Death Valley Adventure: Death Valley Camping

Overview

		Summary
		Itinerary
		Hikers
		Photo Credits

Summary
In mid-March, a group of persons from around the U.S. joined together for a weeklong hiking trip of Death Valley's backcountry. Two campsites were set up as base camps: one out in the open desert at the base of the Funeral Mountains at Hole in the Wall, and one hidden in Monarch Canyon. This Web site is a living memory of that spectacular trip.
Itinerary
Saturday, March 17 Meet at Las Vegas airport for group rendezvous. From there, a 3-hour ride to Death Valley National Park. Then, up a jeep trail to Hole-in-the-Wall (in the Funeral Mountains) to set up camp. Sunday, March 18 After a short ride to Zabriskie Point, hike along the ridge to the top of Red Cathedral, overlooking Manly Beacon and Golden Canyon. Drive down to valley floor. Stop at Devil's Golf Course for close-up look at salt formations. Stop at Badwater, lowest point in Death Valley. Hike through the badlands of Golden Canyon and Gower Wash. Camp another night at Hole-in-the-Wall. Monday, March 19 Drive to National Park Visitor Center in Furnace Creek. Hike up Mosaic Canyon. Shower and swim at Stovepipe Wells. Set up camp in Monarch Canyon. Tuesday, March 20 Hike up Monarch Canyon to Chloride Cliffs. Camp another night at Monarch Canyon. Wednesday, March 21 Drive out to Red Pass (5000' elevation). Hike to Thimble Peak (6400' elevation). Hike down the lower part of Titus Canyon. Shower and swim at Stovepipe Wells. Camp another night at Monarch Canyon. Thursday, March 22 Hike along the ridge to Dante's View, overlooking the entire valley floor. On the way back to Las Vegas, stop at the China Ranch date farm for date milkshakes.
Hikers
Bob from Illinois	Carol from Virginia
Erhard from Connecticut	Ilana from Connecticut
Martha from Oregon	Johnny from Oregon
Lorin from Washington	Roger from Virginia
Photo Credits
Twenty-mule team black-and-white photo courtesy of National Park Service. All others photos by LCSS.