Page update July 6, 1999
Site update Sept. 19, 1999
HOME
JULIE'S JOURNAL
You may follow along in our journey by visiting Julie's Journal page. It will include photographs, suggestions, mishap adventures and our experiences on the road and back-country trails.
HISTORY
If you would like to know more about the history of our adventure click here for the history page. How we planned, saved money, chose our equipment and prepared for ten months on the road.
LINKS
These are some other web sites we found useful and/or have recpical links with.
Below are the trips stops.
Returning Home
(July 19 to July 23, 1999)
Port Angeles, WA;
Olympic National Park, WA;
Seattle, WA
(June 13 to July 18, 1999)
Victoria, Naniamo & Vancouver, British Columbia (June 22 to June 25, & July 12, 1999)
Mt. St. Helens & Mt. Rainer, Washington (June 7, to June 11, 1999)
Redwoods National and State Parks, California (May 22, to June 4, 1999)
Pacific Coast Highway - Oregon, US Route 101, May 1999
Pacific Coast Highway - Los Angeles to Oregon, Route 1, May 1999
White Rim 4x4 Trail, Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon and Oregon Caves National Monument, Oregon (May 18, 1999 to May 21, 1999)
San Francisco, California (May 7, 1999 to May 12, 1999)
Los Angeles, California (May 1, 1999 to May 6, 1999)
Yosemite National Park, California (April 23, 1999 to May 1, 1999)
Lake Tahoe, California (April 19, 1999 to April 23, 1999)
Titus Canyon 4x4 Trail in Death Valley National Park, California
Canyonlands and Arches National Park, Utah (April 10, 1999 to April 18, 1999)
Mesa Verde, CO; Durango, CO; Colorado Springs, CO (March 27, 1999 to April 10, 1999)
Special Report "Our Truck and Trailer"
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona (March 18, 1999 to March 27, 1999)
Zion National Park, Utah (March 12, 1999 to March 18, 1999)
Death Valley National Park, California (March 7, 1999 to March 12, 1999)
Las Vegas, NV (March 3, 1999 to March 7, 1999)
Jousha Tree National Park, CA (February 22 1999 to March 2, 1999)
White Sands NP, NM to San Diego, CA (February 14, 1999 to February 22, 1999)
Big Bend National Park, TX (February 4, 1999 to February 13, 1999)
Delaware Water Gap, PA (August 26, 1998 to August 30, 1998)
Niagara Falls, NY (May 22, 1998 to May 25, 1998)
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Death Valley National Park, California
Titus Canyon 4x4 Trail
written by David Fink
Titus Canyon in Death Valley National Park, California was a great 4x4 road. We took off the extended mirrors before we left camp because 2 days earlier we took a look at the end of Titus Canyon and saw how tight some of the spots could be. Driving out of Death Valley on Route 374, we both were anxious and eager to see the inter Canyon that is only viewed by a 28 mile one-way 4x4 drive. After turning on to the Canyon road Julie noticed a Chevy truck stopped on the side of the road only ¼ mile in. We stopped and offered help but the man said he was only letting air out of his tires so his truck didn't continue to beat him up. Once we passed the Chevy and put a few miles between us and the paved road, I was anxious to put the Ford in 4x4 high but the road was still to compact and still passable by most sedans. Julie posed a question that got my mind wondering, "We're going into the Canyon right? Well if those clouds in  front of us are rain clouds and it starts raining, couldn't there be a flash flood right where we are?" I insisted the clouds were passing by too fast and try to enjoy the trip.
We finally started to climb the mountain and I finally had my opportunity to flip the switch into 4x4 high. I was under 30 mph and no wheels were slipping when I flipped the switch so I must have done it right. The dash board lit 4x4 high and we were on our way, we climbed right up the mountain which had around 10% inclines at times. I was right about the clouds, they were not rain clouds - but they were snow and sleet clouds. Snow started coming down about ½ way up the mountain. ¾ up the mountain it turned to sleet (or ice pellets).
Julie and I both instantly recognized  the sound of the pellets hitting sheet metal as a warning. We prayed the sleet would not get worse and not cause us any problems. It didn't. After we climbed the mountain, the decent was at hand. Up to this point a two-wheel drive could have made it. But the decent was more challenging. The red colored earth yielded to the Goodyear Wranglers and despite some "rubs" on the running boards the drive down was just plain great scenery as well as the 'real' 4x4 road.
 We finally made it into Titus Canyon. The road turned into loose rock and the canyon walls were 5 feet away on both sides. This is why it is a one way road!! There is no where to pull off or turn around. My techniques were challenged on some over hanging rocks, but all in all it wasn't too bad. We both felt it was a great road to learn our 4x4 skills as well as test the truck out. It was exciting and thrilling as well as scenic. We highly enjoyed ourselves and were glad to finally use the 4x4. We hope the next off roading adventure goes just as smoothly.
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Index of Trips
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Canyonlands and Arches National Park, Utah
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Lake Tahoe, California (April 19, 1999 to April 23, 1999)
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We welcome any suggestions or comments. hacklerj@mindspring.com
Copyright by Dave Fink © 1999
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