Seeking Input: Stuck in Butte Valley for two days ...

[TacoLand]

In today's episode of Seeking Input ... I wanted to open it up to the forum again to see if anyone had any thoughts on what they'd do if "stuck" in Butte Valley for two days with no mode of vehicular transportation.

I've been to Butte Valley once before and thought it was an amazing area. Drove in via Goler Canyon, checked out the cabins, spent the night near Geologist's, and then exited out Warm Spring the next day. This time I'll be going in & out via Warm Spring and plan on setting up camp at the same spot for two nights – and don't want to move the truck / camp – hence the "no" vehicular transportation.

I'm perfectly content to sit in a lawn chair for two days while I read a book and kick rocks for fun, but was curious if anyone thought there were any hikes or points of interest in the area worth checking out on foot. That includes, well, is Striped Butte worth hiking to the top of?

[Randy]

My wife and I stayed at the Geologist's cabin for a couple of nights several years ago and hiked over to Stella's and Russells Camp as well as over to Willow spring where we found some interesting ruins. Granted there are roads to all those places but walking is good for the body and soul and gave us a better perspective of the valley. The old mining ruins over by Hatchet spring are cool to check out too and again you can drive there if you choose to.

[GowerGulch42]

There's a lot of fun stuff to check out. Lots of old mining stuff up Gold Hill, and definitely head over to Arrastre Spring. I won't post publicly what's there but it's certainly worth your time! The western edge of Butte Valley has a lot of fun stuff too, and Manly Peak is a lovely area.

[TacoLand]

Hey Randy, thanks for weighing in. I've checked out Stella's/Mengel's cabin before and will be revisiting it for sure during a walking loop to Geologist's. I somehow missed Russell Camp when I was there though. Is that above / to the west of Stella's? I've also got "Stone House" on my list of items I missed last time.

I actually camp/ed over near Hatchet Spring. I like dipping into spots like Geologist's to check out personally, but I don't like setting up camp on a destination that other people are wanting to visit.

Thanks for the heads up, Gower ... got a feeling I know what you're referencing and I'll hike up to the spring on the way out if I can. Might try to summit Manly Peak as well on my second day if the legs are feeling up to it.

[bbbb]

Being "stuck" in Butte Valley for two days sounds like a good problem to have. I've never been there but watching this thread as well for ideas. If you have a second to comment on road conditions when you get back, taco, would love to hear about it.

[TacoLand]

For sure ... getting to spend a week in Death Valley is the pinnacle of privilege in my book. I just put a note on my calendar to post road conditions when I get back. Based upon what I saw in 2019 though coming in via Warm Spring Canyon is easily doable in anything with high-clearance, no 4WD necessary. Or were you interested in Goler Canyon / Mengel Pass info?

[bbbb]

For sure ... getting to spend a week in Death Valley is the pinnacle of privilege in my book. I just put a note on my calendar to post road conditions when I get back. Based upon what I saw in 2019 though coming in via Warm Spring Canyon is easily doable in anything with high-clearance, no 4WD necessary. Or were you interested in Goler Canyon / Mengel Pass info?

I would like to see the Warm Springs area and get into Butte Valley. (I don't think Goler / Mengel is an option until I pony up for a rental jeep one day.) I don't think I'd have a problem with ditching a rental car somewhere along Warm Springs Canyon Rd. and hiking in either. Just curious as to how far I can expect to get.

[David_Bricker]

I would like to see the Warm Springs area and get into Butte Valley. (I don't think Goler / Mengel is an option until I pony up for a rental jeep one day.) I don't think I'd have a problem with ditching a rental car somewhere along Warm Springs Canyon Rd. and hiking in either. Just curious as to how far I can expect to get.

You should be able to get to the talc mines in a rental car, though any dirt will violate the rental contract.  Warm Springs Rd. is wide and pretty smooth.  Very shortly after you pass the mine buildings, the road deteriorates significantly.

David Bricker / SYR

[TacoLand]

What David said ... Warm Springs Road is usually a breeze to at least the buildings, but I'll make sure to report back if the Park got bored and installed an X Games dirt jump segment. On our way out I ran into an old desert rat in a beater van that was slowly working his way up the road past the buildings without any issues. Just taking it nice and slow.

I will also say that unless you're really familiar & comfortable with 4wd'ing I would highly recommend NOT doing Goler / Mengel in a rental jeep. Just because you have the tool doesn't mean you're going to have a good time. On my only trip through I had to do a little problem solving, had some fun off camber stuff that I learned after the fact scared my passenger, and ran into a lifted pickup coming back out before reaching the cabins because the driver was too nervous to go any further.

I had a blast, but ... I'm also an idiot.

[Candace66]

Ah yes, the road over Mengel Pass.

It's been a few years, but I drove from Butte Valley to Panamint Valley once.  I was in my upgraded Nissan Xterra with a modest lift, off-road tires, steel front bumper/bullbar, and heavy-duty upgraded skid plates & rock sliders.  Just me, no spotter, and it was hairy on the "rock garden."

I definitely wouldn't recommend a solo trip in a Farrabee Jeep.

XterraMengelPass9Nov2010 by Candace66, on Flickr