair Camp known as Lightfoot Louie, as I recall. The current caretaker at Ballarat is Rocky Novak, who worked with his father George at a mine near the mouth of Suprise.
I never saw any issues with the bridge but it was fun to watch the fullsize rigs go over it.
Rita's cabin is O.K. and maintained along with the World Beater Cabin. I remember going thru a cabin in South Park that had looked like it was intentionally thrashed beyond repair. I am not sure about a Funkhauser's cabin, but will look for it by that name.

 

[hagar]

Funkhauser's cabin was in the trees at the south east end of South Park.
It was of A-frame design. Some folks called it the A frame.
The family was based out of Perris CA if I recall.
There used to be an old road grader parked near that cabin with one wheel removed and hidden up on the hillside.

 

[Torxhead]

The prize of the Panamints is the Briggs cabin which is now in the boundaries of the Death Valley National Park, I am sure you have seen it. Here is one of the many writeups about it:Panamint Cabins
The DVNP probably has more 4wd trails than any other national park due to its mining history, with a few in the difficult range. There is more to see than anyone can do in a lifetime, some requiring hiking in very tough terrain with overnight stays