Steele Pass 4x4 Trail (Death Valley National Park)

[David A. Wright]

I’ve created and added a new page up on my website about the Steele Pass 4x4 Trail in western Death Valley National Park. The page can be found at:

http://www.gbr.4wdtrips.net/4x4/steelepass.html

On this page, I describe the entire route as if travelling south to north between the Saline Valley Road, past Lower Warm Spring and Palm Spring (the ultra popular Saline Valley hot springs), up and over Steele Pass, down DeDeckera Canyon into Eureka Valley and north to the northern terminus at the Big Pine-Death Valley road.

http://www.gbr.4wdtrips.net/4x4/images/images2/steele84.jpg
http://www.gbr.4wdtrips.net/4x4/images/images2/steele38.jpg

Included is extensive details on how to access both northern and southern terminus points of the trail; as well as stone by stone, rock by rock, bush by bush description of the route. Liberally illustrated with nearly 150 images and maps.

Enjoy the page, tackle the route with your rig, and then you will be a man (or woman) of Steele!

[Explorer 1]

David,

Good to see your still adding to you great trip log. Thanks for such a detailed report. I went over Steel Pass about 7 years ago in my fully stock Jeep Cherokee. The drive from the pass into Saline Valley was really rocky at that time.

A client and friends that was out exploring the desert back in the 50's told me that back then the trail didn't go over the pass and he and some friends had some dynamite and equipment from some minning operation and used it to allow the road to go over the pass. They took an old piece of metal and wrote on it "Steel Pass" and impalled it into the dirt and rocks, almost as a joke and went there way. He was surprized years later to be looking at a map to see the offical name added to the trail and pass. Looks like someone took his sign seriously.

Thanks again for the great report,

Fred
Explorer 1

[David A. Wright]

They took an old piece of metal and wrote on it "Steel Pass" and impalled it into the dirt and rocks, almost as a joke and went there way. He was surprized years later to be looking at a map to see the offical name added to the trail and pass. Looks like someone took his sign seriously.
Therein lies the question - Steel or Steele? According to most, it's Steele. But your history lesson says that Steel (for the sign) would be official. Either way, it's a fun and scenic run.

[MrS]

Wow that quite a write-up Dave. Good job. :ok-kewl:

I remember 10-12 years ago coming from the North, from the dunes to Dedecka was basically a single track while aiming toward what looked like where the road would go. Between Dedecka and SteelPass (as I’ve heard it called) was basically looking for road remnants and sometimes driving over the lowest bushes toward the saddle.

The last few times I was over this route most of it was very easy to follow, the fan down to the hot springs sure seem to be long. Some years after heavy rains it’s even longer and slower.

The 1st time I went over this route, the internet didn’t have any info. The few emails I sent to desert people either said they didn’t know or the road didn’t go through anymore, but a per-park map I had showed it. When I called DVNP they didn’t recommend the route for vehicle travel, and didn’t know the condition, but they only had this area for 3 or so years. I got a few 7.5 USGS topo, at the time, I don’t recall the date on the topos but they didn’t show it going all the way through either. I wonder if the topo maps where old issues? That would fit what E1’s friend had told him. :yeah:

Good job Dave, keep up the good work, or write a book and make a few $$s. :supercool:

[BajaXplorer]

Enjoyed the writeup! I need a trip to DVNP!!
BX

[David A. Wright]

Wow that quite a write-up Dave. Good job. ... Good job Dave, keep up the good work, or write a book and make a few $$s.
I have a photo I believe you emailed me some years ago, or posted over at the old Death-Valley.us, of a Jeep sitting on that road that runs up into the face of the Last Chance Range from the summit of Steele Pass. The Jeep is sitting amid Joshua trees, with snow on the ground, looking southwest into Saline Valley and the Inyo Range.

Thank you for the kudos. I've tried for two decades to make money on my writings, without success. Thankfully, Jack hosts my site and so I don't have to spend money now trying to write my drivel ... :wink:

Cecile and Roger ought to know about personal sacrifice in hopes of changing careers. All these years of running tours - the expense vs the rewards. Monetary rewards have been fleeting (expense vs income = red ink). Personal rewards have been likely the only consolation.