We continued climbing through the Argus Range toward the Defense Mine. At the entrance to the mine, our GPS registered 3,800 feet, a far cry from the 1,370 feet where we had started the day. The trail leader gave the group plenty of time to explore the mine and its vast array of tunnels. Originally worked as a tungsten mine during World War II, the Defense Mine contains numerous tunnels spread out over three different levels. In this day of airbags and guardrails, we found it exciting to peer through the darkness and climb the ladders found throughout the mine.
Once everyone had thoroughly explored the various shafts, the group descended from the mine and headed toward camp. While the majority of the vehicles returned via the route they had arrived, a few well-prepared rigs veered off toward Cummins Cutoff. It seems that Barry Cummins had recently rediscovered this difficult wash while using his GPS and mapping software during a PVD prerun excursion. All those who attempted Cummins Cutoff appreciated Barry's keen orienteering skills as they bumped and scraped their way up the dry wash.
For those who can never get enough, Sunday offered shorter trail rides that were completed by noon. Unfortunately, looming deadlines and a long drive home pulled us away from Panamint Valley sooner than we would have liked. In fact, the only complaint that we had with Panamint Valley Days was that there wasn't enough time to see everything. We're already planning to return this year to explore the ruins of Ballarat Ghost Town and take in the views of Death Valley from high atop Aguereberry Point. With friendly and knowledgeable trail leaders and support for such a great cause, how could we resist?
Tips The desert can be a harsh environment, where services are few and far between. The following tips will help ensure that you are prepared for whatever awaits.
Vehicle/Safety Inspection All Cal4Wheel events involve a safety inspection, where the trail crew checks for items such as a first-aid kit, a fire extinguisher, a fullsize spare, a jack, and seatbelts for all occupants. It's a good idea to get in the habit of carrying these items in your vehicle at all times, especially in the desert. Also, perform a maintenance inspection before leaving town, paying particular attention to the cooling system.
Traveling Don't travel alone. It's often miles from popular destinations to the nearest paved road, much less the nearest town. Cell-phone service is spotty at best out in Panamint Valley, so make it a habit to always travel with a friend.
Tow Points Having a friend along is nice, but without the extraction gear and tow points to assist your vehicle, you might end up riding home in his passenger seat. Make sure every vehicle has tow hooks front and rear, along with at least one strap or winch among the group.
Dress In Layers Temperatures can range from blistering hot in the direct sunlight of the valley floor to freezing in the shade in the higher valleys, particularly in an open-top Jeep. Drastic variations can occur in the same day, regardless of the time of year. Layered clothing will allow you to regulate your temperature to whatever the conditions warrant.
Flooding Most of the trails in the Panamint area travel up washes, so it's important to monitor weather conditions, as they can change rapidly. If it does start to rain, head to higher ground as soon as possible. Also, keep potential water channels in mind when choosing a spot to camp.
Water It is a good rule of thumb to allow 1 gallon of drinking water per person per day in the desert. The extra water can also come in handy if your vehicle has any cooling issues. To conserve space, we like to freeze gallon jugs of water and store them in our ice chest to both keep food cold and provide drinking water as they melt.