Death Valley Suggestions for First Week of April

By the first week of April, things are heating up in Death Valley. This is shaping up to be a bad year for wildflowers, and the best time has probably already passed.

The whole secret to Death Valley is finding places to go up and down in elevation in order to avoid excessive temperatures, one way or the other. If you are car camping, then you need to start planning around a campground first and then choose your hike destinations based on that. However, some of the campgrounds may be inaccessible, depending on what sort of vehicle you will have.

If you like geology, then there are several good dayhikes. If you like mining history, then there are several more.

–B.G.–

I did this geology field trip with Robert Sharp

He's no longer alive but he has a nice book http://www.amazon.com/Geology-Underfoot-Death-Valley-Owens/dp/0878423621

It would be sort of cool to take that or some other book and then go find the places in person

Without any doubt, the best comprehensive guidebook is this one: Hiking Death Valley by Michel Digonnet. It is a lot of book to read. I re-read my copy each time prior to another trip there.

–B.G.–

I agree with Bob on Digonnet's Hiking Death Valley book and there is also good dayhike information at Steve Hall's Death Valley Adventures

http://www.panamintcity.com/

I was just doing exactly this for the past three days. It was hot (90-100) on the valley floor, but totally doable if you stay hydrated.

Hiking: I found modern hiker helpful. http://www.modernhiker.com/area-maps/death-valley-national-park/ We did golden canyon to Zabriskie point. Lots of badlands fun – it was hot, but the scenery make it worth the sweat. There were signs to follow the whole way. Our second official hike, not on this list is perfect for the time of year: Wildrose peak. Goes up to 9,000 feet so you are above the heat. Amazing views of badwater AND Whitney from the top – lowest and highest. Easy to follow trail, 4.2 miles each way; 2,300 feet up.

You could try for Telescope peak if you are feeling more ambitious, but there was still some snow up there and you need 4WD to get to the trailhead. Also, I did not do, but have heard there are really cool upper falls if you scramble/climb up past Darwin falls.

Camping: Texas Springs – slightly removed from the bustle on furnace creek, but still pretty packed in and busy. Very convenient to badwater/Zabriskie, Dante's view etc. Mesquite – much quieter and a bit cooler because of elevation. Amazing view of the night sky. Very peaceful. Close to the crater (1.5 mile hike around, worth at least taking a look). Wildrose – we didn't stay, though I wish we had it's tucked in a valley up in the hills. Also, the last of the flowers appear to be up in this direction. Avoid Panamint unless you are into cramped campsites beside the highway with the biker/jeep rental crowd.

"You could try for Telescope peak if you are feeling more ambitious, but there was still some snow up there and you need 4WD to get to the trailhead."

Yes and no. If you want to drive up to Mahogany Flat (the normal trailhead for Telescope Peak), the road is often bad. I wouldn't expect there to be much snow up there now, but it might be. I've been stopped from driving up in a 2WD sedan on two occasions. I've also driven all the way up on two occasions. From Mahogany Flat, I think it is a 13-mile round trip hike on Telescope Peak.

On the other hand, if you are a real glutton for punishment, you can do Telescope Peak the hard way. One time we started from Shorty's Well, which is 250 or so feet below sea level and went up Hanaupah Canyon. It took us about 12-13 hours to reach the summit, 11,049 feet. Then we finished at Mahogany Flat several hours after that. I never want to do that again.

–B.G.–

Thanks!

Grotto Canyon

Mosaic Canyon

Natural Bridge

Marble Canyon

Most of those are 1/2 day hikes. You can see photos on our website under the destinations section: backpackthesierra.com

I'll second golden canyon to Zabriskie point through the badlands and Wildrose Peak. There are some shorter sites that are more drives than hikes. You definitely need to check out Badwater Basin. It is a very strange place with great views of the Panamint Mountains. The sand dunes are phenomenal. I could spend hours there just running up and down the dunes. The Artists Drive is nice, with good views of some great geography. There were some cyclists there biking it. I wish I had done that instead of driving.