In early 2026, we visited the popular Geologist Cabin in Butte Valley. While I'm sure that the NPS is on top of gathering up the logs from this heavily trafficked location, I always like to archive this sort of information, as there's no telling when it will be "borrowed" from the cabin or otherwise meet some untimely demise.
I will transcribe as I have time.
If you've been to this site - I'd love to hear your story in the comments below.
Death Valley National Park
Geologists Cabin Logbook Placed Sept. 2025
Please do not write or carve on cabin.
[Sticker: Desert Wranglers — Jeep on Nevada outline with compass rose]
[Drawing: "John Brown has a Trout Posse" — 7'4", 520LB — portrait sketch]
9/8/2025 DEVA Resources Div. placed log book.
Saw bighorn sheep and burros on the trip up
- Olivia Holah & Mardee Littrell, NPS [drawing of flower]
9/12/25 - Steve + Laura Ball - we've seen 27 burros! So glad the road is open again. LOVE this backroad!
9/12/25 - [signature]
10/11/25 Dom. Just out here by myself trying to find myself.
10/18/25 @twowheeledexplorers
10/19/25 Trumbavers
On The Rocks,
Live Life.
10/19/25 Gear Grinders 4WD Club, Ridgecrest
Mary & Jerry; Bill; Chad; George;
[Bry?] & Patty
10/19/25 High Desert Four Wheelers
Lancaster CA.
Dick, Danette, Robert
10/19/25 JEEP EXPEDITIONS
Russ [signature]
10/22/2025 BACKCOUNTRY PATROL & CHECK ON BURRO EXCLUSIONARY FENCES. DEVA RM TEAM: JEREMY, NICK, JACKSON, DENISE
Suzanne Lambert 11-01-2025
Happy to be here with some great people! Rock on!
10/20/25 Pam & Dave Moore, Hugh Chalmers & Wilson Craig from Auburn, Benicia, Palo Alto enjoying life together! Team Voodoo BajaXL.mx
11/3/25 Magnuson Superchargers
"Live your life on boost" 🙂 [drawing of gauge]
-Ventura, CA -DB
11/7/25 [Sammen?], SF Bay Area
11/7/26 Allison Keen & Stephen Holland [heart drawing]
11-7-23 TOM WALSH & PARTNER
AWESOME PLACE
11/8/25 ERIC MOSS C4L4XY Auburn CA
4/8/26 Paul & Michele Lambotte 3D4W, San Diego, CA
11/8/25 VV4W) Nick + Marysue, Mike, Tanya
11/9/25 David & Jessica - Riverside, CA
11/13/25 Viktor Durphy Bishop CA
KTM from Ballarat
[peace sign]
11/22/25 [signature] 11/22/25 DJA
Jeremy Rowell
The Bakersfield Trailblazers 4x4 Club
11/22/25
Life rule #1 - Do Epic Shit!
^if you're here, you already know this
JEFF & WALKER MALCOMB
11/24/25
Mullen family 11-28-25
Casper Family! 11/25/25
ROWAN
Preston Casper 2025
Kim & Fred Williams, Taft CA 11-22-2025
Such an adventure! We are blessed!
@LastOfTheJicans!
Ryan, Megan, Laramie, Onyx & Scout
[signature scribble]
Cade Van Weelde, 11/27/25
Ryan, Walker, & Malcom
Husk family 11-26-25
KENNEDI [smiley] age 4
11-28-25 Steve & Denise Schrobsdorff,
Jeff & Shannon Studden — Just passing by. Great weather. Sunny, 60's, no wind. Awesome trip [smiley]
RIGGERS GROUP 11/28/25
TRACY + ALEX + BBY MIA [smiley] [heart]
OC RIGGERS 4x4 TOYOTAS ONLY 11/28/25
11/28 - 11/29
MIKE & THE BOYS FIRST TRIP TO GEOLOGIST CABIN, LOVIN' THE VIEWS OF THE VALLEY AND HISTORY OF THE AREA. GOOD FIRE & GOOD FENCE.
Bryan L'Ecuyer — Been to this Cabin for many years. Cleaner then I've ever seen it. Well done to all the visitors before us for doing the right thing. Also first time sleeping in the Cabin. It was very pleasant.
- Tembotusk [drawing]
KC & Judy 11-29-25 [heart][heart]
12-14-25 Mississippi Boys @B9NOLDCR
12/14/25 Jonathan McDaniel
Loving Life today
12/15/2025
Strider Schmitz and Dave James
Goler Wash to Mengel Pass.
Our trucks will never be the same
12/15-17/2025
1pm Mush Marbella — Warm Springs Canyon Rd at 6pm in the dark is scary lol 🙂 Blessed to stay here tho.
KOL OFFROAD WC, CA
12/15/2025 to 12/17/2025
Hi y'all! idk if I'm the first Thai ppl here, but if any Thais are here "Sawaddee ka". I'm a big fan of RDR2, spending time here such a dream [smiley]. Alright, don't forget to pack out your trash [heart]
Enjoy.
Thanthita [signature]
AL REYNOSO CLAREMONT 2-27-26 [smiley]
(Q?) MP +TH 12/20/25
The journey in was treacherous. Wish us luck getting out.
12/21/25 Hike up Goler Wash → circumvent[?] Needle Peak
Johnny H. and J. Troker[?] - Valley Center, CA
Hunting for the D.V. Germans
12-28-25 Beautiful day, drove up Goler Wash, having lunch at the cabin like we have been doing for the last 15 years. Cabin is looking great!! The Lightfoot gang - Jan, Steve, Skip & Janet[?]
12-29-25 MADE IT UP GOLAR IN FULL SIZE F250, GOT A LITTLE BATTLE DAMAGE, HOPE WE DONT HAVE TO GO BACK THE WAY WE CAME. THE DE LOS COBOS [signature]
12/29/2025 Mike, Diana, Scott, Lilia & Winnie
Good day!
I was baptized in Saline Valley Springs w/ a buncha hippies & some sage[?] in 1996. The newfound love of my life has explored this & parts of DV that I did not know exist. Grateful for getting to know a place I've called home for so long in a different way.
[heart] Emma 12/29/25
TO ALL THE WILD MILES BEFORE THIS, AND THE WEIRD ONES YET TO COME... I HOPE TO RIDE THEM ALL BESIDES THE BEAUTY ABOVE. MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK, AND ONLY SO MANY FIT INTO YOUR OWN. I'M SO GLAD TO HAVE FOUND BOTH, AND WILL HOLD ON FOREVER ... MAY YOUR TRIP TAKE YOU WHERE YOU NEED TO GO.
- T.P. Boyce - 12/30/25 [small drawing]
85 FJ60
Nil & Robert 1/2/26
JASON, AVALYNN, CARLOS, CHRIS
ROANN, Brodi, Jonathan, MOLLY Fernanda
We came through here smashin and rollin and we had to much fun 1/08/26
Anwar, Noor, Josh, Tanner, Natalie & Isabel
January 16 2025 KPOFFROAD
1-17-26 Sinkiller KRAWLER KREW
LAURA, Jon, Sylvie 5, Evan 3
1-17-26 — 1-18-26
OLEG VILKOV (VILKOFF)
1/29/26 - 1/30/26 -> First Braaaptist Church
Jason, Oleg, and Rodolpho. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Fixed up the spring a little bit, wiped down tables and counters, swept cabin and outhouse, etc. Thanks to the earth, and everyone who's ever taken the time to enjoy this magical place.
[signature] [signature]
2-5-26 Happy to find cabin unoccupied & in good repair. Enjoy driving up from Belarat[?]. Much nicer than washboard road in from the westside road!
Dave & Faith Plummer
2/13/26 Art + Kelley Alaniz
Came back to work for a few months after having lived + worked in DV from 2019-2024. Nice to see the cabin so well taken care of.
2/15/26 Candace + Jason Lieber - Looks good!
2-17-26 KIRK (AKA S30RIDER) AND TONY OUT HERE ON OUR MOTOS, RODE FROM FURNACE CREEK
2-19-26 Tim McNulty, DV heavy equip. mechanic
Snowing like crazy up here!
2/19-2/22 Laurye Beaver & Jason Roberts
MotiveAdventure /Motivelifestyle.com
[scribbled out word]
2/22/26 Kevin & Alexi Rooms [heart]
2/23-24/26
Todd from Mt Shasta CA, This is #4 of cabins visited on a trip to find them all
2/23/6 - MIKE & JULIE - COLORADO
2/23/26 Troy C San Diego
2/23/26 Sean from Mt. Shasta, CA visited here with Todd. Sean smoked Todd at gin rummy.
2/24/2026
Robert Humiston - Irvine, CA
Just enjoying retirement.
2/24/2026 Cathy TARR Happy Birthday!
2/25/26 Kim MUNSON - SAN JOSE, CA
ENJOYING THE ADVENTURE! TENT CAMPED IN THE BUTTE VALLEY, STOPPED BY THE CABIN TO EXPLORE.
2/26/26 Shannon and Andrew Ferguson here on an unplanned trip from Oregon! COOLEST place on earth! LOVE the burros!
Jorge VASQUEZ 3/26/26
WALNUT CREEK
Paul Troop Geologist Oakdale Ca 2-28-26
Beautiful view of Striped Butte.
Steven Rice. Madera, CA 2.28.26
This is history standing still.
3/1/26 DANIEL LUEDDERS PHX, AZ
Biked 60 m. from GREENWATER VALLEY, 9d Bikepacking trip
Unbeatable Sunset view today, but fierce wind! Off to DARWIN tmrw.
3/2/26 Lenny & SHAREN KINGMAN, AZ
3/02/2026 Mitch was here! From Orange County. Stayed one night.
3/3/2026 Richard & Claudia Grand Jct., CO
Lovely place, super nice - DON'T WRECK IT!
3/3/26 ART WAS HERE. Goodyear, AZ
3/3/26 Russ Chung & LELO
3/3/26 Mack Staggs Phoenix
3/4/26 [small drawing] Vallecito
3/4/26 So very wonderful. Good to be back. Karen & Chris Santa Ynez, Calif.
3/6/26 [doodle of sun/ellipse with rays]
3/6/26 LEV G.
Be a thinking man
-> Smoke
-> think
-> Execute.
3/6/26 DAVE, SPENCE, JOSH MOTO!
3/6/2026 It's been awhile since I've been here last. The sunrise is a marvel! The panorama of God's natural wonders is truly outstanding. This place brings back a lot of memories. I brought my sons here about 20 yrs ago. I brought my wife here for an anniversary once too. Our youngest just had his 2nd son at Ft Bragg. He's a SSG in the 82AB. Coming up here while I had cell coverage, he told me he may be deployed to the middle East due to the mission in Iran. I believe in the mission, but God I don't want my boy to go or any of our boys [smiley]. Enjoy life, live well, trust in God, hug your family! AZ Rebel
P.S. somebody left some pot in here, leave that shit alone. Gentlemen drink Bourbon!!!
3/7/26
DALLAS & JANICE PRUETT
33RD ANNIVERSARY
3/7/26
Daniel, Jamie, Ben & Vivian
The Huthsing Family
3/7/26 Felix Bachmeier
Got super lucky to get this cabin on a weekend in March during a bloom! Been on my bucket list for years. Finally did it!
3/8/26 WHAT A GREAT SPOT
GONE TO HAVE FUN
[signature]
Love this Cabin!
Waltzingmatilda JT [signature]
3-8-26 Erik & Dreamy
3-8-26 CAM
3-8-26 ALICIA & SERGIO ARRIVED WITH DOG BULLET. DECIDED TO CAMP THIS YEAR AT THE CABIN. VERY EXCITED TO MAKE IT OUR HOME FOR THE NIGHT.
3-8-26
--> Beautiful!!!! [heart]
- Michele Eggers, Nevada City
3-9-26
The Ventura/SB crew
Brent Conrad Misha Gus!
Adv Bikes [drawing of motorcycle]
3-9 TO 3-10-26
DAVE HARBIN SAN DIMAS, CA.
ARRIVED VIA GOHLER WASH & MENGEL PASS. DIDN'T SEE ANYONE UNTIL EVENING. 4 VEHICLES HEADING SOUTH TOWARD RUSSELL CAMP. GOING NORTH TO BADWATER & EUREKA DUNES, BIG PINE.
3-10-26
Jessica Sexton - Orange County
Beautiful Sunrises
Cleo & Sam & Mitch 3-10-26
3/11/26
EUGENE KIM WAS HERE!
3/11/26 11 AM
STEVE & DEB STOPPED BY ON WAY TO MENGEL & BEYOND!!
3/11/26
Reb's: 7 other Motorcycles came over pass headed to Pahrump on a 6 day tour of the Mojave & Death Valley from Wickenburg
3-11-26
Mike Allen from Boise, IDAHO
3-11-2026 Cool cabin, amazing butte!
David & Teresa Harrison, San Antonio, TX
3-11-26 Came thru Goler cyn by way of the Escape Trail. PF
3-12,13-26 KEVIN MOKRACEK BURBANK
HUSTON HERMAN
CLIMBED MANLY PEAK AND STRIPED BUTTE TO MAKE HAM RADIO CONTACT FROM THEIR SUMMITS. HEADING TO GOLD HILL TODAY TO DO THE SAME.
3-13-26 Steve Kasper and Karen Gravelyn
3/13/26 Klamath Falls OR -> [sticker: Dirty Shifters]
3/13/26
CORDOVA CREW
Darin - age 44 and Alex - age 11 on March, 14, 2026. Stayed at Mineatta 1st night, explored Defense Mine. Stayed at Geologist Cabin and headed to Bad water last day.
3/14/26.
Outkast Jeepers from Farmington, CA
Visited. Super Cool! OutKast SP.
3/14-26 Cory Treadway
3.14.26 - Frank & Willy
Enjoy your Stay!
@mtn Francisco
3/14/26 - DAVIS Moto Shop
Bend OREGON
3/14/26
Striped "Butt"es drive me nutts! Thanx for the view, Bretany[?] & Shawn
3/14/26 HEADING TO DV FROM TRONA
TOM MATERNA
SHERMAN OAKS, CA
3/14/26 Countdown Dual Sport
PAUL THOELESEN[?]
3/14/26 Jennifer, Andrew, and Olivia (the dog) stopped here for a lunch of camp cooked mac-n-cheese! The valley is green and beautiful.
3/14 - CASCADE MOTORSPORTS!
BEND OREGON
3/14/26 KELLY TRUE - HENDERSON, NV
3/14/26 PETE SIEGEL BEND, OR
KALON & BELLA FROM A.J. CA.
3/14/26
Ethan [heart],
3/14/26
3/13/26 Amber and her group [illegible — heavily scribbled and overwritten, several lines unreadable]
3/14/26 LARRY FROM SAN JOSE CA TRAVELLING W/ FRIENDS WHO HAS A WONKY STARTER THAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH. SPENT THE NIGHT IN THE CABIN & CAMPED OUT FRONT. WHAT A GREAT WAY TO END OUR PROBLEMATIC DAY & THEN TO WAKE UP TO THIS VERDANT VALLEY SUNRISE — AWESOME
LARRY GONZALES - SAN JOSE CA
3/15 - Just passing through but had to stop to enjoy this incredible place. Great views!
Rosh - Las Vegas
Elysia Letterman, Cow Creek CA
Joel Klenke, West Glacier, MT
3/16 - God bless from Las Vegas! The Markins
+ Cosmo (woof) + Galena (woof)
3/16 - 3/17 2026 Katherine + Nate, 4 year anniversary. K smoked N @ backgammon. Thank you to Kelly for telling us about this place. Left some cigars for the next geologist - smoke 'em if you got 'em! [signature]
3/18 Dean HOWARD, Matt HOWARD, Jon Block, Dan Wa[?]alley, Brian Egan, Best Day Ever!
3/18 Larry & Kerry Stockton
3/19 DEAN + MARY - MARYLAND @VERYACTIVELIFE
3/19 Traveling Monkey's Rodgers, Weigel.
3/19 Denia Castro Bishop [heart] & Carlos Bishop. First time here, so far it's been awesome.
3/20/26 Chris & Mandy from LBC!
(+ Charlie & Sport)
3/20/26 I like this cabin
The Russells love off-roading everyday, all day come to this cabin and see the beautiful huge rock.
3/20/26 Cabin is pretty freakin' epic! very kinda-modern! I want to come back [two?] years from now!
-Delilah Alcoria [heart] [sparkle drawing] [signature]
[drawing of jagged shapes/scribbles]
warm
Speed Knight [signature]
3-31-26
Lotta dock smokers here.
A beautiful view,
For the self selected few,
We'll be back,
Before we choke from a
Heart attack,
Many burros we heard brayed,
Yet we weren't ever afraid,
Eggs we fried,
And no mouses were spied,
Bird songs serenaded the dawn,
And too soon we were gone,
Hopefully to return soon, Saw gopher snake,
And swoon, Not rattler, no shake,
Again, with joy for
Death Valley National Park!
[signature] Steve & Maryann[e?]
[signature] Da Mio[?]
3/22-23/2026
overnighters
3/24/26 - NIELSEN-PETERS FAMILY
3/24/26 JASON AND BRANDON ON BIKES. AMEN IS STUCK ON GOLER WASH. GOING DOWN FOR RESCUE. IF YOU GET THIS PAST 3-24 CABIN IS YOURS. SORRY WE LEFT THE FLAG UP. ENJOY!
3/25-3/26
JEFF, MIKE & DREW
LEFT FOOD, FIREWOOD & T.P.
ENJOY!
3/26/2026 - PAUL, BRIAN & MARK ON BIKES - NICE BREAK!
3/26/26 - TIM OWENS - 4TH TIME OUT HERE. SHELTER LOOKS BETTER THAN EVER!
3/26/26 Brian Davis (Condor Trail Guide) out exploring
3/26/26 I keep closing doors on cabins - Please close doors to keep burros out. Cabin clean. [signature], Grass Valley
3/27/26 Jeff Gaspar, Tsoa[?] Oregon City, OR
3/27/26 Glad & Bill Baquet, Arcadia, CA
3/27/26 Bob & Marcia [signature], Arcadia, CA
3/27/26 CHRIS READ KTM 950
3-27-26 Love it here! Charlie & Gail
3/28/2026 Reminder to not leave food here in packages that mice can chew through - which is almost anything soft sided. Thank you for keeping this special place clean! Remember, always Leave No Trace! [heart] - Ranger Michelle Clark, NPS.
3/28/26 - GERRIT & REBECCA - [heart] "JEEP RUN" [heart]
3-28-2026 MOJAVEGUY, LEWIS + CLARK
3-28-2026 Charlie & Linda Westrich, Las Vegas, NV
3-28-2026 Tristan -n- Bentley, Las Vegas, NV
3/28/26 Scot, Casey + Mina, Las Vegas, NV
3/28/26 Jackie & Tony Smiley, Las Vegas, NV
3/28/26 GERRIT & REBECCA, BOULV, NV - DESERT WRANGLER JEEP CLUB
3/28/26 MIKE SIGRUE
3/29/26 MIKE & MIKHAIL - ENJOYING A VIEW FOR THE AGES! THERE IS SO MUCH BEAUTY ON THIS PLANET. SO HAPPY TO SEE SO MUCH OF IT IN ONE PLACE. LOVE TO ALL. Mishka [smiley]
3/30/26 Josh and Ezra Lopez
Franklin Weldon
WAYLEND Stevens
Kayke Weldon, quick visit from San[ora?]
Calvin Weldon, super cool
Jonathan Wolf (3/30/26)
March 30th 2026 The Weldon-Wilson clan has returned 11 years to the day from oil changes in Goler Wash to the Striped Butte. Henry, Franklin & Tom Weldon
Hope to get out here again. Nothing like DV.
Owen Ragland 3/30/2026
3/31/26 Joey, Ava, & Tony [Piesbergen?] were here
Very pretty out here [smiley]
Thank you Yuba Box for getting us here
Jack 'n Bo
3-31-26
Nice cabin
4/2/26 Harmon | Mariscal | Elliott family here, and what a beautiful view. We have been here through generations & are bringing our kids.
4/2/26 Thanks for the shot!
only took a couple [arrow] [smiley] [side annotation, mostly illegible — appears to mention "Rosie"]
Dirty Rigger Boyz
4/3/26 Thanks for the pleasant stay
4x4 Chulos off road 4/4/26
4-4-[26?] Thomas, Elizabeth, Dad, Blu
4.4.26 Sean & Christina
Caleb
Tom + Donna - NANAIMO. B.C. APRIL 4/26
4.5.26 Joe + Shalom Simon [peace sign]
Happy Easter!
4/5/26 Kevin + Peter
Saw 2 coyotes while gazing out the cabin window.
4/6/26 [scribbled out] Thatcher, Andy (A real live Geologist), Audrey, [Silas?]
4/8/26 - Matt B. OREGON
4/9/26 - Shawn P. Oregon
4/8/26 - Oleg M. group of 8, California
4/9/26 - Kaitlin, Craig, JJ Pleasanton CA [smiley]
4/11/26 Summer + Denny Pochaska
Iowa Falls, IA
4/11/26 Terrance [Pro?] & Michelle
Iowa
4/11/26 Russ Lawrence
Iowa Falls, IA
Mike, Alex, Dylan Juneau
4/8/26 - The Juneau boys enjoyed an amazing evening at the Geology cabin!
4/9/26 → 2nd time here, it gets better every time! Mengel pass oof what a doozy, much more challenging than last time (2021). This spot is the reason we came back to death valley. Life Changing view! [heart] until next time geologist cabin!
glen, danielle, nolan Albany NY
4-10-2026 - Traveled so many miles to get here, but no matter how many times we come, it could never lose its beauty. New adventure this time to the radio tower on Owl Springs Road & saw big horns. Glad the cabin kept us out of the wind for the night. We met two people while here & they were from back home — what a small world!!
Chris & Latina
Morgantown, West Virginia
many miles traveled make great memories [heart]
4/11/26 JOHN, BRANDON, GAITLEN[?]
MADE A TRIP UP WITH SOME
BURRITOS TO GET 'EM ATE AND,
MET HERE. CHEERS TO TSECK[?].
[signature]
4/12/26 Mark & Michelle Centu[?]
Took the road less traveled and ended up
back in time. Loved Every minute.
God Bless!!
4/11/26 ANGELINA & SHAWN
HAD A CUTE LITTLE LUNCH AT THE
TABLE WITH AN ASSORTMENT OF VEGAN
CHEESES, SANDWICHES, PRETZELS AND
COOKIE BUTTER CHRISTENED THE CABIN 😉
CAN'T COMPLAIN!
~ FIVE STARS WOULD CUM (~~COME~~) AGAIN!
4/12/2026
RANAR[?] FAMILY WAS HERE!
4-12-26 Hurray, Thank You
The Donkey Boys
a new album by Donkey Dressage
dropping soon...
4/12/26 - Sweet Valley and Good Shelter!
[signature]
[signature] "KTM"
Lets RIDE!
1120 hrs 13APR2026 BIRTHMONTH TRIP TO DV.
15 April 2026 - wandering through this most beautiful valley. Love it every time.
Found the cabin locked, which was an unpleasant surprise.
Turns out there is someone staying here, so perhaps a little more understandable but still weird.
D + M
P.S. enjoy your time here!
VERY RUDE. IF IT'S OCCUPIED, YOU DON'T GO IN. BUT APPARENTLY THERE ARE PEOPLE WITH NO MANNERS, TO HAVE WRITTEN THE LAST ENTRY ABOUT FINDING IT LOCKED AND SOMEHOW ENTERED ANYWAY SHOWS THE COMPLETE LACK OF INTEGRITY YOU HAVE. WEIRD? SOCIETY THESE DAYS IS WEIRD. YOU ARE PROOF. I DID NEED THAT ONE ITEM THAT IS NOW MISSING. 16 APR 2026 SO THE LAST 3 DAYS WERE AWESOME, EXCEPT FOR THE B&E.
CABIN WAS CLEAN AND ENJOYABLE!
Lon, Paula, Ben, & Debby
Boise, ID Scottsdale, AZ
17 April 2026
For years, no one locked anything out here, nothing was stolen. We still leave the truck unlocked w/keys in the ignition when we hike. Those of us out in the desert aren't looking to steal from others, rather, we are here to help whenever it's needed.
And yeah, you know nothing was missing, so no need to go there. We thought someone left the cabin and locked it when they left so no one else could use it. Removed the screws on the latch, to let ourselves in w/o wrecking anything.
Found your stuff here, and left it just as we found it - even left you a note to enjoy yourself.
Anyhow, no need to lock cabins, that's not the way of the desert!
D + M
P.S. - 3 great days exploring the valley + camping in the rocks!