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With a decent forecast outlook, and half an idea of where we were going, a last minute plan was hatched to do some desert flying this weekend. While the initial goals were lofty (*cough* extremely lofty), the general mission in mind was to find cool things in the desert; and that mission was achieved.
The day started with convening (early, and I mean early) at Cal City (L71). Leaving the home base took some creativity as the clouds were real, and the winds were high. A 50 KT tailwind coming across a pass can be a bit nerve racking...
Winds over the desert south of CalCity were rough...lee-side rotor gets old quick. And hopes were diminishing as we set out. But, alas, the forecast shown on Windy.tv was spot on and as we approached the first stop the winds settled out.
First stop, a new one thus named "X-15"...and that's all the clues I'll give.
The Gang...not even 350 HP total amongst the 3 of us...but good fun and 3 very well matched airplanes for flying together.
Followed by the Planet of the Apes
Once out of the Searles Valley and over the Panamint Valley, the southern end of the Panamint Mountains hold on high the old Briggs's Field airstrip in the South Park Valley. Unfortunately this strip is in the enlarged Death Valley National Park...making any future of sanctioned access difficult. The good news is, the strip is not in horrible shape...and woulds make an amazing destination at 6000 MSL.
And then there was a paved runway (ok, I landed in the dirt) at Shoshone, CA. An amazing little Oasis in the desert. Complete with 1920's miner's cave dwellings.
A short hop north to Death Valley Junction brings you to an amazing location, lost in time, and far from anywhere: the Amargosa Opera House. Located in possibly the largest roadside Artdeco motel you will ever see, is a (tiny) European opera house. Painted floor to ceiling with amazing murals, the place is an amazing relic of an amazing story. See here for more on that: http://www.amargosa-opera-house.com
Also note: CALL AHEAD before flying in...it is a courtesy that is essential for this location. Will not make that mistake again...
Food was in order by this time, and while there is a great cafe at Death Valley Junction, we wanted to give Panamint Springs a visit. So off across Death Valley to Panamint.
There's bad water so low down there.
Panamint now offers shade parking. But in truth, they are now considering installing an AvGas pump. Be sure to show support for that idea when stopping by...that could be a game changer for some of us.
Food accomplished, the planes were now hungry for fuel, so over the hill to Lone Pine...but, Darwin is in the way, with a nice strip to boot. So may as well stop in.
The strip at Darwin slopes down to the south, making for easier departures with light or south winds even though at 4700 MSL.
Gas at Lone Pine and enjoying the "grass" runway while it lasts.
And a quick stop to inspect the Olancha airstrip. There's even a windsock there now!
And with the day getting long, some quick turn and burns at Coso Junction and Fossil Falls/Cinder Cone.
All in all, about 12 hours out an about. 4 plus hours of flying. And 10 destinations. More to explore out past Amargosa and into Nevada. Hope to visit the Lida area, Goldpoint, Goldfield, Thule, Dyer, and Fish Lake Valley some time soon.
-FlyingFiddler
