Your Virtual Guide to Adventure Outdoors!
Your Virtual Guide to Adventure Outdoors!
Nevada
Hiking Trails & Maps
Maps & Trails
Death Valley Backcountry
Hiking Trails
Great Basin National Park Highlights
A Quick Romp On The Tahoe
Rim Trail
Death Valley Park Info.
Death Valley Close-Up: Telescope Trail
Death Valley Close-Up: Wild Rose Trail
Great Basin National Park Highlights
Great Basin National Park, created in 1986, consists of the former Lehman Caves National Monument, the former Wheeler Peak Scenic Area and lands that were once part of Humboldt National Forest.
The park has four developed campgrounds, one of which is open year-round, and two primitive camping areas.
Lehman Caves, despite its name, is a single cavern. It is small but richly decorated and extends a quarter-mile into the limestone.
Great Basin also offers backcountry hiking to alpine lakes, a bristlecone pine grove, a glacier, streams and meadows. Trails range in difficulty from easy to arduous. Much of the park's backcountry is at elevations of 9,000 feet and above.
The Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, which provides access to the high country, does not open until mid-June. On rocky slopes near the end of the scenic drive, hikers can walk among bristlecone pines that are 2,000 to 3,000 years old.
Fishing, cross-country skiing and ranger-led programs are other park attractions. Mountain biking is allowed only on park roads.
Great Basin National Park
Hwy. 50
Baker, NV 89311
702-234-7331Open Year-round
Daily Use Fee, Cave tours are $4 for adults, $3 for children 6-15 and free for children 5 and under.
A Quick Romp On The Lake Tahoe Rim Trail
At elevations between 6,300 and 9,400 feet, the Tahoe Rim Trail is an experience in clear blue sky, clean air and solitude. It follows the ridge tops to provide outstanding views of the lake and mountains. Spur trails lead to splendid overlooks. Watson Lake, popular with picnickers, campers and anglers, is found at the end of one rim access trail.
With all but 20 miles complete, the trail is primarily for hikers and equestrians. However, mountain bikers are welcome on nearly half of the trail. The trail passes through six counties in two states, through U.S. Forest Service lands -- including the Desolation Wilderness -- and through Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park. It follows a portion of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail.
Camping is generally allowed along the trail. However, camping permits are required in U.S. Forest Service land.
Camping in Lake Tahoe Nevada State park is at designated campsites only.
Although the trail is technically open year-round, winter weather is extreme and activity is usually limited to day treks on snowshoes.
Open Year-round ,No Daily Use Fee
Tahoe Rim Trail
P.O. Box 4647
Stateline, NV 89449
702-588-0686
 |
Death Valley National Park has more than 3.3 million acres of spectacular desert scenery, interesting and rare desert wildlife, complex geology, undisturbed wilderness, and sites of historical and cultural interest. Bounded on the west by 11,049 foot Telescope Peak and on the east by 5,475 foot Dante’s View, Badwater is the lowest point (-282 feet) in the Western Hemisphere.
Visitation:
Visitation is highest from February through mid April. The month of November is also busy. Visitation is lowest in December and January.
Location & Address:
Death Valley
National Park
P.O. Box 579
Death Valley, CA 92328
Telephones:
786-2331 Voice
Climate & Clothing:
Death Valley is generally sunny, dry, and clear throughout the year. The winters are mild with occasional winter storms, but summers are extremely hot and dry. Summer high temperatures commonly run above 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Comfortable clothing providing sun protection and a broad brimmed hat are recommended in summer. Winter requires warmer clothing and light to medium jackets. Sturdy walking shoes are important year round.
Directions:
The park is transected from east to west by California Highway 190. On the east in Nevada, Highway 95 parallels the park from north to south with connecting highways at Scotty's Junction (State Route 267), Beatty (State Route 374), and Lathrop Wells (State Route 373). South of the park, Interstate 15 passes through Baker, California on its way from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. State Route 127 travels north from Baker to Shoshone (State Route 178) and Death Valley Junction (Highway 190). West of the park, State Route 178 passes through Ridgecrest and Trona on its way north to a junction with 190. Also to the west, Highway 395 parallels the park from north to south with connections to Highway 190 at Olancha and Lone Pine.
Transportation:
Major airlines and bus lines serve Las Vegas, Nevada. Express Tours of Las Vegas offers a shuttle service which leaves the Best Value Inn on East Tropicana Avenue every day at 8:00 am and 1:00 pm, and leaves the Furnace Creek Ranch in Death Valley on its return to Las Vegas at 10:25 am and 3:50 pm. For a complete schedule, call Express Tours at (702) 739-8120. It is a two and a half hour drive from Las Vegas by automobile. A 4-wheel drive vehicle is recommended for backcountry travel. Check at the park visitor center or with a park ranger for current back country road conditions.
Fees & Rates:
A $10.00 Vehicle Entrance Fee is valid for seven days. Campground Fees range from $10.00 to $16.00 per night.
Visitor Centers & Exhibits:
Located in the center of the park, the Furnace Creek Visitor Center houses museum exhibits, a visitor information desk, and the Death Valley Natural History Association book store. The Furnace Creek Visitor Center is open daily in summer from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and is open daily in winter from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. There is a contact and fee collection station at Stovepipe Wells Village with a Natural History Association book sales outlet. The tour ticket office at Scotty's Castle also has a book sales outlet and a small museum with displays from the Castle collection.
Roads & Trails:
California Highway 190, the Badwater Road, the Scotty's Castle Road, and paved roads to Dante's View and Wildrose provide access to major scenic viewpoints and historic points of interest. More than 350 miles of unpaved and 4-wheel drive roads provide access to wilderness hiking, camping, scenery, and historical sites.
There are hiking trails of varying lengths and difficulties, but most backcountry areas are accessible only by cross-country hiking. There are literally thousands of hiking possibilities.
Ranger Programs:
During the peak season, November through April, ranger guided hikes, talks, and evening programs are presented. Pick up a weekly schedule of programs at the visitor center. Costumed living history tours of Scotty's Castle are available every day from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Limited to a maximum of 19 people per tour, tickets are available on the day of the tour on a first come first served basis at the Castle ticket Office. The tour is $8.00 per adult. Golden Age Card and children's discounts apply.
Lodging:
The Furnace Creek Inn (760) 786-2361 and the Furnace Creek Ranch (760) 786-2345 provide motel accommodations in the Furnace Creek area.
The Stovepipe Wells Village provides motel accommodations and limited camping facilities. (760) 786-2387.
The Panamint Springs Resort offers resort accommodations and camping. (702)482-7680 Voice (702) 482-7682 FAX
Camping:
The Furnace Creek Campground (open all year) is part of the Destinet system and is the only campground that takes reservations. Call 1-800-365-2267. ($16.00 per night)
Texas Springs and Sunset campgrounds (October through April) in the Furnace Creek area are both first come first served with self registration. ($10.00 per night)
The Stovepipe Wells campground (October through April) is also first come first served as is the Mesquite Springs campground (open all year) at the north end of the park near Scotty's Castle. Both campgrounds are $10.00 per night.
Food & Supplies:
The Furnace Creek Ranch and the Stovepipe Wells Village both provide small camper stores with staple goods and limited supplies.
Other Concessions:
The Fred Harvey Company, out of the Furnace Creek Ranch, offers seasonal horseback riding, and bus tours to Scotty's Castle and other points of interest.
Recommended Activities:
Sightseeing by personal auto and 4-wheel drive (established roadways only), hiking, biking and mountain biking (established roadways only), and camping. Join a ranger November through April for a talk, walk, guided hike, or evening program. Join a ranger for a living history costumed tour of the historic Scotty's Castle.
Reservations:
Reservations for special tours or guides for groups are available if staff is available. Make requests as far in advance as possible by telephone or in writing. Organized tour groups may make reservations for Scotty's Castle tours. Call (760) 786-2392 for further information.
Basic Visit:
The basic road tour of scenic sights in the Furnace Creek area takes one full day. The tour of Scotty's Castle requires a half day. Allow one full lifetime to explore all of this huge desert park!
Special Events:
The Death Valley 49er's annual encampment takes place the second weekend in November. The encampment draws thousands of campers to programs, sing alongs, art shows, square dances, and backcountry tours.
Park Conditions:
Current information on weather, construction, road closures, and other conditions impacting the visitor is available at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center.
Nearby Attractions:
Rhyolite Ghost Town: Rhyolite was the largest town in the Death Valley area during the mining boom of the early 1900's. Included among the ruins are a house built completely of bottles, a train depot, jail, two story schoolhouse, and the ruins of a three story bank building.
Manzanar National Historic Site: Manzanar Relocation Center was one of ten camps at which Japanese-American citizens and Japanese aliens were interned during World War II.
Amargosa Opera House: Each week during the winter season, Marta Becket dances two different programs of original Ballet-Mimes. Call (760) 852-4441 for program dates and times.
Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge: The 12,736 acre spring-fed wetland and alkaline desert provides habitat for at least 26 types of plants and animals found nowhere else in the world. Four endemic fishes are currently listed as endangered.
Mojave National Preserve: The 1.4 million acre Mojave National Preserve is the geological, ecological, cultural, historical, recreational, and scenic heart of the Mojave Desert.
Check with a park ranger at the Visitor Center or at a Ranger Station before departing on the following trips. A backcountry registration form is not required, but is highly recommended for those hiking alone. At the very least, let someone know where you are going and your estimated time of return. In temperatures over 90 F, hiking can be especially hazardous. During hot spring, summer or fall months one gallon of water per person per day is the minimum you should carry. Many of the springs in Death Valley are either dry or have been contaminated by burros, so do not rely on them. Do not camp in drainages or washes. Camp at least two miles from a maintained road and 200 yards from water sources.
Only Telescope & Wildrose Peaks have maintained hiking trails. These are the only hikes recommended in summer due to the extreme heat at lower elevations. The rest of the suggested overnight hikes are cross-country routes. Mileages can be deceiving, so allow plenty of time for these trips. Purchase topographic maps at the Visitor Center.
1) Indian Pass
Moderately strenuous with an elevation gain of 3,000 feet.
Start 6.5 miles north of the Furnace Creek Visitor Center (near mile marker 104). Follow the wash bearing left (north) staying in the drainage nearest the ridge and heading for the low pass in the mountains. It is 8 miles one way. Climbing to the top of the pass is difficult and extremely steep.
Springs and bighorn sheep may be seen in the four mile stretch of canyon.
No camping at springs.
7.5 minute Topo. Nevares Peak.
2) Daylight Pass to Titus Canyon Road
Moderately strenuous with an elevation change of 400 feet.
Hike northwest from Daylight Pass 4.5 miles to Titus Canyon road. Two desert springs along route. Route finding may be difficult so a detailed map is advised.
No camping at springs.
7.5 minute Topo. Daylight Pass.
3) Titanothere Canyon
Moderately strenuous with an elevation change of 4,700 feet.
Start 11 miles down the Titus Canyon Road. There are 2 forks of this wide canyon, just make sure you park so that you are not blocking the road. Hike down the wash 12 miles to the Scotty’s Castle Road. There are springs, fascinating geologic formations and spectacular views of Death Valley. It helps if you have a 2 car shuttle system so you can walk down the canyon. If not, an option is to walk 4.5 miles to Lost Man Spring and return the same way.
No camping at springs.
7.5 minute Topo. Thimble Peak.
4) Fall Canyon
Moderate with an elevation gain of 1400 feet.
Start at Titus Canyon parking lot (west side of canyon). Walk 0.5 mile north to a large wash. Wash leads into canyon with high, narrow walls, similar to Titus. Two and a half miles in, you dead end at a dry waterfall which requires climbing skills to pass on the south side. Beyond this point the way is open for another four or five miles.
Narrow canyons and bighorn sheep.
7.5 minute Topo. Fall Canyon.
5) Bighorn Gorge
Strenuous with an elevation change of 5,000 feet.
From White Top Mountain it is 8 miles to Mesquite Springs Campground with 5 miles of it through the gorge. There is an eighty-foot dry fall in Bighorn Gorge, so scrambling around it on the north side of the fall is required.
Bighorn sheep and remote wilderness.
7.5 minute Topo. Tin Mountain and White Top Mountain.
6) Cottonwood to Marble Canyon Loop
Strenuous with an elevation gain of 3,000 feet.
Begin this 26 mile loop at the end of the Cottonwood Canyon road, 4x4 high clearance. Follow the Cottonwood drainage up for six miles then hike northeast, crossing Deadhorse Canyon and bearing northwest into Marble Canyon. No trail past upper Cottonwood Spring. Follow Marble Canyon down for 8.5 miles to the junction with Cottonwood Canyon, and then up another 8.5 miles to your starting point. Narrow canyons, bighorn sheep, and wilderness backcountry.
No camping at water sources.
Flash flood danger.
7. 5 minute Topo. East of Sand Flat, Cottonwood Canyon, and Harris Hill.
7) Jayhawker Canyon
Moderate with an elevation gain of 2600 feet.
Start at 3000 feet elevation sign on Highway 190, 2.3 miles past Emigrant Junction. Walk the 1850 route of '49er pioneers. Some of them signed their names on a large boulder two miles in. Five miles one way, gentle grade to base of Pinto Peak.
7.5 minute Topo. Emigrant Canyon.
8) Hanaupah Canyon
Moderately strenuous with an elevation gain of 2200 feet
From West Side Road drive 5 miles up Hanaupah Canyon (high clearance) and park before road drops into wash. From here the road becomes 4 WD and continues another 4.5 miles up the south fork. Walk or drive up the road 1.5 miles to where the canyon splits. From here one can hike at least 3 miles up the middle fork, or continue up the south fork another 3 miles to road’s end and another 1.5 miles (climbs steeply) on closed roads.
Springs, forests, and mountain views.
7.5 minute Topo. Telescope Peak and Hanaupah Canyon.
9) Hungry Bill's Ranch
Moderately strenuous with an elevation gain of 1100 feet.
From West Side Road drive 10.5 miles up Johnson Canyon (4x4 high clearance) to road’s end. Hike 1.5 miles following the creek drainage to the old ranch site. The old trail is washed out in places and
may be difficult to follow. Ruins and an old orchard. It is possible to continue another 3 miles (no trail) and 3,000 feet to Panamint Pass for spectacular views.
7.5 minute Topo. Panamint and Galena Canyon.
10) Virgin Springs Canyon
Moderate with an elevation gain of 2000 feet.
Start one half mile west of Jubilee Pass. Drive or walk one mile up a 4 x 4 road. From here it is a 3 mile walk to a large stone structure, which is old miners’ housing. Springs may be dry. Follow the
old road into Greenwater Valley for the longer hike. Approximately 9 miles one way.
7.5 minute Topo. Epaulet Peak.
11) Wildrose Peak
Moderately strenuous with an elevation gain of 2000 feet.
Begin hike on trail at north end of Charcoal Kilns parking area. Mileage from the kilns to the top of Wildrose Peak is 4.2 miles. Good alternative when Telescope Peak trail is snow covered. Spectacular views.
7.5 minute Topo. Wildrose Peak.
12) Telescope Peak
Strenuous with an elevation gain of 3000 feet.
Trail starts at Mahogany Flat Campground; mileage one way is 7 miles. If your vehicle clearance is low, park at Charcoal Kilns, adding 1.5 miles to one-way distance. Grade is steep for last mile of ascent; ice axes and crampons are often necessary in winter. Spectacular views of Death Valley and the High Sierra. Plan 6 to 9 hours for a round trip hike.
7.5 minute Topo. Telescope Peak.
Death Valley National Park
Trailhead: Mahogany
Flat campground
Length: 7 miles....one way
Elevation Gain: 3,000 feet
Time Required: 6 to 9 hours....round trip
Topo. Maps: 7 1/2 min. quad # 870 - Telescope Peak or Trails Illustrated
map
Cautions: Carry water as none is available along the main trail. The
trail may be snow covered and icy from November through April
Telescope Peak at 11,049 feet is the highest point in Death Valley National Park. The elevation gain from the valley floor to the summit is over 11,300 feet. This extreme elevation change is exceeded in the United States by Mt. Rainier at 11,600 feet, Mt. Fairweather in Glacier Bay National Park at 15,300 feet, and Mt. McKinley’s north slope at 17,000 feet.
The hike starts from Mahogany Flat campground in upper Wildrose Canyon, elevation 8,133 feet. There is no water available at the campground or along the main trail. The views along the trail are spectacular and varied. Mt. Whitney and the High Sierra, the White Mountains, and the Panamint Valley are visible to the west while Death Valley and Mount Charleston can be seen to the east. The trail will pass through pinyon and limber pine forests, with ancient bristlecone pines predominating near the summit. Backcountry camping is allowed two miles beyond the end of the road. This trail is usually snow-free from early May until mid-November and during this time may be hiked by anyone in reasonably good condition. Hiking boots are recommended.
Snow and ice usually make this trail too hazardous for all but well-equipped climbers during the winter months from mid-November until mid-April. For safety it may be necessary to avoid the beginning of the trail and stay along the ridges. Climbers should be experienced and equipped with ice axes, crampons, winter clothing, boots, ropes and be prepared for sub-freezing weather. Winter climbers are asked for their own safety to check in at the Wildrose Ranger Station before and after climbing. During winter the road above the Charcoal Kilns is often closed by snow, adding 3 miles to the round-trip distance of the hike.
Death Valley National Park:
Trailhead: Charcoal
Kilns parking area
Length: 4.2 miles....one way
Elevation Gain: 2,200 feet
Time Required: 3 to 5 hours....round trip
Topo. Maps: 7 1/2 min. quad # 861 - Wildrose Peak or Trails Illustrated
map
Cautions: Carry water as none is available along the trail, may be snow
covered at times from mid-November until mid-April
Wildrose Peak at 9,064 feet is well worth visiting especially if your time is limited or when winter storms prevent hiking the Telescope Peak trail. The trail goes through a pinyon pine and juniper forest with spectacular views available beyond the two mile point. Backcountry camping is allowed two miles past the trailhead.
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