Excellent choice DCR! I've never been to Saline Valley, but I seen all the pictures and read many trip reports about it. As you know ,access can be a problem if there is snow. Both the north and south pass have deteriorated in certain areas due to weather related washouts. Check at soak.net and request a road update before you go. Most like Skip Hill or Terre or someone there will have been there just before you. Enjoy it!!! We'll be heading out to Imperial Valley in a week or so for some desert soaking.. I hope to post some pictures upon our return.