The Racetrack of Death Valley
kdog
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The Racetrack is 27 miles down a washboard dirt road with a few rocks strewn about randomly to keep you on your toes.
#1 Along the way, you pass Teakettle Junction.
#2 Arriving at the Racetrack playa, one is struck by how big and flat the area is. This is a small portion of it.
#3 The Racetrack is known for rocks that slide across the playa, seemingly on their own volition.
#4 No one has ever witnessed one move. There are theories as to what causes them to move, but nobody knows for sure.
#5 The rocks are spread far apart, so one must walk a long ways to find one.
#6 It was cold and dark on the long road out, and the stars were bright in the sky, so we stopped for some light-painting fun.
#7 Later that same evening, after my trip companion Aaron (anwmn1) was sacked out in his tent, I grabbed some star trails.
It was a great afternoon and evening. Hope you enjoyed it as well.
-joel
#1 Along the way, you pass Teakettle Junction.
#2 Arriving at the Racetrack playa, one is struck by how big and flat the area is. This is a small portion of it.
#3 The Racetrack is known for rocks that slide across the playa, seemingly on their own volition.
#4 No one has ever witnessed one move. There are theories as to what causes them to move, but nobody knows for sure.
#5 The rocks are spread far apart, so one must walk a long ways to find one.
#6 It was cold and dark on the long road out, and the stars were bright in the sky, so we stopped for some light-painting fun.
#7 Later that same evening, after my trip companion Aaron (anwmn1) was sacked out in his tent, I grabbed some star trails.
It was a great afternoon and evening. Hope you enjoyed it as well.
-joel
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SWEET!!
Yeah I was sacked out because I was sleeping in a tent on the rocks of Death Valley and kdog was enjoying the confines of his full size Surburban with a matress!!
He also got to enjoy his Jacuzzi the next night while I didn't get home until 2:30am Monday morning.
Aaron Newman
Website:www.CapturingLightandEmotion.com
Facebook: Capturing Light and Emotion
Is a jeep / 4 wheel drive mandatory ?
Looks like I am heading to Vegas for a conference in May and I am looking to spend 4 - 6 days after the fact heading out to Arches and then back towards Vegas over that time..Death Valley is definitely high on my list but I have read that its not an easy place to get to ?
Cheers
Dave
http://www.daveclee.com
Nikon D3 and a bunch of nikkor gear
that has added up over the years :wink
Cheers,
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Cheers,
-joel
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There are certain areas in Death Valley that are only reachable by dirt roads, and the Racetrack is one such place. There is absolutely no need for 4x4 getting to the racetrack if you take the main road from Scotties Castle. Any car can do the drive if you're careful. The biggest danger is becoming complacent, and hitting one of the many rocks that find their way into the road. That can blow a tire. The washboard surface of the road will rattle your fillings, and make you think your car is coming apart.
You can get to Death Valley by driving on Nevada highway 95 north for 111 miles (or about one hour ).
Cheers,
-joel
Link to my Smugmug site
Thanks, Nikhil. Honestly, the dinky car can make it if you're careful and take it slow. I was impressed enough with the Racetrack to want to go back and spend a longer time there, and I know Aaron feels the same way. It's a pretty big area and well worth the time to explore.
Cheers,
-joel
Link to my Smugmug site
I'm not touching the Suburban issue...
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You and Aaron have successfully pushed the Racetrack to the top of my "Must go to" list!
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Cheers
Dave
http://www.daveclee.com
Nikon D3 and a bunch of nikkor gear
that has added up over the years :wink
Aaron Newman
Website:www.CapturingLightandEmotion.com
Facebook: Capturing Light and Emotion
There is definetly enough in Death Valley to stay a few days. We barely scratched the surface of places to see.
There are a couple hotels and several camp grounds. Depending on where you are staying and what you are trying to see you could have a 10 mile drive or a 80 mile drive.
Aaron Newman
Website:www.CapturingLightandEmotion.com
Facebook: Capturing Light and Emotion
Lots of lodging options either directly in, or just outside the park. See here: http://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/lodging.htm
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As to the Surburban issue, let's just let sleeping dogs lie. No wait, that didn't sound right either...
-joel
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No. There are manicured dirt roads there easily driven on for any SUV. Just research ahead of time what roads to take. The major dirt roads are even found on my Garmin GPS.
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My last visit to DV in October took five days. That was my fourth visit and I still haven't come close to seeing everything there. It's the largest National Park in the lower 48 so keep that in mind. There's tons to see and do.
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Thanks a bunch, Bryan.
-joel
Link to my Smugmug site
Cheers,
-joel
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Thanks, Dan! Glad you enjoyed it.
-joel
Link to my Smugmug site
Nice light. I love how the grandstand is in silhouette.
I know exactly how they move. Yep sure do. One word... aliens. There is nothing you can say to make me change my mind.
Looks like you found the alien entrance to DV. If that isn't alien enough for you, I don't know what is.
Seriously, those are some awesome images. :cool
Just watch out for the aliens when you are out that way.
:s85
Just be aware that it will be about 100 degrees in DV in May. Bring lots of water.
There is lodging in the park at Stovepipe Wells and Furnace Creek (think air conditioning).
P.S. Feel free to contact me when you are here.
#3 & #5 for me
My only trip there, was not really there, I'd say through the park. Motorcycle trip in June
I want to go back, for several days this time.
rofl
Thanks, Bill!!! Yeah, I thought I'd seen pictures of the Teakettle sign with tons more teakettles on it. I guess folks are stealing them, rather than leaving them. Even worse, evidently folks are stealing the rocks as well. We saw a lot of tracks where the rock had clearly been removed. :bluduh
Anyway, you're right about the aliens. I didn't want to say anything, but the cat's out of the bag now.
Cheers,
-joel
Link to my Smugmug site
Cheers,
-joel
Link to my Smugmug site
I'll take that as a compliment. Thank you, sir!!
Cheers,
-joel
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So true.
Thanks for checking in, Dogwood.
-joel
Link to my Smugmug site
I've motorcycled through DV in the heat before, mostly in the fall. June must have been pretty intense. :wow And yeah, you don't see much that way. It's all you can do to keep your eyes open.
Cheers,
-joel
Link to my Smugmug site
Periodically the NPS removes the tea kettles. Technically, they are considered litter.