Big Bear, CA
I quiet mountain community full of back country adventure.
Henry Wade Escape Route
The Henry Wade Escape Route is an easy 4×4 trail suitable for almost any vehicle and connects highway 127 to Badwater Road. The route is usually dry and easily passable, however can be rough going in the wet. The spring wildflowers may offer amazing scenery for those who travel at this time.
Henry Wade like many men of his time, sought his fortune in California on the news of the gold discover which lead to a historic gold rush. In 1849, a group of about one hundred wagons, led by Jefferson Hunt entered Death Valley en route from Utah. The caravan was searching for a shortcut from the Old Spanish Trail to the booming gold rush of California. Soon discovered they were in real trouble, bogged down in the sane and heat of the Mojave. Several men died, which may have provided Death Valley with its name. Henry Wade led the expedition from Death Valley roughly along the trail which now bears his name and eventually found their way through Cajon Pass into Southern California. Although the exact route is debated, Henry Wade led is group out of Death Valley via the south entrance.
Harry Wade Exit Route – Some 100 wagons found themselves in Salt Lake City too late to cross the Sierra Nevada. They banded together under the name of Sand Walking Co. and started for the gold fields in California over the Old Spanish Trail. After being in Death Valley with the ill-fated 1849 caravan, Harry Wade found this exit route for his ox-drawn wagon, thereby saving his life and those of his wife and children. At this point the Wade party came upon the known Spanish Trail to Cajon Pass.
Highway Placard on Hgwy 127
Further Reading
Henry Wade Escape Route Trailmap
Fish Canyon Escape Trail
The Fish Canyon Escape Trail is a route discovered by William Manly as an escape route from Death Valley in 1849. The group tried to navigate the hot and dry Mojave desert with hand drawn maps, which supposedly showed short cuts across the desert. After being lost of months in the wilderness of Death Valley, William Manly and a group of emigrants headed to California. William Mandy set off and finally discovered a route out of Death Valley.
William Many was like many man of the era. He made his living as a guide, fur hunter, farmer and later in life a writer. In 1849, he followed thousands of other young men and travelled to California to join the Gold Rush. He was 29 years old at the time.
Near Provo Utah he joined other travels to cross the great basin to Southern California. In December, the group became lost following the inaccurate maps which they brought with them. For three weeks they struggled in Death Valley. With food supplies depeleted. Manly and John Haney Rogers walked the Mojave for 250 miles, finally reaching Rancho San Fernando.
On his return with food and horses, he discovered that only two families, the Bennett and Arcane, survived his absence. This trail is part of his route.
The trail is mildly rocky and suitable for most SUV’s
Further Reading
Continue Reading →Bitter Springs
Bitter Springs is a 28 miles back country road which connects I-15 to the North shore Road highway 167 located inside Lake Mead National Recreation Area near Echo Bay. The trail takes you by old mining roads and washes throughout the Muddy Mountains.
To reach the trail head, head North on the I-15 from Las Vegas. Exit the Valley of Fire offramp (exit 75), and turn right towards the state park, Valley of Fire. There is a lot of excellent camping in Valley of Fire.
Unless you have a need for fireworks or booze, proceed past the Moapa Indian Reservation store. After three miles the paved road bends left. The trail is the dirt road heading straight into the dessert towards the mountains.
Once you hit the Muddy Mountains, you will be greeted with large red rock out cropping. Keep on eye out on the right side of the tail for a small damn and water hole. Should you visit at the correct time, you will see tadpoles and frogs in the water.
As you proceed into and through the muddy mountains, there are numerous places to stop and picnic or camp. There is a small quarry that sits on the trail, so be sure to travel carefully if there are workers.
Once you are through the pass, the trail gradually follows the alluvial fan into a drainage. Once in the drainage section, the trails turns into pure sand. Be sure to check the weather when travelling this portion of the trail and keep an eye open for Big Horn sheep and wild horses.
Bitter Springs Trail Map
Wildrose Campground
Wildrose Campground is located at 4100 feet above sea level in the Paramint Mountains within Death Valley National Park. This semi-primative campground is located off of the migrant Canyon Road. This free campground is open all year and sites are available on a first come first server bases. The location of the campground allows access to wide open spaces, many points of interest in the Panamint Range and beautiful scenery
Featuring 23 sites, with tables, fireplaces, and pit toilets and campground offers great opportunities for vistas and quiet nights for those wanting to venture and camp away from the larger crowds.
Drinking water is available during the Spring, Summer, and Fall. The higher elevation of this campground allows for this campground to remain open in the hotter summer months of this notorious hot area.
Fires are permitted in NPS provided pits only. Charcoal grills are prohibited. Gas burning stoves are permitted. Fires are typically prohibited between June 15 and September 15 or during periods of high fire danger.
Campground Summary
| Name | Wildrose |
| Location | Death Valley National Park, California |
| Latitude, Longitude | 36.265848, -117.188184 |
| Sites | 23 |
| Elevation | 4100 feet |
| Amenities | Vault Toilets, Water, Firepits, Tables |
Wildrose Campground Map
References
Mahogany Flat Campground
Mahogany Flat Campground lies at 8,200 feet in the Panamint Mountain Range in Death Valley National Parl. The campground provides access to hiking and backpacking, as well as mountaineering opportunities.
The campground is located near to Thorndike Campground along Emigrant Canyon Road. The privative camp sites are nestled among a Pinyon Pine and Juniper forest along the ridgeline of the Panamint Range.
The trail leading to Telescope Peak and down Tuber Canyon begins at this campground. This campground offers some of the best views in Death Valley, and lots of opportunity to hike, explore and enjoy the nature within the park.
The site is open from March to November and makes a good place to escape the summer heat of the valley below it. There are ten individual camping sites, each with a table and fireplace. Pit toilets are maintained on site.
Fires are allowed at NPS fire pits only. No firewood collecting is permitted; bring your own wood. Fires are prohibited June 15-September 15 and periods of high fire danger.
Campground Summary
| Name | Mahogany Flat Campground |
| Location | Panamint Mountains, Death Valley National Park, California |
| Latitude, Longitude | 36.22996, -117.068193 |
| Sites | 10 |
| Elevation | 8200 feet |
| Amenities | Tables, Fire Pits, Vault Toilets, NO Water |