Undiscovered Death Valley
This trip is not available at this time. Be sure to check out our other trips. 1/7/2009
Join top guide Steve Kasper on an exploration of some of the most spectacular and remote backcountry in the contiguous United States during this one-of-a-kind hiking adventure in Death Valley National Park. From our tented camp at the base of the Funeral Mountains (a 3-hour drive from Las Vegas), we’ll begin a series of awe-inspiring dayhikes chosen by Steve specifically for their unspoiled beauty, unique geology and off-the-beaten-path locations. Dramatic slot canyons, hidden grottoes and arches, and expansive views across this magnificent landscape await as we walk where few others have passed before. After each day’s hike, we’ll return to our comfortable camp and enjoy Steve’s renowned backcountry cooking under a sparkling canopy of desert stars.
Important Notice: Day 1 is the day you should plan to arrive at the meeting point for the trip. This may require departing your hometown one or more days in advance.
Undiscovered Death Valley Itinerary:
-
Day 1
Fly to Las Vegas, arriving at McCarran Airport in time for the 10 a.m. group rendezvous at a nearby hotel. We recommend arriving a night early if possible, to allow for some relaxation time and to avoid any problems with delayed flights or delayed luggage. From Las Vegas, we’ll take a 3-hour van ride to our remote backcountry camp in the Funeral Mountains. After setting up our basecamp, we’ll enjoy a BBQ dinner and talk about the exploratory adventures we have planned for the days ahead. Dinner included.
-
Day 2
After breakfast we’ll begin a 20-mile drive to scenic Dante’s View (5,475’), where we step out of the van a vertical mile above the Death Valley salt flats far below. We’ll hike along the very spine of the Black Mountains to a viewpoint of both the lowest (Badwater) and highest (Mt. Whitney) points in the contiguous United States. The expansive views from this rugged trail are absolutely breathtaking every step of the way. After a few miles of hiking along the crest of the range, we’ll drop into a trail-less, unnamed canyon and make our way back down to our waiting van. Hiking: 8 miles, 500’ elevation gain, 2,300’ elevation loss. One-way hike with van shuttle. All meals included.
-
Day 3
We’ll drive 35 mostly paved miles to Grotto Canyon for a challenging and memorable day of rock scrambling and exploration. Grotto is a mysterious place full of contorted narrows, dozens of dryfalls, and of course, cool, shaded grottos. We’ll use a short climbing rope (the rope has looped handles to provide an extra handhold or foothold if necessary; we will not engage in any technical rock climbing) to help us up a 12’ dry waterfall that guards entry into the labyrinth of slotted canyons that lies beyond. It will then be a group effort to climb or navigate around the many obstacles that keep this canyon shrouded in mystery and seldom visited. On our way down, we’ll bypass some of the more difficult obstacles via a cross-country route on the canyon rim. Showers will be available after our hike at Stovepipe Wells Village. Hiking: 5 miles, 1,200’ elevation gain/loss, some rock scrambling required. All meals included.
-
Day 4
Today we head to the southern end of the Park for a backcountry loop hike filled with surprises. We’ll hike cross-country up a nameless gravel wash, stopping along the way to explore deep, narrow side canyons that contain hidden passageways and arches. We then climb over a ridge top and drop into a neighboring canyon carved deep into the bedrock of the Black Mountains, where we’ll cool our feet at the base of a 40’ waterfall, a wondrous sight in this desert environment. Hiking: 6 miles, some rock scrambling required. 1,400’ elevation gain/loss. Driving distance: 35 miles each way. All meals included.
-
Day 5
A 55-mile drive (40 miles paved, 15 miles graded dirt) transports us to the head of Titus Canyon, where we’ll venture off-trail over a nameless pass into neighboring Fall Canyon. We’ll pass through bright, multi-colored layers of oxide-stained dolomite and limestone as we search for the best route into the depths of upper Fall Canyon. Once on the canyon floor, near-vertical rock walls will grow taller and closer as we hike down canyon to explore an impressive section of tight, polished narrows blocked by an impassable dryfall. We’ll use our climbing rope once again to help us negotiate our way around this obstacle via a rock scrambling bypass route. After hot showers at Stovepipe Wells Village, we’ll hike barefoot a short distance into the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes for a sunset picnic dinner celebrating our final evening in this magnificent park. Hiking: 10 miles, 1,000’ elevation gain, 3,700’ elevation loss. One-way hike with van shuttle. All meals included.
-
Day 6
This morning we break camp and spend a little time at the national park Visitor Center before setting off for Badwater and the Devil's Golf Course. Badwater, at 280' below sea level, is just a few miles from the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere and quite possibly the hottest spot on earth during the summer months. Nearby, the short, jagged salt pinnacles clustered together to form the Devil's Golf Course shape a bizarre landscape that stretches as far as the eye can see. After returning to the van, we say our goodbyes to awesome Death Valley and relax on the 3-hour ride back to Las Vegas. For those flying home today, please do not schedule a flight out of Las Vegas prior to 7 p.m. Hiking: Short sightseeing walks. Breakfast and lunch included.
Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.
The goal of this trip is to explore some of the wildest, most remote terrain Death Valley has to offer. We will try to accomplish everything listed in the above itinerary, but due to circumstances beyond our control we may have to deviate from this plan. Backcountry road conditions change frequently and rapidly. Relatively long drives are required to access some of the more remote locations on this itinerary, so we will have a few long days away from camp and perhaps a few late dinners. We stay at one backcountry camp for the entire trip to minimize time spent setting up and breaking down camp and maximize time spent hiking. This itinerary is substantially more strenuous and includes different hikes from those found on our Death Valley Trails departures.
This will be a challenging, physically demanding trip, but the payoff is worth it—you will be hiking through incredibly remote country that very few people have ever seen.
Please check with us before purchasing your airline tickets to insure your trip has the necessary minimum number of participants required to operate.
If you are traveling alone and wish to share accommodations, we will assign a tentmate if one is available. If you specifically desire a single tent or we are unable to assign a roommate, we will do our best to provide you with a single tent for a minimal additional fee. Note: Due to campsite size restrictions, we are limited to the total number of tents in use at one time and cannot always guarantee a single tent.
5 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 dinners; roundtrip transportation from/to Las Vegas airport; van support; expert guide leadership; group camping gear including tents (bring your own sleeping bag/pad) and park entrance fees.
Airfare; 1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner; sleeping bag and pad; insurance of any kind; excess baggage charges; airport taxes; alcoholic beverages; soft drinks; guide gratuities and items of a personal nature.
This trip is rated Vigorous [4]. Trip members should be experienced hikers in very good physical condition and arrive prepared to hike from 7-10 miles each day (5-7 hours) over rough terrain. Some rock scrambling skills will be required (scrambling requires good balance and the use of both hands and feet). The vast majority of the hiking will be off-trail through rarely visited country. Some hikes will be one-way, assisted by a van shuttle. Consequently there is no possibility of shortening the length of these hikes. Each person will be required to carry at least a full gallon of water each day. We will not engage in any technical rock climbing during the trip.
We are in the backcountry and will not have access to flush toilets or showers on a daily basis. We will have a “shower stop” at least twice during the trip. We will also be stopping at a small market with groceries, soft drinks, film, flush toilets, etc. at least every other day.
Even in spring, daytime temperatures at lower elevations can reach 90°-100°F. While we do spend some time exploring the warmer valley floor, our campsite and some of our hikes are above 1,500’ where temperatures can be a bit cooler, ranging from 50°-95°. Nighttime temperatures are usually in the 40s-60s but can occasionally drop as low as 30°. Spring weather is very unpredictable; please be prepared for a wide temperature range. Very little rainfall can be expected but suitable raingear is essential nonetheless.
This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased within 21 days of your initial trip deposit, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).
We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.
Undiscovered Death Valley
The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. This gear list has been created to help you choose your equipment for the trip. Try to bring only what is necessary. This will help you and the field staff. Although the name Death Valley conjures images of extreme heat in many people’s minds, springtime in the desert can bring a variety of weather conditions including some rainfall and, at higher elevations, even snow! These extremes should prompt you to pack some warmer clothing in addition to the lightweight clothing already on your list. A fleece jacket and long pants are generally indispensable during early morning hours and at dinnertime when temperatures often drop below 50° F.
Weather
Even in spring, daytime temperatures at lower elevations can reach 90°-100°F. While we do spend some time exploring the warmer valley floor, our campsite and some of our hikes are above 1,500’ where temperatures can be a bit cooler, ranging from 50°-95°. Nighttime temperatures are usually in the 40s-60s but can occasionally drop as low as 30°. Spring weather is very unpredictable; please be prepared for a wide temperature range. Very little rainfall can be expected but suitable raingear is essential nonetheless.
Gear Checklist
- Tents
- Cooking and eating utensils while camping
- Stoves and fuel
- Water filter
- Airline tickets
- Photo ID
- Duffel bag - Large or X-large
- Daypack 1500 – 2500 cu. in. to carry your camera, water bottles, extra clothing and lunch
- Sleeping bag with stuff sack (rated to 30°F), lightweight and compressible
- Sleeping pad (Therm-a-Rest or foam)
- Bring a few lightweight, easily washable items for travel wear
- Midweight fleece or wool sweater
- Lightweight thermal underwear top and bottom, synthetic/wool
- Hiking pants, long, lightweight
- Hiking shorts, synthetic quick-drying
- Long-sleeve shirts
- T-shirts
- Underwear
- Hiking socks
- Liner socks
- Sun hat
- Wool or fleece hat
- Bandana
- Thin liner gloves
- Swimsuit (for pool at shower facility)
- Rain jacket (waterproof & breathable)
- Rain or wind pants (waterproof & breathable)
- Sturdy hiking boots, waterproof, lightweight, broken in, aggressive tread
- Camp shoes such as tennis shoes or sandals
- Four (4) one-quart water bottles or combination of hydration system (such as a CamelBak) and water bottles equivalent to one gallon
- Flashlight or headlamp and spare batteries/bulb
- Pocket knife or pocket tool
- Watch with alarm or travel clock
- Sunglasses and retainer strap
- Sunblock and lip balm
- Toiletry kit
- Small washcloth and small towel (towels are not provided at shower facility)
- Baby wipes (very handy!)
- Personal first-aid kit
- Hand sanitizer gel
- Several Ziploc plastic bags
- Large, heavy-duty plastic trash bags
- Camera and film, spare batteries
- Small binoculars
- Ear plugs
- Compass
- Whistle
- Spare contact lenses or glasses
- Small freestanding flashlight/lantern for use inside your tent
- Reading and writing materials
- Travel pillow
- Hiking stick or trekking poles
Things to Consider
- Please remember to always pack essential items such as appropriate identification, money, eyewear, a change of clothing, hiking boots and medications in your carry-on baggage, in case your luggage is delayed.
- Although Death Valley is known for its hot and dry climate, our departures take place in springtime when temperatures can be quite cool, particularly at higher elevations. Please be sure to pack a warm jacket (midweight fleece or similar) and consider lightweight thermal underwear for additional comfort should temperatures drop into the 30s-40s.
- Trip members are required to carry at least one gallon of water during daily hikes (water will be provided). Plan on bringing enough water bottles or combination of hydration pack and water bottles to accommodate this amount.
- Cotton is wonderful in warm weather. However, once it becomes wet, it will drain your body heat. Bring wool or synthetics such as Capilene, MTS and Thermax. Always test your layers before a trip. Your outer layer should fit easily over the inside ones without binding and bunching up.
- Make sure boots are broken in. Bring moleskin for foot treatment. Thin liner socks worn under regular hiking socks may minimize risk of blisters. The liner sock should be synthetic, not cotton. Test your sock combination before going on the trip.
- Stuff sacks are great for sorting gear. Use different sizes/colors to differentiate contents.
- Bring a garbage bag to line your duffel bag and keep you gear dry in case of rain.
- Feel free to give us a call at (800) 622-2236 should you have any questions regarding the gear list. The staff at one of our stores or REI’s Direct Sales (800-426-4840) will be happy to help you with gear questions. Or visit REI’s website at www.rei.com, the “Expert Advice” section has great information to help you prepare for your trip.
