PanamintValley.com

I have been coming to Panamint Valley/Death Valley since 1990. Used to work for Caltrans, and did a few paving and chip seal jobs there back then. I can actually say that I have laid Asphalt Cement in Death Valley in the summer. That all changed in April of 2010. I specifically joined the Eastern Sierra 4WD club, in order to come and play here with a group of people. Have been back several times and now, it is my favorite place to explore. I grew up in Bishop, CA and like most of the redneck kids there, you pretty much grow up 4 wheeling, riding ATVs, shooting and hunting. So that is how it all started for me.

I have owned several 4x4s over the last 2 decades, but if I had to chose one type of rig, it would be a TOYOTA, although early Broncos will alway have a special place in my heart. They are as follows:
1st rig as a 16 year old. 1969 Ford Bronco. It nickled and dimed me when I barely had pennies.
2nd rig. 1985 Toyota PU 22R, short bed, 4" lift with 33s. Nice rig and wish I never sold it.
3rd rig. 1993 Ford F250. Too big for trail work and would pass anything but a gas station.
4th rig. 1993 Toyota PU. Extra cab V6. hated IFS so got rid of it to buy 5th rig.
5th rig. 1992 Toyota PU. V6. SAS. 35" Mud TAs, 4.88 gears. Detroit in rear and ARB up front. Mixed between a weak rockcrawler-strong trail rig. Not finished yet. But anticipate being there soon. Got married and had two kids, so 2 seater would not do any more, so I bought another rig for the family. At least that is what I said to convince the other half.
6th rid. 1983 Toyota FJ60. Very clean looking with 2 Inch lift, 33" tires, Kaymar rear bumper and carrier, ARB front bumper, Warn Winch, etc. Will very shortly have 4.88 gears and an ARB locker in the rear.

Hope to learn more about the area and trips to take from everyone. Maybe talk over a cold one at PSR.

Rick M.

Welcome!

I grew up in the southern Mojave Desert, in the foothills of the San Bernardino Range between Apple Valley and Lucerne Valley. In 1974 my first wife and I moved to June Lake, I stayed in and around the Eastern Sierra (after a dozen year stint in Trona and Ridgecrest) there and in Big Pine until I came north to Winnemucca a few years ago. I've met nearly 3 dozen ex-Bishop-ites here in Winnemucca sincce coming here. I also loved wheeling the Eastern Sierra and Nevada, you can see much of it on my former website at http://www.gbr.4wdtrips.net" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and the white Tacoma featured in the vast majority of the photos is still owned and driven daily, and was purchased new in '02 at Perry Motors.

Welcome to the nuthouse! I think you'll find us (well, most of us) a friendly group. We welcome hearing about your trips.

Sounds like you have had/have some nice rigs. We have a mix of vehicles represented here, so all are welcome.

David Bricker / SYR

David_Bricker wrote:We have a mix of vehicles represented here ...

And some have a mix of vehicles in the same vehicle ...

D.A. Wright wrote:

David_Bricker wrote:We have a mix of vehicles represented here ...

And some have a mix of vehicles in the same vehicle ...

Heeeeyyyyy;

Most of my Jeep is Jeep! Maybe not the same year, nor the same model. But it's the best of all the year and models! Or, at least I keep telling myself that!

David Bricker / SYR

David_Bricker wrote:Most of my Jeep is Jeep! Maybe not the same year, nor the same model. But it's the best of all the year and models! Or, at least I keep telling myself that!

You mean like Johnny Cash's lunchbox Cadillac?

I have actually met a couple of members from this site already. I met Bill Gossett at my friend Paul's ranch up near Benton and went exploring one weekend with ATVs and 4x4s. Then last year, I was camped next to Norman Johnson at PSR for your guys Spring Fling. Hopefully I can get time off of work and make Spring Fling this year.

Hey Rick, welcome to PV.com. There is a lot of good information on here and a lot of great people too. Glad to have you aboard.

D.A. Wright wrote:Welcome!

I grew up in the southern Mojave Desert, in the foothills of the San Bernardino Range between Apple Valley and Lucerne Valley. In 1974 my first wife and I moved to June Lake, I stayed in and around the Eastern Sierra (after a dozen year stint in Trona and Ridgecrest) there and in Big Pine until I came north to Winnemucca a few years ago. I've met nearly 3 dozen ex-Bishop-ites here in Winnemucca sincce coming here. I also loved wheeling the Eastern Sierra and Nevada, you can see much of it on my former website at http://www.gbr.4wdtrips.net" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and the white Tacoma featured in the vast majority of the photos is still owned and driven daily, and was purchased new in '02 at Perry Motors.

Nice website. That must have taken some hours putting together. Some friends and I are planning to take the steele pass route in March. Your website was educational. I know June Lake well. I currently live in Crowley.

Rick

The website is my former website. It is about a third of the size it once was; I had a section on the region's history, my published writings (I wrote for Chalfant Press' THE ALBUM for years; plus I have been published in the Inyo Register, other publications and on televised media), my personal trips to various Great Basin locations; as well as stuff like my photographs of automotive test mules that are frequently spotted in the Owens Valley and Death Valley.

Nearly two years ago, due to personal issues and overload, I gave the portion still online to my former host as a way of saying thank you for hosting me for some years and removed the rest. It was a labor of love that I had online for years. I am happy that you enjoyed it and found it useful.