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Click here for Art's Pictures (added after this report was finished)
Ron's Trip Report
Just getting back from Panamint Valley Days, I think we all had a good time myself, Mark, Bob, Art, Jorge and Rick were there to represent. Things went almost uneventful, no trail breakdowns but I had engine trouble on Saturday so I parked my truck and hitched a ride with Bob. Mascot jumped in with his best friend and off we went. We did the "Express" Defense Mine run that goes directly to the mine, then over to Lookout City. After that we split off the group and went over to the Minietta Mine and explored there for a while then headed back for Happy Hour.
Now we'll step back to Friday where my truck was still on 4 cyl., we did Jackpot Canyon, a long run almost to the top of the Panamint mountain range to another (of course) mine. A dead-end run had us all bunched in at the top, we took a look around the area then headed back down. While we were there the camp got the usual air show, they were calling us and telling us all about it, we could hear the jets and occasionally could see a jet through the canyon.
Sunday only Rick and Art went out on a morning run, I don't know where they were going and was on my way home before they got back, my charging problem came back on my van so I want to get an early start so I didn't have to drive at night, of course I had no trouble on the way home charged all the way home, I'm just full of trouble lately. Even so, a bad day of wheelin' beats a good day at work anytime.
Mark's Trip Report
Panamint Valley Days… the premier Cal 4 Wheel SoCal event!
I have never been to PVD, but have made several trips to the area… many trips to Goler Wash, Barker Ranch, and Butte Valley… one trip up South Park Canyon and down Pleasant Canyon.
I arrived just before lunch on Friday, just in time for an awesome air show by some of our fly boys. That alone was worth the 3 hour drive! 2 Fighter Jets playing up and down the valley for about an hour. Buzzing 75’ overhead, wings perpendicular to the ground, then hit the afterburners! Carolyn, Sharon, and I waved and cheered at each pass! Our tax dollars at work, thank God for those brave young men (women?)… I wish I was one of them!
I was too late to go on the Jackpot Canyon run with the rest of the group, so I set up camp, got my safety inspection, checked in, and headed for Ballarat.
I headed down Indian Ranch Road on the East side of Panamint Valley, taking some pictures and enjoying being out of the city, in this High Desert paradise!
We signed up for the Defense Mine Express Run on Saturday.
On Saturday morning we were all ready to make the 0730 driver’s meeting and 0800 start. What? We couldn’t find the driver’s meeting, or the staging area… I checked the signup board and, WHAT’S THIS!!! Someone had scratched out the printed times and written in earlier times! The group had already left! The times had been changed AFTER we signed up the previous afternoon!
I could go into a rant about disorganization and poor planning, but I did enough of that at the time…
We were all ready… except for Ron, whose Toy was only running on 3 cylinders! Probable cause, a broken valve spring… “Well” I told Jorge, “this is just to prove that even a Toyota can break…” Ron rode with Bob, Robbie road with me.
Luckily Rick knew where we were going and assured us that we would catch up to the group at Waterfall Zero of Stone Canyon… he was right, as usual! Thanks Rick!
We caught up to the group of some 15 Jeeps of various capabilities, an Early Bronco, and a Full Size Bronco, just where Rick said we would. Other than some frustration, we actually were better off, and had missed nothing.
Although the leader of the run (not Marlin, he couldn’t make it) did the more difficult right side of Waterfall Zero, everyone else we saw try it struggled badly. Everyone we saw try the left side also struggled, except the Early Bronco, which walked right up.
According to Ron, Waterfall Zero was actually much easier than the last time he had seen it.
No matter, we (Jorge, Bob and I) did the left side… no problem! It was fun!
We took the turn off out of Stone Canyon and up the side canyon toward Defense Mine.
We were in the rear, and there was a stock Jeep TJ with NO tow points FRONT OR REAR (a violation of Cal 4Wheel rules for these runs… it shouldn’t have passed Safety Inspection) in front of us. Its inexperienced driver did his best, but got hung up several times. With no tow points, it was stack rocks and mess around to get him up the moderate canyon. We were delayed at least an hour by this.
Luckily, Defense Mine was worth the wait! Hard rock tunnels, safe ladders, and an awesome location made it lots of fun. Only Ron and Robbie chose to ascend the ladders deep in the mine to the upper levels, and emerge high on the hillside above the entrance.
After lunch we headed to Lookout City. First, we ran into the “Full” Defense Mine group coming up the canyon. They backed out to let us by (Thanks!) and we moved on.
Lookout City was awesome! Rick had a book with old pictures showing the buildings and even a scene that showed the truck scale in operation!
We were back at camp before dark.
A few of us went to the raffle (with tickets from those that chose not to go). We were skunked!
We may be spoiled by the TDS raffle, but the prizes seemed a little weak.
BFG gave 4 tires, but the Event Organizers decided to split this generous donation into 2 prizes of 2 tires each! What is up with that?
Warn donated a winch, and several companies donated generous gift certificates, but overall, we were disappointed.
Sunday morning Rick and Art headed out for the Wildrose Canyon area and everyone else packed up and headed for home.
A great time (despite frustrations) was had by all!
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