Death Valley ???

[DaJudge]

I will be camping in Death Valley for 5 days in December. What should I make sure I see/do while I am there?

Glen

 

[karstic]

When and where and with who are you camping?

There's a ton to see, both off the pavement and off-road.

Check out the pics from our February '05 trip

 

[DaJudge]

Camping at Furnace Creek December 24-29, 2007. My wife and another couple will be with us. ANy wheeling should probably in the moderate range. Not sure how the other couple is going to take to it!

Edit: Found the thread...thanks!

 

[karstic]

There's a lot of moderate stuff to be done, although they all involve long distances because of the size of Death Valley NP.

The NP website has some good information on backcountry travel.

Do you have any maps of the area?

 

[DaJudge]

Not yet...any suggestions on good ones?

 

[karstic]

This one is actually pretty good.

http://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/upload/Backcountry Roads-2.pdf

If you can't get it printed out, call the Visitor Center at Furnace Creek and request that they send out the info.

The Trails Illustrated Map by National Geographic is also a pretty good one.

 

[DaJudge]

This one is actually pretty good.

http://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/upload/Backcountry Roads-2.pdf

If you can't get it printed out, call the Visitor Center at Furnace Creek and request that they send out the info.

The Trails Illustrated Map by National Geographic is also a pretty good one.

Thanks! I have a good plotter at work so I should be able to print it.

 

[Handlebars]

Glen, I've done the Racetrack Playa/Saline Valley Warm Springs/Eureka Sand Dunes trip a couple of times, it was GREAT! The 'wheeling is in the moderate range as long as the passes are not snowed in, but you are a loooong way from civilization. This was in January of 2002:

Racetrack Playa

Camping at Racetrack Playa was cold...

Coupla days later at Eureka dunes it was much warmer.

First view of the Eureka Dunes

The hardest part of Steel Pass between Saline Valley Warm Springs and Eureka Valley. This it the stupid line, you can drive over the rocks and stay level.

More Steel Pass

What happens in Saline Valley stays in Saline Valley...

http://www.fototime.com/users/[email protected]/Death Valley

I've got a couple of good maps of the area that you are welcome to borrow.

 

[DaJudge]

Thanks Alex. I may take you up on that!

 

[Handlebars]

I dug out the maps and a book: "Explorers Guide to Death Valley".

 

[DaJudge]

I dug out the maps and a book: "Explorers Guide to Death Valley".

Sounds like an excuse for lunch! Maybe we should try another local lunch M&G. Maybe some more will come this time.

 

[Handlebars]

Name the place and time... 2pm-ish works best for me though.