Hiking in the Death Valley - what time of the year?
Oct 16th, 2004, 12:15 PM
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Hiking in the Death Valley - what time of the year?
We just saw some amazing photos of Death Valley and now we "have" to go there hiking. Can any hiker suggest the best time of the year this visit and also what would be the best airport to fly into? Thank you
Oct 17th, 2004, 06:41 AM
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Have been there in July, November and February. Unless you want to experience the heat would suggest the Nov-March time frame. Nights get down into mid-upper 30's during winter and mid-60s to upper 70's during the day. Would suggest Feb or March for longer daylight hours. Avoid it during Easter as is very crowded.
Check www.nps.gov/deva/Expanded.htm for their website. An excellent guide book is The Explorers Guide to Death Valley National Park by T. Scott Bryan and Betty Tucker-Bryan.
If you want to take the backroads you will need a high clearance vehicle. Some of the roads they suggest are 4x4 but I have never needed to use it. Don't drive off pavement if the road is wet. The clay soil gets the consistence of bubblegum.
For a very unusual site drive about 30 miles (gravel) past Scotty's Castle to The Racetrack. Walk out on the clay surface at the Grandstand and look for the "sliding rocks".
Las Vegas would probably be your best airport to fly into.
Check www.nps.gov/deva/Expanded.htm for their website. An excellent guide book is The Explorers Guide to Death Valley National Park by T. Scott Bryan and Betty Tucker-Bryan.
If you want to take the backroads you will need a high clearance vehicle. Some of the roads they suggest are 4x4 but I have never needed to use it. Don't drive off pavement if the road is wet. The clay soil gets the consistence of bubblegum.
For a very unusual site drive about 30 miles (gravel) past Scotty's Castle to The Racetrack. Walk out on the clay surface at the Grandstand and look for the "sliding rocks".
Las Vegas would probably be your best airport to fly into.
Oct 17th, 2004, 08:55 AM
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Photo Dog is right on the mark with his advice. I would not go there in summer except close to sundown, or very early morning. Then I would leave for higher elevations. It gets too hot there for the average person. Thirst is a big problem because the dry heat dehydrates most of us very rapidly and we don't feel the effects soon enough.
March is a good time. About 12 hours of daylight, and temperatures are usually under 100 in the day.
March is a good time. About 12 hours of daylight, and temperatures are usually under 100 in the day.
