17 replies to this topic

[FishBamboo]

Death Valley National Park is huge. Do not try to see everything - it is impossible - and concentrate on quality time over quanity. Pick a few things and then immerse yourself. Suggestions - come in from the north. Take Big Pine/Death Valley Road from Big Pine on 395 and spend a night or two at Eureka Dunes. Drive Death Valley Road down into Death Valley and Ubehebee Crater. Travel south to Stovepipe Wells and hike Mosaic Canyon - one of the prettiest canyons in the Park. If you want 4x4, then do the drive into Marble Canyon from Stovepipe. Hike Marble Canyon and Cottonwood Canyon. Dispersed campsites up that way.

 

Back out on 190 and Badwater Road are all the big ticket items. Busy, maybe/yes, but are worth seeing.

 

Be aware that the soaking pools at Saline Valley are empty and closed due to the pandemic.

 

Our main guides have been Digonnet's book, mentioned above, and Jim's birdandhike.com.

 

Think about gas. The cheapest gas (regular unleaded only) is at Stovepipe Wells in the Park.

 

The best way to view our blog for locations is here -

 

Geographic Locations

 

and scroll down to Death Valley

 

Be sure and read in depth all the information on backcountry travel and backcountry roads on the Death Valley website and follow every one of the regulations to the letter.

 

Julie and I have been exploring Death Valley for a couple of decades and have only scratched the surface.

 

Be safe, have fun.

Thank you. All amazing.

[eyemgh]

Having never been, but planning a through trip to JTNP in 2 week, I’ve read a lot, especially from seasoned posters here, and watched quite a few videos. Depending on the route, your truck might have the technical ability, but be too wide to get through sections. I don’t know where all the tight slots are, but others here will. I particularly liked the videos Sir William Tackles Death Valley in a FWC Hawk. Have fun! 

[FishBamboo]

I too am planning a trip to Death Valley.  Though, my trip will be in sometime in Feb/March.  Two of my good resources are the Ski3pin blog posts and the Bird and Hiking web site.   https://birdandhike.com/Areas/DEVA_Area/_DEVA_toc.htm

 

Thanks for the flicker link.  The pictures are a joy to look at and the location tags are a bonus.

Thanks for the link. Enjoy your trip in Feb.

 

Get the book"Hiking Death Valley" by Michel Digonnet.

 

Spend the whole 12 days in the valley using the book!

Great idea. As soon as I read your post I realized I had that book. Thanks for reminding me. Yes great book. Reading it now and will take it on our trip. Thanks

[searching for nowhere]

Ski3pin:  In all your Death Valley travels to you ever air down your tires?  And if you do, are you doing it for comfort or better traction?  Thanks for any advise.

[ski3pin]

Ski3pin:  In all your Death Valley travels to you ever air down your tires?  And if you do, are you doing it for comfort or better traction?  Thanks for any advise.

 

If we travel technical 4x4 roads we air down. This is done for traction and only for Dedeckra Canyon thus far in Death Valley. We do fine on all other 4x4 roads, but if we find it necessary, we'll air down for traction.

 

We have a small truck and relatively light weight. We have always run range C tires and the PSI is in the mid to high 30's. That's a much softer tire than the rock hard load range E tires, so not necessary to air down for comfort. Coming up on 200,000 miles of travel with much rough backcountry use with the load of the camper. It works for us and gives a nice comfortable ride.

[FishBamboo]

Having never been, but planning a through trip to JTNP in 2 week, I’ve read a lot, especially from seasoned posters here, and watched quite a few videos. Depending on the route, your truck might have the technical ability, but be too wide to get through sections. I don’t know where all the tight slots are, but others here will. I particularly liked the videos Sir William Tackles Death Valley in a FWC Hawk. Have fun! 

Yes I know the video as well. Good video. Thanks

Edited by FishBamboo, 07 November 2020 - 06:31 PM.

[searching for nowhere]

Thanks for your info on tires and tire pressure.  

[craig333]

All good suggestions. DV can be a bit unpredictable. Leaving DV I almost thought I was going to have to chain up. I certainly hadn't anticipated snow in DV but it can happen. Get the biggies out the way and then work on the rest.