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Death Valley National Park

Friday, March 1, 2024 - Friday, March 8, 2024 -- $1650 ★


Death Valley National Park is a land of superlatives. Whether it's the highest recorded temperature (134°), the lowest elevation (Badwater Basin -282' below sea level) being the driest or the most beautiful (OK, that one is totally subjective), Death Valley delivers.


Our trip is base camping / day-hiking only. We will set up for the week at a group campsite (site TBD) in the centrally located Furnace Creek Campground. From there, we'll visit many of the park's featured areas, such as Badwater Basin, Desolation Canyon, Corkscrew Peak, Mesquite Sand Dunes, Ubehebe Crater and even Darwin Waterfall.


This is about the best and most temperate time of year to visit such an amazing graben. (What the hell is a graben?) So why not sign up now?



Topographical Map of Proposed Route

See CalTopo map


Weather

Weather is always an important concern when hiking. Expect daytime hiking temperatures in the high 70s and nighttime temperatures in the 40s. However, be prepared for the possibility of day temperatures as high as 90 and as low as 30, with almost no chance of rain (more likely Virga where rain evaporates before hitting the ground). Here is the historical March weather. Be prepared with lots of sun protection and water containers that add up to 6 liters of capacity.



Probable Trip Leaders

Guide(s) TBD

Difficulty

Death Valley can be hot during the day. Plus the amount of elevation gained on some of the day-hikes can be quite substantial, so even with just a day pack the trip may be more strenuous than you'd think.



Cost

$1650 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a hotel room with another trip participant. You will be responsible for transportation to and from Las Vega Airport (LAS), as well as personal equipment, restaurant meals and any gratuities for guides. You may also incur parking charges for leaving your car at the hotel all week (probably none, but they sometimes charge for this).


Covered expenses include 1 shared hotel night, 6 nights in a frontcountry campground, 6 days of trail meals, ground transportation to/from Las Vegas and the National Park, ground transportation within the park, park permits and awesome guides.




Notes

Due to flooding from Hurricane Hillary, much of Death Valley National Park will be inaccessable in 2024. As of November 2023, this includes Ubehebe Crater (possibly open by the start of our trip) and Willow Creek Canyon (likely open by the start of our trip). As a backup, we will plan a hike to Little Bridge Canyon and Arch and another option TBD.


Don't overpack, but this is a good trip to bring some extra niceties along like a camp chair (although there are picnic tables) binoculars or possibly even a telescope.


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Itinerary
Weather
Guides for this trip
Cost
Important Note
Difficulty (Please Read)
Map
 
 

Itinerary


Friday, March 1, 2024

Drive or fly into Las Vegas Airport (LAS). The best time to arrive is between around 9AM-Noon, earlier is generally better. If you have to arrive later that may be fine as long as the group can leave Vegas by around 3PM.

We will assemble at: El Cortez Hotel & Casino, 600 Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV, 89101, (702) 385-5200.

You should have already done an online shakedown pre-trip, but guides will still ask you a few questions and give you a "mini equipment shakedown"

Make your own trail mix from our selection of nuts, fruits and sweets

If necessary, go to REI Las Vegas, 710 S. Rampart Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89145, (702) 951-4488, for last minute or forgotten equipment

"Before" body composition measurements taken

All the items that you won't bring on the trail will be set aside and put in storage.

Shuttle to the Furnance Creek front country campground and set up base camp for the week.

At around 3PM, shuttle to campsite: Furnace Creek Campground, Death Valley National Park. Site(s): 139 & 140 Elevation: -190'

Shuttling will take about 3 hours

Guides prepare dinner in camp. On some trips with longer shuttle times, we may opt to go out for an opening dinner at a local restaurant. (Cost of restaurant dinner not included in trip price)

Camp at Furnace Creek Campground, Death Valley National Park. Site(s): 139 & 140 Elevation: -190'


Saturday, March 2, 2024

Day-Hike 1.0 round trip miles to Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America, elevation -282'

Day-Hike 4.4 round trip miles to Willow Creek, elevation 580'

Driving Tour to the Devil's Golf Course

Day-Hike 1.0 round trip miles to Natural Bridge, elevation 834'

Driving Tour through Artist's Palette Drive with a stop near the multi-colored palette

Day-Hike 0.4 miles to Harmony Borax Works, elevation -240'

Camp at Furnace Creek Campground, sites 139 & 140 elevation -196'

Miles today: 6.8. Total miles: 6.8

Possible bailout: Furnace Creek Campground


Sunday, March 3, 2024

Day-Hike the 8.0 mile Golden Canyon / Gower Gulch / Badlands Loop, elevation 500'

Camp at Furnace Creek Campground, sites 139 & 140, elevation -196'

Miles today: 8.0. Total miles: 14.8

Possible bailout: Furnace Creek Campground


Monday, March 4, 2024

Option A

Shuttle to Ubehebe Crater, elevation 2880'

Hike 2.6 miles around Ubehebe Crater, visiting the bottom of the crater, elevation 2160'

 

Option B

Shuttle to mile marker 89 along CA 190

Hike a 5.0 reverse lollipop loop to Little Bridge, passing an arch on the West wall along the way.

 

Shuttle to Mesquite Dunes, elevation 0'

Aimlessy hike around 2.0 miles on the dunes, returning when you've had your fill of sand

Camp at Furnace Creek Campground, sites 139 & 140, elevation -196'

Miles today: 4.6. Total miles: 19.4

Possible bailout: Furnace Creek Campground


Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Shuttle to Mosaic Canyon, elevation 940'

Hike 3.4 round-trip miles to Mosaic Canyon, elevation 1990'

Shuttle to Darwin Falls, elevation 2510'

Hike 2.0 round-trip miles to Darwin Falls, elevation 2770'

Unfortunately, we are not allowed in the water as it is drinking water for animals and Panamint Springs

Camp at Furnace Creek Campground, sites 139 & 140, elevation -196'

Miles today: 5.4. Total miles: 24.8

Possible bailout: Furnace Creek Campground


Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Wake up 2.5 hours before dawn in anticipation of arriving at the trailhead at dawn.

Drive to Daylight Pass Rd., elevation 2500'

Day-Hike 8.0 round trip miles to Corkscrew Peak, the "most beloved peak in the park", elevation 5804'

Camp at Furnace Creek Campground, sites 139 & 140, elevation -196'

Miles today: 8.0. Total miles: 32.8

Possible bailout: Furnace Creek Campground


Thursday, March 7, 2024

Pack up camp

Day-Hike 3.6 round trip miles to Desolation Canyon, elevation 600'

Note: There will be a 6' & 8' climbs (and drops) on this route.

End of hiking

Possible bailout: Furnace Creek Campground

Miles today: 3.6. Total miles: 36.4

Shuttle 3 hours back to Las Vegas

Shuttle back to local hotel: El Cortez Hotel & Casino, 600 Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV, 89101, (702) 385-5200.

Gather your off-trail items from storage

Dinner and awards ceremony at a local restaurant (Dinner cost not included in trip price)

Stay in our local hotel (included in trip cost)

This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.


Friday, March 8, 2024

Take free airport shuttle or we will pay for a shared cab/Uber


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