1. Welcome to 4Runners.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all 4Runner discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other 4Runner owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Death Valley 2022

Discussion in 'Off-Roading & Trails' started by RedRunner87, May 22, 2022.

  1. May 22, 2022 at 11:49 AM
    #1
    RedRunner87

    RedRunner87 [OP] Mall Crawler LVL Expert

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2016
    Member:
    #1586
    Messages:
    957
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Vince
    The Springs, CO
    Vehicle:
    16 4Runner SR5
    Death Valley 2022
    Day 0

    Day 0 was the meet up day. The whole group was arriving from different areas, 2 from Arizona and the rest from all over Colorado. Since it was such a long day we figured we would meet up right outside of Las Vegas, so we could get an early jump on getting in Death Valley on Day 1

    The trip started with a 13 hour drive for me!
    [​IMG]Untitled by Red Runner, on Flickr

    Saw this cool lifted Rav4 though
    [​IMG]Untitled by Red Runner, on Flickr

    Some random views from the trip out West

    [​IMG]Untitled by Red Runner, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by Red Runner, on Flickr

    Made it to Utah!
    [​IMG]Untitled by Red Runner, on Flickr

    The traffic outside of was unreal. I did not expect this much traffic, we ended up having to detour through a small town due to the highway closure
    [​IMG]Untitled by Red Runner, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by Red Runner, on Flickr

    Las Vegas!!!
    [​IMG]Untitled by Red Runner, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by Red Runner, on Flickr

    Camp
    [​IMG]Untitled by Red Runner, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by Red Runner, on Flickr
     
    standard, Spare Parts and Dabigono like this.
  2. May 22, 2022 at 11:59 AM
    #2
    RedRunner87

    RedRunner87 [OP] Mall Crawler LVL Expert

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2016
    Member:
    #1586
    Messages:
    957
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Vince
    The Springs, CO
    Vehicle:
    16 4Runner SR5
    Death Valley 2022
    Day 1

    Day 1 was a pretty easy day. Mostly just dirt desert roads, hit up Bad Water Basin and some of the other tourist traps.

    The crew is ready to go!
    [​IMG]IMG_9479 by Red Runner, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by Red Runner, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by Red Runner, on Flickr

    Welcome to Death Vally National Park!
    [​IMG]Untitled by Red Runner, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by Red Runner, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by Red Runner, on Flickr

    Pretending I had a long travel truck lol
    [​IMG]Untitled by Red Runner, on Flickr

    [​IMG]Untitled by Red Runner, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_9481 by Red Runner, on Flickr

    You can barely see the "Sea Level" sign up there
    [​IMG]Untitled by Red Runner, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by Red Runner, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by Red Runner, on Flickr

    It was a little toasty down there
    [​IMG]Untitled by Red Runner, on Flickr

    A little weight savings
    [​IMG]Untitled by Red Runner, on Flickr

    Some other stops along the way
    [​IMG]Untitled by Red Runner, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by Red Runner, on Flickr

    Camp for the night
    [​IMG]Untitled by Red Runner, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by Red Runner, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by Red Runner, on Flickr
     
    ESCT4R, SlvrSlug, Spare Parts and 2 others like this.
  3. May 22, 2022 at 12:13 PM
    #3
    2Toys

    2Toys Imperial Star Cruiser

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2020
    Member:
    #15337
    Messages:
    1,080
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Gordon
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    2019 4Runner TRDORP
    a few goodies
    Nice pictures Vince! I'm curious, how recent was this trip?
     
  4. May 22, 2022 at 12:23 PM
    #4
    RedRunner87

    RedRunner87 [OP] Mall Crawler LVL Expert

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2016
    Member:
    #1586
    Messages:
    957
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Vince
    The Springs, CO
    Vehicle:
    16 4Runner SR5
    Beginning of April
     
  5. May 22, 2022 at 12:29 PM
    #5
    2Toys

    2Toys Imperial Star Cruiser

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2020
    Member:
    #15337
    Messages:
    1,080
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Gordon
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    2019 4Runner TRDORP
    a few goodies
    I was wondering because of the 102 degree temperature showing on your dash display. Some of the most brutal temperatures on earth are in Death Valley, as I am sure you know. Thanks for posting.
     
  6. May 22, 2022 at 12:32 PM
    #6
    RedRunner87

    RedRunner87 [OP] Mall Crawler LVL Expert

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2016
    Member:
    #1586
    Messages:
    957
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Vince
    The Springs, CO
    Vehicle:
    16 4Runner SR5
    That's why we went pretty early. My buddy lives in Phoenix and I used to, we know all about trying to beat the heat. Most of the trip was mid 70's, but 102 at -283 feet! Definitely don't miss those temps
     
    2Toys[QUOTED] likes this.
  7. May 23, 2022 at 5:16 AM
    #7
    mousemeat

    mousemeat New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2020
    Member:
    #17209
    Messages:
    1,184
    Gender:
    Male
    Memphis, TN.
    Vehicle:
    1997 4 runner limited
    upgraded suspension, large all terrain tires
    great pics....really enjoyed 'em...and that heat....certainly, the sizzle...and not the steak...lol
     
  8. May 23, 2022 at 8:18 AM
    #8
    Spare Parts

    Spare Parts New Member

    Joined:
    May 13, 2020
    Member:
    #14274
    Messages:
    2,317
    Gender:
    Male
    Southern Maine
    Vehicle:
    22 LR ORP
    Sherpa Crestone. 4X Innovations Sliders
    I drove Thru Death Valley in 2020, thankfully it was at sunset, and I don't remember what the temp was when we entered, but I remember it being scary hot, and dropped like 40 degrees by the time we got out.
    This looks like a cool trip, I can not wait to get back out west.
     
  9. May 23, 2022 at 3:25 PM
    #9
    RedRunner87

    RedRunner87 [OP] Mall Crawler LVL Expert

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2016
    Member:
    #1586
    Messages:
    957
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Vince
    The Springs, CO
    Vehicle:
    16 4Runner SR5
    Death Valley 2022
    Day 2


    Off for another day of adventure!

    [​IMG]IMG_9489 by Red Runner, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by RedRunner_87, on Flickr

    Cool little stop

    [​IMG]IMG_9493 by Red Runner, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_9492 by Red Runner, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_9494 by Red Runner, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_9495 by Red Runner, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_9498 by Red Runner, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_9500 by Red Runner, on Flickr

    [​IMG]Untitled by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_9506 by Red Runner, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_9507 by Red Runner, on Flickr

    [​IMG]IMG_9512 by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_9513 by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_9514 by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_9516 by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_9518 by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
     
    Dabigono, 2Toys and Spare Parts like this.
  10. May 23, 2022 at 3:27 PM
    #10
    RedRunner87

    RedRunner87 [OP] Mall Crawler LVL Expert

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2016
    Member:
    #1586
    Messages:
    957
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Vince
    The Springs, CO
    Vehicle:
    16 4Runner SR5
  11. May 23, 2022 at 3:29 PM
    #11
    RedRunner87

    RedRunner87 [OP] Mall Crawler LVL Expert

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2016
    Member:
    #1586
    Messages:
    957
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Vince
    The Springs, CO
    Vehicle:
    16 4Runner SR5
    I am not used to the heat anymore!

    We definitely went early to avoid that scary heat. It is definitely some where you don't want to be caught out in that heat or without gas. The park is so big with such limited gas stops. It was definitely a concern of ours.
     
  12. May 26, 2022 at 6:23 PM
    #12
    RedRunner87

    RedRunner87 [OP] Mall Crawler LVL Expert

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2016
    Member:
    #1586
    Messages:
    957
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Vince
    The Springs, CO
    Vehicle:
    16 4Runner SR5
    Death Valley 2022
    Day 3


    This was a fun day of chasing storms and sight seeing

    [​IMG]IMG_9535 by RedRunner_87, on Flickr

    [​IMG]Untitled by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by RedRunner_87, on Flickr

    [​IMG]IMG_9536 by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_9541 by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_9542 by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_9545 by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_9546 by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_9548 by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_9549 by RedRunner_87, on Flickr


    [​IMG]Untitled by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
     
    2Toys likes this.
  13. May 26, 2022 at 6:24 PM
    #13
    RedRunner87

    RedRunner87 [OP] Mall Crawler LVL Expert

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2016
    Member:
    #1586
    Messages:
    957
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Vince
    The Springs, CO
    Vehicle:
    16 4Runner SR5
    2Toys likes this.
  14. May 27, 2022 at 11:26 AM
    #14
    PhantomTweak

    PhantomTweak New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2019
    Member:
    #12402
    Messages:
    1,200
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Patrick
    OREGON
    Vehicle:
    1999 4Runner, bone stock
    None. Bone Stock. EXCEPT: Brushguard, tow hitch, both welded to the frame. It's good to have friends and a fully equipped garage!
    51995232978_f4c319732c_k.jpg

    This picture ^^^^ is a perfect example of why I hated Yuma, Az. from the day I got stationed there. A miserable, hot, dry, sandy, dusty place, and that's in winter. Where every living thing, what few there are, is poisonous, has spines, bites, stings, or some other method of causing humans pain. Or any given combination of them.
    500 miles of beach in every direction. No ocean, but tons of beach...
    Heck, the only watercourses are dry-washes, and on the rare occaision it rains, they instantly flash flood.

    Sorry. Carry on.
    Pat☺
     
  15. May 27, 2022 at 11:55 AM
    #15
    nonuniform

    nonuniform New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2021
    Member:
    #22267
    Messages:
    321
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2021 TRD OR
    Did you go out Lippincott Rd from the Racetrack? Curious to know how it is these days.
     
  16. May 27, 2022 at 12:15 PM
    #16
    Bodie the Dog

    Bodie the Dog New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2019
    Member:
    #11975
    Messages:
    393
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2016 4runner TEP, 1994 SR5
    Toytec 3/2 lift, Shrockworks sliders, Shrockworks rear bumper, ARB diff mod, 8 pod RGB LED's, RCI steel front skids, Big Sky katana rack, Reese roof rack
    I used to have a website devoted to Tea Kettle Junction. Here's a photo someone sent me, circa 2003:

    monuments.jpg
     
  17. May 27, 2022 at 4:56 PM
    #17
    RedRunner87

    RedRunner87 [OP] Mall Crawler LVL Expert

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2016
    Member:
    #1586
    Messages:
    957
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Vince
    The Springs, CO
    Vehicle:
    16 4Runner SR5
    I totally get it. I grew up in the high desert of CA and then lived in Phoenix. However now living in Colorado, I do appreciate the beauty of the desert. Hated it when I lived there.

    We did. Racetrack is absolutely brutal. So rough.

    Haha that if funny! They must clean it up every so often. The oldest tea kettle we saw was a couple months old.
     
    Bodie the Dog[QUOTED] likes this.
  18. May 27, 2022 at 5:52 PM
    #18
    Bodie the Dog

    Bodie the Dog New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2019
    Member:
    #11975
    Messages:
    393
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2016 4runner TEP, 1994 SR5
    Toytec 3/2 lift, Shrockworks sliders, Shrockworks rear bumper, ARB diff mod, 8 pod RGB LED's, RCI steel front skids, Big Sky katana rack, Reese roof rack
    I documented it from 1999 - 2003, and yes, periodically most of them would disappear. Except nobody ever claimed responsibility. The number increased and decreased. Then circa 2003, after a complete purge of all tea kettles, someone found them down at Burro Schmidt's Cabin, which had recently been taken over by the Bureau of Land Management, so one theory is that BLM staff were involved. The BLM has done some stupid things down there, so it wouldn't surprise me they would just clean it up instead of having to file paperwork. Plus, actually, they were accumulating really quickly, it could turn into a trash pile. Here's my 2nd gen in 2002:

    btea kettle02.jpg
     
  19. May 28, 2022 at 9:09 AM
    #19
    RedRunner87

    RedRunner87 [OP] Mall Crawler LVL Expert

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2016
    Member:
    #1586
    Messages:
    957
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Vince
    The Springs, CO
    Vehicle:
    16 4Runner SR5
    That is interesting information. We assumed the Parks Service cleaned them up every so often. My buddy who organized the trip was in Death Valley not to long before our trip and he said he didn't recognize any of the tea kettles.
     
    Bodie the Dog[QUOTED] likes this.
  20. May 28, 2022 at 9:20 AM
    #20
    RedRunner87

    RedRunner87 [OP] Mall Crawler LVL Expert

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2016
    Member:
    #1586
    Messages:
    957
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Vince
    The Springs, CO
    Vehicle:
    16 4Runner SR5
    Death Valley 2022
    Day 4


    On this day we hit the Dunes and Steele Pass. Steele Pass was definitely an adventure. Unfortunately most of the shots taken were video, so I will have to edit them all together. When I do it will be posted here.

    [​IMG]Untitled by RedRunner_87, on Flickr

    [​IMG]Untitled by RedRunner_87, on Flickr

    Movie Road!
    [​IMG]Untitled by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by RedRunner_87, on Flickr

    [​IMG]Untitled by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by RedRunner_87, on Flickr

    [​IMG]IMG_9565 by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_9566 by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_9567 by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_9568 by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_9569 by RedRunner_87, on Flickr

    Steele Pass. We ended up having to winch the Colorado out when he got his awning hung up on the canyon wall.

    [​IMG]IMG_2268 by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_2267 by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]20220329_153422 by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
     
  21. May 28, 2022 at 9:21 AM
    #21
    RedRunner87

    RedRunner87 [OP] Mall Crawler LVL Expert

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2016
    Member:
    #1586
    Messages:
    957
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Vince
    The Springs, CO
    Vehicle:
    16 4Runner SR5
    2Toys and Bodie the Dog like this.
  22. May 28, 2022 at 12:12 PM
    #22
    Bodie the Dog

    Bodie the Dog New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2019
    Member:
    #11975
    Messages:
    393
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2016 4runner TEP, 1994 SR5
    Toytec 3/2 lift, Shrockworks sliders, Shrockworks rear bumper, ARB diff mod, 8 pod RGB LED's, RCI steel front skids, Big Sky katana rack, Reese roof rack
    Parts of Saline Valley, Hunter Mountain, and Lee Flat are BLM property, so sometimes they'll visit. This one guy, Dave Bremer (last name?) was infamous for showing up at people's campfires in the middle of the evening, walking up without a light to surprise them. He got busted once for driving across a wilderness area to cite people for camping illegally. Only they were legal, big lol. BLM agents have huge territories, so one officer can become very famous/infamous. And yeah, Steele Pass/Dedeckera Canyon does have some narrow spots, lol. People have rolled their trucks at the staircase.

    upload_2022-5-28_12-12-3.jpg
     
    standard, RedRunner87[OP] and 2Toys like this.
  23. May 28, 2022 at 5:43 PM
    #23
    RedRunner87

    RedRunner87 [OP] Mall Crawler LVL Expert

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2016
    Member:
    #1586
    Messages:
    957
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Vince
    The Springs, CO
    Vehicle:
    16 4Runner SR5
    Wow that is crazy! Doesn't surprise me he became infamous with actions like that. That is a killer picture of the 2nd gen. The staircase is definitely a pretty technical section. Wrong move and you can be in a very bad spot. Luckily we had a winch and were able to get the Colorado out.
     
  24. May 29, 2022 at 11:55 AM
    #24
    nonuniform

    nonuniform New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2021
    Member:
    #22267
    Messages:
    321
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2021 TRD OR
    Steele Pass is great! Love that trail. I've mainly done it from Eureka dunes to Saline Valley, looks like you did the reverse.
     
  25. Jun 2, 2022 at 4:59 PM
    #25
    RedRunner87

    RedRunner87 [OP] Mall Crawler LVL Expert

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2016
    Member:
    #1586
    Messages:
    957
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Vince
    The Springs, CO
    Vehicle:
    16 4Runner SR5
    Such a fun trail! Definitely intimidated a couple guys, but we made it through. Thanks to my Viper Cut I was the only one not to hit my front bumper.
     
  26. Jun 2, 2022 at 5:00 PM
    #26
    RedRunner87

    RedRunner87 [OP] Mall Crawler LVL Expert

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2016
    Member:
    #1586
    Messages:
    957
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Vince
    The Springs, CO
    Vehicle:
    16 4Runner SR5
    Death Valley 2022
    Day 5

    This was a relatively short day. We hit Star Wars Canyon and then Trona Pinnacles . Trona was an absolute crap show. So freaking windy there!

    [​IMG]Untitled by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_2308 by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]20220330_161330 by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]Untitled by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]PXL_20220331_014528602 by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]PXL_20220331_014537677 by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]PXL_20220331_014616110 by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
    [​IMG]IMG_2313 by RedRunner_87, on Flickr
     
    Bodie the Dog likes this.
  27. Jun 10, 2022 at 7:19 PM
    #27
    standard

    standard New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2022
    Member:
    #26512
    Messages:
    83
    Gender:
    Male
    Pacific Northwest
    Vehicle:
    1999 4Runner SR5 4WD
    stock so far, what could he possibly need
    Thanks for the images. I've been on some of those roads in the Man Van, a 2005 Chevrolet Uplander. Some of the jeeps that over take us look kind of sheepish. Now I'm working on a Gen3 4Runner so i can review the places that stopped the Chev. He's retired from travel now, work truck instead of a trekker, but he has 314000 miles and a ton of smiles. Hope I bump into you in the WINTERTIME.

    Regards,
     
  28. Jun 12, 2022 at 8:09 PM
    #28
    RedRunner87

    RedRunner87 [OP] Mall Crawler LVL Expert

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2016
    Member:
    #1586
    Messages:
    957
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Vince
    The Springs, CO
    Vehicle:
    16 4Runner SR5
    Your Gen3 Runner will do great! I am sure that van brought you a ton of smiles and adventures!
     

Products Discussed in

To Top