Richard: You'd do best heeding my advice. You can clearly and legally camp about one mile south of the playa, as I mentioned previously, regardless of what others here are saying. Sleep in a jeep or sleep in the dirt; you can do both legally at the Racetrack.
Michael E. Gordon
http://www.michael-gordon.com
When I was 16 I thought my father the stupidest man in the world; when I reached 21, I was astounded by how much he had learned in just 5 years!
-appropriated from Mark Twain
Forget about heating rocks Richard!
http://www.lasvegasescorts.com/
When I was 16 I thought my father the stupidest man in the world; when I reached 21, I was astounded by how much he had learned in just 5 years!
-appropriated from Mark Twain
This is good advice about camping at Racetrack Playa. I've spent quite a few nights at the campsite a mile or so south. Watch out for nails - the campsite is in part built on an old mine site and nails from demolished buildings abound on the roads connecting the camping places.
The best rocks are at the south end of the Racetrack so the campsite is handy. And you don't need to be at the Racetrack super early. It takes the sun a little while to rise above the mountains to the east and illuminate the Racetrack floor. The quality of the dawn light is quite interesting.
From the parking area at the North end of the Playa, you can hike up the side of mountains to the west and see and impressive overall view of the Racetrack.
Jets from NAS China Lake use the Racetrack for practice. I've often heard sonic booms there and had one jet buzz right over me flying "on the deck".
It is a good idea to check in with the rangers first to get a bead on road and camping conditions. Unless you are there at peak holiday times i.e. Easter Break there is usually nobody or just one or two people at the campsite.
I've experienced extreme weather at the Racetrack with freezing temperatures, snow, sleet and extreme winds during the winter. This isn't usual - but it does happen with some regularity. Us Canadians blame the moving rocks on these conditions. I always carry a shovel, tire repair kit, tire chains and lots of extra food and water when I'm on the back country roads.
Make sure you are prepared for the costs if you need to get a vehicle towed out of the back country.
If you are really a skilled back country driver you can turn east at Teakettle junction and exit south out through Saline Valley. I did this drive some years ago, camping along the way. Challenging and spectacular in places.
Cheers,
Bill - one of those Canadians
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