Death Valley Suggestions

[FishBamboo]

We are thinking of going to Death Valley this Saturday for a week or more. We are looking for suggestions on places and possible routes. Vehicle is a 4x4 with an ATC Ocelot. We are thinking of checking out the hot springs, the race track, hike Telescope Peak, Charcoal Kilns and Badwater. We are avid hikers, mountain bikers and photographers. Any suggestions on hikes, mountain bike trails, off road 4x4 trips, historic mines, ghost towns, petroglyphs and photo opportunities would be great. Boondocking is best however don't mind staying in campgrounds once in a while. Also suggestions on refilling fresh water in Death Valley. We have advanced water filtration so we could use water from streams, lakes and springs.

While we want to concentrate on Death Valley we may also head into Arizona or maybe down to Joshua Tree, or to the Alabama Hills after Death Valley. Any other thoughts on destinations are welcome as well.
We have 10 to 12 days for this trip. We are driving from Paso Robles.

Thanks in advance.
Fish Bamboo


P.S. Still love my ATC after 5 years.

 

[ski3pin]

Potable water is available at the dump sites at Stovepipe Wells and Texas Springs at Furnace Creek.

 

[Edgewood]

Get the book"Hiking Death Valley" by Michel Digonnet.

Spend the whole 12 days in the valley using the book!

 

[AWG_Pics]

Get the book"Hiking Death Valley" by Michel Digonnet.

Spend the whole 12 days in the valley using the book!

Great suggestion.

Potable water is available at the dump sites at Stovepipe Wells and Texas Springs at Furnace Creek.

Yes, this was verified at Stovepipe last March by us.

And all these photos we took are geolocated on the flickr map with each photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/awg_pics/albums/72157626377094340

They may give you some ideas, including some boondocking spots. Have big fun!

 

[searching for nowhere]

I too am planning a trip to Death Valley. Though, my trip will be in sometime in Feb/March. Two of my good resources are the Ski3pin blog posts and the Bird and Hiking web site. https://birdandhike.com/Areas/DEVA_Area/_DEVA_toc.htm

Thanks for the flicker link. The pictures are a joy to look at and the location tags are a bonus.

 

[AWG_Pics]

Thanks for the flicker link. The pictures are a joy to look at and the location tags are a bonus.

Thank you. I am glad others can use them to help with planning and it is a bonus that folks enjoy them!

 

[ski3pin]

Death Valley National Park is huge. Do not try to see everything - it is impossible - and concentrate on quality time over quanity. Pick a few things and then immerse yourself. Suggestions - come in from the north. Take Big Pine/Death Valley Road from Big Pine on 395 and spend a night or two at Eureka Dunes. Drive Death Valley Road down into Death Valley and Ubehebee Crater. Travel south to Stovepipe Wells and hike Mosaic Canyon - one of the prettiest canyons in the Park. If you want 4x4, then do the drive into Marble Canyon from Stovepipe. Hike Marble Canyon and Cottonwood Canyon. Dispersed campsites up that way.

Back out on 190 and Badwater Road are all the big ticket items. Busy, maybe/yes, but are worth seeing.

Be aware that the soaking pools at Saline Valley are empty and closed due to the pandemic.

Our main guides have been Digonnet's book, mentioned above, and Jim's birdandhike.com.

Think about gas. The cheapest gas (regular unleaded only) is at Stovepipe Wells in the Park.

The best way to view our blog for locations is here -

Geographic Locations

and scroll down to Death Valley

Be sure and read in depth all the information on backcountry travel and backcountry roads on the Death Valley website and follow every one of the regulations to the letter.

Julie and I have been exploring Death Valley for a couple of decades and have only scratched the surface.

Be safe, have fun.

 

[searching for nowhere]

Ski3pin: Thanks for showing the geographic location tab. I hadn't seen that. It is so much easier to look at your posts that way verses searching for "death valley."

 

[FishBamboo]

Wow. This site is great. I want to thank Ski3pin, Edgewood, AWG_Pics and Search For Nowhere.

All great info.

 

[FishBamboo]

Great suggestion.
Yes, this was verified at Stovepipe last March by us.

And all these photos we took are geolocated on the flickr map with each photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/awg_pics/albums/72157626377094340

They may give you some ideas, including some boondocking spots. Have big fun!

Love your photos and info. Thanks

 

[FishBamboo]

Death Valley National Park is huge. Do not try to see everything - it is impossible - and concentrate on quality time over quanity. Pick a few things and then immerse yourself. Suggestions - come in from the north. Take Big Pine/Death Valley Road from Big Pine on 395 and spend a night or two at Eureka Dunes. Drive Death Valley Road down into Death Valley and Ubehebee Crater. Travel south to Stovepipe Wells and hike Mosaic Canyon - one of the prettiest canyons in the Park. If you want 4x4, then do the drive into Marble Canyon from Stovepipe. Hike Marble Canyon and Cottonwood Canyon. Dispersed campsites up that way.

Back out on 190 and Badwater Road are all the big ticket items. Busy, maybe/yes, but are worth seeing.

Be aware that the soaking pools at Saline Valley are empty and closed due to the pandemic.

Our main guides have been Digonnet's book, mentioned above, and Jim's birdandhike.com.

Think about gas. The cheapest gas (regular unleaded only) is at Stovepipe Wells in the Park.

The best way to view our blog for locations is here -

Geographic Locations

and scroll down to Death Valley

Be sure and read in depth all the information on backcountry travel and backcountry roads on the Death Valley website and follow every one of the regulations to the letter.

Julie and I have been exploring Death Valley for a couple of decades and have only scratched the surface.

Be safe, have fun.

Thank you. All amazing.

 

[eyemgh]

Having never been, but planning a through trip to JTNP in 2 week, I’ve read a lot, especially from seasoned posters here, and watched quite a few videos. Depending on the route, your truck might have the technical ability, but be too wide to get through sections. I don’t know where all the tight slots are, but others here will. I particularly liked the videos Sir William Tackles Death Valley in a FWC Hawk. Have fun!

 

[FishBamboo]

I too am planning a trip to Death Valley. Though, my trip will be in sometime in Feb/March. Two of my good resources are the Ski3pin blog posts and the Bird and Hiking web site. https://birdandhike.com/Areas/DEVA_Area/_DEVA_toc.htm

Thanks for the flicker link. The pictures are a joy to look at and the location tags are a bonus.

Thanks for the link. Enjoy your trip in Feb.

Get the book"Hiking Death Valley" by Michel Digonnet.

Spend the whole 12 days in the valley using the book!

Great idea. As soon as I read your post I realized I had that book. Thanks for reminding me. Yes great book. Reading it now and will take it on our trip. Thanks

 

[searching for nowhere]

Ski3pin: In all your Death Valley travels to you ever air down your tires? And if you do, are you doing it for comfort or better traction? Thanks for any advise.

 

[ski3pin]

Ski3pin: In all your Death Valley travels to you ever air down your tires? And if you do, are you doing it for comfort or better traction? Thanks for any advise.

If we travel technical 4x4 roads we air down. This is done for traction and only for Dedeckra Canyon thus far in Death Valley. We do fine on all other 4x4 roads, but if we find it necessary, we'll air down for traction.

We have a small truck and relatively light weight. We have always run range C tires and the PSI is in the mid to high 30's. That's a much softer tire than the rock hard load range E tires, so not necessary to air down for comfort. Coming up on 200,000 miles of travel with much rough backcountry use with the load of the camper. It works for us and gives a nice comfortable ride.

 

[FishBamboo]

Having never been, but planning a through trip to JTNP in 2 week, I’ve read a lot, especially from seasoned posters here, and watched quite a few videos. Depending on the route, your truck might have the technical ability, but be too wide to get through sections. I don’t know where all the tight slots are, but others here will. I particularly liked the videos Sir William Tackles Death Valley in a FWC Hawk. Have fun!

Yes I know the video as well. Good video. Thanks

 

[searching for nowhere]

Thanks for your info on tires and tire pressure.

 

[craig333]

All good suggestions. DV can be a bit unpredictable. Leaving DV I almost thought I was going to have to chain up. I certainly hadn't anticipated snow in DV but it can happen. Get the biggies out the way and then work on the rest.