Death Valley

[billharr]

Finally going to Death Valley in the winter. Going to drive down Feb 3rd and spend two to three nights. I plan on driving Titus Canyon, and seeing the main tourist spots, Visitors Center, Zabriskies Point, Artist Drive, and Dantes View if it opens. Is it worth the trip to see the mines or Charcoal Kilns? What else should I put on the list?


Only other item on my list is Dinner at the Inn. We have had dinner at all the major National Parks and have enjoyed it even if a little expensive.

 

[Vic Harder]

following this... hoping to hit Death Valley in late April...

 

[AWG_Pics]

Some ideas... 4WD into Cottonwood Canyon for fossils and petroglyphs -- access is via sand track west out of Stovepipe Wells. Directly south of Stovepipe is Mosaic Canyon -- really fun and interesting walk up into the canyon. At Furnace Creek you can pay $5 to use the pool and showers. Heading south, take the west side road out into the bottom of the badwater basin and use one the pullouts to park and contemplate the sunset, or sunrise with an appropriate beverage. Artist's drive is interesting.

Several years of Death Valley photos here (every photo has a geolocation on the accompanying map you can click to make bigger): https://www.flickr.com/photos/awg_pics/albums/72157626377094340

We are headed there on June 18. Should get into the valley on the evening of the 19th. Will probably boondock somewhere after getting gas & any remaining groceries in either Beaty or Pahrump. Maybe we will see you there. We will spend at least 4 days, and maybe double that depending on how we feel.

 

[WillTheThri11]

Checkout the racetrack! 20 miles of corrugated roads though.

I’m thinking of going out next weekend maybe to saline valley hot springs. 60 miles off road to get there though.

 

[Kolockum]

Yes. Lots of gravel roads but very very worth it.

The mines were absolutely amazing. The amount of artifacts that are preserved really adds a human element to the abandoned buildings. I swung through Death Valley on a spur of the moment trip and have wanted to go back even since.

 

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

Ubehebe Crater and Eureka Dunes in the north. If down by Badwater consider spending a night up near Striped Butte. We’ll be out there in mid-March. Have fun!

 

[ski3pin]

Finally going to Death Valley in the winter. Going to drive down Feb 3rd and spend two to three nights. I plan on driving Titus Canyon, and seeing the main tourist spots, Visitors Center, Zabriskies Point, Artist Drive, and Dantes View if it opens. Is it worth the trip to see the mines or Charcoal Kilns? What else should I put on the list?


Only other item on my list is Dinner at the Inn. We have had dinner at all the major National Parks and have enjoyed it even if a little expensive.

Bill, since this will be your first winter trip I think it best to stick to the big ticket items you mention and not rush it.

Where will you be staying? Furnace Creek campground (get reservations) puts you within walking distance of the visitor's center and the visitor developments at Furnace Creek, cafe, saloon, etc. The big Sunset Campground across the road is also within a walk and you can always find a spot. Texas Creek has more of a campground feel than Sunset, but not really pleasant walking distance. The Inn and the special dinner are within walking distance of any of these for Julie and me.

Recommendations - make Titus Canyon your entry into the Park and end the day at your campsite. You can find dispersed sites out near the beginning of Titus Canyon Road. Zabriskies is a sunrise spot. You'll join the hordes of photographers so make it fun. Move on to Dantes while the sun is still in the east. Do Artist Drive late afternoon - but before the sun sets over the Panamints - for the best light and colors. Consider the short walks up Natural Bridge Canyon and Golden Canyon for the in between time. You must visit Mosiac Canyon for beautiful water polished rock - in the first set of narrows. The Mesquite Sand Dunes are nearby and make a great early morning stop for the light and before the crowds.

If you start adding the kilns and mines and Racetrack and Ubehebe Crater, you are adding too much and will just be sitting on your butt driving. Let a relaxing trip to Death Valley set the hook and you'll return again and again.

Take advantage of the Visitors Center. They have hand outs on the nearby walks such as Golden and Natural Bridge.

Remember to walk away from camp and neighbors and such in the night to experience the vast desert sky and quiet. If you're thinking about Badwater and the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere, make this your night experience. Walk out on the salt flat and take in the grandeur.

If you'd like to disperse camp near Furnace Creek, Echo Canyon Road and Hole in the Wall Road offer the closest options.

Have a great trip and Julie and I are anxiously awaiting one of your wonderful trip reports!

 

[PaulT]

In the visitor center, ask for a back country roads map. Or print your own here.
https://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/backcountryroads.htm

Current alerts & weather conditions. https://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/conditions.htm
Have a great time.


Paul

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Paul, last year I was told the Park no longer offers the BC road map, as the sponsor (Jeep?) no longer funded them. Save your old copies.

 

[Lighthawk]

What Monte said.

Titus is fun, and remember to stop for Leadfield on the way.
An alternate to Mesquite Dunes access off 190 is to come from the (original) Stove Pipe Well dune access of Scotty's Castle Rd.

Water is available in Furnace Creek and Stove Pipe Wells. Best gas prices were in Panamint Springs. Don't try to buy propane in the park.

 

[Stokeme]

Timely post Bill, helpful info to wade through for our upcoming visit. We had originally planned for Feb. 3 as well.
- Go Niners - Now postponed for a week or so due to babysitting requests & Grandkid’s BDay parties. Have not been to Death Valley since our early married years & can’t wait for a FWC visit. Looking forward to the stars, the quiet, the uniqueness. Might run into you during the Walker 395 corridor visit this Fall, enjoy.

 

[DavidGraves]

Stokeme

Don't expect to encounter much quiet this time of year in DVNP.....certainly not around the developed areas.

You may wish to seek out your desert quiet enroute and while leaving the area.

Have a good trip!

David Graves

 

[Stokeme]

Thanks David. Yeah, that does make sense considering the inherent seasonality of DVNP.
We will extend the perimeter a bit plus my wife wants to visit Alabama Hills. Happy Trails ...

 

[billharr]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I am going to follow Ski3pins advice and not try to jam to much in.



Bill

 

[billharr]

Leaving on Tuesday Feb 4 so we hit the warmer weather.

 

[ski3pin]

Leaving on Tuesday Feb 4 so we hit the warmer weather.

Have a great time! Sure wish we were heading that way. We love the place.

 

[AWG_Pics]

Leaving on Tuesday Feb 4 so we hit the warmer weather.

We will be down there in a couple of weeks after you get there. You most likely won't see us, because we will only slip into furnace creek for gas, groceries & liquid refreshments (maybe a shower) then out into the remote places. We rarely see anyone after we get a mile or so off of pavement.