So since there are a few Death Valley fans on this forum I will throw out my proposed route around this remote park and maybe you can give me some ideas on what I may want to see or not along the way.
Thanks to the wonderful software of Mapsource and 24K topos of all of California I have been able to accurately project miles and pick routes.
So as it is it will go something like this:
Day 1:
Begin the hike at Saratoga Springs and go North East exploring Saratoga, White Cap, Superior & Pogo Mines. Cross Old Ibex Pass and continue up to Ibex Spring
Day 2:
Spend the whole day exploring Moorehouse, Pleasanton, Monarch & Rob Roy Mines
Day 3:
Cross over a ridge near Moorehouse Mine and cross Buckwheat Wash to explore Ibex Mine, head NE to explore Rusty Pick Mine, continue NE up Buckwheat Wash and navigate over the hills until I enter Confidence Wash
Day 4:
Hike out of Confidence Wash and head North West across open country to some where past Shoreline Butte.
Day 5:
Continue North and enter Anvil Spring Canyon and camp at Mequite Spring
Day 6:
Exit Anvil Spring Canyon at Willow Spring, proceed across Butte Valley and enter Redlands Canyon
Camp at Redland Spring
Day 7:
Exit Redland Canyon, move north in Panamint Valley, go east up Panamints near South Park Canyon, camp at Suitcase Mine
Day 8:
Explore Thorndike Mine, cross into Middle Park and over the ridge to camp at Cooper Mine
Day 9:
Enter Pleasant Canyon and explore World Beater & Radcliffe Mines, visit Clair Camp, Camp at Goldbug Mine.
Day 10:
Head down Middle Park Canyon road
Stop by Post Office Spring or Ballarat for water.
Enter & Camp in Happy Canyon
Day 11:
Take the Left fork up to the top of the ridge and camp at Hudson River Mine.
Day 12:
Explore Hemlock Mine
Drop to Panamint City
Expore Wyoming Mine and other things in area
Day 13:
Enter Sourdough Canyon
Follow trail up to it's end at 8500 Feet
begin up ridge line
Camp at the best first spot I find.
Day 14:
Follow ridge and summit Telescope Peak
Drop off East face into Hanaupah Canyon
Day 15:
Exit Hanaupah and procede NE toward Furnace Creek
Camp at Sea Level (for legal purposes)
Day 16:
Hike to Furnace Creek
Total trip 154 miles.
I still need to explore cache locations and research if the spring just West of the road to Goldbug Mine has water. I also need to look further into this problem that when I exit Redland Canyon I will be right in the middle of the Briggs minning operation. I don't think they will be happy about me tromping through their private property violating their liability.
I think I will probably just do it anyway and if anyone sees me which i'm sure they will they can give me a ride off the property unless they want to have me arrested lol. Looking at the map there is no decent route around their property.
I will try and stay light weight and not bring a tent but a tarp of some kind will be a must to sleep on especially when I am sleeping on snow.
I painted a line in yellow and red on these maps of my route:
Route Map 1 Route Map 2 Route Map 3 Route Map 4 Route Map 5 Route Map 6 Route Map 7 Route Map 8 Route Map 9 & 11 Route Map 10 Route Map 12 & 14 Route Map 13 Route Map 15 Route Map 16
