Lippincott Road veterans - would appreciate some advice

[chacomaya]

Has anyone driven Lippincott Road in Death Valley lately and could offer a road report? My wife and I are going to be there in a week or so and are thinking about driving this route. However...we will be alone, in a rather heavily loaded JLUR with a RTT. We have lots of underside protection and traction mats along with basic recovery gear and an InReach, but no winch. Is this a stupid idea?

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[sourdough]

I don't do Facebook but you might be able to get current info here
https://www.facebook.com/pg/DeathValleyRoadConditions/posts/
or thur the Park Service by calling them directly. (760) 786-3200
I would not go alone, tempertures are still too hot for me.

 

[chacomaya]

I don't do Facebook but you might be able to get current info here
https://www.facebook.com/pg/DeathValleyRoadConditions/posts/
or thur the Park Service by calling them directly. (760) 786-3200
I would not go alone, tempertures are still too hot for me.

Thanks. Yeah, we've been to that site, posted questions, and got a somewhat generic response. I am a firm believer of not traveling on roads like this alone when advised not to, but I have also found that national parks tend to be overly cautious with their recommendations along these lines.

 

[D60]

Nov '20 Four Wheeler

They take a fs Ram with mega overlanding camper thru. I'd look for the mag or the content online

 

[DVJeeper]

I haven't been over Lippincott, but as an alternative or loop Hunter MT is a very nice and scenic route. If you do go, please post back up, I am interested in the road condition too, I would like to do it next time I'm in DV.

 

[chacomaya]

I haven't been over Lippincott, but as an alternative or loop Hunter MT is a very nice and scenic route. If you do go, please post back up, I am interested in the road condition too, I would like to do it next time I'm in DV.

We ended up doing the Hunter Mt. Loop, which was pretty cool. Lost Burro Mine was a good place to visit, and a short hike led to a spot that overlooks Racetrack.

 

[Frezski]

I haven't been over Lippincott, but as an alternative or loop Hunter MT is a very nice and scenic route. If you do go, please post back up, I am interested in the road condition too, I would like to do it next time I'm in DV.

I went and took Lippincott route back in March. Obviously conditions have probably changed by then. There was a rock on the road that fell down the hill side and the Jeep was too wide to go around it and had to climb it. Nothing big, just had to make sure the wheels were going over it not to get it lodged. Barely made contact coming down on the ass end. My buddy's narrower Xterra just went around.. and come to find out he had me go first to be a guinea pig.. lol. If you don't problems with shelf roads mentally I think you would be fine. There are a few points though where you can see that future erosion would become a problem. I thought the worst part of it is the rock beds after the pass heading to Saline Valley Road. Although it still wasn't no where near as punishing as Schnebly Hill road at the base.

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