Author Topic: Death Valley rally November 4-11 2018 (Read 13637 times)

UTTransplant · « **on:** February 23, 2018, 04:58:11 PM »

Kevin and I just love Death Valley, and we have been lucky enough to get there during the 49ers Encampment for the last two years. I am organizing a RVForum rally for others interested. The camping area has no hookups, though central water and sewer dump are available. Price for the campground (Sunset) is $14/night or $7 with a senior pass. The average temps at this time of year are about 80 as a high and 45-50 as a low. However we have been there with temps in the 90s and lows around 40 (not at the same time though!). Generator hours are generous. As for activities there will be lots and lots of music, chataqua presentations by historical re-enactors, some primitive road adventures (mostly suitable for SUVs), gorgeous views, an art show, vendors, etc. Rally attendees will get together each day for a Happy Hour at our campsite with our propane fire pit (no wood or charcoal fires allowed). The website for the 49ers can be found at http://www.deathvalley49ers.org/ While you don’t have to join, I highly encourage attendees to do so. They do a lot of good with the money through grants to the park and scholarships.

Please reply to this message if you are interested.

shorts · « **Reply #1 on:** February 24, 2018, 09:03:02 AM »

We don’t quite have our route planned out yet other than knowing we want to do Quartzite in January but this sounds really interesting. We could probably put it on our schedule and then find other things in the area to check out before we head to Arizona

Vicki

UTTransplant · « **Reply #2 on:** February 24, 2018, 10:28:51 AM »

Even if it just comes up with two rigs, I will go ahead and put it on the calendar as a rally. Look for more information and a sign up in the next few hours.

jackiemac · « **Reply #3 on:** February 24, 2018, 10:32:47 AM »

We leave the US on 31st October and had considered extending our stay to include the 49ers but it means delaying our arrival next year so decided against it. We will definitely visit Death Valley again as it is just fantastic. There is a Facebook group dedicated to Death Valley and it is definitely giving us some ideas of places to go that we haven't seen yet. We met a couple last year that go to this rally every year and love it.

Larry N. · « **Reply #4 on:** February 24, 2018, 11:20:13 AM »

We're looking at it, but it may be a while before a decision is made -- sounds very interesting, however.

UTTransplant · « **Reply #5 on:** February 24, 2018, 12:41:58 PM »

Quote from: Larry N. on February 24, 2018, 11:20:13 AM

We're looking at it, but it may be a while before a decision is made -- sounds very interesting, however.

Bring your guitar Larry! There are some nice opportunities for musicians.

SeilerBird · « **Reply #6 on:** February 24, 2018, 12:55:32 PM »

I am jealous, I love Death Valley and would love to attend but it is way too far away from me and my RV is now stationary. I will be thinking of you lucky people.

Old_Crow · « **Reply #7 on:** February 24, 2018, 02:25:39 PM »

Hmm, we'll be hosting near Bishop, Ca, so only like 178 miles away. Not sure yet when the campground closes, but I would think somewhere around the 1st of November. Might just mosey that way.
Not planning anything this far out. Did that last year and changed every single plan we made...twice.

Lou Schneider · « **Reply #8 on:** February 24, 2018, 05:35:19 PM »

I generally don't plan that far ahead

but since my winter digs are nearby in Pahrump, there's a good chance I'll be able to wander over!

I almost went to the 49er Encampment this year, but when I made a day trip in late September to view a presentation at the Visitor's Center about the Scotty's Castle flood recovery, Furnace Creek Ranch and the Inn were completely torn up by construction and the rangers weren't sure Sunset Campground would open at all this year except for the contracted week of the Encampment.

Things should be back to normal by November, although at this point it looks like Scotty's Castle and maybe Mesquite Campground in the northern part of the park will remain closed until 2020.

Seon · « **Reply #9 on:** February 24, 2018, 08:19:11 PM »

It sure sounds interesting. Got to talk to the wife if she'd be interested.

Wendy · « **Reply #10 on:** February 25, 2018, 04:10:20 PM »

We haven’t starting planning that far out but we’ll keep an eye on those dates.

Wendy & Mike, former DEVA employees

P.s. Scotty’s won’t reopen until 2020 at the earliest but they are doing weekend Scottys Castle Flood Recovery Tours and the tour is WELL worth the cost.

Steve N Dee · « **Reply #11 on:** March 04, 2018, 02:29:34 PM »

Pam:
This looks really promising for us. I am already off work that week. Death Valley has been a bucket list place for me. Although we live in So Cal, we have never been to Death Valley. It would be great to see you guys again after meeting you at the Yosemite Rally last May. After tax season, I will be able to firm things up. Hope it works out. Thanks for organizing this!

Steve

UTTransplant · « **Reply #12 on:** March 05, 2018, 04:46:52 PM »

We are in the process of selling a house in Utah, buying a house in Iowa, and ordering a motorhome. I am therefore delinquent in summarizing status. I know most haven’t really decided, but having a list keeps me organized. I will update this list with adds, confirms, and deletes. If there is any data to update, either PM me or post it here.

Current attendee status:
Pam and Kevin Stalnaker UTTransplant Utah (but soon to be Iowa) Confirmed
Vicki and Mark Shorter shorts Full timers somewhere Maybe
Larry and Maryanne N. Larry N. Westminster, CO Maybe
Wally Crow. Old_Crow Maybe
Lou Schneider. Lou Schneider Pahrump, NV Maybe
Wendy and Mike Wendy. Maybe
Steve and Dee. Steve N Dee. Burbank, CA Maybe

cadee2c · « **Reply #13 on:** March 06, 2018, 10:00:34 PM »

Put Bob and I down as a definitely a probability, possibly, maybe. Ive always wanted to see Death Valley, so I will put it on the calendar.

InVogue · « **Reply #14 on:** March 07, 2018, 03:29:25 PM »

We have always wanted to do the 49'er encampment....so I guess putting Burnetta and I(Dwight from Ventura, Ca) down as maybe's can't hurt. I'm sitting here thinking what do I have going on in November...nothing is coming to mind. LOL

UTTransplant · « **Reply #15 on:** March 07, 2018, 04:11:29 PM »

Since I can’t seem to edit the last attendee post, I will just update in a new post. Current status is
Current attendee status:
Pam and Kevin Stalnaker UTTransplant Utah (but soon to be Iowa) Confirmed
Vicki and Mark Shorter shorts Full timers somewhere Maybe
Larry and Mary Ann N. Larry N. Westminster, CO Maybe
Wally Crow. Old_Crow Maybe
Lou Schneider. Lou Schneider Pahrump, NV Maybe
Wendy and Mike Wendy. Maybe
Steve and Dee Steve N Dee. Burbank, CA Maybe
Caryl and Bob Cadee2c Fulltimers somewhere Probable
Burnetta and Dwight InVogue Ventura, CA Probable
Bill and friend photog Maybe

Photog · « **Reply #16 on:** March 08, 2018, 09:49:58 AM »

I haven't been there in while. Put us down as a maybe.

Oscar Mike · « **Reply #17 on:** March 08, 2018, 04:15:10 PM »

Definite possibility of a firm maybe here too.

InVogue · « **Reply #18 on:** March 11, 2018, 10:51:23 PM »

Just wondering how early one should plan on arriving to secure a site. If the event starts on Nov 4th, would getting there a day or two early be good enough? Since we've never been and campgrounds are first come first serve....I'm sure it gets crowded and it looks like some Death Valley campgrounds will remain closed due to damage from flooding last year.

Wendy · « **Reply #19 on:** March 11, 2018, 11:35:31 PM »

The only campground that’s closed due to flood damage is Mesquite on the far north side of the park, and it should be open in the fall if not sooner. Years ago, all the campgrounds would fill up a week before the 49ers official dates but that’s not the case any more. Last year, Sunset campground had spaces the whole Encampment. Furnace Creek campground will be totally booked up with reservations days after the reservations open up.

UTTransplant · « **Reply #20 on:** March 12, 2018, 09:51:37 AM »

I understand the anxiousness of whether a spot will be available. We felt the same when we first came to the Encampment two years ago. However Sunset never fills. If the main part is full, they open up overflow areas. When those fill, they open up more! The place is absolutely huge, and even during busy Encampments (like 2 years ago) there were spots always available in the 4 or 5 overflow areas. Last year was much smaller with the uncertainties, and only two overflow areas were opened. The NPS campground with reservations (Furnace Creek) and the private campground with reservations (Fiddler’s) are probably already reserved, but there will be space in Sunset.

As for getting there early, Kevin and I will be arriving early, mostly because we love the place and partly to try to get a spot with enough space for folks to hang out. You really don’t need to come early to find a spot. Note that this isn’t like a rally where we will all be camped together. I bought a RV Forum flag at the Quartzsite rally so you will be able to find us. We will also post what site we are in when we get set up. I am sure we will be spread out through the campground, but that should be fine.

UTTransplant · « **Reply #21 on:** March 12, 2018, 09:54:56 AM »

Latest updated attendee status:
Pam and Kevin Stalnaker UTTransplant Utah (but soon to be Iowa) Confirmed
Vicki and Mark Shorter shorts Full timers somewhere Maybe
Larry and Mary Ann N. Larry N. Westminster, CO Maybe
Wally Crow. Old_Crow Maybe
Lou Schneider. Lou Schneider Pahrump, NV Maybe
Wendy and Mike Wendy. Maybe
Steve and Dee Steve N Dee. Burbank, CA Maybe
Caryl and Bob Cadee2c Fulltimers somewhere Probable
Burnetta and Dwight InVogue Ventura, CA Probable
Bill and friend photog Maybe
John and Susan Beard John Beard NW Las Vegas, NV Maybe

Lou Schneider · « **Reply #22 on:** March 12, 2018, 02:15:46 PM »

FWIW, Sunset Campground was the original landing strip for Furnace Creek Ranch. If you bring up the Google Maps satellite view, you can still see the outline of the runway.

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.4604551,-116.8645158,1169m/data=!3m1!1e3

The campground was newly opened when I was there with my family in the 1960s and camping was restricted to the runway itself, extending from the north overflow area through the east side of the present campground to the south overflow area. Restrooms were provided by portable trailers in the center section.

Since then they've expanded the campground towards Furnace Creek Ranch (at the time you had to cross barren ground to get from the campground to Furnace Creek) and made the remaining parts of the runway into overflow areas.

If you pan west and look at the new airport, you can see like the Sunset Campground runway, it was originally built to handle large aircraft, probably as a WWII emergency landing strip, then shrunk to it's present small aircraft configuration.

UTTransplant · « **Reply #23 on:** March 12, 2018, 03:28:20 PM »

Lou, thanks for that link. Fascinating. I always noticed the overflow areas were linear, and now I see they are part of the old runway. Also interesting that the orientation of the two runways are different.

ArdraF · « **Reply #24 on:** March 12, 2018, 03:48:49 PM »

That satellite view is interesting, Lou. I never realized there was a runway there! Interesting background on it.

ArdraF

Larry N. · « **Reply #25 on:** March 12, 2018, 06:14:59 PM »

Quote

Also interesting that the orientation of the two runways are different.

Runway orientations (or headings) are different by design, to allow landing when the wind is strong and not from a direction favorable for the primary runway, since aircraft normally land into the wind and the amount of crosswind they can handle is limited.

UTTransplant · « **Reply #26 on:** March 12, 2018, 06:29:44 PM »

Quote from: Larry N. on March 12, 2018, 06:14:59 PM

Runway orientations (or headings) are different by design, to allow landing when the wind is strong and not from a direction favorable for the primary runway, since aircraft normally land into the wind and the amount of crosswind they can handle is limited.

Understood. I am not a pilot, but I worked as an engineer for a major aerospace company in their displays and flight management system groups, among other areas. I would have thought both runways, the old one and the new one, would have been oriented in the same direction since I assume the winds haven’t changed. Maybe they oriented based on a compromise with terrain?

Lou Schneider · « **Reply #27 on:** March 12, 2018, 06:35:02 PM »

That would be my guess.

InVogue · « **Reply #28 on:** March 12, 2018, 07:27:17 PM »

OK...Good info! I kinda figured we all would be in different area's and such but I guess I thought it was harder to get into Sunset, so that's good news too. I suppose I'll get there early just the same and maybe spend a few days in Pahrump before heading to Sunset. Thanks again for all the info. :-)

Wendy · « **Reply #29 on:** March 12, 2018, 11:10:36 PM »

We almost always stop in Pahrump a couple of days before going into Death Valley and after leaving to do laundry, clean the dust out of the coach and buy groceries. Oh, and gas up, fuel is EXPENSIVE in Death Valley.

News:

Author Topic: Death Valley rally November 4-11 2018 (Read 13637 times)

Oscar Mike