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Post by hikertim on Feb 1, 2019 19:12:58 GMT -8
Planning a backpacking trip to Death Valley in March. (3/7-3/10 or 3/21-3/24) Cottonwood-Marble Canyon loop.
I am an experienced backpacker having hiked JMT. First time going to doing a desert backpacking trip. Was curious to see if there are water sources on the trail in March or will we need to pack in all of our water.
Any other tips / suggestions on desert hiking will be appreciated.
Thanks!
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zeke
Trail Wise!
Peekaboo slot 2023
Posts: 9,893 
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Post by zeke on Feb 2, 2019 13:13:04 GMT -8
link NPS says there may be some water from the seasonal Springs at the top of each drainage. March is kind of late to find them, though. I had good water in a February several years ago, in Marble drainage, but everything needs filtering or boiling. I hate to tell you to carry a gallon per day, and then you find water at both locations. I'd have it in the car and ask the rangers what the latest reports said.
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davesenesac
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Our precious life is short within eternity, don't waste it!
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Post by davesenesac on Feb 27, 2019 8:47:21 GMT -8
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null
Trail Wise!
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Post by null on Mar 2, 2019 9:34:29 GMT -8
When I was there in February, the access road to Marble Canyon was closed to vehicles. If it's still closed, expect a 2.5 mile road walk each way to get there.
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Post by plaidman on Apr 9, 2019 8:44:02 GMT -8
Just got back from a week in Death Valley. There aren't any flowers in the valley itself, but we did find some remote valleys in higher elevations (3-4,000') that were full of them, and the Echo Canyon wash where the prickly pear were just kicking off. There have been rains this year, but the timing was off for most of the park for a major bloom. We spent an enchanted day in Grotto Canyon, with my son scrambling up dry falls and me hauling myself ingloriously up after him. The gravel in the canyon was damp just a few inches below the surface. We saw wildflowers, lizards, signs of rabbits and heard a lovely bird song. Most improbably, we saw a hummingbird far into the upper reaches of the canyon--pretty amazing considering that it's a long way the nearest surface water at Stovepipe or springs high on the slopes of Tucki Mountain.
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