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Death Valley National Park, CA

Feb 2 - Feb 9, 2019 -- $1275 ★★

Death Valley National Park is a land of superlatives. Whether it's the highest recorded temperature (134°), the lowest elevation (Badwater - 282' below sea level) being the driest or the most beautiful (OK, that one is totally subjective), Death Valley delivers.

Our trip is base camping / day-hiking only. We will set up for the week at a group site in the centrally located Furnace Creek Campground. From there, we'll visit many of the park's featured areas, such as Badwater Basin, Desolation Canyon, Corkscrew Peak and Wildrose Peak that towers up 9000' over the desert below.

This is a great (and temperate) time of year to visit this amazing graben. (What the hell is a graben?) So why not sign up now?

Weather

Weather is always an important concern when hiking. Expect daytime hiking temperatures in the high 70s and nighttime temperatures in the 40s. However, be prepared for the possibility of day temperatures as high as 90 and as low as 30, with an occasional chance of rain but more likely Virga (where rain evaporates before hitting the ground). Here is the historical February weather. Be prepared with lots of sun protection and water containers that add up to 6 liters of capacity.

Trip Leaders

Steve Silberberg
Danielle Piscatelli

Cost

$1275 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a room with another participant during the 2 hotel nights. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Las Vegas (LAS), personal equipment, restaurant meals eaten off the trail and any gratuities for guides.

Covered expenses include 2 hotel nights, round-trip ground transportation from Las Vegas to the National Park, 6 days of trail meals, National Park permits, insurance, campground fees and awesome guides.

Difficulty

Death Valley can be hot during the day. Plus the amount of elevation gained on some of the day-hikes can be quite substantial, so even with just a day pack the trip may be more strenuous than you'd think.

Important Notes

No important notes

Packing List

Itinerary

Weather

Guides for this trip

Cost

Important Note

Difficulty (Please Read)

Packing List

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Itinerary

Saturday, February 2, 2019

Fly into McCarran Airport Las Vegas (LAS). The best time to arrive is between around Noon-3PM. However, if you can save a substantial amount on your flight by arriving at say, 11AM or 5PM, then do so.

Take the free airport shuttle to Tru by Hilton Las Vegas Airport, NV, 6862 Gilespie street, Las Vegas, NV 89119, 702-213-8300

Equipment shakedown

"Before" measurements taken

Trail mix distribution

Go to REI Las Vegas, 710 S. Rampart Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89145, (702) 951-4488, for last minute or forgotten equipment

Go out for group dinner (Dinner not included in trip cost)

Sunday, February 3, 2019

Early (6AM) wake-up

Second set of "before" measurements taken

All the items that you won't bring on the trail will be set aside and put in storage. Try to keep this to a small amount of stuff.

Free breakfast at Hotel

Car shuttle 3 hours to Death Valley

Drive to Furnace Creek Campground (most central campground with the most amenities)

Set up camp at Furnace Creek Campground, Group Site #3

Day-Hike 1.0 round trip miles to Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America, elevation -282'

Day-Hike 2.0 round trip miles to Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, elevation 140'

Day-Hike 1.0 round trip miles to Natural Bridge, elevation 834'

Camp at Furnace Creek Campground, Group Site #3, elevation -196'

Miles today: 4.0. Total miles: 4.0