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Trip report mid February rain, summit and Crusty Bunny Ranch


Landsandcrab
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Just getting around to posting report and pics from last month! It was a great trip with 8 guys and one gf. Drove out from Big Bear with light rain from Barstow, turning heavy after turning toward Baker. Heavy winds and more rain that fortunately lasted until midnight, then was quiet as a mouse! As you can guess, the conditions were amazing the rest of the trip! We did plenty of dune riding, a side trip to the infamous "Crusty Bunny Ranch" (southeast of Dumont), and a long 180 mile loop to Furnace Creek via Harry Wade road. Saw plenty of prudy wildflowers....we nailed it on the timing for this decades Super Bloom, by accident, sweet! Dantes View was also on the agenda. The rest of the crew did another side trip up Sperry Wash to gulp down a few Date Shakes at China Ranch date farm, so I got bored and decided what the hell I'm going to find out what is on top of that big mountain to the east of the Little Dunes!! Check out the pics for the killer views....

Planning another trip next week and probably one more mid month if the weather holds up. Enjoy!

WET and FUN

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This sunsets for you Barrie Morris....RIP

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Miss ya Mate

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Anyone ever slept next to your ride when it's raining? I can cross that off the list! Clancy, Coors lite, CRF

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The gang, mid 30's to the mid 70's and we ain't talking temperature!

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Crusty Bunny Mine

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Inside the earth

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Terry checking out old headframe

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Wet desert traction for days

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Apparently, the Crusty Bunny Ranch has been closed for some time....

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Near Ashford Mill in DV

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Super Bloom!

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About 150 miles into the 180 mile loop, east entrance to DV. Red Bikes galore!

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Sperry Wash was running

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FYI, the "Death Valley Internet Cafe" is in Tecopa, 20 minutes north of Dumont. They offer FREE WIFI, great food, beer and wine and a great atmosphere. Checkitout!

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You seen this mountain behind the Little Dunes? I decided to see what was on top. Started (hiking) from camp, went up the "road" that goes to first little peak, found a goat trail that climbed to next peak, and then worked north/left to Summit. Very nasty scramble down but totally worth the effort!

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Halfway up. Not much of a trail eh?

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Made it to the top! There was a large rock stack, some possible sleeping circles, sentry post, and of course a killer view! Can you see our ring of campers (middle, just before Hwy 127)? Note water flow and cool dune formations!

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Mandatory Summit Selfie!

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Rock and Sand contrast

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Love us some DD! See ya soon!

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Awesome report man!! Good to see you made it back out there only been out once this year... :( But we are headed out saturday for the day and glamis next week.

Oh man just a day, that would be tough!! Have fun at Glamis, I want to get out there soon....maybe next year

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Great pics and report! Looks like some fun adventures. I never thought of doing a Death Valley loop ride from Dumont on the bike. Might have to plan that next season. Good job on that hike! Wow. Nice view.

Thanks for sharing, man. :thumb:

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Great pics and report! Looks like some fun adventures. I never thought of doing a Death Valley loop ride from Dumont on the bike. Might have to plan that next season. Good job on that hike! Wow. Nice view.

Thanks for sharing, man. :thumb:

Thanks DuneFreak! It was a good test of my fuel range, I've never tapped out my stock tank on my CFR450x (only had her for 6 months), was told it could get me 65 miles, but it was 80 to Furnace Creek stop....but I had juice to spare surprisingly! (Regular was only $2.29, we were floored!) On the way back, the rest of the gang checked out a spot in Shoshone, I'd already seen it so kept going down 127 to Dumont....squeezed 91 miles....on reserve....thought I was going to run out but managed to get back to camp on flumes! And that hike, I highly recommend it but there sure as hell ain't no trail, but that view is second to none. Could hear some high octane buggies buzzing around from the big dunes, just couldn't see 'em.

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Great pics and report! I have often looked up at that mountain and wondered what was on top! Great view! Nicely done!

Thank you! There was some names and dates scratched on a big rock at top (2001?), don't think the mtn sees many visitors lol! Dunes sure look different from up there, just wish I would have brought an altimeter to determine the elevation.

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