Death Valley in Dec.

El Gato

Folks...

I'll be in Las Vegas in early Dec. and I am planing a trip out to Death Valley after the work is over.

Does anyone have suggestions regarding places to check out (a) along the way and (b) once in the NP area? I plan on staying at Stovepipe Wells (unless someone has a better recommendation) and would be interested in suggestions on some lesser visited, off the tourist path, locations to check out for some photo ops.

Suggestions and recommendations welcomed!!

yendikeno

Well, if you're staying at Stovepipe Wells, you might want to check out Mosaic Canyon. It's close by and a neat place to hike and take pictures.

denisegoldberg

Sunrise at the sand dunes in Death Valley can be spectacular.

I would consider Death Valley to be a very underutilized park; you won't have a problem finding places without other people. Stop by the visitor center and pick up the handout on hikes. Also ask the rangers for information on additional hikes - there is more information available than the standard hand-out.

While you're in Las Vegas, I also recommend visiting Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area - http://www.redrockcanyonlv.org/.

--- Denise

El Gato

Thanks!
Denise:

Many thanks for your suggestions!

I'll check it out.

El Gato

Thanks
AZFred...

I hadn't thought about Mosaic Canyon, I'll look into it as were always looking for new places and hiking ops.

Thanks!

denisegoldberg

If you're staying at Stovepipe Wells - I just noticed a notification on their web site at http://www.stovepipewells.com/ that there was a fire in the restaurant there. The notice indicated that there would be no lunch or dinner service but that sandwiches and snacks would be available at the general store. There was no indication on the site as to how long they will be without a restaurant there, might be worth a phone call to check.

--- Denise

El Gato

Hi Denise:

Thanks! I noticed that too when I was searching the site. We may have to bring our own food!

Hope the weather is good. We are hoping to go out at night, away from light sources, to shoot some star trails and etc.

I would hope such "dark areas" are available, accessible and won't pose any problems reaching or anyone bothering us while we are out late at night.

Thanks again for your post.

kdog

El Gato wrote: »

I would hope such "dark areas" are available, accessible and won't pose any problems reaching or anyone bothering us while we are out late at night.

Oh gosh, that will most definitely NOT be an issue. You'll have thousands of square miles of blackness and solitude to select from. Best place in the US to photograph stars I reckon.

Sam

How much time will you have and what kind of vehicle will you be driving?

Can you spend a night out of the motel?

For a change of pace you could consider staying at the Amargoa Opera House just outside the park.

The race track is great, but a little rough to get to.

I also like salt springs, but you need to hike past the board walk.

The dunes at stovepipe wells has the best sunrise and sunset. Just hike out a ways.

Sam

El Gato

Thanks Sam!
Sam...

Thanks for your reply. I appreciate it.

How much time will you have and what kind of vehicle will you be driving?
I hope to spend about four-five days and I'll be renting a 4x4 in Vegas.

Timing may be changed as it looks like now, I might be headed there 3 Jan. through 5 or 6 Jan. Not sure if this is a good time to go or not, now that the schedule seems to be changing on me.


Can you spend a night out of the motel?

I'm flexible and can go pretty much anywhere, especially if it entails an "experience."

For a change of pace you could consider staying at the Amargoa Opera House just outside the park.

Will do!!

The race track is great, but a little rough to get to.

I also like salt springs, but you need to hike past the board walk.

The dunes at stovepipe wells has the best sunrise and sunset. Just hike out a ways.

I'll look into each of these, thanks Sam!!

agunther

My favs
If you have a 4wd, I would check out the Racetrack:
http://ca.myphotoscout.com/2010/04/22/how-to-photograph-the-death-valley-racetrack/
You will probably need the better part of a day to head out, take shots and come back, but its well worth it.

Start early and see Scotties Castle, Teakettle Junction and Lost Burro Mine:
http://ca.myphotoscout.com/2010/04/27/how-to-photograph-the-lost-burro-mine-in-death-valley/
on the same day

Another Day I would go to Darwin:
http://ca.myphotoscout.com/2010/06/10/how-to-photograph-darwin/
, Darwin Falls and Aguereberry Point:
http://ca.myphotoscout.com/2010/02/02/how-to-photograph-aguereberry-point/

and Aguereberry Camp:
http://ca.myphotoscout.com/2009/04/14/how-to-photograph-harrisburg-ghost-town/
(maybe Skidoo if too if you have sufficient time)

One day to do the usual suspects (Dunes early in the morning, Zabriskie Point in the Evening, Badwater and the Salt Flats in the Afternoon.

I would also take a detour to Lone Pine and the fantastically beautiful Alabama Hills:
http://ca.myphotoscout.com/2010/06/23/how-to-photograph-the-alabama-hills/

This is me near Racetrack early this year:




We had a blast in the middle of nowhere under a clear sky.
I wish I had 5 days to go again, although this time of the year I wouldn't want to sleep out . I am sure you will have a hell of a good time.

Sam

I am going to have to remember Alabama Hills!

Sam

ian408

Death Valley is one of the nicest places to visit in winter. Be aware that as there are temperature extremes in summer, so too are these extremes in winter. It can be quite cold at night--dress appropriately

The Sand Dunes, Charcoal Kilns, Artist's Drive, Devil's Golf Course, Scotty's Castle, Zabriskie Point. If you have time, a drive up Titus Canyon is worth it--you can make this in any high clearance vehicle. I think the Race Track is worth the drive...it can be a little tough on the car though


Notice the missing grill--if you find it, I don't need it back

On Marc Muench's Death Valley Workshop, we had dinner at Furnace Creek and that was very nice. Lots of history there and I think well worth a visit for dinner or maybe brunch.

Speaking of food. The sandwich collection at the general store isn't the best. There's a good selection of snack stuff. You might want to load up before you go.

Have a great time and looking forward to seeing your shots!

El Gato

Thnaks!!
Thanks for the insights and tips.

Much appreciated!!

Cygnus Studios

I agree with everyone's recommendations, be sure to add the Artists Palette (very close to the Devils Golf Course)



It changes with the light, so try it in the morning and evening. Also some neat caves hidden in there if you look for them



Keep a flashlight handy though...

Also if you visit Red Rock Canyon, drive past the park a ways (a mile or two) to some other neat locations that are simply breathtaking.

El Gato

Death Valley - next time
To all that replied and posted some fantastic insights, helpful tips and very useful recommendations...THANK YOU ALL

I have to report that unfortunately 36 hours prior to leaving for the trip, I was reassigned to another gig, and the long anticipate, much awaited trip to NV never occurred. I was sent instead to the East Coast, with no opportunity to bring along any equipment (read emergency reassignment).

Alas, I lost the opportunity (at least for 2010) to spend time at Death Valley.

The site is still high on my go to list but, I'll have to wait some more.

I'll certainly retain all of the great information everyone has provided and again say thanks for taking the time to share this information!

Happy trails and a safe and prosperous New Year to all.

yendikeno

Too bad
sorry to read that you couldn't make the DV trip after all, but do keep it high on your visit list, as it is an awesome place to see and photograph!

jdryan3

denisegoldberg wrote: »

If you're staying at Stovepipe Wells - I just noticed a notification on their web site at http://www.stovepipewells.com/ that there was a fire in the restaurant there. The notice indicated that there would be no lunch or dinner service but that sandwiches and snacks would be available at the general store. There was no indication on the site as to how long they will be without a restaurant there, might be worth a phone call to check.

--- Denise

Kitchen was re-opened last week Dec 16/17, 2010. kdog and I tried to eat there the weekdned before (closed) but it opened the day I stopped by.

ian408

jdryan3 wrote: »

Kitchen was re-opened last week Dec 16/17, 2010. kdog and I tried to eat there the weekdned before (closed) but it opened the day I stopped by.

How was the food?