Okay-

Things are moving forward.
I spoke with Phyllis at Furnace Creek Ranch regarding reservations.

We have a Group assisgned to us with a booking number of 392200.
Call (760) 786-2345 for reservations and give them that number.
We have a "friendly" rate of $125 per night in the hotel.
There are no more cabins available (sorry, John).
Ask for Phyllis or Tina.

Here is my proposed itinerary. It may be a bit optimistic- I have yet to get to everything on one of my trips. Those darn, undependable Land Rovers I promise to keep mine shiny side up.

Lunch on the trail each day- dinner on Friday and Saturday at Wrangler's Steakhouse in Furnace Creek, if you so desire. Their little cafe is great, and reasonable, for breakfast. They also have a General Store for ice, drinks, food, souvenirs, trinkets, books, maps, etc.

Bring layers of clothes- we'll be in the lowlands and then in the mountains. Last year we even had some snow flurries so come prepared.

Bring swimming trunks for the spring-fed swimming pool in Furnace Creek- it's a treat- the water temp is usually in the eighties.

Bring cameras, video cameras, hiking boots, (that's sandals for Yoko),

Friday morning: Meet at Olancha Ranch House Cafe at 8:30. Leave by 8:45. There is a gas station near by. Please fill up- there is no gas between there and our night stop in Furnace Creek. Premium gasoline in Furnace Creek is $5.50/gal today. (OUCH!) Who knows what it'll be in November.

Then:
Darwin
China Garden Spring
Darwin Falls- Some hiking to the falls
Hunter Mountain
Lost Burro Mine (time permitting)
Teakettle Junction- bring a teakettle
The Racetrack
Ubehebe Crater
Furnace Creek Ranch for check-in and group dinner?

Saturday:
Leave 8:30 am. (Fill up again, please.)
Rhyolite
Leadfield
Titus Canyon
Golden Canyon- some hiking; great geology
Mosiac Canyon
Zabriskie Point
Twenty Mule Team Canyon
Hole In The Wall
Dante's View- a buzzard's-eye view of Death Valley, almost directly above Badwater.

Sunday:
Leave 8:30. Fill up again. There is no more (dependable) gas available between Furnace Creek and Ridgecrest. Trona MAY have some, but it's very iffy.
We'll be in the lowest part of Death Valley for the first part of the day, then head into the mountains.

Artist's Palette
Devil's Golf Course- bring your 9 iron -just kidding.
Badwater
Cinder Cone
West Side Highway
Warm Springs Canyon
Talc Mine
Geologist's Cabin
Mengel Pass
Barker Ranch- Charlie Manson's hideout, and where he was captured.
Lotus Mine
Goler Wash
Fish Canyon
Slate Range
Trona- Trona Pinnacles (time- (daylight) permitting)

Then back to LA.

Looking forward to seeing you all.

Frank Buddenbrock wrote:
You don't say?!?

If you're attending our Geology Tour, please register for the event on the Calendar.
This gives me the opportunity to get everyone's contact/emergency information.

Also, please make your reservations at Furnace Creek Ranch.

See you all soon.

Thanks.

I was just checking with the Maturango Museum website and they noted that the one gas station operating in Trona does not have fuel. So be sure to bring along extra and plan fuel stops accordingly...

Maturanga Museum News Page

Thanks, Jim, for checking on the gasoline situation.

Well, the trip is two weeks away- I can't wait.

Just to let you know, the weather may be a little on the chilly side- expect temps around 70 degrees during the day at Furnace Creek, with low temps in the 40's. We'll be spending time at higher elevations so expect it to be even colder. Last year at Chloride City, it was close to 35 degrees- a bit nippy.

It looks like we may have a number of new members attending- welcome- you'll have a great time. Allan brings a wonderful geological perspective to Death Valley and you'll leave with an entirely new appreciation for it.

I'm not sure how many people/trucks will have CB's- I'm not entirely sure that I'll have mine installed in time. So we will use FRS/GMRS radios.

I've been entirely disappointed by their performance on previous trips, but it could just be the way that I was using it. I had no idea how important it is that the radio should be held with the antenna vertical- pointing straight up. It's important that both the transmitting unit AND the receiving unit keep their antennas vertical. Here is a YouTube video showing the unbelievable drop in performance when the antenna is in any orientation other than vertical.
I haven't paid any attention to the antenna's orientation, but believe me, from now on I will. Like most users, I've held it at 45 degrees or even horizontal, just because it feels more comfortable. But that is entirely wrong.
Perhaps with proper orientation the FRS/GMRS radios will be just fine.

I'm truly looking forward to the trip and seeing all of you. Don't forget a teakettle to hang at Teakettle Junction.

See you all soon.

That's probably why I have a hard time hearing anyone on the trail. I always lay it on the console between the gear selector and the emergency brake.
No I have to go build a mount to hold it vertical at all times.