Death Valley Trip - February 17-20, 2023

 

Death Valley Trip February 17 - 20, 2023

Specifics for Trip:

Attendance: 26 Scouts, 20 Parents, 11 Cars

Reservations: Stovepipe Wells, Campground - One group arrived Thursday to reserve 3 group campsites for the troop arriving on Friday.  Ended up needing one more for all the cars.

Activity Agenda: 

Friday: Everyone arrived and set up camp. Arrival times varied from 3pm - 9pm. Adults and scouts on their own for dinner plans pending who and when you arrived.

Group that arrived early, went to visitor center, spoke to rangers, scouted out events to see what would be best agenda for the troop for Saturday and Sunday.  Visited natural Bridge... good short hike, Drove Artists parkway... didn't feel it was a priority but a nice side tour if there was time. Visited Devils Golf Course thought it worth a stop on the way to Zabrinski Point Sunset.

Saturday:  Decided to Hike Mosaic Canyon first.  Arrived at 10:00am for the 4 mile round trip hike with 1200ft elevation gain.  Packed lunch and ate at the end of the canyon then proceeded to return to cars and go to Stovepipe wells for ice cream fill up before departing on 45 minute drive to Bad Water Basin.  

Arrived Bad Water Basin, did not do that additional 2 mile hike to see the hexagonal salt formations at end of trail.  Choose to experience the lowest point on earth close to the parking lot.  Was really busy on Saturday with people.  

👀⇜←

The Sea level Marker is hard to see, but it is half way up the Rock Wall.  

We were 282ft BELOW sea level.

Returned to cars and started drive to Zabrinski Point for Sunset.  Stop to explore the Devils Golf Course and escaped without broken ankles or deep scrapes and salt in our wounds.  Definitely an easy stop and a strange environment.  

On to Zabrinski Point.  Beautiful sunset and worth the stop and timing to enjoy this area.  Spoke to another scoutmaster that was planning a hike from Zabrinski Point to Golden Canyon.  That would be on my agenda for our next tour.  It looked beautiful, all down hill and an amazing experience.

Saturday night was Astronomy Merit Badge evening.  WOW!  We happened to be in the Unesco world heritage dark sky park on a new moon.  How lucky is that.  The stars were brilliant and expansive.  The planets were out in strength and we were able to spot some galaxies in our scopes.  

 

Sunday:  Sunday was Sand Dune Surfing at the sand dunes that are about 78 miles from Stovepipe Wells. Was an amazing day... temps were about 75 and dry.  Sunscreen and Lip balm required.  The hike from the parking lot to the highest dune is about 2 miles walking in sand.  Definitely worth going.  We packed a lunch to eat while we were on the dunes and were able to surf for about 2 hours.  It is really exhausting walking up the dunes to sled back down.  The wind picks up in the afternoon so be prepared to have your back towards it. 

Gear:  Sand Boards - We found the sand snow boards often got buried in the sand with the adults, the flat bottom sleds worked well especially when you lie on your stomach and go face first.  Holding the front up a bit.  The best gear was the sand skim board with handles.  Please note this board can literally fly!  We also brought wax for hot environments to help with the sledding. 

 

After Sand Boarding we changed and headed to the Stovepipe Wells resort for a dip in the non heated pool and to take showers.  This was a very nice treat after a day in the sand.  The cost was $5 per person and well worth it.  Stovepipe wells is very nice and accommodating for all.  They also have a restaurant for adults or scouts if you prefer/need to have that option.  

Sunday evening was reserved for more Astronomy Merit Badge, rank advancement work and of course campfire program.  

Tips:

Bring 5 Gallon Water Jugs to port water to campsite from restroom.

There are two restrooms, one in the campground that gets a bit funky and one for the general store and gas station. That one gets a bit backed up but definitely cleaner.

Bring money for treats, ice cream and drinks at the general store.  Also have a lot of death valley apparel and some food, but more of an apparel store than a store to replenish meal ingredients.

Get there a day early, campsites get very busy especially on holiday weekends.  

Travel to death valley in November or February/march, out side of those months it is very cold at night or extremely hot in the day.  Make sure to check weather before going.

Cars - out of 11 cars we had 2 break down that had to be towed, one to las vegas and one on the way home and is in Bakersfield.  Make sure your vehicles are in the best condition that you can imagine.  Ours were just a weird situation... both were alternators which you couldn't predict.  There is towing and help in Death Valley.  They are super responsive and helpful there.