Death Valley advice

Hello everyone!

I need some advice regarding Death Valley. I'm thinking of visiting there in the beginning of January on my way from San Francisco to Las Vegas. It will be my first visit and I'm not sure what to expect or what I should try to see.

Those of you who have been there, do you think it's worth a visit and are there any "must-sees"? I won't have much more than a day to spend in DV, so I'll have to prioritize.
From what I've found online about the sights I can say that I'd like to see the Joshua Trees at Lee Flat (if there's no problem getting there in a regular 2wd car that time of year) and the Badwater Basin.

And do you think there's a risk of running into snow somewhere in the DV area (i.e. routes I should try to stay away from...)?

Any advice and tips are much appreciated.

Thanx,
John.

Do you know where you are staying yet? If not then I'll suggest Furnace Creek Inn. It will be in the middle of the prime rates but it's a very nice place. They also have a list of suggested activities. Interestingly, they don't have Scotty's Castle listed.

I've got a few pictures on my personal site from the trip we made in 2000 that you may want to take a look at. Perhaps you'll get a few other ideas as to things to do.

Death Valley

I absolutely LOVE Death Valley. I've been several times by motorcycle but my best trip for sightseeing was my first in 1999. I doubt much has changed!
The Furnace Creek Inn is way nice and very luxurious. Movie star sightings are not unusual but at $500+ per night, why not? If you are not wanting the luxo version, try across the road and down the hill at the Furnace Creek Ranch. A bit more rustic shall we say but adequate. Several restaurants are there. I had dinner every night at the steak house and breakfast in the coffee shop- I was there for a week my first trip. There's a general aviation airport behind it, a post office, gas station and visitor's station.
See Scotty's Castle for sure. About 40 miles north but in the park. There is a terrific crater made by an asteroid strike on the way a bit off the road too.
Go over to Badwater at 200+ feet below sea level. Devil's Golf Course is right by there. Zabriskie Point is scenic and not too far from Furnace Creek. There is an overlook with a curious name that escapes me right now in that general area as well. You can drive to the top and see the entire valley.
The pass into Panamint Springs can have snow in January and you could get rain anywhere in the valley.
If you have the time, get to the Amargosa Opera House and catch one of Marta Becket's campy performances. She is amazing- I believe she is now over 80! I have been out of touch so all I know is she hurt her back in 2006 so I hope she has since recovered. The Opera House and Hotel are in Death Vally Junction.
Sorry to take up so much bandwidth- once I get going on Death Valley, it's hard to stop me! Have fun and enjoy.

johnjohn said:

Hello everyone!

I need some advice regarding Death Valley. I'm thinking of visiting there in the beginning of January on my way from San Francisco to Las Vegas. It will be my first visit and I'm not sure what to expect or what I should try to see.

Those of you who have been there, do you think it's worth a visit and are there any "must-sees"? I won't have much more than a day to spend in DV, so I'll have to prioritize.
From what I've found online about the sights I can say that I'd like to see the Joshua Trees at Lee Flat (if there's no problem getting there in a regular 2wd car that time of year) and the Badwater Basin.

And do you think there's a risk of running into snow somewhere in the DV area (i.e. routes I should try to stay away from...)?

Any advice and tips are much appreciated.

Thanx,
John.

Click to expand...

I went through Yosemite, down on 395 to Olancha, Ca (day one, 2nd Pause on map - only motel in Olancha was a dump, I'd probably stay in Lone Pine next time), then went through Death Valley, lunch in Vegas, and drove to North Rim of the Grand Canyon (day two).

Mostly driving, very little stopping. What I remember is the great views throughout the way (specially through Yosemite and on 395), high speeds and temperatures through Death Valley.

Can't really suggest activities in Death Valley, but if you haven't driven on 395, and have time (weather permitting), I would recommend doing that.

Depending on when your going

Be sure to check the roads in advance for road open/seasonal closures (snow) going through Yosemite to Highway 120/Tioga Pass to Highway 395 this time a year/winter.

http://www.yosemitegold.com/ipages/roadconditions.html

Otherwise, fantastic way to go, great roads, beautiful lakes just like Akif mentioned. Route is spectacular through Yosemite 120 down 395 to Mammoth area and on.

If Yosemite is snowed in then an alternative scenic route may be King's Canyon/Sequoia Nat'l Parks. It's a route I've done on the way back from Vegas/DV and allows one to cross via the desert instead of the mountains.

Tioga Pass is unbelievably beautiful!
I want to go back!!!!!
Happy Boxstering,
Pedro