Kevin, Kathy, Dale, Bob - thanks for all the great info. I've definitely got some things to research and mull over, and that was the point of my post. Just knowing that the Panamint Valley hikes are accessible in a 2WD opens my options up quite nicely. I can't believe I've avoided them for years due to trusting a stupid map.
Corkscrew Peak and Surprise Canyon sound like great day trips in the park. Surprise Canyon seems a lot like the Keane Wonder Mine / Chloride City hike I did two years ago, and I really enjoyed that.
The Inyos are on my radar as well if not too icy. Kevin, I'll get a pair of micros and bring them JIC. We'll see what happens - damn sure nowhere around here to test them out. I also appreciate the Desert Summits reference. Moosie recommended the same book on my similar post on the WPS - I'll certainly pick it up.
Thanks again to everyone for responding. Any other thoughts will be appreciated as well.
