Panamint Valley (Isham)

Isham trip
The RED JEEP TRIP
Pictures and videos will be uploaded when I return from Humboldt. Jeff and Tom ? if I missed anything chime in.
Thursday afternoon we arrived at the Isham trailhead and while setting up the RV, Jeff and Carol arrived. After setting up camp we prepared the jeeps and discussed our plans for Friday. We decided to run Isham and if there was time in the afternoon, do Fish Canyon.
After dinner we sat around the fire and enjoyed the view and conversation. I think we turned in around 10.
Friday morning we were up and ready to go around 8:30. So off we went ? John, Wendy and Nova and Jeff, Carol and Mahina. The weather was excellent, around the high 60?s, a slight breeze and no clouds. Starting on the trail there were no tracks. It appears we were the first on the
trail since the last rain. While going up the canyon we saw a lot of fat Gambel?s quails. And out of the canyon we also saw a lot of them, plus we saw a few Roadrunners.
I took videos on Saturday. They will be posted on my website when I return.
We found out that Jeff?s front ARB had a leak, so he turned it on only when needed. Isham has many steps with easy sections. Most of the steps have tight turns that require some backing up and repositioning. Jeff made it through them with and without the front locker. Just before the V-notch there is a 4? step that can be interesting. Both of us made it up without any problems. The V-notch was another thing. Rather than incur body damage we both elected, after dropping into the hole, to be winched out. From there it is a slow crawl over a rocky section to the steep rocky trail out of the canyon. Since no one had been on the trail the round boulders on the trail were fairly stable. It still requires lowering the air pressure to 6-7lbs. At the top we enjoyed lunch and a wonderful view of Panamint Valley and the snow capped mountains.
From there we decided to do Fish canyon. This is where Father Fish led some families out of Death Valley. He subsequently died in the area. Kris, correct me
if I am wrong with the info. The trail is called the Escape Trail. It can also be found up higher on the mountain. There is a group that has been instrumental
in preserving the trail. The BLM map shows several trails coming of the Isham trail to a radio tower
north of the trail. We spent a few hours trying to find them with no luck. We determined that a canyon that goes off to the left at the beginning of Isham follows a difficult trail that goes all the way to the top. It would be interesting to spend some time trying to do that trail. We think it would be harder than Isham.
We arrived back in camp early evening. The wind had picked up and we spent the evening in the RV?s. We had hoped the wind would die down, but it never did, so the fire was out for the evening. Saturday morning Tom Muzik and friend Kevin arrived just at 8:30, ready to start the trail with his 4:1 freshly installed. We started on the trail around nine. Coming up to the first step both I and Tom
made it through. Then Jeff?s ARB pump started making a lot of noise. The pump housing had come loose from the motor. Tools out, we tightened the housing and hooked it back up only to find that every time you plugged the motor in it ran whether the switch was on or off. So we created a bypass switch that Jeff could turn on from the passenger seat. That worked well for the rear locker, but the
front was still intermittent. We gave Jeff an new name ?Unlocked Jeff.?
Considering that, he did an excellent job of driving the trail. We did have to winch him a couple of times.
Tom was thrilled with the 4:1. Reaching the V-notch we all decided to be winched rather than incur body damage.
Again we had lunch at the top with a beautiful view of Panamint Valley and the snowcapped mountains.
After lunch we decided to run Defense Mine. Heading back to camp we dropped the dogs and Carol off. Jeff rode with me.
The drive to the run is approximately 30 miles. The run was fun. Several of the areas had been washed out and it made for an interesting climb.
After getting to the top Jeff, Tom and Kevin attempted to hike the mine to the top, but were stopped because the ladders were unsafe. I stayed back, wandering
around the outside and looking for interesting rocks.
On the way back down, my 4:1 went out. The noise was interesting. I was able to drive it out to the bottom with the noise all the way. At the bottom we discussed whether to tow the jeep back behind Tom?s or drive it. Most of the
noise had gone away so we decided to chance it and drive. We made it all the way back without incident. But our Sunday trip was gone, considering mine and Jeff?s
jeeps. Tom decided to go back that night. The wind died down and we again spent a great evening around the fire having great conversation.
Sunday morning was leisurely while we loaded up and headed home. Jeff decided it is time to put a Detroit in the rear, order some parts from ARB and fix the electrical problem.
My problem was the thrust washers between the gears in the 4:1. There are none.
Sent 4:1 off to Terra for warranty work. When fixed the 4:1 will be up for sale and it will be time for the 4S.
This was a great trip. Looking forward to doing it again next year.