  Death Valley National Park
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| Page Views: 3,306 Last Visit to Death Valley National Park: March, 2004 | Death Valley by awayhome - last update: May 26, 2004 |
A Springtime Drive to the Death Valley | Sunset on the dunes of Mesquite Flat |
Our trip to Death Valley in Eastern Central California was a very spur of the moment trip for us. Earlier in the day we drove up from our home in Los Angeles & headed north on Higway 14 to Red Rock Canyon State Park. Red Rock Canyon is located over a hundred miles to the south west of Death Valley but despite the great distance it was still used by weathered survivors of the famous Death Valley Trek including members of the Arcane & Bennett families. Its hard to imagine what these American pioneer families had to endure while crossing the deserts of the American West. |
|  | Crossing over Mountain Passes After doing a little exploring of our own we decided to head north again on Highway 14 to highway 395 where we drove to the small town of Olancha. In Olancha we turned east onto HIghway 190 which is the road that will take you into the heart of Death Valley. We crossed several sets of mountain ranges which caused our breaks to heat up on the downward slopes. Be prepared if you are driving to Death Valley in the hotter months and make sure your vehicle is well maintained. There are stops all along the highway where a stranded motorist can fill their radiator with provided water. The road into the Valley is spectacular and our first glimpse of what was down there was at Father Crowley Point. |
| | The Rewards of Death Valley Driving further down the mountain road we came to our first town of sorts at Panamint Springs. There are some shaded camp sites, General Stores, asmall restaurant & lodge, and an over priced Gas Station here in Panamint Springs. It's an ok place to take a bathroom break but I suggest you fill up your tank with gas back in Olancha on highway 395 where fuel prices tend to be cheaper.
We drove further east down Highway 190 until we reached another small village called Stovepipe Wells. Here we ate at the Saloon/Bar since the Lodge restaurant wasn't going to open until 5 pm. We were hungry so we put up with the horrible & overpriced bar finger foods & drank enough fluids (not alcohol) to keep us hydrated in the 100 degree March weather. That's right...despite being here in March it was still over a 100 degrees in Stovepipe Wells. It's important to bring along plenty of water in order to keep yourself healthy while trekking around the Valley. There have been deaths do to heat stroke & the park rangers even hand out a visior guide which includes a short story about a German traveller who died while hiking there in the summer.
Just outside of Stovepipe Wells you will be greeted by your first truly amazing site. On the north side of the road vast sand dunes spread out across the the Valley floor. Some of these soft dunes reach heights of more than a hundred feet. If you were tempted like we were to hike the dunes you'll have to park your vehicle on the side of the road and hike through desert shrubs to get to the dunes. The sand is soft and & inviting. The best time to see the dunes is either in early morning or near sunset when the shadows from the setting sun will darken one side and brighten up the other side on the ridge of each dune. We hiked over & up several sets of dunes and just relaxed on a ridge of sand as the sun set to the west. It was a beautiful site to behold and only a part of the magic you'll discover when travellling through the Death Valley. |
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| Pros: | "Perhaps one of the most beautiful desert regions in the world." | | Cons: | "It's hot and a bit out of the way but iof you come prepared you'll leave rewarded." | | In A Nutshell: | "Don't let the name scare you away....Death Valley is a must see!" |
awayhome's Death Valley National Park Travel Tips
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 Comments for awayhome about Death Valley National Park | | | | |
Redang Sun Jul 10, 2005 16:13 UTC
For me, DV is one of the most impressive places I have ever visited in my life! (I even went in Aug) | craic Fri Jun 10, 2005 20:11 UTC
Gee intersting pics of barker ranch. And Irises. How Vincent. Very odd and strange. Helter Skelter. | Elena_007 Wed Jan 19, 2005 16:46 UTC
Excellent pages on Death Valley and very interesting tips. I love the travelogues. That pic of you in mid-air is a great shot! The sand dunes are amazing. ~Elaine~ | Jim_Eliason Sat Dec 25, 2004 20:25 UTC
Nice page! |
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