greno
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Post by greno on Sept 17, 2015 9:16:24 GMT -8
I have been able to work a training class in Las Vegas (1st Week of December) to include a weekend at Death Valley with the wife. Any good suggestions for that time of year. We would be arriving late Friday and leaving early Monday morning for her to be on the 7am plane home from Vegas while I head to class for the week. We are leaning towards car camping instead of backpacking and probably day hiking. Any must see places other than the mandatory Badwater Basin? I thought about the Racetrack, but will a cheap rental car handle the road?
Thanks. Eric
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tarol
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Redding, CA
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Post by tarol on Oct 19, 2015 17:46:26 GMT -8
Most roads are closed in the park due to flash floods - I'd have back up plans!
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greno
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Post by greno on Oct 20, 2015 4:47:28 GMT -8
I have been looking at that. My wife and I are cursed this fall. We were going to Congaree to canoe a couple of weeks ago, well they had feet of rain in South Carolina and I don't think they will get the roads in shape in DV in the next 5 weeks if they get anymore rain......
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speacock
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I'm here for the food...
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Post by speacock on Oct 20, 2015 10:47:39 GMT -8
Grand Canyon via Kingman AZ on I-40 then north at Williams. The weather is variable but I have made December hikes to bottom on different trips. Cool but nice hiking. Grandview trail is a favorite day hike.
If lots of snow just prior, you might reconsider. At times the first 1/4 mile or so near the top can be icy, but walkable with care. Check with rangers while reserving a car camp spot.
Seeing as how your luck is holding....
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greno
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Post by greno on Oct 21, 2015 4:40:32 GMT -8
The Grand Canyon was a possiblity, but the kids would be upset on that one. Maybe Death Valley will be in shape enough to visit.
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speacock
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I'm here for the food...
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Post by speacock on Oct 22, 2015 13:25:39 GMT -8
What kid doesn't want to toss a rock into a BIG hole?
Tell them it is the "DEATH Canyon" not just a dinky, hot (134F), low spot full of dirty salt.
Death Valley was named as some lost pioneers topped a ridge, looked back and said, supposedly, "Good bye to Death Valley." Only one of that group had died awaiting rescue (winter of 1849-50), but the remainder thought they would. The name stuck and possibly kept a few other caravans from taking a similar short cut.
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greno
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Post by greno on Oct 25, 2015 17:00:22 GMT -8
The kids are not coming, they would be upset if we went to the Grand Canyon without them. This is just me and the wife. I am hoping that they get some roads in shape. If not, we are going to Joshua Tree (which doesn't look very interesting to me)
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davesenesac
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Post by davesenesac on Oct 26, 2015 18:59:20 GMT -8
Rather annoying that the nps.gov Death Valley page does not have an obvious link to road conditions. Instead they have something on Facebook as if everyone is going to know that. The major paved highways are all open and some dirt roads but many dirt roads are not. The park is immense and one could spend 2 months there and just touch the surface much less 2 weekend days. www.facebook.com/DeathValleyRoadConditionsHere is a little know link to a discussion forum with real inside information. www.death-valley.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=1&sid=9fd3a4621dd9f791cf963e6540fb0eb0The nice thing about DV in December is it along with Anza Borrego State Parks have the mildest most comfortable mid winter weather in the Southwest. By December there ought to be some new green vegetation rising as a result of the 3 recent storms. The one hike I would recommend to you two is Golden Canyon that is entertaining the whole short length. David www.davidsenesac.com/2015_Trip_Chronicles/2015_Trip-Chronicles-0.html
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greno
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Post by greno on Oct 27, 2015 4:21:28 GMT -8
Thanks
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tarol
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Redding, CA
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Post by tarol on Oct 27, 2015 8:12:17 GMT -8
Joshua Tree is amazing - especially if you're up for some route finding/scrambling - head to Carey's Castle or Quail Mountain www.tarol.com/joshuatreetripsSouth of Joshua Tree the Mecca Hills are a lot of fun - check out Ladder and Painted Canyons
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tarol
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Redding, CA
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Post by tarol on Oct 27, 2015 8:14:34 GMT -8
There is an alert page on the top of the Death Valley website specifically for road conditions - it's shown in red with a yellow exclamation point - seems pretty obvious to me
A lot of parks and forests are able to update their Facebook pages more often and readily than a website - because there's no special software to learn and have access to
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greno
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Post by greno on Oct 27, 2015 11:15:16 GMT -8
I called and they are actively working on them. The ranger said most everything will be going by December unless they get another epic storm (except the Scotty's castle, but I have no desire to even see that ).
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Oct 27, 2015 12:35:12 GMT -8
I called and they are actively working on them. The ranger said most everything will be going by December unless they get another epic storm (except the Scotty's castle, but I have no desire to even see that ). I didn't either, but I followed my nose to a riparian area and there it was. I entered on a whim, and I found it interesting enough to be worth the time.
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ogg
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Post by ogg on Nov 1, 2015 17:36:27 GMT -8
If your planning on staying in the Furnace Creek area, consider staying at Texas Spring Campground. From there you can hike Funeral Slot (aka Furnace Slots) canyon right out of the campground, which is pretty cool. This hike is not as well known as some others in the park, so if you enjoy solitude, there's a good chance you'll have some. www.birdandhike.com/Hike/DEVA/FurnaceSlot/_FurnSlot.htm
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rangewalker
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Post by rangewalker on Nov 21, 2015 22:42:13 GMT -8
Thank you for posting your queries about DVNP. I will be there abut December 29th and was clueless about the flooding. with Tarol's link I need to spend more time with "plan and prepare" Honestly even if all we get to use are the paved highways, the park is so large, therei s not a shortage of hiking and BP possibilities.
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