Death Valley National Park, CA

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 our local hotel Hampton Inn & Suites, Las Vegas Airport, 6575 S Eastern Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89119, (702) 647-8000

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)

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 Stovepipe Wells Campground, and grab a FCFS campsite

Have lunch at camp

Shuttle to Badwater Basin

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

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

Driving Tour to the Devil's Golf Course with a stop at the end, no real hiking here

Driving Tour through Artist's Palette Drive with a stop near the multi-colored palette

Day-Hike 0.3 miles at the Harmony Borax Works, elevation -200'

Camp at Stovepipe Wells Campground,, elevation 10'

Miles today: 2.3. Total miles: 2.3

Possible bailout: Stovepipe Wells Campground

Break / Strike Camp. Fill all water vessels with 8 liters of water as there is none tonight.

Shuttle to Cottonwood-Marble Canyon Loop, elevation 300'. If we do not have 4WD high clearance vehicles, we may have to hike an extra 2 miles over the Jeep road.

Here is a topo map of the Cottonwood-Marble Canyon Loop,

Hike 2.0 miles to the trailhead (if no 4WD vehicle) to Cottonwood-Marble Canyon Junction, elevation 1175'

Hike about 5.0 miles along Marble Canyon Road.

Dispersed Camp along Marble Canyon Rd., elevation 1880'. There is no water here.

Miles today: 5.0 or 7.0. Total miles: 7.3 or 9.3

Possible bailout: Cottonwood-Marble Canyoon Rd

Hike about 7.0 miles to Cottonwood Springs, elevation 3600'

Dispersed Camp at Cottonwood Springs, elevation 3600'. Water here is as reliable as any place along this trail.

Miles today: 7.0. Total miles: 14.3 or 16.3

Possible bailout: 1 day away

Hike about 6.0 miles to Deadhorse Springs, elevation 3300'

Dispersed Camp at Deadhorse Seasonal Springs, elevation 3300'. Water here is fairly reliable but if it's a dry year we will need to carry 8 liters from Cottonwood Springs

Miles today: 6.0. Total miles: 20.3 or 22.3

Possible bailout: 1 day away

Hike about 8.3 or 10.3 miles back to the shuttle vehicle(s), elevation 1175' or 300'

Shuttle to Stovepipe Wells

Frontcountry camp at Stovepipe Wells, sites are first come first served

Miles today: 8.3 or 10.3. Total miles: 28.6 or 32.6

Possible bailout: Stovepipe Wells

Pack up camp

Shuttle about 10 miles to Ubehebe Crater

Day-Hike about 2.0 miles around and into Ubehebe Crater as well as Little Hebe Crater

End of hiking

Miles today: 2.0. Total miles: 30.6 pr 34.6

Shuttle 3 hours back to Las Vegas

Check back into our local hotel Hampton Inn & Suites, Las Vegas Airport, 6575 S Eastern Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89119, (702) 647-8000

After measurements taken

Dinner and awards Ceremony. Dinner not included in trip cost.

Free Hotel Breakfast

Take Free Airport Shuttle