Adventurer, outdoorsman, four-wheeler, author, and defender of sustainable outdoor motorized recreational access.
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| Hydrate or die-drate. Good trail days depend on water |
By Del Albright, Sustainable Recreation Advocate
By Del Albright | delalbright.com
When the morning sun kisses the mountains and the chill still hangs in the desert air, there’s nothing more satisfying than the sound of breakfast sizzling in a cast-iron skillet. For overlanders, this isn’t just a meal — it’s a ritual, a reward, and a reminder of why we chase trails and sleep under stars. And yes, I realize we don't all have room or weight options for cast iron, but if you do, there's nothing like it.
By Del Albright
The Saguaro is native to the Sonoran Desert and is found mostly in southern Arizona and parts of California and Mexico. But in the vast, open, and beautifully barren landscape of the Arizona Strip—especially near routes like the Camino del Diablo—you’ll find these cacti standing like silent sentinels of the desert.
One of the highlights of my journey was spotting a particularly twisted Saguaro—its arms looping and curling like desert sculpture. Every arm tells a story. Did you know it can take up to 75 years for a Saguaro to grow its first arm? Some of these beasts are over 150 years old, soaking up the sun, storing water, and surviving heat waves, drought, and monsoon winds.
These unusual shapes are often the result of frost damage, genetic quirks, or damage from birds and insects. Whatever the cause, the result is always worth a second look—and a few photos.
The Arizona Strip is perfect for overland travel. Rough trails, historic routes, and breathtaking views make it a four-wheeling and camping paradise. And when you throw in some massive Saguaros towering beside your Jeep or military trailer rig, the experience gets even better.
📸 Tip: If you’re running the Strip, keep your eyes peeled near wash areas and hillsides for the tallest and oldest Saguaros. Sunrise and sunset give the best lighting for photos—casting long shadows and bringing out those cactus ridges in full contrast.
Saguaros are protected under Arizona law—and for good reason. They’re slow growers and serve as vital homes for desert birds like woodpeckers and owls. When overlanding, let’s keep our recreation sustainable by staying on designated trails, packing out all waste, and giving these desert icons the respect they’ve earned over the centuries.
Whether you’re an overland traveler, a desert lover, or just someone chasing open skies and dirt roads, the Saguaro cactus is one of the most awe-inspiring sights the Southwest offers. It’s not just a plant. It’s a pillar of desert life, and every twist and turn in its arms is a reminder that nature is the best artist of all.
https://delalbright.blogspot.com/2025/03/jeep-overlanding-arizona-strip.html
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MORE HELPFUL LINKS:
DEL'S BOOKS (LAND USE, WILDFIRE, DEATH VALLEY, COWBOY POETRY, AND MORE)
WEBSITE (HOME PAGE)
PINTEREST (BOOKS, ARTICLES, AND MORE)
DEL'S ARTICLES (LAND USE, LIFE, WILDFIRE, VOLUNTEERISM, AND MORE)
More land use and volunteerism help here:
The Funeral Mountains form a rugged and dramatic eastern boundary of Death Valley National Park, rising sharply from the floor of the valley near Furnace Creek and stretching southeast into Nevada. Though not as well-known as other Death Valley ranges like the Panamints, the Funeral Mountains offer unique geology, stark beauty, and a rich human history.
Stretch from Daylight Pass (near Beatty, NV) down toward Ash Meadows and Amargosa Valley
Form part of the Amargosa Range, separating Death Valley from Nevada
Composed of rugged limestone and dolomite ridges, deeply eroded canyons, and jagged peaks
Elevations range up to around 6,700 ft at Funeral Peak
Daylight Pass Road (CA-374): Stunning drive from Beatty into Death Valley, offering views of both the Funeral and Black Mountains
Hells Gate Viewpoint: On Daylight Pass Road — dramatic views over Death Valley, particularly beautiful at sunrise or sunset
Funeral Peak: A remote hike with sweeping views of the Badwater Basin and Black Mountains
Boundary Canyon: A lesser-known but geologically rich canyon near the NV/CA line
Higher elevations support Joshua trees, pinyon pines, and desert scrub.
Home to bighorn sheep, coyotes, and desert reptiles — though far less traversed by visitors than other ranges.
Geology features ancient Precambrian rocks and Cambrian limestone, giving rise to deep washes and colorful strata.
Best Time to Visit: Fall through spring — summer heat is extreme
Access: Best approached via Daylight Pass Road (paved) or 4x4 trails from Amargosa/Beatty side
Hiking: Remote and rugged — bring GPS, water, and navigation tools
Camping: Primitive camping allowed in many areas, but no developed campgrounds
MORE HELPFUL LINKS:
DEL'S BOOKS (LAND USE, WILDFIRE, DEATH VALLEY, COWBOY POETRY, AND MORE)
WEBSITE (HOME PAGE)
PINTEREST (BOOKS, ARTICLES, AND MORE)
DEL'S ARTICLES (LAND USE, LIFE, WILDFIRE, VOLUNTEERISM, AND MORE)
More land use and volunteerism help here:
Intro: Overlanding is more than a trend — it's the fastest-growing component of the four-wheeling lifestyle. With its rise in popularity comes a greater responsibility: to recreate sustainably. As stewards of public lands, we must promote smart, responsible exploration so that future generations can enjoy the same freedom we do today.
Death Valley National Park is not known for trees, rest rooms, amenities and cool camping spots. On the other hand, there are some really nice camping spots if you look hard enough. And I'm talking besides Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells.
This privately owned and operated resort has nice camping (tents, RVs, dry RV, and mini cabins) as well as bathrooms (not to brag on, but usable). Sunsets and sunrises here can be spectacular, let alone the jet fly bys.
Remotely located a long ways down the Saline Valley road, these hot springs are world famous for camping and soaking. Palm trees and several clean soaking tubs compliment the camping. Originally a 1960s naked hippy hangout, the Park Service still warns folks that clothing is optional here.
A Death Valley camp ground for tents and small RV (trailers), with a nice bathroom, this camp is located up near the turn off to Scotty's Castle.
Panamint Springs Resort
Amenities:
Reviews: Guests appreciate the peaceful environment and the convenience of the on-site facilities. The restaurant is noted for its selection of craft beers and as a pleasant spot to watch sunsets. However, some reviews mention that the bathrooms and showers are basic but serviceable, and the food, while expensive, is satisfactory.
Saline Valley Warm Springs
Amenities:
Reviews: Visitors highlight the remote beauty and unique experience of the natural hot springs. However, reaching the springs requires navigating challenging roads that can be tough on vehicles, especially tires. Travelers recommend using high-clearance 4WD vehicles equipped with full-size spare tires and traction aids. It's also advised to carry ample supplies due to the area's isolation.
Mesquite Springs Campground
Amenities:
Reviews: Campers appreciate the spacious sites and the presence of basic amenities like fire pits and picnic tables. The campground is noted for its quiet atmosphere and scenic surroundings.
Summary
MORE HELPFUL LINKS:
DEL'S BOOKS (LAND USE, WILDFIRE, DEATH VALLEY, COWBOY POETRY, AND MORE)
WEBSITE (HOME PAGE)
PINTEREST (BOOKS, ARTICLES, AND MORE)
DEL'S ARTICLES (LAND USE, LIFE, WILDFIRE, VOLUNTEERISM, AND MORE)
More land use and volunteerism help here:
By Del Albright, Sustainable Motorized Recreation Advocate
The high desert blossomed with colorful plant life as I entered the Gold Butte National Monument outside of Mesquite, NV, overlanding my way to the back side of Lake Mead. While the whole trip was beautiful, I have to admit that the variety of events was exceptional. “Jumping” cactus (cholla) threatened to stick me or stab me at every turn. Beavertail cactus, alive with purple flowers, forced me to stop and take way too many pics. My back was sore at the end of the day, as some of the roads in my JK were pretty bumpy. And, my goodness, the views were incredible.
Death Valley National Park is an incredible desert environment because it’s one of the most extreme and diverse landscapes in the world. Much of it can be enjoyed by backcountry camping or overlanding. Just make sure you have whatever necessary permits fit your adventure (entrance fees, tour permits, camping, etc.).
Death Valley National Park is 3.4 million acres (about 5,270 square miles or 13,650 square kilometers), making it the largest national park in the contiguous United States. It stretches across eastern California and western Nevada and features vast desert landscapes, sand dunes, mountains, and salt flats, including Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level.
BY DEL ALBRIGHT
Touring Death Valley and vicinith with Metalcloak friends and my build partner Cloakworks4x4. Overlanding the backcountry and getting our tires dirty in canyons galore. Just a few pics here:
The main tips for four exploring include:
The idea, really, as you see, is just to get outside and do it. Go jeeping. See some country, even if just for a day. Take a friend. Enjoy a picnic. And help us keep the sport of fun four-exploring alive and well.
Read more about exploring the backcountry and how much fun it can be on Modern Jeeper here:
Dutch ovens are a great way to bring the taste of home cooking to the outdoors. To better understand Dutch ovens, I turned to fellow Outdoor Adventure USA member Bruce Crabtree. Bruce has been cooking with Dutch ovens for over 15 years. He recently joined us during a ham radio program to share his thoughts. To hear the entire program, click on this link:
http://www.oausa.net/on-air-nets/48-on-air-nets/91-cooking-with-a-dutch-oven
A Dutch oven is actually a cooking pot that's designed to be heated by charcoal or a campfire. They are made of cast iron because iron offers a uniform distribution of heat. Dutch ovens are most often used for baking goods, but are also used to cook with. People make soups, casseroles, and other dishes with a Dutch oven.
The ovens come in a variety of sizes, with the most common being 10" and 12" wide. A 12" pot holds six quarts of food and will serve four to six people. For two to four people, a 10" pot should be sufficient. Be sure you purchase a "camp" oven with 3 little legs and a lip on the lid to hold hot coals.
New ovens have a waxy coating to prevent rusting. Wash in soap and water to remove the coating. The next step is to "season" your pot. Use a paper towel to apply a light coat of vegetable oil (many people use Crisco brand) to all surfaces of the pot and lid inside and out. Do not use lard or other animal fat. It will turn rancid over time.
Place the covered pot in your gas grille, close the lid, and heat to 425 degrees, baking for one and one-half to two hours. This process causes a lot of smoke, so don't be alarmed. Season several times to give your oven a nice, non-stick surface.
Now you're ready to cook. Since most folks use charcoal, we'll focus on that. To determine how much charcoal to use, remember the "plus 3/minus 3" rule. Add three coals to the size of your pot for the lid. Subtract three to get the number of coals needed underneath. So, for a 12" pot, you'd use 15 briquettes on the lid and nine underneath.
Form a ring of charcoal under the pot; do not have any coals directly underneath or you'll develop a hot spot. That's not important for the lid. Coals can be placed evenly across the top. This arrangement will create an internal temperature of about 350 degrees. Add charcoal if you need a higher temperature. Each additional briquette increases the internal temperature by about 25 degrees.
Dutch ovens are a great way to bring authentic cooking to the outdoors. With a little practice, you can become a hit with your friends during your next off-road adventure.
I hope to see you on the trails!
Tom Severin, President
Badlands Off Road Adventures, Inc
4-Wheel Drive School
310-374-8047
http://www.4x4training.com
Make it Fun. Make it Safe.
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