Lippincott Mine Pass - Death Valley
Our adventure crossing the Lippincott Pass. We had reserved a full sized 4 wheel drive SUV so we would have no problem getting to the out-of-the-way places.
Planning the activities for the day, Carol and I agreed on a route that appeared to be free of any serious 4 wheel drive trails. Unfortunately it wasn’t available when we arrived at the rental place so we had to settle for a Ford Explorer (new body style that resembles a mini-van). I was suspicious of its ability to get through rough terrain…
We were just in awe of the scenery as we made our way
to the Racetrack Valley. It was like we were the only two people in a strange “alien” world! You could see to infinity in every direction. In some respects we might as well have been the only people because neither of us have had cell service since we crossed the California border…
Carol (the navigator/co-pilot) pointed out our turn-off to the trail that led to the Racetrack Valley just north of the Nelson Range. This trail (which was represented with smaller dash marks on the map) was a little rough. We had to watch for “axle-busters” and big boulders a little more than the previous trail. We came to a turn where the trail just stopped; just a bunch of giant boulders in the way. After surveying for a few minutes, it occurred to us that the giant boulders were the trail – and the trail led UP…
I shifted our “glorified mini-van” into low, and we proceeded onward and upward. We turned another corner to find a much more intimidating stretch of “trail” that stopped us in our tracks…
We got out of Ole’ Red and had to survey our situation. The way ahead was giant boulders that I feared would damage the underside of the vehicle (and stranding us), AND; the way around to the next turn was washed out (i.e. less trail than the width of our wheel base). We were in a situation – turning around could have very easily resulted in our vehicle getting hung on one of the boulders (and stranding us). And besides, it wasn’t like the past few miles were exactly “easy.” Maybe around this next corner it will be better? After all, there wasn’t a sign from the direction we came warning travelers of any danger…
After weighing our options, we decided to press on. Okay, the first obstacle – negotiate the giant boulders (for about 40 feet) without gutting the underside. We sort of “bounced” our way through them. No warning lights and I paused to see if fluids were leaking – so far so good. Now, got to get past the wash out… Don’t know if this is the proper method, but it worked – gunned the engine to get enough momentum and banked off the rock wall (opposite the side with the missing trail). It’s amazing how many things can go through your mind in such a split second – gunned the engine, we’re committed now – made it! Okay, a little confidence is replacing the terror… Creeping around the (less than) one lane, we’re about to get a view of the next stretch of trail. As we turned the corner, the confidence was again replaced with terror – hair pin switch backs, serious grade, loose boulders and more washouts. Not much chatter between Carol and I at this point. She continued doing her job as navigator pointing out notable information from the map… “Last Chance Range…” she said. I’m like “seriously?!” She replied “I’m not kidding…” Sure enough, across the 3000 foot drop beyond us was the southern tip of the Last Chance Range. Negotiated 4 or 5 more washouts. I had to drive so close to the mountain side, I just resolved that the rental was going to be dented, scratched and beat to hell – we had bigger problems at the moment. I was leaning way forward over the steering wheel – partly because of the adrenaline spike, and out of necessity because I had to look straight UP to see where we were heading…
Just when I thought (hoped actually) we would reach the summit after the next turn (then the next, then the next); my heart would sink when I saw that we had another stretch of death-defying trail – starting to feel hellish…
I can’t praise my co-pilot enough! She kept cool and tracked our position on the map and watched for oncoming vehicles (as if we needed another potential hazard to worry about). She reads a map better than some people I served with in the Army! It was most certainly a team effort getting out of there in one piece. We spotted a vehicle on the cliff across the way. We were separated by a 2000 – 3000 foot drop. We pulled over on a wide spot (rare) on the trail. Carol had binoculars and saw that it was a Jeep, and it appeared to be coming our way. So, we waited. I don’t know about Carol, but I was afraid to even move around in my seat! I was satisfied that a Jeep could have got by us – if it were an F-350, I don’t know… We watched the Jeep stop at some “thing” (I later learned it was the actual Lippincott Mine). They looked around then left. We waited a little while the proceeded after we were pretty sure they went the other way. Up, and up, then FINALLY we reached the summit! We passed the iconic sign at the other side and stopped to get out of the vehicle to celebrate our victory. I just can’t find the words to describe the feelings of relief and excitement of our victory, and disbelief of what we just experienced…
These two Midwesterner “Flat Landers” emerged from that pass seasoned Mountaineers – We conquered that pass!!! In a stock Ford Explorer no less! Since I’ve been back, I’ve been obsessed on researching everything about the Lippincott Pass. I learned that there should have been a sign that said the following:
“CAUTION – ROUTE AHEAD NOT RECOMMENDED FOR VEHICLE TRAVEL”
The following are some excerpts from 4 wheel drive enthusiasts:
- “The climb gets very serious… in places you’ll only have a foot or so between your outside tire and disaster…”
- “The ruts and pot holes (?) were so big it really is for the brave/foolish… I used to do a lot of off roading but I know when you need to be sensible…” [They turned around]
- “True test of man and machine, no small task… out in the middle of Hell and a lonely place to be broken down… Take heed of the warnings…”
- “Calling it a low-range climb is an understatement. It’s more accurate to say Lippincott Pass is a serious high-pucker-factor, mountain goat trail…”
Did I mention I’ve always been terrified of heights?