Directions

Ptk wrote: It's hillybobs like the last two posters that keep this forum empty.

Well that's not very pleasant. My post was not directed towards you. I found another forum member's comment to be amusing and I replied. As the OP you don't have exclusive use of the thread. This is a community and we all have the right to speak civilly among ourselves.

You were given good directions and plenty of sage advise. Far better than you would get posting at some place like Pirate 4x4.

BTW this forum is not empty, it just has a new format. DV Talk has been around for quite a spell and has seen substantial traffic at times. I'd like to see it do well.

Maybe someday we'll run into each other at PSR. I'll buy you a beer and you can explain to me what a hillybob is.

Cheers

Thanks for the feedback.

I still have an irritating rattle and two mystery bolts that fell out from under my dash from our 2008 trip down Lippincott and out South pass ... :-/

The worst part of the road is along the floor of Saline Valley. The washboards will kill just about anything short of $200 a piece shocks, and rattle half the bolts in your vehicle loose. I have not seen worse washboards anywhere in the park. It's about 20 miles long for this section of the road.

A few years ago, I went halfway out to Saline with a friend. He was driving. I kept telling him to slow down, as he was going about 20 mph. By the time we got to the Salt Tram, the shocks were blown on all four corners. OF course, then he let me drive!

Unless your Wrangle is built, take it far slower than you think you should. My XJ is very well built, and I'd still take it slow on Saline Valley Rd. If they've recently graded it, you'll face a huge amount of sharp rocks., waiting to eat a tire. If they haven't, the washboards are hungry for more shocks.

Yes, all sorts of people have taken all sorts of vehicles to the springs. I get that. Myself, I error on the side of caution, because I really don't want to give Miller's $1500 or more to tow me out.

Conditions change significantly through the year. Once the snow hit, South Pass may become impassible, mostly because Grapevine Canyon is on the north side of the mountain, and the ice becomes treacherous. If a storm comes through, the valley floor is susceptible to significant washouts. Not trying to discourage you, but rather make you aware of the risk potential.

David Bricker / SYR

Thanks for the helpful response Q.
I was nor aware of the SV Forum.
Concerning the "bitch" segment of the road to SV, how many miles?
Thanks.
PTK

Thank you, Dave. I was going to just keep my mouth shut lest aggravate this thread. My intention, I thought, was stated at the outset of my post and not directed at the original inquirer.

Many of us at this forum and other DV themed forums have been here for a decade and two. Many of us live or have lived near Saline and Death Valley for far longer. Others have traveled and explored the region for a half century and longer. And some of us have found unfortunate victims and/or have been involved in their rescue/removal. Thus cautionary statements.

To the original inquirer, I apologize if my response offended you.