StuDudley

>>I'm thinking you are going for the blooms in April?

mlgb

Chances are too late for most flowers but depends on when it starts to really heat up

Check desertusa.com

tomfuller

In my profile picture you will note that I am standing at the Elevation Sea Level sign at a major intersection in Death Valley with my handheld GPSr in my hand. Please do not turn off a paved road in Death Valley unless you are with an experienced guide that has paper maps and lots of water.
We ended up going back to the visitor center to report an injured motorcyclist on the Artist Loop since no one had cell service. There is a satelite service called SPOT that could have saved most of these people.
Working with GPS for more than ten years has taught me to trust my eyes as to whether a road is passable. If it is not passable, backtrack to civilization. Waypoint your car when you leave it on foot.

Shanti

According to the National Park Service, peak wildflower season typically occurs in late March/early April.
http://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/seasons.htm

5alive

Great story. What is SPOT satellite service? Is that the locators you can rent to go mountain climbing, etc?

tomfuller

SPOT personal tracker (Generation 2) is available from mypilotstore.com The SPOT has at least 4 different functions.

1. SOS/911 gets a message to SAR with your location and that you need help.
2. Help-non life threatening emergency contacts friend or family so they can come pick you up.
3. Check in/OK Lets friend/family know you are OK and where you are.
4. Track Progress- Whenever you choose you send your location. Anyone you chose to share your tracker# with can see your reported positions and the time you were there on Google maps on their computer.
These locators use satellites and send the message 3 times within 20 minutes in case you did not get out the first time it will try from a better position.
Certainly worth $150 to $200 if it saves your life.
If you are buried by an avalanche it won't help you.

Dukey1

What makes this thing more reliable than a GPS?????

StuDudley

>>Stu, take plenty of water and check in with the rangers too

tomfuller

Dukey1 Your GPSr (receiver) will only tell you where your are.
The SPOT will send a text message to your friend/family Search & Rescue and let them know you need help and where you are. It does not need a cell phone signal. It uses satellite to send the text 3 times. It won't work in a slot canyon or a cave.

sludick

Stu, my thoughts were that if you intend to go off paved roads or hiking, you would want to make sure you let your plans be known. Otherwise, not so much. Sorry for the overly-general comment.

mlgb

You'll get a park map when you pay your entry fee. The rangers can advise which roads are in poor condition.

5alive

Tom, thanks for the explanation. Aren't these essentially what mountain climbing/ski stores Rent though?

tomfuller

The beacons that you rent for skiing transmit less than 5 miles to help find you under an avalanche. SPOT gives you a choice of what message to send.
Let someone, friend/spouse know where you are going and when you expect to return or check in. The ranger can tell you if you should not be going in to an area by yourself.