Goler Wash is NOT Gone!
Posted by Last Chance Rand on February 13, 2003 at 15:13:18:
In Reply to: Panamint Valley / Mountains posted by Ridgecrest Stranger on February 12, 2003 at 16:34:21:
I descended Goler Wash yesterday (2/12) afternoon in the Rover after two nights at the Geo Cabin (Pugs, I didn't see any llamas...). Goler Wash is in fine shape -- no change.
The Ballerat Road, however, was severely flooded with deep pools of standing water. However, no problems wading through at all. Road will be back in shape after the water soaks into the ground.
Because the Ballerat road flooding was simply pooled water, I encountered no underwater debris and no underwater cross cuts. Just many very deep puddles. I think this deep standing water occurs because the Briggs Mine road graters have created 3 foot high berms on both sides of the road which fill to the top with water. If the burms were lower, the pools would be more shallow.
I saw two abandoned autos on the Ballerat Road, but that's what happens when you don't have 4WD.
I repeat, Goler Wash was normal. I believe this was because these storms, although bringing several inches of rain to the area, did so over a long period of time, and via slow rains. It never once rained "cats & dogs" so flash floods didn't materialize in Goler.