25th Annual Panamint Valley Days

131 1103 25Th Annual Panamint Valley Days Jeep Wrangler Tj Driver Side Shot

Zero Waterfall is the first big obstacle on the Cummings Cutoff and offers two ways to conquer it. To the left of the waterfall, a rig has to climb the wall while balancing on three wheels. The right side takes the vehicle through a rocky section filled with loose gravel, making traction a challenge.

Zero Waterfall is the first big obstacle on the Cummings Cutoff and offers two ways to con

Vast areas of this country are at times hostile, inhospitable, and treacherous-yet with seasonal changes they can be a paradise full of adventure. Panamint Valley, just west of the Panamint mountain range and Death Valley, is just such an area. This regions holds a wealth of rugged trails, natural wonders, history, and wildlife, and makes the perfect setting for a fall wheeling event.

Twenty-five years ago the southern chapter of the California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs (CA4WDC) started Panamint Valley Days to raise funds in order to politically support and defend the area from unreasonable closures, and bring old and new members together. Panamint Valley is a great location, with mild temperatures in fall and proximity to one of the country's largest national parks.

131 1103 25Th Annual Panamint Valley Days Old Rusty Truck

Panamint Valley Days offers 11 trails that range in difficulty from easy scenic runs to hardcore rockcrawling. Along the way are a number of historical sites, which include mines, miner's cabins, and interesting geological features. Another impressive aspect of the area's terrain is the extreme role Mother Nature plays in shaping the landscape and topography.

131 1103 25Th Annual Panamint Valley Days Toyota 4X4 Front Shot

Although most of the vehicles in attendance are Jeeps, there are still a number of capable old Toyotas, International Scouts, and fullsize rigs. The event is open to any type of 4x4 as long as it meets the standard safety requirements.

Although most of the vehicles in attendance are Jeeps, there are still a number of capable

Even in a tough economy, Panamint Valley Days has excellent attendance, and registration is on the rise. Attending the event is a great way to safely explore both Panamint and Death Valley. We highly recommend the event and also spending a few days before and after exploring the area and soaking in its history and spectacular geography. It will give anyone a taste of what the harsh, wild-and-wooly Old West was like.

For information on next year's event visit the association's website, www.cal4wheel.com.

Don't let the signs fool you. There are numerous trails and maintained dirt roads that vehicles can be driven off-highway on. The trails are clearly marked, and maps are available, but extreme care should be taken not to drive off the trails or in protected areas. The environment is fragile, and a lot of people have fought long and hard and spent huge sums of money to keep the area open to vehicular travel.
Don't let the signs fool you. There are numerous trails and maintained dirt roads that veh
Although Panamint and Death Valley experience some of the harshest temperatures in the world, they are still full of wildlife. Burros are a common sight along the trails, along with critters like desert big horn, bobcats, coyotes, tortoises, mountain lions, and mule deer. The valleys are also home to birds, amphibians, and even fish!
Although Panamint and Death Valley experience some of the harshest temperatures in the wor
The onetime chairman of Panamint Valley Days, Matt Battaglia, was our ride for the event and a great host. He is still the MC for Saturday night's big raffle and knows the trails in the valley and mountain ranges like the back of his hand.
The onetime chairman of Panamint Valley Days, Matt Battaglia, was our ride for the event a

Panamint City was the hub of the area during the mining and silver boom in the late 1800s. The long-abandoned city was reachable by Surprise Canyon, an extreme four-wheel-drive trail that required some hardcore winching to get through. Today, thanks to the overzealous actions of the Center for Biological Diversity, the only way to reach the city is an arduous 7-mile uphill hike.
Panamint City was the hub of the area during the mining and silver boom in the late 1800s.
The Cummings Cutoff trail is an offshoot of the main trail to the Defense Mine in the Argus Mountain range, which borders the west edge of Panamint Valley. The trail is one of the toughest-rated runs of the event and offers a number of challenging obstacles and waterfalls.
The Cummings Cutoff trail is an offshoot of the main trail to the Defense Mine in the Argu
The Wrangler JK still impresses us out on the trail! Even in lightly modified form, the JK seems to easily roll over the tough obstacles that other Jeeps struggle on. It might be the fancy plastic console, air conditioning, and satellite radio that give drivers more confidence!
The Wrangler JK still impresses us out on the trail! Even in lightly modified form, the JK

Panamint Valley Days is a great way to get the family outdoors for some exciting trail adventure. It's also a way to meet new friends, chat with colorful characters, and check out the functional array of cool high- and low-tech vehicle modifications.
Panamint Valley Days is a great way to get the family outdoors for some exciting trail adv
The Defense Mine is a nice place to stop after a trail run and a great place to explore. We advise everyone to check with the BLM or Park Service rangers before going into any mines or caves.
The Defense Mine is a nice place to stop after a trail run and a great place to explore. W
Many of the area's trails wind their way through boulder-strewn fields and canyons, while other trails are a leisurely drives through scenic washes. A good part of wheeling at the event is that there's always plenty of folks to help with repairs or spotting-a safe way to explore the area.
Many of the area's trails wind their way through boulder-strewn fields and canyons, while