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This section updated- August 27, 2010
Sorry about the page being down... am switching to a more reliable server.
The Visitor Center is getting a makeover. It'll close right after the 49er Encampment and be 18 months
getting new insides, insulation, double-glazed windows, etc. There will be modular buildings in the area which
will continue to have rangers to answer questions, and DVNHA books for sale.
And there was a large fire up at Travertine Springs Aug 9 which burned the bushes and palm trees. It'll be
interesting to see what sprouts back. It's a sacred area to the Timbisha - they're really upset....
And - a group from NASA was in the park this summer studying the rocks at the Racetrack. Pretty interesting stuff
at http://lpsadeathvalleyexcursion.blogspot.com/
IT'S HOT. 100-110-120 or more. Nights hot too - 80's. (except up higher, of course)
Death Valley 49er Encampment and activities Nov. 7-14, - and the DVNHA will be doing 4x4 field trips as well. Many
activities, lots of folks (but no Stovepipe Restaurant) - see http://www.deathvalley49ers.org/
NATIONAL PARKS FREE DAYS coming up: Sept. 25, Nov. 11.
CELL PHONE SERVICE now working at the Ranch - both ATT and Verizon! Up to 5 miles (maybe) from the
tower at the Ranch. Wow.
The Park's Newspaper is a GREAT source of info!! Print this and take it with you!!
Racetrack dry unless it gets hit by thunderstorms, so you can carefully walk out to take photos of the rocks. Don't take the rocks!!!!!
Stovepipe wells has a new concessionaire - a family-owned company, Death Valley Lodging co. There is no
concessionaire at all at Scotty's Castle now, so no grill, no gas.
Road report: Did you get a brand new GPS for Christmas?? They're GREAT in cities, but sometimes/usually they don't know much
about wild places, especially simple ones like TomTom. City maps OK, rural maps not so much. They don't know which roads are closed in winter by snow. They don't know which roads are now
closed for one reason or another. They don't know which roads may be rocky or 4x4 needed. They're not real good
about road info in Death Valley at all! Get a park map!
They don't tell you to drive into snow drifts or deep sand until you get stuck....
USE SOME COMMON SENSE WHEN FOLLOWING YOUR GPS. !! Some ladies went to visit Scotty's Castle and after 400 miles of
aimless driving, wound up in Saline Valley because their GPS didn't have any of the dirt roads on it. DON"T use GPS
for road info in Death Valley!!!!!! It's fine for marking where you are, but maps aren't any good!!
PLEASE BE CAREFUL where you go!! The weather can change in an instant and get very cold and windy up high,
even in summer! Hail, thunderstorms, lightning have been happening all summer.
Watch out!!
Dark skies - yes, those are stars up there, and planets, and galaxies, and nebula that you can see
with your naked eye! BUT - gotta get away from the glow of Las Vegas to the SE. Suggestions: Panamint Valley.
If you're staying at Stovepipe, you should be able to just walk away from the lights, or drive out toward the sand dunes
or up toward Emigrant. If you're at the Furnace Creek zoo, head on down toward Badwater, maybe as far as Artist's Drive turnoffs
and park there, or go out into the middle of the valley at Devil's Golf Course; that'll get you out away from the mountains with a good shot at the sky. Or up toward Dante's view road,
but watch the glow problem. Mesquite Campground is wonderful. That amazing shot from the Racetrack was taken in the
fall when the skies are clear and the playa dry, and it was a long time exposure...but indeed, that's a wonderful place
to find Dark Skies. Have fun!
Want to go on the backroads? Titus is open! Now you can go with professional drivers in a "pink jeep", or rent your own 4x4 in DV. See below!
No need to rent jeeps in Vegas - come to DV in your standard car, see the "tourist sights" which are all on good roads,
and then if you have time, rent a jeep or a ride to go elsewhere. http://www.deathvalleyjeeprentals.com/index.html;
however - remember the wisdom - 4x4 is for getting you through rough spots; if you get stuck in 4x4, you're REALLY stuck!
Don't do something that doesn't look like you can get out of it! STAY WITH YOUR VEHICLE IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM.
All campgrounds are open, reservations not required at Furnace Creek CG. All first-come, first-served.
It's finally summer, except on Telescope Peak- COOL up there! No water up there either, but is
available at Wildrose CG. Watch the clouds - Telescope is no place to get caught if there's a storm! Snow 5/24!!
Watch the weather report!!
Carry jackets, flashlights, food, water, etc. when you come here no matter what time of year.
Be sensible! Don't get stuck. If it looks bad, turn around while you still can. It'll be there
when you come back. DON'T CROSS RUNNING WATER!! DON'T GET STUCK IN SNOW!!!! road or trail. It's bigger than you are!
If you get stuck, STAY WITH YOUR VEHICLE!! It's fairly easy to spot a vehicle from the air, but almost impossible to
spot a person. Tell someone, anyone, where you are going and when you expect to be back - !!
Barker Ranch burned 5/4/09 See http://www.panamintvalley.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=5409; Expect Goler Wash
to be a bit "adventurous" cuz of all the rains we've had.
Thunderstorms definitely happen.. Watch the sky. Just cuz it's not raining where you are, doesn't mean water isn't going to
run downhill TO where you are.... don't camp in a wash, don't be hiking in a canyon in the afternoon, don't cross water when it runs across
the road or your trail. Moving water is a powerful thing- more than you or your vehicle can handle! How do you think those canyons
and huge alluvial fans got there!! And, SNOW happens now in high places, sometimes even Townes Pass!
A new cell phone tower was just installed at the Furnace Creek Ranch. Serves ATT and Verizon. Sometimes reception
works as far as 5 miles line-of-sight away. BUT - NO coverage in the rest of the valley at all!!!!!
Which also means your OnStar won't be working either, except by the Ranch... until they go Satellite. GPS works great! (No trees) All campgrounds open.. Pink Jeep Tours going.
The sand dune parking lot- Gets you closer to the dunes, but makes it harder to get good sunset
shots from the road level.
Area Code 760 has been given an "overlay", making it necessary to dial the 760 area code
even if you're calling DV from a 760 area code. You now need to dial all 11 numbers - 1-760-whatever, even when calling
between numbers in the park. Sigh. Except 911 - just dial 911...
NO GAS at Scotty's Castle. -since there is no official concessionaire, it's probably not gonna be fixed either. Plan ahead!!- especially
if you're thinking Racetrack and into Saline or out to Big Pine
and Eureka Valley. Fill up at Stovepipe! Olancha has gas. Snacks (sandwiches) available at the Castle.
Marta Beckett's season is now over. The Death Valley Junction
Amargosa Hotel is actually open all year around, and now the Lila C Cafe (the corner of the hotel complex by the road) is open Sun-Thurs 6-11 a.m. for breakfast, 11-3 p.m. for lunch, and
every day, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., so a stay at the Hotel now is possible cuz you can eat too. Call over there to see what's up, and how much $$.
Marta has painted each room differently. A most unique experience!!
See http://www.amargosa-opera-house.com/index.htm Call over there for updates.
The Pink Jeeps are here. Wanna go backcountry not in your own vehicle? Like to Titus or Racetrack?
Got $$$?
Google Pink Jeep Tours. Out of Las Vegas. Neat vehicles they have- 4x4 mini-vans, bright pink. All it takes is $$$
DV web cam
You can call road report at 760 786-3200-1-4 is usually updated when
conditions change; for special questions hit 0- operator has updated
info. Stovepipe has 24 hr. pay at pump, only
regular gas. (Price is not "posted" - but it's in a little tiny window
on the front of the pump, lower right, under pump number, and often 50-90c cheaper
than FC!)
Furnace Creek 24 hr. pay at pump and 3 grades
of gas + diesel + propane. Panamint Springs also has pay at pump,
87, 91, and diesel (and always the most expensive). Gas is always cheapest at Stovepipe!! Park Entrance Fees are $20 per vehicle.
The Park gets to keep the fees. Makes the $80
Annual "America the Beautiful" Pass
still a real deal - get at Visitor
Center. Note that the Senior, Disabled, and Volunteer passes have
changed - they are now plastic, and all are called "American
the Beautiful" passes. Commercial Tours of DV Rent and drive your own Rubicon in DV!!
Panamint Springs Resort put in WiFi!
bring your own laptop. Also a weak signal at the Ranch Registration office
and at the Visitor Center. Stovepipe has it in the Lobby. Remember this is a deep valley. Cell phone reception is limited/non-existent
(which means "On Star" doesn't work either) except near the Furnace Creek Ranch - which now has service! But
not in the rest of the park - at all. However, folks have dialed 911 from
strange places and it seems to connect. ?? Satellite phones work wonderfully well, of course - lots of sky. **
Web Cam see how it looks right now! The "official" government page
on Death Valley is at www.nps.gov/deva
. Do check it out - they have lots of
good info and photos that you won't find here- look under the
blue "in depth" button. Ours, below, has other kinds
of info, and I try to keep it updated...
How about Bicycles?? or Dogs?? OR - if you're coming from McCarren -
the quickest way is Hwy 160, Blue Diamond, Pahrump (head south
on I-15); West on Hwy 160, slow going through the housing area, then zoom!
At Pahrump go through on main road all the way through
town and then some!, then watch for signs for left turn to Bell Vista Rd,
(brown sign, DVNP, and a huge Cell Phone tower) and DV via Ash Meadows. (Don't take the first
DV sign you see in town - that's Hwy 178 to Shoshone- much longer)
Bell Vista Rd takes you through Ash Meadows and right to DV Junction
at the Opera House. Turn right one block, then left to Hwy 190.
Boom, you're there. 2.0 hrs., 120 mi. to Furnace Creek Visitor Center
if all goes well. For variety, go to DV one way, return to LV
the other. :-) From LAX, you can buck the Vegas traffic on Hwy 15 to 395 to Red Mountain to Trona Cutoff to
Trona (get gas at T Stop), to Panamint Valley. OR - you can take 405 north to 14 to Ridgecrest,
stay the night, and get a fresh start to Trona and Panamint Valley. The least best way
from LAX would be to go I-15 to Baker and north on 127. That's a LONG drive and horrid traffic.
Check here
for a list of Museums, Information Centers, and Chamber of Commerce
folk in the areas mentioned - address,
phone, web page, and e-mail contacts. Gee, you can surf the web
forever!! :-) Barren? no! Just sand? nope!! Awesome?
definitely! BIG. No, HUGE!! Trees? not many. Snakes? yup.
Is it safe?? yup, if you're careful - see below. Anything to see?
nah...just a bunch of colored rocks, sand, other stuff- and sometimes snow and water and lakes! By all means DO check the Park daily weather
and road report here, or by phone before
you go anywhere!! and you can talk to a REAL person at 760 786-3200
(touch 0) 8 a.m.-4ish weekdays. There is no one at the Com Center
on weekends. Official DVNP Backcountry roads map is available on-line at NPS page. It's 7.5 MB, pdf file.
**TitusOPEN!! GAS IN OLANCHA!! Mobile station, food mart, clean restrooms. yeah!
Nostalgia. Read this fun account of a CalTech geology field trip from about 1960, 50 years ago. Note that
Hwy 14 is Hwy 6, Owens Lake before the 2nd aqueduct stole the last of the water, DVNM, they drove ON the racetrack (eek!!),
took 1960 carryalls up Cerro Gordo, Lippencott, Goler- it's a fun read. Can't do all that now... probably a good thing.
But the geology is still good, and the last bits about getting out to see the world still very much true!
Saline Preservation Association , SPA, is back with an excellent web page - very current road conditions, all sorts of
other good info about your favorite hot springs in the middle of nowhere. http://www.salinepreservation.org/
Saline Valley weather HOT too; days usually really HOT, nights warm and windy.
Rain still happens, and the roads can close at any minute- they sure aren't plowed by anyone!
So if you're headed for a soak, take a whole lot of stuff in case you can't get out when you think you want to - like
much extra food and clothes. Sometimes snows can trap folks in Saline for a week or more. Think twice about going
if you MUST be back at a certain time - storms happen, snow happens on the high passes from now until end of April.
Hunter Mountain open, watch for mud at the spring.
You can get there via Lippencott Rd (very tricky, washouts) from the Racetrack but only if you have
a very narrow 4x4, (i.e. no full-sized vehicles - a couple of washouts make the road VERY narrow!- and reports are
now that it's in horrible shape.) These rains probably made the washout parts even worse!
Death Valley Talk - look under Campfire Chat Eureka Valley/dunesBig Pine road OK to Eureka Valley, and sort of OK across
the dirt part to the dunes road. There are washouts on the dirt parts.
However, VERY rocky over the
Last Chance Range. Washes in upper DV marked with red cones. 4x4
not necessary, but sturdy high-clearance vehicle is - rocky and
washboardy! Road down to the dunes is the same- ie. a bit rocky
in spots, washouts, and washboardy. Steele Pass
- high clearance 4x4 always necessary, short bed much better.
Best not to go alone. One real skinny/hairy spot near DeDeckera
Canyon. Rest is "real 4x4 driving". Hunter Mtn
OPEN; Narrow road, few passing places. Ice forms at the spring every night still. Muddy, rutty. The Race Track- -
The Race Track playa is dry. PLEASE DO NOT WALK OUT ON IT when it's wet. It's very very slippery, and you'll leave
permanent tracks and spoil photos for others. The rock tracks are well out on the playa, mostly at the south end- BUT
DON'T GO when it's wet. It's a LONG 30 mile drive on a very rocky (as in cuts tires) road even when
you can get out onto the lake. Do NOT go with passenger car tires, and best to have 2 spares!! Honest!!!!
LEAVE THE ROCKS THERE! Someone has
been taking them. Geezz! Road from Ubehebe out is very rocky
and rutted, extreme washboard, washouts, all 27 miles
of it! SHARP ROCKS. High clearance absolutely necessary as
are good tires!! Not a good road for a citified rental car!! -
and may not be legal to drive your rental car off paved roads - check your contract!!
Don't go if all you have is a "fake spare".
This road is famous for "eating tires". It's a long
hike out. It's a VERY expensive tow out!!!! (as is $2000+) You
might want to check the recent talk on DV-us board about the washboards
on the road out from Ubehebe. It's eating shocks, tires, etc.
Not fun. Some dimwits have been driving out on the lakebed. It's
illegal to do that, and darn stupid and inconsiderate- those tracks
will be there for eons! Remember that there is NO gas at Scotty's
- nearest gas is Stovepipe, 58 miles from Ubehebe, 88 miles from the Racetrack and you have to get back !!
It's an all-day adventure and hard on your vehicle. Worth it? YES. Rent a jeep!! "ROAD CLOSED" When signed "CLOSED" by Inyo County Road Dept. sign on Big
Pine Rd, or both Saline roads -means if you drive past the sign in
your 4x4 with high clearance, which may be doable, you're on your
own - neither Inyo Co, DV, or AAA will come get you! Miller Towing might, but yikes $$$$$ Mahogany Flats- somewhat rocky, quite steep; high clearance and front wheel drive best.
Trail to Wildrose Peak starts behind
the Kilns. Also nice views in all directions. Goler
Goler is still bad in the narrow part (the "waterfalls"), then kinda OK as far as Barker Ranch for now- meaning
high clearance very necessary and 4x4 still best, maybe necessary to get up the falls. The road out
in Panamint Valley has some horrible washboard south of Briggs.
Butte Valley Road - OK, probably some serious washouts just above Warm Springs, 4x4 above Warm Springs to
the Geologist's Cabin. Very, very rough and rocky up and over Mengle Pass. See above. Hike it first
to see what you're getting in to!
Echo and Hole in the Wall 4x4 required due to soft
sands and gravels. Lower Wildrose road OPEN and graded from Trona- -the road is sometimes one lane wide for 6
miles- Three dirt spots from stage station to intersection, and a few
springs in the middle of the road near the willows which make
deep holes! A few very DEEP potholes. holes in road- Don't
do this at night - ICE, and you need to see the potholes - they're deep!! Surprise Canyon
is closed to vehicles permanently; but you can park and walk into
Panamint City, six+ miles including a lot of walking in the stream
and scrambling (that's putting it politely - a couple of the spots
are pretty darn hard!) up slick wet waterfalls. The good ole
days of having a road in the lower canyon are long gone - the
gravel has washed out down to bedrock and it's quite difficult
to even hike the lower part of the canyon how! However, Panamint
City is alive (so to speak) and well - the chimney stands, there
are a few cabins you can stay in when you get there. It's just
a long and fairly difficult hike until up above Lime Spring, then
you're on remnants of the old road. Note that the structures at
the end of the road at Chris Wicht Camp burned and the area is very
dangerous - nasty chemicals, etc. but OK to camp near there. The bushes and trees
at the start of the hike are really thick. Big Pine/Death Valley road- is paved into Eureka Valley, dirt from there
to Scotty's road. Next gas is at Furnace Creek or Stovepipe Wells at 125 miles, not the Castle!
Some stream crossing washouts at the upper end of Death Valley to slow
down for especially near Sand Springs. Rocky, washboards, but
4x4 probably not necessary. It's 75 miles to Scotty's Castle, another 50 down to civilization (gas) - page of pictures of snow
and full lakes in DV!! Taken 1/12 and
1/16/05. Nothing short of amazing! :-) 2/13/10- Cottonball marsh has a lot of surface water,
and Lake Manly is ankle deep and covers most of the way across the valley. !!!! Love El Nino years.
** Gas at Furnace Creek- all 3 grades ( 24 hr. pay
at pump!) + diesel + propane and Stovepipe Village- (24 hr. pay
at the pump, only 87 regular)- (NO GAS AT SCOTTY'S!!)
in the valley itself- Diesel- only available at Furnace
Creek and Panamint Springs. Panamint Springs Resort usually
has gas available 24 hrs with credit card!!- and a MiniMart. The
Resort is under new ownership.
Service great. GASP!! IS IT SAFE TO DRIVE THROUGH
DEATH VALLEY IN THE SUMMER? Sure
- just be ready. Be sure your vehicle is in good condition
(like the hoses, a/c, etc.) Rental vehicles are usually new, so
they should be OK! Be sure the radiator is working well, full,
etc. Check engine oil levels as that can also affect how
hot the car runs!! SLOW DOWN GOING UPHILL. Be sure YOU are in good condition. Be sure
you have LOTS OF WATER both to drink and to spray all over you.
(yes, spray - get one of those fan-sprayer thingies, or any ole
sprayer, and use it as you drive through!!!!). Don't forget to
put some salt in you along with the water - you lose both when
you sweat. Chips or any salty snack work. If something happens
to you or the vehicle - STAY WITH YOUR VEHICLE!! It provides shade.
Try 911 on cell phone, even if you don't have regular cell
service - but for emergencies it seems to work!! If your phone
has GPS, turn it ON. However, the place is far from abandoned
- someone will come along sooner or later and help you!! Just
DON'T even think about walking anywhere for help. You won't
make it. Stay put at your vehicle or wherever and make help
signals which can be seen from the air. !!!! Summer 2005-
2 folk DIED from the heat - they were out hiking in 115F sun,
ran out of water, died. !! STAY IN THE SHADE AND WAIT. BE sure
someone knows where you are going.!! Make sure your location can
be seen from the air. Summer 2004 - 2 folks died in Flash Floods!
if it's raining, head for HIGH ground and stay there until the
water goes away! As the speed of the water squares, the load it
can carry cubes; i.e. a river going from 1 mph to 2 mph can now
carry 8 times the load!! Your vehicle hasn't got a chance, nor
have you. Get to HIGH ground (you can see past flood lines in
all the washes!) and STAY there! the lady that survived this past
flood was stranded for 40 minutes, then it went away. Rental vehicles:
Do you need an SUV to explore DV? No, absolutely not, IF
you are only staying on the paved roads and a few short graded
dirt roads! Rental vehicles are new cars with working A/C, new
belts and hoses, etc. You shouldn't have any of the troubles described
above..... Check the tires - do they look sturdy enough?? So,
for ordinary visits to the park, you should rent a vehicle that
gets good mileage and holds you and all your stuff. Stock up on
water and nibbles. Check the rental agreement - most companies
don't want you driving on ANY dirt roads - and to get to some
of the special places in DV, it'll be necessary to go on up to
3 miles of dirt roads - but they are all graded and if you drive
reasonably, you'll be fine. Note: this means you should NOT consider
taking a rental vehicle to The Racetrack, or to Saline Valley!! Renting a SUV
to explore back roads: Best - rent in DV - they're at the garage
opposite the Furnace Creek Inn. (new!) And they have proper tires
and you may drive them on the dirt roads!! Elsewhere- 1) they're hard to get - Las Vegas seems
to have some (can you take it to CA??) 2) Check that they really
have 4x4 - i.e. is there a front differential and appropriate gear
shifts inside?? Often there is not!! 3) Check the rental agreement
- do they allow you to drive on dirt roads???? I know, it's silly
to rent a 4x4 and then not let you drive on dirt, but that's what
most companies do!! 4) Be sure it has good tires and a "real"
spare, not a donut, and ALL the necessary tools to change said
tire!!!! Be sure you know where they are, and how to release the
spare. 5) Do your driving skills match the vehicle?? Serious off-road
driving is a bit different than graded dirt roads or Interstates...
obviously! Don't get in over your head. One rule of having a 4x4
vehicle is to not use the 4x4 until you get stuck in 2x4,
then let the 4x4 get you out of trouble. If you get stuck in 4x4,
you're pretty darn stuck!! Remember that your cell phone won't
be able to call AAA, and anyway, they're a LONG way off and VERY
expensive, to say nothing of damage to the vehicle! 4x4 does not
make up for lack of skill or common sense. :-) Cell phones might
work for calling 911..... especially if they're the newer kind
with GPS capability. Turn it on!! SNOW??
You gotta be kidding?? Well, not usually in the valley bottom,
but it sure does snow on the higher passes and peaks! 2005
photos- snow and full lakes images! There's nothing prettier than snowy Telescope
Peak reflected in Badwater's pond... and during the winter (November
through end of March), snow storms can come rumbling through...
see snow
pictures from winter 2001- 2003 and
Nov. and Dec. 2004, and 2007, 2009, 2010 did the same thing. Chains were required on
Townes Pass a couple of times!! It gets COLD in the valley bottom
during winter! Short days, cold air sinks. COLD as in near or
below freezing!! Think down parkas! - yes, in DV. :-) snow happens
when it's not supposed to - quite a snowstorm April 15, 2007 !!!! Always happens in March.
The SNAKES are out when the thermometer says 60-90, whether
day or night.-which means they're out for a bit after sunset on the paved roads to stay warm. -
If you see lizards, the snakes won't be far behind. Watch out.
Not all of um are poisonous - only the fat ones. Skinny snakes
here are NOT poisonous. Snakes like weather from 60F to 90F- Leave
them alone and they'll leave you alone!! This is their home!! They won't be near
really inhabited places like Furnace Creek. Are you flexible? Check out the moon's
schedule and be here for a FULL MOON. Get out away from the 'city' lights and enjoy!! My favorite is the October full moon-
sleep up on the Eureka dunes! April would work too... winter full moons are especially
brilliant. Go for a walk on the dunes under the moon and don't
use your flashlight - let your eyes adjust! Daily
weather and road report in separate links or by phone
786-3200 - 1 - 4 NOAA Site
and usually pretty accurate, nice links to other places, automated
rain gauges, etc. Rains come and go, quickly usually. When there are black clouds in the sky, PLEASE
BE CAREFUL where you park, where you walk, where you go - remember
that a) it doesn't have to be raining where you are to get a flash
flood - the rain can be way, way away and still get downhill to
you!! and b) cars don't swim well, not even VW's! You might well
get stranded out away from your bed- roads DO wash out so you
can't use um at all! If there is water running across the road,
DON'T cross it. Just wait. If there is HEAVY rain, and it's forecast
to do this, pull over and just wait. It won't last for long, it's
pretty spectacular to watch, and you don't want to be washed off
the road into who knows where (like a snake-filled ditch! There,
did that get you??!!) If questions, call before you go - 760-786-3200
(8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) Just cause it's windy in Ridgecrest or Las
Vegas doesn't mean it's windy in Death Valley- unless a front
is passing through, then you get to watch geology in action! ASK!!
Look UP. Black sky and lightning = rain somewhere!! Go get HIGH
and stay put. Camping Reservation
info
All campgrounds OPEN. (Motel are RV spots open)
and subject to flooding! Furnace Creekrequires reservations Oct. 15 to
Apr. 15, which means not right now.
All others first-come, first served always....
National Park campground reservation
system is easy on-line; they
will accept reservations for Furnace Creek Campground (only one
reservable in DV) for the next 6 months on a "rolling calendar
system", ie. from the last date of your reservation request.
1 877/444-6777 or http://recreation.gov There is further campground and trail
wilderness permit info at Exploring
the Upper Mojave Desert page Camping? Stinky?? SHOWERS are
available at both Stovepipe Wells Motel and Furnace Creek Ranch
pools - but pay ($5) and check in at the Motel's registration
desk and get directions (and soap) to the shower facilities....
also gives you access to their lovely warm spring-fed pools! Panamint
Springs resort also has nice showers in the campground for a fee. Flowers!
Flowers happen when rains happen at the
proper times - which means some in the fall, lots in the spring.
Flowers bloom in the valley bottom normally Mid Feb - end of March- depending on rain, wind,
heat...This spring, 2010, is an El Nino year = lots of water, but not too much sun yet. Gotta have
sun too - so the flowers will be later this spring, but they WILL happen - plenty of water!
See the Park Services Wildflower Update page. Natural History Assn. brochure which
features 60 of the most common wildflowers in the valley with
pictures taken during the phenomenal Spring 98 bloom! $1.00 -
such a deal! The Death Valley Natural History Association
folk can send out brochures, books, etc. Call them at 800 478-8564
or 760 786-3285 The wildflower updated report page I
use is Cal
Photo Other stuff Entrance Fees are $20 per car. Pay at Stovepipe, Grapevine, or Visitor Center,
or at any one of the "Iron Ranger" machines in several
locations. Get a Visitor Center at Furnace Creek is open
8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Books, maps, other great stuff for sale. Ranger
to answer your questions. Great displays! A HUGE relief map of
the Valley. 12 min. orientation slide show on the half hour. Pay
your Entrance Fees here- to a real person or at the new machine
out front! There are "fee machines" at other locations
in the park too - no excuses now! Ranger Programs- see nps. page link
Scotty's Castle gives "living history"
tours every day all year from 9:30a.m. to 4p.m. and special "underground
Mystery Hard Hat tours" of the basement and powerhouse also 5 times
each day. Those are fun, but involve stairs. Grounds open 8-5
p.m. The gas station is CLOSED until they can get some equipment
fixed; also - check on this - open 9a - 5p-snack bar (sandwiches, chips, no grill), gift shop, etc. Open every
day! Enjoy a picnic on the nice lawn under the trees, wade in
the warm fresh water creeklet, hike Tie Canyon... There are gray almost odorless (Put the seat DOWN - then
it won't smell!!) vault
toilets available at most of the prime tourist spots - but still
none at the Wildrose picnic area (old stage station). Use the
one at Wildrose campground up the road about 3 miles. Concessionaire news, golf stuff, Inn
info, etc. Click
here. Mass-
check at the Ranch, but usually is held the first Sunday of the
month, 8 p.m. Father Francis comes over from Lone Pine. The daily weather/road report posted
at all ranger stations. Check!!!! Call!! (760) 786-3200 Especially
as thunderstorms change things so fast!! Looking for something to do on your way
to Death Valley? check out Exploring
the Northern Mojave Desert page with
ideas of things to see in the Ridgecrest area west of DV, and
of course, our Maturango
Museum . **Great book with pretty pictures, super
useful info: "A Traveler's Guide to Death Valley National
Park" by Cliff Lawson. Maps, pictures, directions, and
short blurb on all the popular 2-wheel drive attractions in Death
Valley region. Well done. Get both of these are more, of course,
at the Maturango Museum
100 E. Las Flores Ave, in Ridgecrest!!
Open every day (except major holidays), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. We're
right on the main drag (China Lake Blvd.), sort of in the middle
of town. 760 375-6900 We sure can answer a bunch of your DV questions
and we have their Newspaper and books, videos, etc. Got questions that need a real live
person's opinion? - after reading
all this?? :-) Little ole Webmistress
Janet can answer some questions if you
don't find it here somewhere. I live in Ridgecrest, 2 hrs and
2 valleys west of DV, but I can see Telescope Peak from my computer.
Town, Towne, Townes', Towne's or what??
- It's TOWNES. Hardly any map nor the sign at the pass
has the name of the major pass spelled correctly, but according
to LeRoy and Jean Johnson, Death Valley Historians of note, the
pass was named for Pachal Townes, a member of the 49er group -
so the proper, correct spelling should be Townes Pass. So now
YOU know... The fastest way to reach Death Valley
from Southern California is to come to Ridgecrest, stop by the
Maturango Museum, 100 E. Las Flores Ave, (in the center of town,
sorta) to get your information and books, and continue through
Trona on Highway 178 east. North of Searles Lake Valley when you
reach the top of the Slate Range Pass, be sure to pause a moment
to enjoy a spectacular view north to the Panamint Valley and Telescope
Peak, the high point of the Panamint Mountains on the east side
of this valley. You will be able to see Telescope Peak from many
angles as you travel. Ten miles after you pass the road east
to Ballarat, an interesting "ghost town," you will have
the choice to go on to Death Valley either of two ways. They both
are the same distance and take about the same amount of time,
but Townes Pass is all paved and an easier drive. You must
go this way if you are a HUGE rig...Turn left at the signed junction
and head for Highway 190. When you reach the T intersection at
Hwy 190, turn east (right), pass Panamint Lake and head up the
steep pull to the pass at 4956 ft. Watch the temperature gauge
of your vehicle, especially if you are pulling a trailer or driving
a large motor home. There are several pullouts to let things cool
down - brakes on your way down, for example...Then you sail down
steeply into Death Valley (use low gears!!). If you need water
or something to eat, Panamint Springs resort is a couple of miles
west of this intersection. The other choice, if you are up for more
adventure and it's daylight, is to continue straight ahead on
the Wildrose Road. Portions of this road wash out regularly,
so it may be signed that it is closed. Believe it! There are unpaved
stretches for about 5 miles. They are washboard, but NOT rocky
and are passable with any car. This route is NOT advised for big
vehicles or for trailers as it is very curvy all the way. Commercial
vehicles (like tour buses), and rigs over 25 feet long or 9 feet
wide are prohibited. That means it's OK for your little
family car - just take it easy over the gravel parts and watch
the holes where the springs come up in the middle of the road!
(actually, DON'T GO THIS WAY AT NIGHT!!!!- you won't see the pretty
things, and the pot holes in the paved parts and water from the
springs is frozen to several inches of ice! in the road make it
treacherous!) Not real good for motorcycles either cuz of the
loose gravel... You will enter the Wildrose wash with
its fascinating geology, and pass the one spot where the rare,
endangered Panamint Daisies grow-- watch for blooms in March and
April. The Wildrose station (ruins on north side) was a
stage stop on the way from Ballarat to Skidoo and the gold fields
of Nevada. Great picnic spot (but no toilets) Where you see lots
of green plants- tall cottonwoods and willows along side the road,
that's where springs pop out OF the road!! Be careful!!!!! The
dirt patches end at the junction with the Wildrose to Telescope
Peak road where you'll find Wildrose campground, water, and a
toilet. If you have time, the Mahogany Flat-Wildrose
road leads upward to the east from the stop sign. The pavement
ends, but the gravel road takes you to a row of 10 charcoal
kilns which provided charcoal for the lead and silver mines
back across the Panamint Valley. They are in good shape and fun
to photograph. The road is open this far most of the year, snow
permitting. Thorndike Camp is just above the kilns. Beyond here,
the road gets rough and steep. High clearance or FWD highly recommended.
It is a mile to Mahogany Flat and the small campground at 8100
ft. This is the beginning of the seven mile trail up Telescope Peak.
This hike is a riot of colorful flowers in June and July. It is
a great place to see desert big horn sheep and Mule deer. The
view in all directions from the 11,049 ft. peak is as spectacular
as the name implies. There are bristlecone pines on the trail
near the peak. No water along the trail. Your road past the Wildrose intersection
is now the old stage and freight wagon road. It wiggles around
sharp curves. Imagine trying to manage a 20 mule team!
All you got to hear were the lead mule's bells. Then more wiggles
up to Nemo Pass at 5500 ft. Down onto Harrisburg Flats. If you
have time, take the side road out to Pete Aguereberry's Eureka
mine (yes, you can do it, sorta), and to Aguereberry Point,
a spectacular view of the middle of Death Valley! A bit farther
north, a dirt road takes off for nine miles to the town site of
Skidoo, and if you venture a bit farther west, you'll find
the dilapidated stamp mill. The Emigrant road winds down into Emigrant
Canyon and some more interesting geology - great fault displays
-, a modernish (1950's) gold mine, and new road repairs for an
attempt to keep the stream from taking the road out so often... This road and Townes Pass (Hwy 190) join
at the 2000 ft. level near Emigrant Station, the only shade
for miles around, with water and a restroom. It's six miles downhill
to sea level at Stovepipe Wells village. Without many long
stops, you can reach Stovepipe in two hours from Ridgecrest, about
100 miles. We'd love to have you come through our
town and stop at our Museum on your way to or from Death Valley.
Perhaps your trip can be a loop using one of these other ways
to get there too... From the north
- from Highway 395 in Lone Pine, first stop at the Interagency
Visitor Center (open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) located just south of the
Lone Pine Airport at the intersection with Highway 136. The Visitor
Center has maps and books about Death Valley and helpful people
who can answer your questions about road and weather conditions,
facilities, etc. Continue east on Highway 136 around the east
side of Owens Lake and the town of Keeler, to where it meets Highway
190, and continue east on Highway 190 over the hump at Darwin,
down steeply to the Panamint Valley and up and over Townes Pass
to Death Valley. 2 major up/down passes. Take it easy!! Darwin/Panamint
is actually steeper and wigglier by far than Townes Pass!! If
you don't like this idea, go to Ridgecrest and come on in via
Trona on Hwy 178 - then you only have to deal with Townes Pass.
Or go around to Baker to avoid passes entirely. San Francisco
to Death Valley via Tioga Pass and Hwy 395 = 550 miles; via I-5
and Bakersfield, Ridgecrest = 524 miles and several hours shorter. From the south
- take Highway 127 north from Baker (get to there on Interstate
15). Be sure to stop at the Info Center under the "World's
tallest Thermometer!" Books, maps; open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Shoshone has gas (Charles Brown General Store, Lotto tickets,
etc.) 760-852-4242, food (Red Buggy Cafe and Crowbar Lounge 760-852-9908,
), a cute little museum (760-852-4414), and Park info (760-852-4308)
and tons of info from Death Valley Chamber of Commerce 760 852-4524.
Stop by China Ranch and buy dates! At Shoshone you may take
Hwy 178 west and come in over spectacular Salisbury and Jubilee
Pass (when it's not raining - this always closes!) through Badwater
and get views of the entire valley as you come, or continue north
to the Amargosa area. From Death Valley Junction the road is open
again and if you're hauling a trailer from LA, this is probably
a better way to go - you can avoid any really steep passes (Except
Cajon- and it's not all that steep). Hwy 178 from Shoshone - from
Jubilee Pass to Badwater the pavement is being repaved right now,
but the road is VERY skinny- if you have a BIG RV or a long wide
5th wheel, go to Death Valley Junction and take the NEW Hwy 190
down to Furnace Creek - that road is in good shape and is wider...
Los Angeles to Death Valley via Baker (or Lone Pine) is 310 miles;
via Ridgecrest and Trona, 285 miles. From the east - from Tonopah. Hwy 95 through Nevada to Beatty (visit the Ranger
Station there), and take Hwy 374 west to the Sand Dunes, or from
Hwy 95 take Hwy 267 west to Scotty's Castle. From Las Vegas -
It takes about 2.5 to 3 hours to get to the Valley from Las Vegas
and there are several roads which work. Have fun exploring!! Hwy
95 out of Vegas goes past Mercury test site and Yucca Mountain,
yes, THE mountain where the DOD wants to bury high level radioactive
wastes! - To Beatty, then Hwy 374 into the park. = 140 miles.
Allow 3 hrs. Hwy 160, the Blue Diamond (it's a mine) is prettier
after you survive getting past Buffalo Rd through all the construction!
- , goes through Pahrump, Bell Vista Rd. and Ash Meadows to Death
Valley Junction right at the Opera House! - then the new Hwy 190
in. 2.25 hrs. Another route out of Vegas is via Hwy 178 to Shoshone
and in Hwy 178 via Badwater. 153 miles, 3.5 hrs. Bottom Line-
Hwy 160/Pahrump/Belle Vista Rd/Ash Meadows/DV Junct is fastest. Or, if you like adventure and dirt
roads, come in the north end
off Hwy 395 via Big Pine, Hwy 168 toward Westgard Pass, but turn
southeast at the base of the hill and take the newly paved road
through Eureka Valley and be sure to visit the beautiful
Eureka sand dunes!! They are the tallest in California.
Primitive camping there. The main road is paved, sorta, to the
mine on the top of the hill. It's dirt, graded sometimes, from
the mine east of Eureka on down into the north end of Death Valley
near Ubehebe Crater and Scotty's Castle. Do call the Ranger station
to see if this part is OK. It's 75 miles between services total.
(Gas at Scotty's) Sometimes it takes 4x4 , always at least
an SUV type with strong tires, to do Saline Valley, now a part
of the Park. Visit the very inviting, clothing-optional warm
springs but check with Rangers about road conditions first! They
change with every storm... Sometimes BOTH roads close due to washouts
or snow. Never is just a plain ole passenger car a good idea -
the roads are NOT good. Plan accordingly! -you might be there
longer than you thought. No facilities - bring all food, water,
and etc. with you. Primitive camping at the springs, or just about
anywhere. It's the middle of nowhere- a VERY DEEP beautiful (if
you're a geologist) valley. See more above under "roads." So how steep are the
hills? What are the roads like?? Hwy 190
from Lone Pine/Olancha to Stovepipe goes over 2 major hills; 1) steep drop past Darwin City, from
Father Crowley point down into Darwin wash drops 600 ft in 1.6
miles = 7.1% grade; is twisty with sharp corners besides, total
drop is 2280 feet, 4.7% grade. Very hard on RV's, going up or
down! 2) Panamint Valley to Townes Pass climbs
2800 ft in 7.2 miles, all nice constant radius turns, but relentless
7.6% grade with one section of 9.3%. At least it's not narrow
and twisty, but still very hard on RV's, going up or down. Townes Pass down to Emigrant Station
drops 2800 feet in 7.5 miles, 7% grade, with dips and a few sharp
corners near the top. RV's or trailers over 25 ft. not allowed
because of the tight turns and narrow road just above Wildrose. If you're pulling a trailer or driving
an RV with a wimpy engine, think twice about going this way -
it's a lot easier on your vehicle to go around to Baker and come
in the east side. It's longer, but your brakes and engine will
be happier!! See maps. PLEASE REMEMBER TO GEAR DOWN WHEN
GOING DOWN, ESPECIALLY WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION VEHICLES!!. See that "L,"
or "1, 2" on the gear shift below "D? "You
paid for um, USE um!!!! If you're always having to use
the brakes, you're not in a low enough gear. Your brakes won't
last for all three of these hills!! You can easily build up speeds
that your brakes won't handle! Watch your temperature gauge going up
those hills!! If it's approaching RED, slow down!! Gear
down. Turn off the A/C!!! Try turning on the HEAT - yes,
heat - it'll help cool the cooling fluids. If that doesn't
work, STOP. If you stop to let the car cool off at some of the
lovely overlooks, leave the engine running and the car pointed
into the wind so the radiator can cool the fluids. Spray water
on the radiator - but don't take that cap off!! Be sure
you have enough water in the vehicle for both you (1 gal per person
per day) and your car!(3+ gal more)! You can avoid the Darwin/Panamint hill
deal by going through Ridgecrest but there's still the Townes
Pass hills. You can avoid Townes Pass by going Wildrose/Emigrant,
but RV's and trailers aren't allowed and it's steep too! It's
a 6% grade in spots, but very narrow with sharp corners in lots
of places. Great road, but... From the east -
Hwy 190 from Death Valley Junction is 3000 feet, but fairly even
3.2% grade in and out. This is the easiest way in and out of
the valley. Also on the east - Daylight Pass to Beatty
- 4.7% on east side, 6.3% on west side of pass but a bit twisty. Jubilee and Salsberry Passes from Shoshone
- 5.5% and 4.9% and wiggly and dippy and skinny road but resurfaced in 2007. DRIVE CAREFULLY!! These roads are mostly
just paved wagon roads - there are dips, sharp corners, and the
roads within the park haven't been upgraded since Model T days
- i.e. curves aren't always banked properly, turns aren't constant
radius except on upgraded Townes Pass west, and they're skinnier
than you're used to. Follow posted speed signs - they MEAN
it!! And yes, the park roads are patrolled by California Highway
Patrol. USE LOWER GEARS GOING DOWN ALL HILLS. "D"
for automatic cars works fine in flat places, but not climbing
up and down these mountains! Stay alert!! Motor vehicle accidents
cause way more injuries and deaths in Death Valley than the elements!!
With the passage of the
California Desert Protection Act October 31, 1994, Death Valley
was converted from a National Monument to a National Park and
was greatly enlarged to over three million acres and is now the
largest National Park outside Alaska!! It now includes Saline
Valley and Warm Springs, Hunter Mountain, Eureka Valley and the
beautiful Eureka Sand Dunes, the highest dunes in California --
700 feet tall, and the lovely surprise, Darwin Falls. It's HUGE. Stovepipe Wells Village has the Stovepipe Wells motel with a heated
swimming pool and full service dining room and bar, a small store,
gas station, and a large campground (200 spaces, but it's just
a parking lot) with some RV hookups. A little Ranger Station has
maps and books, the newspaper, and much information, open 8 a.m.
to 4 p.m. Nearby are the Death Valley sand dunes.
The lighting at sunrise and sunset make for more dramatic pictures,
but the soft sand is fun to play on at any time. You can hike
to them from the paved road (park well off the pavement). Takes
about a half hour to reach the highest dunes - doesn't look that
far away, but it IS!! At the major junction uphill from the
sand dunes, you can choose to go north 38 miles to Scotty's Castle;
or north, then east 30 miles to Beatty, Nevada; or south another
17 miles to the Furnace Creek Village area. See map. Furnace Creek Ranch has a large motel complex with heated pool,
a general store, coffee shop, restaurant/steak house, and bar,
gasoline (Chevron, open 7 to 7, now with pay-at-pump), an 18 hole
golf course, (yes, there's the 19th hole too), horses for 1 hr
ride ($35) or 2 hour ride ($50), or Moonlight ride ($35), or private
ride ($40); hay rides on a wagon for a group of 10 ($8 each),
carriage ride at sunset with Champagne ($10), carriage rides (private
$50), etc. (760 786-2345 x 230), and many other tourist delights.
Be sure to visit the small Borax Museum and the grounds behind
it! (Open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.) There are many of the wagons and
a train used in the Death Valley area. Furnace Creek Golf Course
- is open year-round, with Par 70, 6215 yards, -214 ft. elevation,
dog legs, 9 water hazards, and lots of pretty green grass and
ponds and good bird watching in the bottom of Death Valley! Try
it! Where else can you hit balls at 214 feet below sea level and
not get stuck in a water trap??!!. Fees- $30 in summer (May 8-Oct
12), $55 in fall to May 7; Golf Cart $25, Pull Cart $5, club rental
$15. (760) 786-2301. Many Golf Packages with both Inn and Ranch!!
The main Park Service Visitor Center/Death
Valley Museum is located just north of the Ranch. They have
a large selection of books, maps including topographic maps, post
cards, videos, and all sorts of things for sale. Open 8:00 a.m.
to 5 p.m. Slide show is now continuous. Ranger Talks too - Schedule of Programs,
talks, hikes. A mile to the east is the elegant Furnace Creek Inn, open Oct-end of May. If you don't stay there, at
least sneak a peek into the beautiful grounds with streams, ponds,
and the pool. The restaurant is open to all, and is a 5 Star deal!
Their Sunday Brunch is famous!! October through Mother's
Day in May, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. While dress code ("Casual Elegance"
= no jeans, no shorts, no T-shirts) is in place for dinner, anyone
wearing clothes and shoes is welcome in for lunch - it's wonderful!!
Consider a stop there and a wander around just to marvel! From Furnace Creek you can head south
on paved roads to Badwater, the lowest point in the western
hemisphere at -282 feet and continue on to Jubilee Pass with good
wildflower displays in the spring. -Or (after Highway 190 has
been rebuilt) you can head up the Furnace Creek Wash. Stop at
the beautiful Zabriskie Point for the view of Manly Beacon
and colorful rocks. Take the dirt 20-Mule-Team Canyon road
for an inside look at the colemanite deposits here. Turn south
to take the Dante's View road south past the Billie Mine
(borax, colemanite) to a breathtaking view of the valley! You
will be 5757 feet above Badwater, directly below you. Or you can
continue out of the Park to the Amargosa area and Death Valley
Junction. Marta Becket's Amargosa
Opera House - she's an artist, ballet
dancer, desert lover (and around 85 years old!); unique performances
October through Mother's Day on Saturdays only; Call to be sure
to reserve a seat- she's not performing but her understudy is. Doors open at 7:45 p.m.,
Curtain is 8:15 p.m. $15 donation for Adults, $12 for Children
under 12. 760-852-4441. FAX 760-852-4138. Shut down for the summer,
of course. Consider a visit to Ash
Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
out of Death Valley Junction. Head north, and turn right about
a mile past the Longstreet Casino. Get a map so you know what's
up. There are 21 springs; main visitor area is Crystal Spring
- with a lovely boardwalk to a deep blue pool/spring and pupfish!
Devil's Hole Pupfish aren't far away. 775 372-5435 Many dirt roads are reached by heading
in all directions from Furnace Creek, some passable with ordinary
vehicles, some of which require 4 wheel drive. Inquire of the
rangers about road conditions before you stray off the paved roads!!
The rains can change things quickly. And remember the winds -
they can blow tents away!! Visit Manzanar
National Historical Monument between
Lone Pine and Independence, Hwy 395 - the site now has foundations
labeled and "the gym" building is now the Visitor Center
with lots of displays, etc.- learn about the Japanese Internment
Camp 1942-1945, and the Eastern Sierra Museum in Independence,
CA, Owens Valley, if you're on that side of the Park. Ranger programs
on a regular basis all winter. Lots to see there and more every
day! See Hwy 395
info . At the north end of Death Valley are
Mesquite Campground and Ubehebe Crater, a volcanic wonder!
From there a rough dirt road leads to Teakettle Junction and the
"Racetrack," a playa where rocks slide mysteriously...
try that in March when it's wet and you'll see why - it's slicker
than standing on ice!! Take the dirt road north from the Ubehebe
road to Eureka Valley and visit the Eureka Sand Dunes a
lovely dune system in the next valley NW. High clearance and good
tires usually needed, 4x4 usually not. The other Death Valley web pages have
great pictures and descriptions of all the things to see, so I
didn't include many here. Scotty's Castle is a highlight and
delight to visit. It is an hour
north of Furnace Creek, and at 3000 feet in Grapevine Canyon,
is a pleasant temperature any time of the year! 50 minute tours
of this Spanish style home built in the late 1920's by Albert
Johnson are given from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day of the year.
Tours leave every 20 minutes and are limited to 19 people each.
Tours are 50 minutes and cost $11 for adults, $6 for kids and
$9 for seniors and $9 for Golden Age/Access Passports. There is
an elevator available for those who can't do stairs- ask ahead
of time! Rangers dress in period costumes, and your guide may
even look like Death Valley Scotty himself!! NEW - Combined tours - do both the upstairs history tour and the
downstairs basement tours if timing is right - combined tour prices
are $20 adults, $16 seniors and Golden Age/Access, $10 for kids.
This place is NOT like Hearst Castle.
It is NOT a castle at all! This is a Spanish/Moorish style
home, not a museum, albeit a rather fancy, but comfortable,
home. The guy that built it had lots of money and good architects.
And it didn't ever belong to Scotty, though he had a room there!
His ranch is on the other side of the hill. It's well worth seeing! See DV's page about Scotty's
Castle . Check with rangers to be sure the roads
are open and are OK without 4x4! Here is a great map of Backcountry
roads in DV, but it's a 7.5 MB file.
Check out their
list of backcountry road suggestions. Also
check out Panamint
Spring's home page with lots of suggestions
on sights to see. probably oughta have a sturdier car and
higher clearance (actually, sturdier tires!), SUV (but not 4x4)
or pickup - Titus Canyon, West Side Road, Saratoga Springs, Keane
Wonder Mine, Racetrack - these dirt roads are rockier and full
of washboards. Not for the timid or low slung cars or rental cars!!.
Treasures await you at the end!! 4x4 adventures can take you to places
like Hole-in-the-Wall, Warm Springs Valley and Goler Wash, Cottonwood
and Marble Canyons, Hunter Mountain, Echo Canyon, Trail Canyon,
Chloride Cliff and the mines of Bullfrog, Greenwater Valley and
many others. Roger Mitchell just published a great book with all
these roads in it!- ask the Natural History Association to send
you one!! 1 800 478-8564 Many hikes besides the seven mile Telescope
Peak trail are available. Some lead to springs, to old mines,
particularly gold mines, to Indian petroglyphs, etc. Ranger-led
hikes usually occur at least one a day to places like Mosaic Canyon,
Gower Gulch, Harmony Borax, Sand Dunes, Salt Creek, Badwater,
Keane Wonder Mine. Self guided Trails include Golden
Canyon, Harmony Borax Works, Salt Creek Marsh, Sand Dunes, Wildrose
Charcoal Kilns, and the back side of Scotty's Castle grounds walking
tour including the Windy Point Trail and Tie Canyon. Other day hike suggestions on
DV official page-day
hikes . Short day hikes include Zabriski
point to Golden Canyon (requires car shuttle unless you do a round
trip), Natural Bridge Canyon, Keane Wonder Mine (very steep, but
worth it!- great views), Titus Canyon Narrows (from the bottom),
Mosaic Canyon. If you're looking for REAL adventure,
pick up the brochure "Backcountry hikes" and check these
out!! It describes and gives 7.5 topo maps needed for: Indian
Pass, Daylight Pass to Titus Canyon Rd, Titantothere canyon, Fall
Canyon, Bighorn Gorge, Cottonwood to Marble Canyon loop, Jayhawker
Canyon, Hanaupah canyon, Hungry Bill's Ranch, Virgin Springs Canyon,
etc. Lots and lots of neat places to explore!! Weather is a most important factor when
you want to explore Death Valley. Each season is different and
it pays to be ready. One of the definitions of "desert"
is "extremes." Death Valley isn't always hot!! FC
set a cold record at 24°F. Check out weather links various
places in here... Spring can bring sudden downpours. It
doesn't rain very much in Death Valley, but when it does, it usually
comes all at once. This will cause even the paved roads to wash
out, sometimes closing them for some period. There are times when
the valley is isolated and you can't get in or out for short periods.
The dirt roads are especially vulnerable to washouts. If you plan
to travel on one of the dirt roads, be sure to check with rangers
for the weather forecast and road conditions! It can also be very
windy in the winter and spring. Sometimes during infrequent storms
blowing sand and dust can obscure your vision, especially in the
Sand Dunes area on Hwy 190. Drive with caution, or stay put until
the winds slow down and driving conditions improve. Might want to check these out; take an
average.... or just believe daily
weather and road report links Summer is hot, very hot on the valley
bottom. Daytime temperatures often go over 120 degrees and
it usually doesn't cool off below 100 at night in July and August.
Summer killed 2 people in 2001. (they did stupid things like go
walking without water) In 1996, June had 4 days above 120, all
but 4 days of July were over 120 and 4 days hit 125, and half
of August was over 120. On the other hand, early June 09 was unbelieveably COOL, and rain at times! How HOT is it?? This from Ranger
Charlie on 8/5/1998 (and it's hotter this summer, 2007!!) Just to give you an idea - these are
from the Visitor's Guide that you get when you pay your entrance
fee: remember that averages are averages - the desert is a land
of extremes!!! THE DESERT IS A LAND OF EXTREMES!!
It's too hot or too cold, too wet- it floods, or too dry; stark,
or covered with flowers! "Everything in the desert either
stings, sticks, or stinks...." Furnace Creek Chevron 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.-
now 24 hr pay-at-the-pump with credit card, of course. 3 grades
+ diesel Airports!! Yes,
there are two airstrips: see AirNav.com General Information 760-786-3200 (8 a.m.
to 4 p.m. for real person- dial 0) Commercial Tours from Las Vegas
See http://www.actiontours.com/ATV_final/death-valley-tours-death-valley.html
Another One, http://www.alllasvegastours.com/Body.asp?tour=LAS-O0013&page=TourDetails&pref=01&aid=lty1027
Death Valley is HUGE. There is so much
to see! You'll have to pick and choose and remember that sights
are very far apart in this desert! Good luck!! Come back when
you have more time... but even a one day trip is enough to give
you an idea of the immensity and grandeur of this desert! Be sure
to stop at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center. It's 2.5 hrs. from
Ridgecrest to the Visitor Center, and 3 hours from Las Vegas.
Start early, stay late!! (and come back!!) Start at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center
and get maps and information about the sites and then choose.
You might do things in the north end of the valley one day
and in the south end of the valley another. Remember
that Scotty's Castle tours are given on the hour and are limited
to only 19 people on each tour, so if you want to see the castle,
you will have to devote the better part of a day to that adventure.
It's well worth it!! Good luck!! Plan to come back again and again!
It's always different and there are millions of acres to explore!! Spring
wildflowers: The timing of the flower show in all
parts of our desert depends entirely on the timing and amounts
of the winter rains. Usually flowers start showing around early
March in the valley bottoms of Death Valley, Panamint Valley and
the Indian Wells Valley, but each year is different!! April
flower shows are on the alluvial fans and passes. By July the
flower show is on the Telescope Peak trail. Call the valley and
our Museum for current information! Mid March to mid April are
usually prime wildflower times. When it's good, it's /VERY good!!
Spring 1995 was incredible, Spring 1996 had nothing. !! Spring
97 wasn't real spectacular cause it stopped raining after Christmas.
We had good fall rains in 97, and Spring 1998 is the best anyone
around these parts has EVER seen, but 2005 was a close second!! It was literally
the "show of the century" - there are no pictures in
our books with THIS many flowers!!!! Spring 99 had almost nothing.
Spring 2000 was OK and late. Spring 2002 a big nothing - can't
make flowers without water! Spring 2003 was late again - rains
came in March, flowers in April. Ya never know!! Spring 2005 is
another one to write home about - tons of fall and winter rains!!
undoubtedly the "best ever"!! Spring 06 turned
out OK here and there - great along roadsides, great up Hwy 190
wash, not so great rest of the places.
Spring 07 did not happen - just no rains when we needed them.
Spring 08 is OK, "about a 5", fall rains were pretty good.
Spring 09 - OK but late. Every year is different!!!! See Charlie Calligan's frequently updated DV Wildflower sightings page . Backcountry Camping - see above just after the list of developed
campgrounds. Yes, you can camp in the backcountry, with certain
provisions.
Click here for the NPS map of backcountry roads and
where you can camp. Get one at the VC. Please get a Backcountry Permit before you go from
the Rangers. Death Valley does not have maintained trails (except
the ones listed above) or established backcountry campgrounds.
There is a pretty complete set of 7.5 minute topo maps for sale
at the visitor center. Don't go wandering off without one!! See
DV page info Think about where you're walking and
where you're camping. Pick surfaces that aren't easily disturbed
so that there will be no trace that you were ever there. Walking
in the water of the canyons disturbs the stream itself. Don't
make more trails - spread out and "leave no trace". "The more popular backcountry use
becomes, the more important backcountry ethics become." Take
care of this wonderful place!! Enjoy!!! Off-road Driving: is PROHIBITED. The desert environment is extremely fragile
and it takes very long for it to recover from vehicle damage.
There are plenty of fun roads to explore - one up just about every
canyon. Stay on established roads and don't be tempted to wander
off into the wild desert. Mountain Bikes: are allowed on all paved and open dirt roads
and the bike path near the Furnace Creek Visitor Center - goes
from there to the campground and to Harmony Borax Works. Bikes
of any kind are not allowed off roads, on trails, or in the wilderness
areas or on CLOSED roads. Titus works on a Mountain Bike. Horseback:
Horse use is allowed except in developed campgrounds or paved
roads; not on Telescope Peak trail. Take your own water and feed. Campfires
are prohibited, except in fire pits in developed campgrounds.
Gathering wood is not permitted, (heck, there isn't any! ) and
burning of wood, either dead or alive, is not allowed in the backcountry.
Use a camping stove. Pack out all garbage - don't bury it. It's too dry here for anything
to decay. DO bury human waste at least 6 inches deep or more. Don't even think about feeding the cute
coyotes and kit foxes that will wander up and look at you with
sorrowful eyes. It's prohibited and it's not good for the animals.
They have plenty of natural foods! Goes also for ravens
and roadrunners. Don't feed the wildlife!!! Several pesky coyotes
have had to be shot because they just wouldn't stay away from
people because they learned that people feed cute critters. Don't
cause the death of these wonderful animals. Shoo them away!! And
keep your pets INSIDE AT NIGHT! Coyotes prowl the campgrounds
and RV's looking for a furry dinner (NOT people). Pets are permitted in developed areas
and on park roads. They must be leashed and restrained at all
times. Pets are not allowed off roads, on trails, or in the wilderness
areas of the Park. Be a friend to your pet and leave him
home - he can't go with you most places, and if you leave
him in the car, it will get too hot! Coyotes will eat him. Think
about it... Weapons are strictly prohibited. This includes firearms, air guns, bow and arrow,
slingshots. There is NO hunting, season or not, in this Park. Private Property - there is quite a bit
within the park boundaries. If you see a sign, respect it! There
are patent mining claims in the park which are private. This is a National Park. You may examine
but NOT remove any historic artifact, rock, plant, or animal.
The use of metal detectors is NOT allowed. Leave the stuff for
others to enjoy!! Water
- some of it is salty, some of it is fresh. Suspect girardia and
don't drink any water that you haven't treated unless it comes
gushing out of a spring in the rocks- and there ARE many springs!
Carry enough water when you hike. There are about 300 springs
in the park - it's far from a dry barren place, but it's also
a big park and springs are hidden in canyons usually. Don't count
on there being water - springs come and go. Birds, big horn sheep,
burros, and all the other critters depend upon these springs...
that's why you aren't supposed to camp near them. Share, and be
considerate. Wildlife.
LOTS of it! Though most animals are active at night in the summer.
(no wonder!) Many hibernate or migrate away in the winter. Take
an evening walk on the sand dunes! You'll hear coyotes howl around
Furnace Creek and Stovepipe. They won't bother you IF you don't
try to feed them! People are not on their list of things to eat,
just fingers. Coyotes are everywhere, especially around the campgrounds.
Their favorite food, easier to catch than bunnies, are little
dogs tied by RV's. Keep your pets INSIDE at all times! Coyotes
are active day and night and they hear little yipping from far
away!! Birds
all over the place, but especially around springs, of course.
LOTS of birds - and they are diurnal. Owls in the trees at the
Ranch. (The ONLY trees are at the ranch!- more or less) Great
birding on the golf course! Wild horses- no. Wild burros - well...
aren't supposed to be - they keep trying to round them up because
they aren't native and they cause enormous damage around the springs,
but... you'll still see droppings in more remote areas. Snakes?
Of course, they live here! Will they bother you - not if you don't
bother them. They hibernate when it gets cold at night (like below
45). They hate heat, so in the summer they come out at night.
If it's nice weather for humans, it's nice weather for snakes.
Poisonous snakes in DV are FAT with big head, nonpoisonous snakes
are skinny, skinny head. Plenty of both. Earthquakes.
Interesting topic. How do you think Death Valley got here!! It's
a huge down-drop valley with huge faults on both sides. Little
faults all over the place. Volcanic rocks indicate faults and
the stuff is everywhere! Will there be one when you're here? Probably
not- at least not a big one. BUT - the quakes and aftershocks
near Joshua Tree/Landers/Baker are sometimes felt here. No problem
- it's a good ride! No rocks come tumbling down or anything like
that, usually. There aren't many buildings, and they're all low
- no problems there. There's nothing much here to hurt! Enjoy
the ride! ------------------------------------ To continue: does anyone live there?
yup - Rangers, Concessionaire people, and their families. All
year most of um! Does anyone die there? Yup, sometimes. The 49ers
(who named the valley) didn't, but their animals did. A few miners
did. A few tourists who think they can hike without water do.
But it's not necessary any more. Just be careful!! The desert is awesome - all of it. (all
of them, around the world! each is unique) And it isn't all "SAND".
This park is particularly awesome - that's why it was made a Monument
in 1933 and a park in 1994. Your first thoughts are "barren
- ugh" - but take a close look. The only places where
there are NO plants are out on the dry lake playas and on the
tops of the sand dunes. There are plants everywhere else, even
if they're little and not very green most of the year. Where there
are plants, there are animals, though they hide when the weather
isn't nice (which is a lot!- too hot, too cold, too windy) There
are even some animals out on those playas! Check the sand dunes
in the morning and see who had parties last night - lizards, mice,
bugs! Then take a BIG look. Where else can you see so much geology
all in one place!! Death Valley is over 11,300 feet deep at Badwater.
Panamint Valley is 9000 feet deep. Saline Valley is 9000 feet
deep. WOW! Visit the sand dunes in Eureka Valley - they're the
tallest in California. Don't let the name scare you. Let it teach
you a lesson about deserts. It's awesome. Death Valley has it's own official web
page at http://www.nps.gov/deva/
Check it out- tons of GREAT photos,
info on all topics, etc. Active Death
Valley Chat Board great place to find
out road conditions on the remote roads. Another Death
Valley Park Info chat is under Forums,
but there is also a ton of info about the park, activities, people,
etc. A great resource! Note: I try to keep the data correct.
The explanations herein are entirely my opinions. If you
have suggestions for things to update or add, or want to ask a
question, please e-mail to Maintained by Janet Westbrook
Turn to Trips File
A list of day trips from Ridgecrest by 1/2, 1, 2, 3 hours driving
time to exciting places in the Northern Mojave Desert, the Southern
Sierra, and Owens Valley. See Maturango Museum Home Page Have you seen our Museum Home Page? We're a small
but mighty fine Natural History Museum in beautiful downtown Ridgecrest,
CA. Open daily 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.; lots of books for sale, lots of
Tourist info, great displays. Check us out!!! 100 E. Las Flores
Ave, Ridgecrest, CA 93555 (760) 375-6900 The following are other sites on the
World Wide Web which feature information about Death Valley. These
links do not provide access back to this page or to the Maturango
Museum Home page, but you can get back to us using the "back"
command in most web browsers. You can do your own web search if
you are reading this anyway - enjoy! :-) Death Valley Natural History
Association pages - still under
construction, but right now they have the road report, Underground
weather, DV news, lots of cool stuff; soon they'll have their
book order pages up and running. Check often!! Lots of you may be interested in a trip to Cerro Gordo, a private in-tact mining town up above Owens
Lake, scene of incredible silver and lead mining, some still active.
Road best in 4x4 (darn steep and rocky), but yo can actually stay
up there in the restored hotel. Reservations required. Informative
web site! A comprehensive page about fossils in DV
Also links to Fossils in Red Rock Canyon State Park
Weather Channel weather - closest you can come to DV is China Lake,
CA, Bishop, CA, and Las Vegas, NV. Parks
Geology neat stuff about DV geology,
lots of pictures, etc. A whole page full of amazing links from
the folks at Mono Lake
Committee a booking agent for
hotels in the area, and interesting links to other interesting things
Tons of info about all sorts of places
to visit from Sierra
Web folk Panamint Springs Resort, over in Panamint Valley, west of Death Valley
proper, but in the Park, has a neat home page with lots of suggestions
on things to go see; Desert USA is an on-line magazine with
tourist into about parks and neat places to see and do in CA,
AZ, CO, NV, NM, TX, UT! Check out their
Death Valley info page Lots of nice
stuff, info, pictures, maps New page developed for exploring in an
RV, but it'll do for the rest of us too. Great links to other
National Parks, Monuments, National Forests in the U.S. RVn 4 Fun Have your own rig but need a guide to
DV backcountry? or want to hike - here's a commercial way to do
that - http://www.deathvalleybackcountrysafaris.com/ Death Valley National Park home page
through GORP is good, links to other parks and lots of interesting
places keep hitting that "search"
button!! All comments entirely mine.... send updates
and mail to Janet Westbrook
Meanwhile, flash floods closed Hwy 190 west of Panamint Springs for a while 8/26 but it's open now.
See this YouTube Video! - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oOEWWH7QqE
The restaurant at Stovepipe Wells motel burned Aug. 26 and is closed! Evidently major damage in the back and
smoke damage in the restaurant - and it'll be
closed for a while- through the winter season most likely. There is still snacky-type stuff and sandwiches available across the street at the store.
The new family-owned company just took over the franchise - it's not Xanterra any more. Ouch.
http://www.nps.gov/deva/parknews/upload/Visitor%20Guide%202010.pdf
Keane Wonder Mine Road - CLOSED; road and mining area closed to all entry due to safety hazards.
Saline Valley Road (North Pass) - OPEN high clearance sure helps
Saline Valley Road (South Pass) - OPEN but rocks in the canyon, bad
washboards on the valley bottom; high clearance best, always
Father Crowley Point is closed - they're paving it all the way to the loop!
Titus Canyon Road -OPEN!! High clearance, loose gravel at bottom
Ubehebe Crater Road - Ubehebe Crater parking area finally OPEN; no bathroom, but nice walls.
All other park roads are OPEN and in standard conditions. Rent a jeep and go have fun! - but it's HOT.
See http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=CAZ522, and road report at http://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/road-conditions.htm
Check out the new weather forecast and format-
I miss the Morning Report!! :-(
- but it still exists in the park! Posted on Visitor Center doors.
Weekly Ranger Programs at http://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/upload/Programs-2.pdf
Wildflower Update and rain data at http://www.nps.gov/deva/naturescience/upload/Wildflower%20Update.pdf
I still get a strong enough Verizon analog signal in Panamint Valley.
Trona now has Verizon. However - 911 works almost everywhere!! Give it a try if you really need help no matter
where you may be - ya never know what it might find. 911 signals work differently than other signals...
GAS IN OLANCHA!! Mobile station, food mart, clean restrooms. yeah!
Yes, there is now a commercial outfit that will give you a day tour of DV from Las Vegas in a pink "jeep",
or if you click on "Death Valley- in park" even take you to the Racetrack or Titus Canyon (when open) in their
pink sturdy vehicles. Pink Jeep tours
http://www.pinkjeep.com/jeep-tours/lasvegas/death-valley.shtml
They also do a lot of other parks in the SW. Ain't cheap, but it's one way to do this...
NEW- Farabee Jeep Rentals actually lets you rent a 2 door or 4 door bright red automatic Jeep Rubicon to drive yourself
on some of the backcountry roads!! Takes $$ and be 25 yrs. old, but WOW. They're new - but be sure to look
at the website and maybe call um. They're located at the old garage across the street from the Furnace Creek Inn, just
above the Badwater turnoff, on Hwy 190. http://www.deathvalleyjeeprentals.com/index.html Looks like a reservation
will be absolutely necessary as they don't have too many vehicles to rent out! Titus and Racetrack open again, so go!
TV reception: Ya gotta be kidding! NOPE, unless you have a satellite dish.
GPS works wonderfully well - no trees, no clouds. SPOT things work if not in a canyon. :-)
Street bikes can, of course, ride on the paved roads - BUT - there is no shoulder
to speak of in most places on the main road through the park. It's risky - you'll get hit by RV mirrors!
Traffic on Hwy 190 is constant. At least most of it has been repaved, but still - NO shoulder. Right
now they're working on the Scotty's Castle road - so not a good idea no matter what cuz the project is
to widen it = no shoulder at all. The road down to Badwater is a little bit better- has sort of a shoulder
having just been widened down to Badwater, but not beyond. RIDE SINGLE FILE ALWAYS!!
MOUNTAIN BIKES - AH HA, you can ride on any of the dirt roads - see http://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/upload/Mountain%20Biking.pdf
for ideas. Much better idea - not as much traffic at all on these. Plenty of challenges with soft sand and
washboards - definitely not for skinny tire bikes... No bikes (or dogs) of any kind on trails or in the Wilderness.
Dogs are allowed in campgrounds but always on a leash - and remember that coyotes regularly patrol the campgrounds
looking for dinner, day and night. Several little dogs have disappeared... Dogs are NOT allowed on trails at all.
You could walk him on a leash along the roads, but yikes.
They're really not allowed much of anywhere - sorry! Not in motel rooms either.
Not a good idea to leave pooch in the car while you go hiking - gets way too hot even in winter. Greenhouse is greenhouse.
In other words, DV is not really "dog friendly". Sorry.... best to leave him home...True in ALL National Parks.
**If you're coming from Las Vegas - don't even consider
going via I-15 and Baker!- that's the LONG way! You have 2 choices;
if you're on the Strip or north of it, *Take Hwy 95 from LV
to Beatty, then come to the valley via 374. When you get to
the fork downhill from Daylight Pass - if you want to go to Furnace
Creek, head left: if you want to go to Scotty's Castle, continue
straight down Mud Canyon. 140 miles to FC.
The area code for Death Valley numbers is 760 and for nearby Nevada
numbers is 775.
The Park's number is 760 786-3200 Yes, it's now automated-
but you can talk to a real person if you hit 0 during "regular
business hours". Emergency Help is always 911.
Page of pretty
Sierra photos, starring Mt. Whitney
in white taken 1/14/05.
Ranger programs Schedule will continue in the fall.
Weather guess 5 day
You can drive 3 mi. up the rocky alluvial fan and park and the mouth and walk into the narrows - that's cool too!
High clearance, but not 4x4, at least front-wheel drive best
and good tires a must! Loose gravel at the bottom where you drive IN the river bed. The road has been graded, but that makes
rocks poke up;
- but don't do it if you're timid. It does hang on the side of the hill many places. Remember it's ONE WAY
from the east side to the west. You'll want high clearance
for a rocky bit after Red Pass. Red Pass is a bit of a challenge--can have deep holes in the road; just KEEP GOING UP- don't stop!!!!
Don't go if you don't like skinny roads hanging on the side of
a hillside with a large drop straight down below you. Kansas it ain't. WONDERFUL it is!! Get the Geology Guide to Titus before you go.<
South Pass open: but go cautiously. PLEASE READ THE SPA PAGE FOR ROAD INFO!!
The bulldozer is gone.
Dirt parts in the canyon have
washed-out parts, and some rock slides. Not nice. High clearance
to do with them - driver skill is most of the battle: NO
RV's!! NOT advised at all, ever, certainly not in winter!!
Check the Road Report, call a ranger!! Miller's
Towing in Lone Pine is VERY expensive if you goof up. More storms on the way - it's an El Nino year- great for desert, not so much for roads.
North Pass (8300') open: high clearance.
and over Steel Pass which ALWAYS requires 4x4 and short wheel
base at the 3 steps in Dedeckera Canyon; Check road report for status of Big Pine/Scotty's road. Reports are that
it's in pretty good shape but for the bad spot, you REALLY DO need 4x4 and a spotter. No snow.
Try this link NOAA
weather for Saline Valley
Just watch the sky-
storms come in fast and closes the road in a flash and can cause
flash floods which will always wash out Grapevine Canyon
(South Pass), and sometimes make a mess of North Pass. Take way
more supplies than you'll need, cuz you might just need um!! Don't
be in a hurry to leave - let the rain water
run off. You can get real stuck in mud just as easily as snow,
and it' harder to get out of! Be patient and let the sun do work
on the roads before you try it.
The road is its usual ugly washboard in the valley.
Definitely not ever good for trailers !! (use 4x4 on the valley bottom
to help keep the washboards from forming) Lippencott washouts
in some spots make the usually skinny road VERY skinny in spots.
Try various Chat Boards to see if there are any other reports:
Death Valley-net
- look under Forums
Don't forget to use 4x4 on the valley washboards! It helps smooth
them a little...; stay on the designated roads - don't try to
drive on the sand dunes!! you'll get fined heavily, if and when
you get out...high clearance and GOOD tires a must for the county
road!! Even without snow and mud, it is not a road for RV's or little low cars, buses, or trailers,
etc.
Take an air compressor! Best to have 2 REAL spare tires - the
roads can be very rocky, incredibly washboardy on the valley bottom;
clearance a must! Don't go in a regular passenger car!- tires
can't handle it; Have a REAL spare, not a donut. RV's - ACK! never a good idea!! (too many narrow
spots, sharp turns, and you'll rattle it to death! (Story
on the Chat Board says that the two RV's which got stuck on the
turns and had to be towed to Lone Pine were charged $2100.) Don't
go in there without adequate supplies for both you and your car!!
Cell phones don't work. Satellite phones do work.
Flash floods can close the roads in an instant and no one is in
any hurry to fix them. Saline is the ultimate of "remote",
yet the springs is crowded because it is so.... just be careful!.
This year has been very unpredictable - thunderstorms can still
wash out the canyon roads. Watch the skies!! check the chat boards
to see current experiences.
If you think you're going to Saline to be alone in the tubs, think
again. That worked in the 70's, but now it is absolutely crowded-
at least on weekends, and even midweek. Especially in winter and spring.
Sorry! The word is out, and the crowds (as in 100 people on long weekends) are in...And there aren't
that many pools to soak in- like 3.
If you're looking for a hot soak that's a whole lot easier to
get to - try Keough Hot Springs between Big Pine and Bishop, or
Hot Creek north of Mammoth Airport, or Bridgeport, or Whitmore
Springs also at Mammoth Airport area, or if you insist on birthday
suit bathing, Tecopa Hot Springs (except sexes are separated in
different bath houses and now a fee is charged - but it's cleaner).
All of these are accessible with 2 WD.
Good news is that the Lower Springs seem to
have perked up again and are flowing adequately. !! There is plenty of water for washing and showers,
but NONE of it is drinkable - so be sure you have lots with you!!
** Chicken Strip "landing strip"
is OPEN- used 2/14 without incident.
Lippencott- VERY ROUGH; "it's normal self";-
which means hairy...; recommend shortbed 4x4 (tight turns!)
and narrow wheeltrack- it's VERY skinny in some spots and recommended
down travel from the Racetrack- washboards in the valley are
"horrid". Biggest problem is the wash cuts across the
valley - they're really DEEP and 4x4 is needed to get out of them,
sometimes a winch - don't go alone if you don't know the road!!
At least this way out of Saline is low, 4200 ft. so if the passes
get snowed in, you can usually get out this way - BUT - there
is no gas at Scotty's!!
If it is a CalTrans or NPS sign, do NOT go past!! You will be
cited $$ and escorted out of the park by the rangers! Don't even
think about it! Problem is that Inyo Co. seems to leave the Road
Closed sign up all the time whether they mean it or not - but
the above rules still apply - so be warned!
paved bits are quite nice now, then 2 miles of
gravel which can get washboardy, to Charcoal Kilns; gate open
last mile is very steep and can be very rocky!! Front wheel drive at least, high clearance.
Telescope Peak Trail - 7 miles one way
to top, but GREAT views when you get to the flatish ridge before the last grind. Look for Mule
Deer and Bighorn Sheep!! - No water in summer except at Eagle Spring, a
side trail at the base of the last ridge. Views from top like
looking through a Telescope. You can see Whitney and much of the Sierra and White Mountain Pk and Mt. Charleston from there!
A good way to find a cool spot in summer in DV!! But now snow happens all summer!
Barker Ranch main house has burned! 5/4ish. walls there, tin roof sits on the walls. Sad.
Was a most interesting structure. It's crumbling too. The outbuildings are OK. Stay out of Meyers Ranch,
it's occupied and very private property.
However,
Mengle Pass- major washouts and HUGE rock steps on both sides; east side improved a bit. -
rocks and ruts; steps particularly difficult; 4x4, 32" tires, etc. absolutely
necessary!
Top of Pass difficult, big rock steps, holes. OK from west side up Warm Springs
Canyon as far as the Geologist's cabin;
Pleasant/Middle Park/South Park
4x4 always. Snow gone. canyon loop is always 4x4, but some of the bad
spots have been fixed a bit;
Chicken rock is now VERY difficult - a jeep rolled off it 11/13/09 and took some of the
side with it, so now it's narrow and tricky. Requires spotter and narrow vehicle!
Weight limit on the bridge - NO HUMMERS!! Word has it that a new road
has been put in above the riparian area so it can be avoided. The stream is recovering nicely.
The Worldbeater mine is closed again. Respect Private Property!
Remember to check with the Rangers about current road conditions-
they post um every morning at 8 a.m. and the recording at 760
786-3200 road, weather gets updated soon there after usually.
Can't talk to a live person on weekends. Also check the Chat Boards
for recent user info. We have had thunderstorms which causes some
washes to flash and dump debris on the roads. DON'T CROSS MOVING
WATER ON THE ROAD! Wait for it to go away. 2 people died trying
to drive through moving water - it didn't work!
Park daily weather and road report by phone along with the weather
guess for the day. THINGS CHANGE FAST HERE IN THE DESERT!! It
rains/snows some places and not others. Lightning means rain somewhere!
This Park is a BIG place, 50+ miles between things sometimes -
watch your gas gauge!!
Gas at Ridgecrest (24 hrs), Trona (T Stop cheaper than Chevron), Olancha (mobile),
Beatty, Shoshone, Pahrump, and at Johannesburg
- that's IT until you get to the valley. Plan accordingly
- it's a LONG way across this hot (or cold) stinkin' desert!!
Actually, same cautions apply in winter. Stay with your vehicle
and stay warm. Heard of "hypothermia"? It can kill you
if you try to walk out. Stuck in the snow? Make signals and STAY
PUT - someone will find you, especially if you left word where
you were going! Note: if your car is overheating, slow down, turn
off the A/C obviously, and turn on the heater - yes, the HEAT
- it'll help cool the cooling fluids.
Crazy weather!!
It's WINTER. Days nice mid-day, but COLD nights, dawn, dusk. SHORT DAYS.
You still must use sunscreen, (LOTS of UV, not good for your skin), wear a hat
(cute ones for sale everywhere- stores and VC), and CARRY AND DRINK WATER. (and salt!!)
It's safe if you are VERY CAREFUL- take layers of clothing (think
long sleeves to keep sun OFF), drink lots of water! AND EAT SALTY
THINGS!! Be sure to wear a hat during the day- using an umbrella
for shade works great! - and carry AND DRINK water wherever you
go!! It's DRY, DRY!! (even in rain storms! especially in
wind!!) DRINK your water!!
10 day forecast keep playing through the links;
Use 92328 zip and get
a 10 day forecast.
of course, these are all guesses past about "tomorrow" - things change....
Reservation
system - USFS, NPS, BLM sites all done under same system now,
recreation.gov, 1-(877) 444-6777 7a.m. to 7 p.m. PST, and 7 a.m.
to 9 p.m. PDT (March-Oct). It's a "6 month rolling
calendar" system.
Watch carefully where you put your tent! - Not a
good idea to use Texas Springs CG in the rain - it turns into a quagmire.
Rivers run in the tent area at Stovepipe- look around and choose high ground!
Yosemite
is 1-877-444-6777 and same URL, starting on 15th of each month.
National Forest and Recreation campgrounds may be reserved
at National Recreation Reservation Service 8 months in advance,
1 877 444-6777, 7-7 p.m. PST at http://recreation.gov
California State Parks may be viewed at parks.ca.gov and camp sites reserved 7 months ahead at 1
800 444-7275 between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. PST http://www.ReserveAmerica.com (did not move to the government system)
From January to April, Wed and Sat, they give "Lower Vine Ranch Tours", where Scotty
really lived. reservation required - see under Scotty's Castle info below.
Marta Becket's season is over. A few rooms are available in
the motel, and the Lila C Cafe is now open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. so you can eat!!
Sign says Tours of Opera House given,
but no data- ask at the Hotel desk. Marta injured her back several years ago and she can no longer get up "on point" - but she
still makes costumes and has what she calls her "sit down
show" - she sings, tells stories, does all sorts of interesting
things, but she doesn't dance any more.
The Hotel is open all year. Her book and several videos of her
past performances are on sale at the Motel. The little Cafe is open 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. Check.
Interdenominational Christian Worship on Sundays at 9 a.m.
and at 6 p.m. in the Visitor Center Auditorium.
" Death Valley and the Northern Mojave" Tweed,
Davis, Cachuma Press - overview of popular spots to visit in both
DV and Ridgecrest areas of desert. Maps, great photos!
"Hiking Death Valley" by Michel Digonnet; great
mining history, great maps and a complete list of hikes available
Ranger-guided hikes are usually offered at least once a day to
one of the following locations: Mosaic Canyon, Gower Gulch, Harmony
Borax, Sand Dunes, Salt Creek, Badwater Salt Flats, Keane Wonder
Mine. Check Ranger
Program Schedule
MOVIES!! Our wonderful photographer Mark Pahuta has been busy
with his digital camera and has made QuickTime movies of our art
shows and the insides of the Museum. They're big files, but download
them and open with QuickTime, place the cursor to one side or
the other and the panorama will start to move around. Use the
+ and - buttons on the player to zoom in and out. These are way
cool high tech stuff that your 'puter does so well!!
Our
Natural History Display area and Children's Corner ,
the exhibit part of our Museum. (file size 400K)
Our
fantastic Museum Store, Gift Shop. Unique
stuff, lots of petroglyph stuff. (file size 964K)
The current art show is on our
web page, and other great stuff...
Try various Chat Boards to see if there are any current road reports:
Death Valley Talklook under Campfire Chat
Death-Valley.net
- look under Forums
The
bottom of Death Valley is only two hours from Ridgecrest,
CA ! The Park is open all year and Fall,
Winter, and Spring are all ideal months to visit the valley bottom
while there are cooler places up higher for summer visits. The
Maturango Museum is the home of the Death Valley Tourist Center
and has some guide books and maps of Death Valley and the DV Natural
History Association Newspaper which has all the hours of operation
of facilities, campground lists, accommodations, maps, and everything
else necessary to plan your visit to the Park. Be sure to pick
up Cliff Lawson's "Getting there is half the fun,
" a road guide of what's where on the way. Let us help you
plan your trip!! Open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 100 E.
Las Flores Ave, at China Lake Blvd., about in the center of the
main drag. (760) 375-6900Travel Information- to
get there from Ridgecrest
To get there from other
than Ridgecrest:
If you are into 4x4 travel, go out the south west end through
Goler Wash and Warm Springs Valley.
Death Valley Sights
The display area features history and natural history of Death
Valley, including tales of the discovery of the valley by the
1849ers (and the "fake trunk") and the mining of many
minerals from the valley. Huge relief map. Pupfish!
The Visitor
Center is going to be "refurbished" and may be closed from Nov. 2010
for a while. Stay tuned... it needs work!Scotty's Castle Information
Technology Tours- several times a day too. Visit the basement,
peep into pool portals, visit the powerhouse: 10 tours/day - NOT
handicapped accessible - sorry! Same fees as regular tour.
Lower Vine Ranch Tours, Scotty's real home! See http://www.nps.gov/deva/historyculture/lower-vine.htm
Tours on Wed and Sat, 10 and 2, January through Easter. 2 mile walk, but so interesting
to see Scotty's home and his bathtub out in the yard.
Self guided walking trails around the grounds and canyons, wonderful
grassy lawn for picnics, Museum and bookstore, Snack bar, but NO
Gasoline. The grounds are open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call them
at 760-786-2392.Two wheel drive (with clearance)
dirt road adventures- when they're open:
Usually OK for "regular street cars" - involves dirt
roads, but OK dirt roads - Mosaic Canyon, Salt Creek, Natural
Bridge, Devil's Golf Course, Charcoal Kilns;Four wheel drive adventures:
There are many, many miles of dirt roads to explore!! These roads
would be GREAT for mountain biking adventures as well (maybe better!).
Be sure to check with the rangers to see if the roads are open.
Also check the weather - these narrow canyons are no place to
be caught in a flash flood!! Map, road info at Backcountry
roadsHikes:
Weather!
Winter can bring snow on the passes and the roads north, west,
and south might be closed for a period of time. Carry chains!
Did you look at the snow pictures from winter 2000 yet??
Winter will bring freezing and below freezing temperatures
to the valley bottom! It's hard to imagine that you would
need a down parka in Death Valley, but a warm jacket is a most
necessary item for nights in December and January. Days can be
in the 70's, but nights drop to freezing! All those mountains
send their cold air to the lowest point - that's where YOU are.
Fall and Spring have the nicest temperatures - days are nice and
warm, in the 80's, nights cool, in the 40's or 50's. However,
storms can blow in with little notice and change "nice"
to threatening! Always be prepared for all kinds of weather conditions.
weather
by Intellicast; I've found it to be
pretty accurate
Weather.com ,
enter zip 92328
July average is usually 115; 1998 (the last very hot year before
2006) it was 119F, 48.3C;
30 days at 110F, 43.3C and above
24 days at 115F, 46.1C or above
11 days at 120F, 48.8C or above; high of 129F, 53.8C on July 17,
and 127F, 52.8C on the 16th, 128F, 53.3C on the 18th of July.
Now that's HOT!!
The summer of 1999 is one of the "coolest" on record
- it's relative, but it really wasn't over 120 much at all- maybe
3 days! The Summer of 2001 was one of the hottest on record!!
Record temp of 134F on 6/1/2000 in the shade at Furnace Creek.
Yet the Valley and most of the tourist facilities are open. Foreign
tourists abound in the summer. Some come because it is
so hot... Be sure to carry enough water so you can deal with the
heat, and have extra water in case your car needs cooling down
as well!! Wear a hat, use an umbrella, or do something to keep
the sun off your body!! Stay indoors during the day, venture out
at night, like the desert animals do! Telescope Peak is always
cool in the summer, and the green lawn and trees at Scotty's Castle
remain in the 90's even when the valley floor is baking.
Jan 65F(18C) high, 39(4) low; Feb. 72F(22)high, 46(18C) low; March
80(27) high, 53(12C) low; and very windy; April 90(32C)/ 62(17C);
May 99(37) high with several days over 100, 71(22C) low; June
109 (43C) high, 80(27C) low; July 115(46C) high, but see above,
88(31C) low - nights just don't cool off, and it's sort of humid,
for a desert - blah!; August 113(45C), 85(29C) low, and blah!;
September 106(41), 75(24C); October 92(33), 62(16C)- lovely!;
November 76(24C), 48(9); December 65(19C), 39(4C) low and very
short days - it gets cold FAST!! Can freeze. Can snow. Does snow
at Scotty's.Ranger Stations with information, maps,
newspaper:
Campground Information:
Ask the Rangers for the current regulations about minimum impact
camping.
Room Reservations: prices are very
season-dependent!
Food and
gas available at the Longstreet Casino, 7 miles north.
http://www.amargosa-opera-house.com/index.htm
ATM Machines!
Internet Access:- sorta
At the Ranch - try sitting on the Registration
Building's bench. Also, DV Natural History Assn has a weak WiFi
in the Visitor Center - sit on the bench outside the front door
or in the chairs in the display area.
Stovepipe - in the lobby area
Panamint Springs Resort has satellite WiFi.
Most cell phones
don't work well anywhere in the park. Verizon analog works kinda from
the Ranch, and in parts of Panamint Valley.
Service Stations:
Stovepipe Wells 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. , now 24 hr. pay-at-the-pump,
regular 87 only;
Scotty's Castle closed at this time for repairs.
Panamint Springs Resort - Shell gas available 24 hrs. with credit
card! 87 and 91 and diesel
Handy Phone Numbers:
Park Rangers, emergencies 911, of course, and 760-786-3200
Both of these Van tour outfits visit a couple of places in DV- but not the
dunes, not Scotty's Castle, not Badwater... so check what they do visit and
see if it's what you want, or should you rent your own vehicle and drive over.
don't know anything about these folks other than what's on their web page, but
it is a way to get to DV from Las Vegas if you don't want to drive yourself. They use vans.
Several other tour locations as well - Valley of Fire is a very special place too!
11 hr. tour $189, kids $95. 888 288-5200
also van tour, about same price, 11 hrs. Check their website.
Annual Events
see above web page for other golf things
If you only have one day from Ridgecrest
or Las Vegas
If you have at least 2 days...
Other stuff
Spiders - yup- Tarantulas are all over, but in the fall - October-
the males migrate looking for 'the girls' one last time before
winter hibernation. If you see one, watch it, wonder, but don't
disturb him...they won't hurt you!
Revised as noted on top
You gotta come past us on your way from Los Angeles to Death Valley
anyway, and you can detour to visit us if you're not exactly headed
that way - maybe you should be?? :-)Other Internet Information:
Going on Hwy 395?
Here's tons of info about the towns,
sights, etc.
updated as posted at the top.