posted on Jul, 7 2008 @ 12:10 AM
reply to post by kthulu
It is a pretty nasty hike. I've had some requests to write up how to do it plus supply the track from my GPS. I will get around to it and tack it on
this thread.
More important that the directions to do the hike are the instructions on how to prepare for the hike. You need about two gallons of water in the
summer, maybe 1.5 gallons in May or September. [I did a hike in November and the condensation from my breathing soaked the inside of the tent.] Two
gallons of water is 15 lbs. Throw in 4 lbs for the tent, 3 lbs for the sleeping bag, and pretty soon you have quite a load on your back. I carry a
telescope, tripod, gear head and camera. I can barely lift my feet with the weight of the pack!
Nearly everything else around Groom Lake can be seen with a car. A few place need a SUV. Certainly the front gate, back gate, and cedar gate can be
done by car. Bald Mountain needs a SUV if you go back to the gate. Road Block Canyon for sure needs a SUV.
The drive to the Tikaboo staging area was doable at one time by car, but the road has deteriorated greatly in the last year or so. One spot is bad
enough that just one more bad storm will bring it to the point where a pick and shovel will be required to repair the road. The good news is the
locals like to er um well acquire firewood from this area, so they do repair the road slightly, but just enough for a crazy off-roading Nevadan to
handle.
I was at the TTR lately and that road looks pretty good. It could probably be done with a car if driven sanely. The trouble with using a car is it
usually has passenger tires and sometime not even a full size spare. Trucks and SUVs have beefier tires that can handle driving on rocks.
I've been using
www.findmespot.com...
on my trips lately. Thus far, it has managed to report my position when I requested it to do so. Not cheap, but compared to a satellite phone or a 26
mile hike (if you are stranded), the SPOT is a bargain. I've meet two other people in the range using the SPOT as well.
I also carry a Tane flasher:
www.tanealarm.com...
If you have Verizon, the cell coverage is fair. You will get coverage all up 93. I don't think it lasts much once you are on the ET Highway until you
reach Rachel. GSM (AT&T) is nonexistent along route 93 and the ET Highway. You don't get reception until you are near Tonopah. There is GSM all along
route 95 down to Vegas.