DEATH VALLEY
Death Valley Tours
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Driving through Death Valley is spectacular but also drawn-out since the only thing you are going to see for miles during a lonesome drive is the flat desert.
Nevertheless you should have the Valley on your map coming to California. Its sights are marvelous and the difference to the other landscape within the state is impressing. Coming here you will get an idea how strenuous and exhausting the first settlers’ treks from the east coast must have been and how diversified the state of California is. The most amazing sights in Death Valley are spread along HWY 178 and 190. Since they could be a far drive apart you should make a plan where to go first before visiting the National Park. Arriving from Yosemite I would recommend to take HWY 190 first and drive through to Zabriskie Point before turning around heading to HWY 178 and the other sights in the south. |
Coming from Las Vegas I would drive down HWY 178 first before turning into HWY 190 to Zabriskie Point and finally start heading towards the park’s Western exit. These routes are saving you time assuming you are planning to see the typical sights, such as Badwater, Artist Palette, Furnace Creek, and Zabriskie Point. If you consider other sights like Scotty’s Castle, which is located in the north, you have to drive 38 more miles (61 km) from the intersection of HWY 178 and 190. Dante’s view, another outlook, takes about 26 more miles (42km), since it is located off Zabriskie Point towards the canyons.
Death Valley belongs to the Mojave Desert and lies in a trough called Walker Lane going from Death Valley up to Oregon. Within Death Valley you will find the hottest, lowest and driest place in North America: Badwater.
The highest temperature ever recorded was 134 F (57 C) the lowest only 15 F (-9 C). The summer average lies between 110 F (43 C) and 120 F (49 C), in winter it’s usually between 65 F (18 C) and 75 F (24 C).
Death Valley received its name during the Gold Rush in 1849 from settlers passing the valley getting to the mining camps along the Sierra Nevada and to California’s shoreline. Most of them were looking for a better live in the west and were passing through Death Valley’s north in winter 1849 using it as a short cut along the strenuous route. Because of the high mountain ranges in the north they got stuck in the area and had to kill their ox and leave behind their wagons for being able to proceed. Based on their experience they named the area Death Valley, although only one person didn’t survive the passage.
Before Death Valley became a National Park in 1933 the area was known as mining ground and many little camps rose and were abandoned during and after the Gold Rush. After the Gold Rush, Borax became the most valuable mineral in Death Valley. It was and is still used to produce soap, glass, and ceramics.
At the Death Valley Visitor Center you will find a museum explaining the 49ers track through Death Valley and the Borax mining further to you. An alternative is the well written webpage of Walter Feller telling you a more detailed history of Death Valleys inhabitants and its development: http://digital-desert.com/death-valley-history/
The first tourists came to Death Valley in 1920 and tent villages were set-up around today’s Stonevine Wells Village. Before the Gold Rush, Indians of the Timbisha Shoshone tribals were living in and around Death Valley for centuries. Similar to other tribes there were hunted down or relocated, forced to make space for the white men.
The best time visiting Death Valley is in spring when the temperatures are around 75 F (24 C). Within these months you can be sure your car is not breaking down and hikes through the desert are just pleasant. Moreover the mountain ranges around Death Valley are still covered with snow giving you great photo motifs. Afterwards in summer it is going to be very hot and dusty giving you a hard time spending the day in the desert.
Death Valley belongs to the Mojave Desert and lies in a trough called Walker Lane going from Death Valley up to Oregon. Within Death Valley you will find the hottest, lowest and driest place in North America: Badwater.
The highest temperature ever recorded was 134 F (57 C) the lowest only 15 F (-9 C). The summer average lies between 110 F (43 C) and 120 F (49 C), in winter it’s usually between 65 F (18 C) and 75 F (24 C).
Death Valley received its name during the Gold Rush in 1849 from settlers passing the valley getting to the mining camps along the Sierra Nevada and to California’s shoreline. Most of them were looking for a better live in the west and were passing through Death Valley’s north in winter 1849 using it as a short cut along the strenuous route. Because of the high mountain ranges in the north they got stuck in the area and had to kill their ox and leave behind their wagons for being able to proceed. Based on their experience they named the area Death Valley, although only one person didn’t survive the passage.
Before Death Valley became a National Park in 1933 the area was known as mining ground and many little camps rose and were abandoned during and after the Gold Rush. After the Gold Rush, Borax became the most valuable mineral in Death Valley. It was and is still used to produce soap, glass, and ceramics.
At the Death Valley Visitor Center you will find a museum explaining the 49ers track through Death Valley and the Borax mining further to you. An alternative is the well written webpage of Walter Feller telling you a more detailed history of Death Valleys inhabitants and its development: http://digital-desert.com/death-valley-history/
The first tourists came to Death Valley in 1920 and tent villages were set-up around today’s Stonevine Wells Village. Before the Gold Rush, Indians of the Timbisha Shoshone tribals were living in and around Death Valley for centuries. Similar to other tribes there were hunted down or relocated, forced to make space for the white men.
The best time visiting Death Valley is in spring when the temperatures are around 75 F (24 C). Within these months you can be sure your car is not breaking down and hikes through the desert are just pleasant. Moreover the mountain ranges around Death Valley are still covered with snow giving you great photo motifs. Afterwards in summer it is going to be very hot and dusty giving you a hard time spending the day in the desert.
Death Valley ‘no-go’s’, valuable information:
The following tips are helpful driving and hiking safely through the desert since you might face threats incl. heat and dehydration, car breakdowns, flooding etc.
Water
Even in winter it might happen that the temperatures are really high so it is essential to bring enough water for yourself and for your car. You are going to perspire a lot due to the temperatures and your car might need cooling water climbing the high elevations coping the heat.
Heat & Dehydration
As soon you feel dizzy or nauseous or you are getting a headache step out of the sun and drink water. If you carry enough water pour it over your clothes. That will keep you cool for a certain time.
Hiking
Consult a ranger in the Visitor Center for a pleasant hike in Death Valley. By doing this the center is informed that you are out there and if you stay on the trail and follow their advice they are able looking for you if you got lost and do not return. And finally, be aware of rattlesnakes, black widows and scorpions. They feel pretty comfortable in this kind of setting! BTW – cell phone reception inside Death Valley is negative!
Driving
First of all: Fill up your gas before entering Death Valley, otherwise you are getting poor! There are some gas stations within Death Valley but the prices are astronomic!
Second: Never leave the paved roads in summer since the possibility that your car breaks down is very high! Aside the roads it is getting complicated getting you back on track.
Third: Turn off your radio and AC climbing the mountains, otherwise a car breakdown is predictable and cooling water is limited in the park.
Flash floods
Driving through canyons during rain can be very dangerous. Although you are in the deserts flash floods are very common and you should immediately move to higher elevations when it starts pouring.
Mines
Stay outside the mines spread over Death Valley. The signs mounted outside are serious. You are either going to risk your health or get lost inside.
The following tips are helpful driving and hiking safely through the desert since you might face threats incl. heat and dehydration, car breakdowns, flooding etc.
Water
Even in winter it might happen that the temperatures are really high so it is essential to bring enough water for yourself and for your car. You are going to perspire a lot due to the temperatures and your car might need cooling water climbing the high elevations coping the heat.
Heat & Dehydration
As soon you feel dizzy or nauseous or you are getting a headache step out of the sun and drink water. If you carry enough water pour it over your clothes. That will keep you cool for a certain time.
Hiking
Consult a ranger in the Visitor Center for a pleasant hike in Death Valley. By doing this the center is informed that you are out there and if you stay on the trail and follow their advice they are able looking for you if you got lost and do not return. And finally, be aware of rattlesnakes, black widows and scorpions. They feel pretty comfortable in this kind of setting! BTW – cell phone reception inside Death Valley is negative!
Driving
First of all: Fill up your gas before entering Death Valley, otherwise you are getting poor! There are some gas stations within Death Valley but the prices are astronomic!
Second: Never leave the paved roads in summer since the possibility that your car breaks down is very high! Aside the roads it is getting complicated getting you back on track.
Third: Turn off your radio and AC climbing the mountains, otherwise a car breakdown is predictable and cooling water is limited in the park.
Flash floods
Driving through canyons during rain can be very dangerous. Although you are in the deserts flash floods are very common and you should immediately move to higher elevations when it starts pouring.
Mines
Stay outside the mines spread over Death Valley. The signs mounted outside are serious. You are either going to risk your health or get lost inside.
How to combine Death Valley with your California trip:
Coming from the Sierra Nevada, Yosemite or Sequoia you are entering Death Valley from the West by taking HWY 136 that is going off HWY 395 south of Lone Pine. HWY 136 is becoming HWY 190 and at the beginning of 190 you will approach a visitor center to your right. Inside you are getting maps of Death Valley, further information for your trip and you can already pay the National Park entrance. As I recommended before, take HWY 190 towards Furnace Creek and go further to Zabriskie Point before turning around driving to the sights in the south along HWY 178.
Coming from Las Vegas you have the choice between two routes taking you to Death Valley. HWY 95 and later HWY 190 brings you to the northern part and sights like Dante’s View and Zabriskie Point but you have to face a long drive south to the other attractions afterwards.
If you are planning to visit Badwater and Artists Palette as well choose HWY 178 instead since the drive is shorter and Zabriskie Point just a short detour away from Furnace Creek.
Coming from the Sierra Nevada, Yosemite or Sequoia you are entering Death Valley from the West by taking HWY 136 that is going off HWY 395 south of Lone Pine. HWY 136 is becoming HWY 190 and at the beginning of 190 you will approach a visitor center to your right. Inside you are getting maps of Death Valley, further information for your trip and you can already pay the National Park entrance. As I recommended before, take HWY 190 towards Furnace Creek and go further to Zabriskie Point before turning around driving to the sights in the south along HWY 178.
Coming from Las Vegas you have the choice between two routes taking you to Death Valley. HWY 95 and later HWY 190 brings you to the northern part and sights like Dante’s View and Zabriskie Point but you have to face a long drive south to the other attractions afterwards.
If you are planning to visit Badwater and Artists Palette as well choose HWY 178 instead since the drive is shorter and Zabriskie Point just a short detour away from Furnace Creek.