The only hike we really did at Death Valley NP. It's about 2-3 miles RT with some incline and a…read morelarge stretch of uncovered trail so bring sunscreen and plenty of water! There are some challenging climbing pieces through slot canyons and some parts where you have to decide what is actually the trail. Then the end it kind of abruptly has a rock wall so there's no 'viewpoint' at the end but the rock marbling and mosaic rocks along the way are very cool to see. We saw a lot of groups here doing like discussion circles so seems like a popular spot to walk a little in and hang out.

Beautiful dry hiking trail. Reminds me of Zion Narrows without the water. Some bottleneck boulder…read morescrambling from time to time. Arrows made of rocks point the way. Stay on trail. One guy had to be rescued by helicopter in the last year. Very dry terrain. Bring extra water. Limited shade. I suggest using the restroom at Stovepipe Wells first. No cell service. Better go near wintertime. Can be cold, so layer up. Summer can reach over 120°F. We hiked almost 4 mi for about 2 hr.

Devil's Golf Course was one of my favorite stops during our Dec 2021 visit to Death Valley…read more Visiting during winter is the "high season" for Death Valley due to the much milder temperatures, and we spent a few hours earlier checking out the Badwater Basin, which had a lot of people walking up and down the trail. In comparison, close to sunset, the Devil's Golf Course was pretty deserted! We headed here after driving the Artist's Drive nearby. It was easy to find (imagine driving on a single winding road, and then coming up is a simple brown sign pointing you the way to DEVILS GOLF COURSE; this was the case for all of the sights in the park) and we turned to a gravel-ish road and drove carefully down to a small parking area where we were surrounded with salt formations. Since it was late in the day for daylight it was only us and two other vehicles ahead of us - as the sun grew dim the surroundings almost looked eerily, otherworldly blue against the sea of formations. The salt formations here were more impressive than the ones at Badwater Basin, larger and craggier, and whiter too without people walking around them. The nearby signs had additional photos of what the delicate salt formations can look like without disturbance from visitors. Wonderful!

Gives you the other worldly vibes. To get to the Devils Golf Course, you have to drive on a gravel…read moreroad which can get bumpy and dusty. Once you arrive it's a lookout than an hike but looks pretty cool!

Ok here is my first review of Telescope Peak, it might be a long one…read more Telescope Peak is located in the Death Valley National Park. It is a strenous but totally beautiful hike to the summit. The access to the trail is rather difficult depending on road conditions you might have to take a long detour if you travel from the Southwest. In my case the access to the trail from Trona was closed due to last years road damage so I had to drive through Panamint Valley to access the Western entrance of Death Valley and Emigrant Canyon road that leads further to the remote camp locations. Check the Morning Report on the park´s website for current conditions. Here is my trip report of September 2014: Arrived at Mahogany Flat campground about 5pm. The road to the campground is in very bad shape, they recommend a high clearance 4x4 vehicle but my regular Dodge Charger made it as well, you just have to drive slowly and carefully. Camped overnight at Mahogany Flat. At night it became obvious why it is called Telescope Peak. The sky was clear and no other sources of light polluted the sky so with the naked eye you could spot billions of stars and many comets/shooting stars. Got up early the next morning to catch the sunrise from about half a mile up the trail to Telescope Peak. An amazing show of mother nature as Death Valley and the Bad Water Basin slowly got drenched in sunlight. Return to camp for a good breakfast and the start of the hike to the Telescope Peak about an hour later. To me the hike was quite challenging, the round trip took about 8.5 hours with an elevation gain of almost 3000ft. Especially the last 2 miles of the hike were demanding but with frequent stops and lots of drinking and snacking I reached the peak. The vistas from top of Telescope Peak are very spectacular. The entire Death Valley to the East including Badwater Basin and the Panamint Valley on your West. The Mojave Desert to your SW and the Sierras to the NW....Spectacular There is a log to sign at the peak. After about 40 minutes of relaxing, eating and taking in these stunning views it was time to return to camp. Here are my recommendations for this spectacular hike. Drive carefully on the road to Mahogany Flat. It is not as steep as one might think but the road is in very bad condition. Camp out a night at Mahogany Flat. Several camp sites available on first-come first-served basis. Might be more frequented on week end. Campground has pit toilets but there is NO WATER available so make sure to bring plenty with you. Camp fires are ok in the fire rings/pits on each site. Enjoy the clear sky at night, watch the stars and enjoy the silence out there, soul stimulating.... It does get cold at night because of the elevation at 8800ft so pack in some extra warmth for your stay. Do not miss the sunrise over Death Valley, it is fantastic, force yourself to get up. I even set up my alarm clock. For the hike pack in plenty of water I had about 1.5 gallons. A warm layer for windy situations and of course snacks, trail mix, jerky, sandwich, fruit, whatever you wanna eat and do not mind carrying in your backpack. Put on a hat, dont forget sunglasses and a camera and put on sunscreen. On the peak there is no shade and the sun will beat down on you. Enjoy yourself and the nature

Great 15 mile (round trip) hike with a spectacular views in all directions.read more

Of all the places we visited as a family for Spring Break in Death Valley, Fall Canyon was my…read morefavorite. Situated in the northern half of the park, Fall Canyon is accessed via a 3 mile road off the main highway, consisting of dirt, sand, gravel, and rocks up to about the size of a cantaloupe-- not impossible to pass in your 1994 Ford Festiva, but I wouldn't recommend it. The park map suggests a "high-clearance vehicle," which means the few extra inches under a Jeep, a truck, or an SUV could mean the difference between making it to the gravel-covered parking lot, or blowing out your exhaust system on the rocks... the latter could prove to be life-threatening in the heat of the desert. That said, before setting out on any hike in DV, be sure to prepare: even traveling with my 4x4 truck, we carried two gallons of water per person in the truck, with Camelbacks that stored 3 liters of water each during our hikes, plenty of shelf-stable snacks like dried fruit, nuts, and trail mix, sunscreen, a couple of lighters, a good knife, light clothing, hats, a first aid kit... I know, rather Boy Scout of us, but you don't take chances when you're traveling on the periphery of civilization with young kids. Phones generally don't work here. Now that all the worry stuff is out of the way... Fall Canyon is desolate and beautiful. Unlike any canyon in my local San Gabriel mountains, Fall Canyon's stark rock walls, carved by aeons of occasional swift moving flash flood waters, rise in stark contrast from the flat canyon bottom of gravel and rocks. This place is a rockhound's dream: if you know where to look, a geology enthusiast can find pre-Cambrian igneous rock (that's nearly 1.7 billion years old, Mildred), limestone, sandstone, breccia, conglomerate, mudstone, quartz, quartzite, gypsum, and maybe even a few other surprises, brought here from far away by fast moving waters. During our trip in April, the area was flecked with colorful wildflowers, growing in earnest against the deadly heat just a few weeks away, and providing food for voracious hornworm caterpillars, eating as fast as they could. A beautiful collared lizard crossed our path, and we had a brief photo-shoot with it before releasing it unharmed. As the sun went down, lots of bats emerged from the caves in the canyon walls, feasting early evening insects. With young kids, we only journeyed about a mile and a half into the canyon. In some places, the slot canyon narrows, while in other areas, it is wide; in most cases, the steep walls on either side keep you directly on the path. I can't wait to return to this area either sans offspring or when they are a little older and can carry their own water, to further explore the deeper parts of this beautiful area.

NO FALLING, JUST A LITTLE SLIPPING!!!!…read more BACKGROUND: Fall Canyon is one of many colorful ravines in the hills surrounding Death Valley in California; shaped by occasional flash floods that flow from the higher mountains beyond, the canyon is remote and little-visited; deep and moderately narrow for many miles, with occasional shaded, cave-like passageways of great beauty. Some of these narrow, twisting sections are enclosed by smooth granitic walls with an unusual bluish tint. As with most other Southwest canyons, the rocks are layered, but quite differently to the orderly slot canyons of Utah - here the strata are multi-colored, buckled, twisted and eroded, the result of ancient geological forces. Fall Canyon is easily reached and offers a perfect wilderness experience, though it should be avoided during the summer months when the weather becomes too extreme. STATS: Distance: 9 miles Elevation Gain: Approx. 2,200ft. or roughly 400-500ft./mile ESSENTIALS: At least 2 liters of water Know your limits Comfy hiking shoes with good lugs Layered Clothing High protein food/snacks Electrolytes Camera Hat (optional) Sunscreen Trek poles (optional) High profile vehicle (strongly recommended) OUR ROUTE: Before heading home from a magically majestic weekend in Death Valley, me and The Crew headed here to Titus-Fall Canyon for a quick in-&-out. The drive from the paved road to the trail head was more than a little dirty and dusty, it was quite bumpy, thank goodness for high profile vehicles. Low profile cars would probably bottom out and leave a trail of car parts on the road. From the trailhead we headed up a soft sandy wash for about three miles, similar to the one at Furnace Creek. There is very little elevation gain, so it's completely doable for beginner hikers. It's the sandy wash provides a quad workout. The canyon closes in a smidge and provides some shade and the shadows created by the slightly limited shinning sun creates some breathtaking sites and colors of the slot canyon. The slots in this canyon don't get so narrow that packs have to be removed, and there's no need to spoon to the left or spoon to the right to get through. There are offshoot slots throughout this wash, which are worth taking a gander, especially if you are not wanting do all nine miles of this hike. Although there are no signs leading you to the end of the trail, the mouth of a 30ft. waterfall will be your sign that the end is here. DISCLAIMER: Hiking is not something that can be taken lightly. It can be life-threatening as you see and hear on the news, people die or get lost all time. Please, if you are going to hike, never go alone and prepare for the worst, hope for the best. Remember when going for a hike, no matter how short you think it may be, always be prepared. Carry at least two liters of water for every five miles (more if the weather is warm), protein bar, nuts, and electrolytes. Wear sturdy lug sole shoes and protective clothing. Some areas the weather can change quicker than a fireman can put on his gear. It is also very important, always always always let a family member or friend know where you are going and when you expect to be back. Lastly, have fun when you hike it up. Review 86 Yelp 100+ Challenge 2015 #deathvalley #hikingdeathvalley #hiking #belowsealevel

You can take a short drive (less than a mile) over an unpaved road through Mustard Canyon. The…read morecanyon takes its name from the bright yellow rocks that it is composed of. You do not need a high clearance or 4 wheel drive vehicle to drive through it. The entrance is the same as the one to Borax Works, but goes on to become unpaved as it snakes through the Canyon.

I walked from Furnace Creek Campground through Mustard Canyon and back every morning. It was a nice…read morewalk, especially right before sunrise. It felt like nobody else was on the planet but me and the deep silence was humbling. Nice 5.2 mile walk.

It was nice, great view of Death Valley. Nice there was information on Father Crowley…read more Not a lot of people there, but then again, it was quite hot that day. We saw a few birds soaring over the valley, it was really a beautiful sight! I wonder how people could have lived there at first, then I realized how. Just beautiful. Go take a visit.

Nice views into Rainbow Canyon: Death Valley National Park…read more Not many people know this spot to be part of the Death Valley National Park... at least I didn't at first but this was my second visit here for the beautiful scenic features. It is located near the western park boundary. When we drive to Las Vegas we stop here to stretch our legs, use the restroom and enjoy the beautiful landscape. Perhaps this lookout is more well known for its use as a military flight training site at Rainbow Canyon. Remember in the original "Star Wars" movie the way the fictional X-Wing starfighters flew through deep corridors of the enemy Death Star?... Air Force and Navy military pilots are known to dangerously but skillfully maneuver their jets (F/A-18E Super Hornets) through the high-walled cliffs that way too and that's why the vicinity has been nicknamed "Star Wars Canyon." It would be so cool to catch this one day as it is never a guarantee which days training flights will take place. We saw a few people there with camera tripods. Rainbow Canyon is below Father Crowley Lookout. There is a plaque on a stone monument at the parking area in memory of Father Crowley. He was known as The Desert Padre. He would often stop here and admire the views when he visited his parishioners to/from Death Valley and his home in Lone Pine. He hit a steer on one of his trips. Review #2123

Nice little interpretive trail with interesting history and description of how the borax was…read moreprocessed.

There was so much history at Death Valley! Harmony Borax Works is now registered a National…read moreHistoric Landmark. Harmony Borax Works was the central feature in the opening of Death Valley and the subsequent popularity of the Furnace Creek area. The plant and associated townsite played an important role in Death Valley history. After borax was found near Furnace Creek Ranch in 1881, William T. Coleman built the Harmony plant and began to process ore in late 1883 or early 1884. When in full operation, the Harmony Borax Works employed 40 men who produced three tons of borax daily. During the summer months, when the weather was so hot that processing water would not cool enough to permit the suspended borax to crystallize, Coleman moved his work force to the Amargosa Borax Plant near present day Tecopa, California. Getting the finished product to market from the heart of Death Valley was a difficult task, and an efficient method had to be devised. The Harmony operation became famous through the use of large mule teams and double wagons which hauled borax the long overland route to Mojave. The romantic image of the "20-mule team" persists to this day and has become the symbol of the borax industry in this country. The Harmony plant went out of operation in 1888, after only five years of production, when Coleman's financial empire collapsed. Aquired by Francis Marion Smith, the works never resumed the boiling of cottonball borate ore, and in time became part of the borax reserves of the Pacific Coast Borax Company and it successors. Harmony Borax Works was the central feature in the opening of Death Valley and the subsequent popularity of the Furnace Creek area. Come to visit this fascinating landmark in Death Valley!

No visit to this NP is complete without doing the one way artist's palette drive. The drive is easy…read morewith lots of pullouts. There are currently many wildflowers to be seen here as well. You can easily enjoy the views from the far or venture out on a trail or short walk from Parking spots.

Easy parking and a short walk to get through a lookout. The photos don't do the color justice and I…read morethink when it's not peak light, you'll see them more vibrant but still fascinating to see up close! Theres not too much of an actual path here then just climbing around for a lookout and then returning to the parking lot.

Activity Type: Hiking Nearby City: Stovepipe Wells…read moreLength: 13 total miles Elevation Gain: 1,550 feet Trail Type: Out-and-back Skill Level: Difficult. Season: Late fall through early spring. Trailhead Elevation: 4,885 feet Top Elevation: 6,435 feet This out-and-back, 13-mile round-trip takes you into the high desert of Death Valley. The first mile is level, and then you'll begin climbing -- gradually for two miles and then steeply to the top. Beautiful view of Death Valley from Aguereberry Point.

The Eureka Mine, for me at least, is a place to take a look at your hopes and dreams and maybe make…read morea decision or two. It is also a bit sad, the mine in pieces, never to be used again. A man, Pete Aguereberry, built that and now it is home to bats and a visitor or two. I love the place, don't get me wrong, but when I am there I imagine a man in want of something. A somewhat lonely man he must have been or maybe he wanted the solitary life that is Death Valley. He was a hard worker, he built his mine with gold in mind. I know he thought he would be successful and to a point he was, bringing out close to 200K worth of gold over the years. The mine is somewhat easy to get to, it is a short drive along Aguereberry Point Road. It is about a mile from the junction with the Emigrant Canyon Road. You can stop at the mine on your way to Aguereberry Point or just stop at the mine. It is all beautiful. Always check at the visitor center to see what roads are like the day of your visit. The road to the mine is usually not a problem, but if you are headed to Aguereberry Point, that part of the road (after the mine) can get tricky and even washed out now and again. But don't let any of what I just said stop you. All of Death Valley is worth a visit, all of it magical. The mine is not well traveled and that is great. It is not the biggest tourist stop so you may find yourself alone or with a local or two. The silence will amaze you and the terrain is always special, with colorful flowers forcing their way out of the dry, cracked, washboard, reaching for the sun. The mountains are a wonder, and to think that this all was once underwater sort of puts your place on this planet in perspective. The mine sits is on a little hill known as Providence Ridge. Some structures are still there. There is some signage for you to read and it is interesting, You will not be entering the mine itself. It is locked off at the entrance and if for any reason that gate is broken, do not go in there. It is very dangerous and besides it is now home to the endangered Townsend Big-eared Bat. They live and love their during the winter months so stay out. The gate is more of a solid barrier with slots, so the chances of it failing are slim. You can see in a bit if you want. The area around it is amazing. There is this old car, dust torn and quite dead, it looks like a Dodge, maybe, from the early 50's---and that was such a guess--I know nothing of cars. Parts of the mine and the workings to get the gold out are still there, wood, for the most part. Pete died in 1945. We don't know if he was a happy man, if he thought it was all worth it, but he worked his claim since 1905 so there had to be something there that held him: The gold, the gamble, I have no idea, but I wish I had met him. I bet he was an interesting man to talk with. It is always best to go in the Fall or Winter months. The heat of the summer is blazing. Always have water with you and a decent car. Enjoy. Please do not take things from the site. Take a few minutes and ask yourself if you are doing what you want in life, I bet Pete asked himself that more than once.