July is when the automotive companies test their newest cars and trucks in the Furnace Creek/Death valley area. The general theory behind this is that if anything is going to break down of self destruct, it will do so in this "hell on Earth"! Make sure to bring a good camera, the car magazines will pay good money for "spy shots" of the newest automotive hardware! And be sure to hydrate frequently, especially when you find yourself starting to hold conversations with a Barrel Cactus!
Well I won't be traveling anywhere too far off the beaten path for sure. I would love to go to the Racetrack Playa, but even I'm not that stupid to do it in July. I more or less just need to get away and I've never been to DV so I want to get a good glimpse of it for a Winter/Spring trip. Photography is another of the main reasons I'm going. It's going to be pitch black at night and I should get some good night shots. Sunrises and sunsets are the times I'll be out the most. During the midday time I'll probably head to Lone Pine and Independence to explore around a bit.
And yes I'll be carrying a cooler, at least 10 gallons of water plus food in my Jeep just incase. I've also got plenty of safety measures in place also. It'll be fun, something outside the box!
Thanks,
Dave www.SoCalRailFan.com
2006 Jeep Wrangler Umilimited, 2008 Fleetwood Westlake
Watch out going on unpaved roads in DV and surrounding areas. The rocks are like razor blades. I spent two years in Lone Pine as the resident post sergeant for LP and DV with the CHP. An off road tow will cost a MINIMUM OF $600 and that was the price 10 years ago so much more now.
Cell service is spotty at best in the whole area.
Let somebody know where you're going and stick to the route. A good drive is up to Cerro Gordo above Keeler. 4 X 4 only and much cooler at 8,000 feet.
Have fun. If you break down stay with the vehicle.
Thanks, I don't think I'll be doing any off-roading, or very limited close to paved roads. As a firefighter I'm well prepared, the park service just better not hope I need help cuz if I do I guarantee they will know about it very quickly! LOL
My son and I are getting ready for a four week desert trip this summer. One week each at DVNP, Black Rock Desert and Central NV/Great Salt Lake Desert.
For DV, we plan to stay at Bailey's Campground about 5 miles north of Beatty, NV. Not only will it be a little cooler, they have hot springs. Plus, it means we don't spend one red cent in the PRK.
We hope to break 130 this year at Badwater. It was 127 in 2006 when we were there last, which means it was about 129 at BW, given that's it's about 300 feet lower than Furnace Creek where the NPS/NWS temp monitoring station is located.
We'll be camping in tents and I've already bought a couple fans. If it's too much, the back up plan is the Beatty Casino.
At Black Rock, we'll be camping at the Soldier Meadows Ranch and Lodge. It's at around 4000 feet, so not nearly as bad as DV.
The elevation at Panamint Springs is just under 2,000', but that makes a big difference (elevation at Furnace Creek Ranch is almost 200' below sea level). They, Panamint Springs, have the only 50 amp service in Death Valley Monument. Restaurant has great food, and they have a great selection of micro brewery beers for sale. Electricity is generated by an onsite diesel generator that runs 24/7, you can barely hear it at night. WiFi is good in RV park, but best on the porch. Have stayed there in January the past 4 years, and will go back again, just not during the summer.
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