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Camping, Hiking and Outdoor Activities Camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities within. |
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Death Valley back country camping in a week
Hello, I would like to go to Death Valley and back country camp for 1-2 nights. I have experience backpacking in the 110 degree Anza-Borrego desert and 10 degree mountains in the snow. Are there any particularly good places to go in Death Valley? From what I read, I can park and camp at least a mile away from paved roads. Any particularly good places to hike out to and set up camp?
I'd appreciate any thoughts on this - weather, views, anything from people who have done it. I like the wide open desert environment but mountains would be good too. Thank you
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Where the people fear the government you have tyranny. Where the government fears the people you have liberty.
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#2
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you might like the Zabriskie Pk. hike. Or Dante's View. Or, if you're up to it, Telescope pk. For a short visit, these will give you everything you'd expect.
Beautiful this time of year. Just be prepared. |
#3
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It looks like we might be opting for a hotel and day hikes instead because while I would enjoy camping in 10 degrees, it might cause others to hate the trip or freeze to death in the night I will probably look for hotels or air b&b in a good location to do a few good hike each day, including telescope peak. I'll look on google maps for a home base that is not too far from the places you mentioned. Thanks for the tips, I think we will go for three days and try to do the three hikes you mentioned. I am open to any advice you have on where to stay, or whatever else you think might be useful! Thanks again! Edit: I found this site showing good places to see, it looks amazing! I'll plan out a good three day tour https://www.planetware.com/californi...y-us-ca-dv.htm
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Where the people fear the government you have tyranny. Where the government fears the people you have liberty.
Last edited by SanDiego619; 11-09-2020 at 8:25 PM.. |
#4
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The times I've stayed in DV, It was in campgrounds, so, I'm not much help there. Also, don't forget about Auguerberry Pt. Terrific view! Not too far from Telescope pk. I'll be in Zion this weekend till Tuesday.
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#6
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Correct. Campgrounds and in park accommodations only, if they're open. Always best to check before hand. Think OP knows this.
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#7
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This time, I'll just find nearby lodging and do dayhikes. It looks nice there.
__________________
Where the people fear the government you have tyranny. Where the government fears the people you have liberty.
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#8
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I love Zion, I also really enjoyed driving there from San Diego up the 15 past the Mojave national preserve at sunrise, what a sight. I need to spend some time there!
__________________
Where the people fear the government you have tyranny. Where the government fears the people you have liberty.
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#9
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Nowhere to stay around Death Valley during the time I was planning, shucks!
It is getting pretty cold anyway. I might go to Lone Pine and hike around, but it's not exactly warm there either. I am still thinking about it. I might instead go to death valley at a later date when there are hotels available.
__________________
Where the people fear the government you have tyranny. Where the government fears the people you have liberty.
Last edited by SanDiego619; 11-12-2020 at 3:46 PM.. |
#10
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__________________
Guns, dogs and home alarms. Opponents are all of a sudden advocates once their personal space is violated. "Those who cannot remember the posts are condemned to repeat them" I wish I had a dollar for every time someone used a cliché Why is it all the funny stuff happens to comedians? |
#12
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Had to cancel our Zion trip due big uptick in this covid stuff. Closed all hiking trails, can't drive thru the park. Can only take a shuttle thru park with 33 other people. That ain't a trip, that's a cancel! Oh well, Zion isn't going anywhere.
Last edited by pennstater; 11-15-2020 at 7:37 AM.. |
#13
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If you do end up camping in DV, keep in mind they have a restriction on camp fires. Basically, no fires are allowed on open ground; you have to bring a fire pit. Even though there's no hazard of starting a wildfire, I guess they don't want people marring the landscape with camp fire stains.
I brought along a cheap backyard fire pit I picked up at Target for $40, and put my DuraFlame logs in it. Easy when car camping. I seem to remember that car camping was allowed pretty much anywhere off of the many dirt roads, away from the main paved roads. The big lesson I learned (the hard way) was the importance of OFF ROAD TIRES. The rocks in DV are really sharp, and 4WD won't help you much if you don't have sturdy, multi-ply off road tires. I got a sidewall cut on my street-biased "all terrain" tire about 15 miles up into the mountains, and limped back to the main road on the rim so I wouldn't risk flatting my remaining spare, which I needed for the 400 mile trip back home! |
#15
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I'll be heading there this weekend to the northern section. Probably head to the Ubehebe crater via Death Valley Road from 168, and then just zig zag across from saline valley via Steele pass and then up Lippincott Mine road at break neck speeds to adventure! I dunno just going to wing it.
Was going to check out the hotel at Cerro Gordo but a sackless soyboy didn't know what nob-and-tube electrical was and burned half the town down. |
#16
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I've decided to hold off on my travel until after Thanksgiving, I'll probably head to Death Valley unless global warming makes it so there is no snow in the eastern sierras yet.
__________________
Where the people fear the government you have tyranny. Where the government fears the people you have liberty.
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#17
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I don't know if you have seen pictures of the hotel but it was in amazing condition, filled with artifacts from the time period. It was a main attraction asides from the mine itself. It had been standing 100 years until that moron showed up. He also burned down some of the houses like the postmaster house. Hopefully he knows what knob and tube is now so he doesn't burn down the rest. The tube deteriorates, rodents love it, and if they build their nest on it you can get a fire easy. Who knows the fuse box probably had a penny in it too. If you haven't been to Death Valley its fun tons of mining history and interesting Geology. And there are more secluded hot springs if you hike to them. The crowded ones are obviously the ones you can drive to. |
#18
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The trick there is to get in by 8 AM when the previous day's campers are leaving. I got to Mahogany Flats around that time last Oct 16 and had my pick of 3 open sites.
Yes you should do Telescope Peak. Gorgeous hike. No camping that I know of near Dante's View plus there's really nothing there but that viewpoint.
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Frank Da Tank |
#19
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Last edited by RBShooter; 11-20-2020 at 8:03 AM.. |
#21
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Are you asking me? My pics were Eastern Sierra about 9,000 ft higher in altitude than DV. I'm not aware of any snow at any place in DV that you'd want to tow a trailer to.
Last edited by RBShooter; 11-20-2020 at 2:51 PM.. |
#22
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Love the Bridgeport area. Know it pretty well. When we could draw an X-12 tag, we'd camp on Green Ck by Upper Summers Mdws. road. Then venture all over the area. Beautiful country, especially in the Fall. RB, where abouts are you in those pics? Not exact, just general.
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#23
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The bottom one was on FS roads off Mammoth Scenic Loop on way to Inyo Crater. Spent some time in Mammoth too as that's where the housewolf-friendly hotel was. I love the Bridgeport area too. If I could swing it I'd move to Mono County in a heartbeat. At least part-time. |
#24
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Thanks for the tips everyone, and RBShooter that looks amazing.
I ended up going to Lone Pine and hiking around for a few days and now I am going to plan a backpacking trip. I'll be posting a question about camping with a bear canister soon... I understand, put my scented stuff in the canister, but where do I put the canister, and my pack, at night time? If I eat dinner and go to bed, won't the bear smell food on me and eat me when I am sleeping?
__________________
Where the people fear the government you have tyranny. Where the government fears the people you have liberty.
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#25
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Protocol says to eat dinner away from where your tent is, but, yes, the bear will smell you and the food on you. I sleep with my backpack either in my tent or in the vestibule.
__________________
Guns, dogs and home alarms. Opponents are all of a sudden advocates once their personal space is violated. "Those who cannot remember the posts are condemned to repeat them" I wish I had a dollar for every time someone used a cliché Why is it all the funny stuff happens to comedians? |
#27
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Last fall I was camping with my housewolf up outside of Twin Lakes/Bridgeport. Turned in early, 8 or 9 pm. Few hours later, woke up to the housewolf staring at the wall of the tent (a big octagonal Eureka) and snarling. He then proceeded to pace all the way around the tent, staring at the walls and snarling. After awhile he calmed down. Then it happened again. And again. And again. Freaked me out! Ended up sleeping fully clothed, with my headlamp on my head and my G20 on my chest. Don't know what was out there, but laying down on the ground and envisioning a bear right outside is a crazy vulnerable feeling.
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#28
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__________________
Where the people fear the government you have tyranny. Where the government fears the people you have liberty.
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#29
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Seriously tho, after thinking about it the past year, yeah, the smart thing would've been to just grab the flashlight and air horn and go out and see what was out there. In hindsight I'm thinking it was probably just deer. the campground was a ghost town and there were deer everywhere. Obviously I don't get out of the big city enough. Last edited by RBShooter; 11-25-2020 at 8:09 AM.. |
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#31
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This is irrational though, because people camp in bear country every day without trouble. I need to learn the right way to do it. Like if I carry a cliff bar wrapper in my backpack and then put it in the bear canister at night, won't my pack smell like a cliff bar? If I put the pack in my tent or vestibule will a bear get at it it? What am I supposed to do?
__________________
Where the people fear the government you have tyranny. Where the government fears the people you have liberty.
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#32
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I have backpacked all over Yosemite and the eastern Sierra for over 40 years and much of that time was before the invention of bear canisters. I hung my food and never lost it to bears.
My pack has always stayed with me in my shelter. I usually use a rain fly so I can save on weight and in winter I use something like this: https://www.blackdiamondequipment.co...1.html#start=1 On a rare occasion I have had a bear come snooping near my tent. That is why I make sure I have some rocks near it. I come out with my light and toss a few rocks at the bear while yelling at it and every time it moves on. CA black bears are wimps. I have car camped extensively, especially at Mono Village and this was the nightly routine. I have scared off mother bears with their cubs. I am smart about it, I always make sure there is a tree or vehicle near by so I can dash behind if the bear decides to charge. I only had one charge and it was a male. He stopped when he almost hit the tree. Most of the younger bears run for the nearest tree and climb it and stay in the tree for an hour or two. Females with cubs often just leave. Always give them an escape route and they will take it. The most exciting encounter I had was opening the tent and coming face to face with a bear. He took off running before I could even react. Do not overthink it. You will never eliminate all food odors. A bear's sense of smell is so much better than ours.
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Anyone can look around and see the damage to the state and country inflicted by bad politicians. A vote is clearly much more dangerous than a gun. Why advocate restrictions on one right (voting) without comparable restrictions on another (self defense) (or, why not say 'Be a U.S. citizen' as the requirement for CCW)? --Librarian |
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