DV Turkey Run 2024: Nov 23-27

[OTG Ben]

@cedillor-3976 Thomas will be stoked to have Gregory's company!

 

[OTG Ben]

Hey folks,

I know quite a few of us will be driving down from NorCal on Friday. My plan is to leave the north bay by 1pm and start making my way south. Since We'll be meeting in Ridgecrest, I thought Trona Pinnacles would be a great place to camp. With stoppage, I'd estimate we'll probably get down there between 9-10pm.

 

[nckwltn]

Hey folks,

I know quite a few of us will be driving down from NorCal on Friday. My plan is to leave the north bay by 1pm and start making my way south. Since We'll be meeting in Ridgecrest, I thought Trona Pinnacles would be a great place to camp. With stoppage, I'd estimate we'll probably get down there between 9-10pm.

Trona itself could/would be a good place to top off fuel tanks at a reasonable price as well.

 

[schultzp-8939]

3 years ago, a bunch of stayed at the Fossil Falls Campground --- just north if the Hwy 395/14 junction and right off the highway. There was plenty of space for any group size. Maybe that would be a good target again?

 

[OTG Ben]

Trona itself could/would be a good place to top off fuel tanks at a reasonable price as well.

Any idea if there's cell service there? The only reason I picked ridgecrest to meet is because it's a larger city.

 

[nckwltn]

Any idea if there's cell service there? The only reason I picked ridgecrest to meet is because it's a larger city.

Trona has cell coverage (pretty sure). Trona Pinnacles likely doesn't have coverage.

It also looks like there is quite a bit of BLM land east of Ridgecrest, so if not camping at the pinnacles, there is certainly somewhere that would work.

I do like ridge crest for a McDonald's breakfast, but Trona for topping off fuel. Trona has little to no food options

 

[Rfeustel]

Has the meeting point in Ridgecrest been decided?

 

[OTG Ben]

I'll be posting up the GPX file by tomorrow and will figure out the meeting location. We may possibly meet in the small town of Trona, which is closer to Trona Pinnacles where many of us will be camping on Friday night.

 

[voiss_v3-6866]

Death Valley NP website under "Unpaved/Backcountry Roads" indicates the northern end of Westside Road is closed to all traffic.

Alerts & Conditions - Death Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

www.nps.gov

 

[OTG Ben]

@voiss_v3-6866

It looks like we'll end up looping around badwater basin from the south and via the pavement. I'm going to call DVNP at some point today to get some more intel just to confirm this is indeed an official closure and not a recommendation for vehicles that aren't "high clearance". I assume it is closed, but no harm in calling

 

[OTG Ben]

My plan is to camp at Trona Pinnacles. Having never visited, I don't have a go to place to camp. Anyone have any recommendations? Anyone else planning to camp with us at Trona? I'll be arriving sometime after 9pm most likely.

 

[nckwltn]

I'm not sure yet where we are going to camp. my kids have a birthday party that is going to go until 8. I'm only 2-3 hrs from Trona Pinnacles, so we will be getting in late for sure... or we might end up stopping nearer to Ridgecrest and will make the final drive in the AM.

 

[camtnbiker]

We will be staying in Ridgecrest and heading out to Trona in the AM. We plan on leaving the bay by 900AM on Friday.

 

[cedillor-3976]

I am planning to stay in Ridgecrest Friday night and drive to Trona in the morning. It's like 30 minutes drive. We are 4, my wife, me and my two kids.

 

[camtnbiker]

I am planning to stay in Ridgecrest Friday night and drive to Trona in the morning. It's like 30 minutes drive. We are 4, my wife, me and my two kids.

Looking forward to seeing you again and meeting the family

 

[ronaldre-697]

I plan to leave the Bay Area early tomorrow at 7 a.m. I will make my way to Trona Pinnacles and perhaps arrive before dark.

 

[OTG Ben]

@ronaldre-697 Are you planning to camp with us in Trona Pinnacles? Ben Sullivan is leaving Petaluma around 9am and I'm heading out from Novato around 1pm, but if you get there first, it would be awesome if you posted your coordinates in this thread so people know where to camp.

 

[Rfeustel]

Curious about camping at Trona Pinnacles - are folks going to the side with the toilet, or the back side with the view (and wind?)?
I'm still figuring out whether Max and I are camping or staying in Ridgecrest the first night.

 

[ronaldre-697]

@ronaldre-697 Are you planning to camp with us in Trona Pinnacles? Ben Sullivan is leaving Petaluma around 9am and I'm heading out from Novato around 1pm, but if you get there first, it would be awesome if you posted your coordinates in this thread so people know where to camp.

I will do once I get there.

 

[ronaldre-697]

Curious about camping at Trona Pinnacles - are folks going to the side with the toilet, or the back side with the view (and wind?)?
I'm still figuring out whether Max and I are camping or staying in Ridgecrest the first night.

I have never been there. Once I get there, I will look for available camp spots and report back.