Explore Death Valley,
The ‘Coolest’ Place in North America
April 21 to 30, 2017
LOCATION
Established as a National Park in 1994, Death Valley
contains the lowest, hottest and driest spot in North
America. Few visitors expect the kaleidoscope of color
that enlivens its badlands, slot canyons, and mountains.
The National Park has one of the most breathtaking
expanses of nature in the United States and one of the
most extreme environments on Earth! At 3.4 million
acres, Death Valley is the largest national Park south of
Alaska. It’s an explorer’s treasure-trove whose desert
expanses are anything but barren. It was named by
California gold seekers in 1849 that had to cross the
desolate landscape in order to reach their ‘Gold Fields’.
We will travel the same routes the 49ers did, explore
ghost towns, desert waterfalls, wildlife refuges, hot
springs, and saloons. We will also drop in to Badwater
Basin, the lowest dry point in America at 282 ft. below
sea level. In addition to all this, the area affords visitors
an opportunity to gaze into the darkest skies in the
United States.
After arriving in Las Vegas, we’ll spend a day acclimating to the desert environment with local
day hikes. Next we will explore the incredibly scenic Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada’s oldest
state park, Turtlehead Peak and the Calico Tanks in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation
Area. After three nights in Vegas, we’ll leave the glitz behind and drive to the scenic and
historic desert town of Stovepipe Wells in Death Valley. We will have the option to enjoy both
moderate and challenging hikes ranging from 5 up to possibility a 14 mile day in the rugged
beauty of the Panamint Range in Death Valley National Park. We'll see mountain wildflowers
and wildlife, historic abandoned ghost towns and mines, rocky peaks and sheer cliffs. You can
look forward to experiencing the unique terrain and mountain air above 9,000' as we climb high
desert peaks in eastern California. Our group will hike to the scenic summits of Wildrose Peak
(9064'), Rogers Peak (9998'), and possibly Telescope Peak (11,049') in Death Valley. We will
also hike and explore Mosaic Canyon and the maze of canyons to Zabriskie Point. We will
experience the striking contrasts of sand dunes and snowfields while visiting desert terrain below
sea level and the late-season snows high above the desert floor. Late afternoons can be spent
relaxing poolside, visiting nearby historic mining and town sites like Scotty’s Castle or other
attractions in the Park. We will spend our last night back in Vegas and enjoy a farewell dinner
with a western flair.
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Last updated 24 December 2014
AMC AT Trip #1707 - Explore Death Valley, The ‘Coolest’ Place in North America
TYPICAL PARTICIPANTS
You should enjoy traveling and be comfortable
traveling in areas which are unfamiliar to you and
with a group of like-minded fellow travelers. AMC
Adventure Travel trips are very much a group
experience and everyone pitches in to make the fun
happen.
These day hikes are designed for experienced
hikers. You must be able to hike up to 10-14 miles
a day at a steady pace (and enjoy shorter easier
hikes), with considerable elevation gains, while
carrying enough equipment to keep you safe in the
event of bad weather or injury. We may be hiking
in snow at higher elevations and will discuss the
possibility of using micro-spikes.
TRIP ITINERARY
Here is an outline of what the trip entails each day
with descriptions of the various places we will
visit.
Day/ Date
Friday
April 21st, 2017
Saturday
April 22nd, 2015
Sunday
April 23rd, 2017
Monday
April 24th, 2017
Tuesday
April 25th, 2017
Wednesday
April 26th, 2017
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Destination
Upon arrival at the McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, we will meet at the car rental
counter, obtain our vehicles, and head into Las Vegas. We’ll stay at a nice motel near an
excellent brew-pub/restaurant for dinner.
After breakfast, we'll drive to the nearby the Red Rocks Canyon National Conservation Area.
Hiking options include: Turtlehead Peak (4 miles r/t, with a sometimes scrambling 2000’
elevation gain, summit = 6323’); the remarkable Calico Tanks (2.5 miles r/t, 580 el. gain); or the
Grand Circle Loop, all presenting spectacular views and opportunities to observe desert flora and
fauna. Our after-hike opportunities will include a visit to the museum and visitors’ interpretive
center to learn more about this fascinating area.
Today we drive northeast of Las Vegas and visit the Valley of Fire State Park. This is Nevada's
oldest and largest state park. It contains a unique collection of wind-sculpted red sandstone. On
our hikes in this park, we will see impressive overlooks of brilliantly colored rock formations.
Leaving the bustle of the city behind and having bought some breakfast and lunch supplies for
our stay in DVNP, we’ll head to Stovepipe Wells and settle into lodging, perhaps do some
sightseeing or relax poolside. We are looking into desert cabin tents and campfires for 2 nights.
Today we ease into desert hiking by climbing through Mosaic Canyon and its narrow polished
marble walls. Some slickrock scrambling is necessary. "Mosaics" made of fragments of rocks
cemented together can be seen in canyon walls. Bighorn sheep are occasionally sighted. This
short warm-up to the area is a 4-5-mile hike round trip. In the afternoon, a number of sightseeing
options will be available including the historic Artist’s Palette, Rhyolite ghost town, the Keane
Wonder Mine, and Scotty's Castle.
Today, we drive through Wildrose Canyon to the trailhead at the site of the historic Charcoal
Kilns for our 8.4-mile (r/t) hike to the summit of Wildrose Peak (9,064'). While enjoying the
summit views west to the high Sierra and east to the desert floor 9000' below us, we'll see
neighboring Rogers Peak (9,998') and Telescope Peak (11,049'), our potential destinations for
Friday's hike.
AMC AT Trip #1707 - Explore Death Valley, The ‘Coolest’ Place in North America
Thursday
April 27th, 2017
Friday
April 28th, 2017
Saturday
April 29th, 2018
Sunday
April 30th, 2017
Today we will explore the valley floor. We'll visit the Furnace Creek Visitor Center, and go to
Badwater Basin and see the lowest point in the continental U.S., and the site of the country's
lowest outhouse! We'll hike the beautiful Golden Canyon to Zabriskie Point returning to the
trailhead via Gower Gulch. We'll encounter colorful badlands, canyon narrows and old borax
mines by following posts through Golden Canyon to Zabriskie Point, past Manly Beacon. Two
easy dryfalls must be scrambled down in Gower Gulch. This short interesting hike is a 6-mile
round trip loop. Relaxing poolside at Stovepipe Wells Village before dinner.
Today we will get an early start and set out for our hikes to Rogers Peak and Telescope Peak.
We'll hike together from Mahogany Flats and around the east side of Rogers Peak with more
wonderful views of the desert floor far below us. At this point we may split into two groups - one
to hike Rogers Peak, and the other to climb Telescope Peak. When we all enter the plateau
between Rogers and Telescope we may be met by an abundance of high-desert wildflowers and
possibly wild mules. If Telescope Peak is attempted, we will probably encounter snow and/or ice
and will likely need micro-spikes.
We’ll pack up and head back to Las Vegas this morning. Depending on our timing, we should
have some free time for people to do whatever they like in the afternoon, such as return to Red
Rocks or do some sightseeing on their own in the area. At the end of the day we will all get
together for our farewell dinner in Las Vegas, to share our stories and photos, and the possibility
of a night out on the either downtown or on the strip.
We say goodbye to the desert's striking contrasts and fly home.
ACCOMMODATIONS
We will be staying at comfortable
accommodations
- 4 nights in Las Vegas, Nevada
- Possibility for 2 nights in full service cabin
tents in the Panamint Valley Desert
- 3 or 5 nights at Stovepipe Wells in Death
Valley National Park
COST, REGISTRATION &
CANCELLATION
The approximate cost for the trip is $1,750 for
AMC members. Non-members can join for $50,
and get the same price. This will cover the
following items:
•
•
•
•
•
Accommodations
All breakfasts and dinners
All local transportation
Backcountry permits
AMC major excursion fee
The approximate cost for the excursion (published and stated here) is based on quotes at the time
the trip was submitted to the Adventure Travel Committee in January, 2016. The final cost of the
trip will be adjusted in accordance with the best final arrangements we can make. Your
transportation to and home from Las Vegas is your responsibility. You can use frequent flier
miles, a normal travel agent, an airline or any discount wholesaler (Travelocity, Expedia, Kayak,
Excite, PriceLine, etc.). The leaders will help you with your air reservations if you like. Any
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AMC AT Trip #1707 - Explore Death Valley, The ‘Coolest’ Place in North America
savings we achieve, as well as any cost increases, will be passed back to you. Our cost estimates
are conservative so a refund is more likely than a price increase.
Please be aware that, in accordance with AMC policy, you are subsidizing the leaders' costs.
Beyond this, the leaders are not allowed to realize any profit from this excursion. The trip price
also includes an AMC overhead fee to cover the administrative expenses of offering Adventure
Travel excursions, including the trip's publication in AMC Outdoors. The overhead fee is 20% of
participant land costs; air travel is not included in calculating the overhead charge. The trip fee
includes emergency medical and evacuation insurance coverage, which is required by the AMC.
It does not include insurance for travel delay, interruption, or cancellation, or for baggage loss.
Individual travel insurance is recommended.
If you wish to arrive early or stay in the area after the group departs on April 30 you may do so.
Any unspent funds resulting from negotiating better rates for lodging, local transportation, etc.
will be refunded to the participants. If the trip’s financial position is strong enough at the start,
the leaders may make partial refunds during the trip, in the form of payments toward free time
activities which would otherwise not be included.
To apply, you should contact the trip leaders to receive the required forms. Then complete and
submit the Application, Confidential Medical form, and Acknowledgement and Assumption of
Risk and Release form, enclosing a registration deposit of $550. You will not actually be
accepted, nor will your check be deposited until the leaders have determined via telephone
conversation with you that you and the trip seem to be a good match. A second payment of $600
is due by November 15, 2016. The final balance of $600 is due February 15, 2017. Deposit
checks from wait-listed applicants will not be cashed until we accept them AND they confirm
continued interest. Please make payments by check payable to the Appalachian Mountain Club.
CANCELLATIONS
Once you are accepted on the trip and we have deposited your check(s), a $100 cancellation fee
will apply. A refund of amounts paid in excess of $100 will be given to the extent that it does not
raise the cost of the trip to the other participants. If your spot is filled from the waiting list, then
you may be entitled to a full refund, less the $100 cancellation fee. If your spot cannot be filled,
then you will receive a refund for any part of the trip that can be cancelled by the leaders, less the
$100 cancellation fee. The cancellation could result in no refund. We will provide information on
trip cancellation insurance.
We expect a group size of 12-14 people, including the 2 leaders. This trip is likely to fill. If you
are interested, you should register as soon as possible. When registration is complete, we will
send all participants the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all those going on the trip. We
are good communicators and plan to keep everyone well informed. We will be using email as
our primary source of communication.
If you have any questions or to request an application, please contact Leo Kelly (203) 934-1350,
[email protected] or John Crist – (203) 815-6505, [email protected].
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AMC AT Trip #1707 - Explore Death Valley, The ‘Coolest’ Place in North America
TRIP LEADERS
John Crist has been an active four season hike, Nordic ski and backpack
leader for the Connecticut Chapter for the past 15 years. In addition John
is a graduate and past instructor for the AMC’s Mountain Leadership
School based in Crawford Notch, NH. He recently co-led a 10 day
backpacking trip to Scotland and day hikes in the Canadian Rockies.
John is also the Past Chair of the Club-wide Conservation and CT-AMC’s
Education Committees.
Leo Kelly has been leading day and backpacking 4 season trips for over 15
years with the AMC’s Connecticut Chapter and Mountain Leadership
School. He hiked the entire length of Adirondack Northville Lake Placid
Trail (122 miles in 13 days) in June, 2012. Leo recently co-led 10 day
Adventure Travel trips to Scotland the Canadian Rockies. He also practices
Leave No Trace principals and Outdoor Ethics as Master Educator.
EXPERIENCE AND RISKS
On our hikes beyond 9,000 feet above sea level, altitude is a factor. Despite our acclimatization
efforts, it is possible for you to experience altitude sickness. In that event, it will be necessary for
you to descend to the trailhead.
You must protect yourself from the sun (see below) and you must carry and drink enough water
to help deal with the altitude and prevent dehydration. Salty snacks are also highly recommended
to retain and utilize the water you are drinking.
Leaders intend to accommodate free time for participants but the group’s core needs will come
first. If we spend more time on the trail than expected it will cut into free time in towns. Partial
‘free’ days are planned. When you participate in this activity, you should be prepared both
physically and mentally, and equipped with the appropriate gear. You should always be aware of
the risks involved and conduct yourself accordingly. We are not responsible for your safety; you
are. Prior to your being accepted as a participant on this trip, you will be asked to discuss your
capabilities and experience with us. Please do not be offended by our questions.
For general questions about the AMC’s Adventure Travel program, visit
http://www.outdoors.org/recreation/adventure-travel/index.cfm.
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AMC AT Trip #1707 - Explore Death Valley, The ‘Coolest’ Place in North America
REQUIRED GEAR
Here is a list of suggestions for what to bring to have a good time on the trip. Most of the items
are things you would bring for an extended trip in the 4000 foot mountains of New York,
Vermont or New Hampshire. Please pay particular attention to the items to protect you from the
sun: namely, good sunglasses, a hat with a brim and lip protection and sun protection lotion with
an SPF number of 30 or greater.
o Day pack
o Personal first aid
o Rain gear (both jacket and pants)
o 2 or 3one liter water bottles, minimum, or equivalent hydration system
o Warm hat or balaclava
o Warm gloves or mittens
o Extra layer for warmth at night or when hiking at elevation
o Comfortable hiking boots socks and spare socks
o Hiking shorts
o Synthetic T-shirts or other short sleeve shirts
o Long sleeve synthetic shirt
o Sunglasses
o Sun hat
o Sun protection lotion
o Lip balm (w/SPF)
o Front country clothes for travel & restaurants
o Personal toiletries
o Tevas, sandals and/or sneakers
o Head lamp with extra batteries
o Micro-spikes (instep crampons are not recommended, nor are Stabilicers)
Optional recommendations:
o Bathing suit
o Camera
o Ear plugs
o Short gaiters to keep dust out of boots
o Small knife (be sure to pack in check in luggage, not carry on)
o Compass
o Extra shoelaces
o Zipper-closure plastic bags for packing lunches and snacks
o Reading material for breaks in the action
o Binoculars
o Hiking pole(s) if this is your norm, should be in your checked luggage
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