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Death Valley National Park

Sunday, March 9, 2025 - Sunday, March 16, 2025 -- $TBD ★


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 the trip may be more strenuous than you'd think carrying just a day pack.



Cost

$TBD 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 (can be substantial in Las Vegas).


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, some of Death Valley National Park may still be inaccessable in 2025.


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 for the dark night sky.


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Sign Up For a Trip
Itinerary
Weather
Guides for this trip
Cost
Important Note
Difficulty (Please Read)
Map
 
 

Itinerary


Sunday, March 9, 2025

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: TBD, To Be Determined


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


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'



Monday, March 10, 2025

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



Tuesday, March 11, 2025

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


Camp at Furnace Creek Campground, sites TBD, elevation -196'


Miles today: 8.0. Total miles: 14.8


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


Possible bailout: Furnace Creek Campground



Wednesday, March 12, 2025

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



Thursday, March 13, 2025

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



Friday, March 14, 2025

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



Saturday, March 15, 2025

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 that require some scrambling


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: TBD, To Be Determined


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.


Sunday, March 16, 2025

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


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