Death Valley, California Road Trip

Have you ever been called by nature? Death Valley National Park called my name; I’m deeply grateful I listened.

I visited the hottest place on Earth during the hottest year ever recorded! On July 9, 2021 Death Valley reached 130 degrees, record-breaking heat. I was there June 21-22, 2021, the temperature reached 107, with a refreshing wind during the day.

How to Prepare for a Trip to Death Valley

The week prior to my visit, the temperature reached 128. I happen to use an infrared sauna at Tahoe Mountain Fitness with a 140-degree temperature that runs for 55 minutes, naturally, I was already in training for the heat of Death Valley, (I jest). Before leaving I called my tire company. The temperature was predicted to be 128, how hot would the pavement be? They assured me that my car would be fine.

So many people warned me not to go. “You know the name is Death right?” “Are you really going alone?” “Why don’t you wait until Fall?” I don’t let fear stop me. However, I do make sure that I am prepared. I read the Death Valley National Parks page, researched facts such as not relying on GSP, (Your phones will not navigate you in the park). I simply took screenshots of the map and opened them on my phone to navigate.

Before entering the park, (I entered on the California North West side) I stopped right outside Independence, CA, next to Fort Independence Travel Plaza and Winnedumah Winns Casino at a gas station. I bought four gallons of water and a bag of ice. I filled several water bottles and brought along a cooler filled with snacks, and room for drinks. I ended up not drinking two of the gallon water jugs. But hey, having extra water in the desert is an issue I’m willing to have.

I watched an episode of CaliforniaThroughMyLens a detailed travel YouTube channel. In the episode attached, Josh and his father are exploring Death Valley during the summer of 2020. Josh, the creator of California Through My Lens took the time to answer my questions about snakes, times of day that hiking off-road would not be wise and that gas stations are found on the west end of the park after you enter. I filled up at Panamint Springs Gas Station and Stovepipe Wells Gas Station, no matter how little the gauge dropped.

The Benefits of Traveling to Death Valley in the Summer

I entered the park at 3:00 p.m. on June 21, playing Eddie Vedder's song Hard Sun; I was spoiled with an open road all to myself for the first hour of my trip. Most of my trip was empty roads, time alone in nature; this is the benefit of desert summer travel. As I wove down into the valley the next song on my CD was I Am Here by Pink. I rolled down my windows singing to the desert that called to me months prior. I felt pride in this journey with myself and nature. I felt grateful that I could afford a lifestyle that allowed me to take a summer vacation, (appreciation during Covid). I felt wise as a woman entering the desert ready to gain what this land had to offer my heart, eyes, and soul.

What to Explore in Death Valley

When I arrived at Furnace Creek at approximately 7:30 p.m. I decided to spend the night in the desert. There is a campsite, hotel, and gas station there. I chose to stay at the campsite which cost eight dollars with a parks pass. The bathroom facilities are very clean. If a visitor needs a shower, there is information in the restroom showing them where to go. There are also several water stations within the campground to fill water bottles etc.

I think I took 50 pictures of the sun setting in Furnace Creek. It was so beautiful to see the complexity of the mountains as the night shadows cast down upon them. The shadows on the rocks reminded me of how snowfall in Bryce Canyon, created 3D dimensions on those rocks, luring the visitor to hike down below.

As the sunset began a few large bats swooped by hunting for the night. A lizard scurried around on the rocks. The abundance of life found in Death Valley surprised me. The plant life is beautiful and numerous; there are creosote bush, desert holly, mesquite, shadscale, blackbrush, Joshua tree, pinyon-juniper, sub-alpine limber pine and bristlecone pine woodlands.

At 5:00 a.m. the next morning the temperature was already 80 degrees. I packed up quickly excited to explore the second half of the desert which includes Artists Drive and Badwater Basin.

Leaving Furnace Creek I stayed right at the fork driving past Golden Canyon Trail, and Desolation Canyon. Artist Drive is a one-way loop, (which means the visitor will pass by the attraction in order to take the proper entrance). If this had been a super bloom April in Death Valley, I might have been in line with 20 other cars to take this drive. I was so fortunate to drive this loop with NO ONE ELSE on the road! Van/Camper owners need to read the regulations, the vehicle length could eliminate them from this experience.

As one's car winds along the road there are stopping points where people can get out and walk into the colorful landscape.

The Artist's Palate and the entire Artist Drive show rocks with tones of greens, blues, reds, etc. What a masterpiece to behold that Mother Earth has given us!

The road twists between rocks giving the audience giggly anticipation for what's around each bend. Twice along the route, there are rollercoaster dips, which upon first sight can seem frightening instead, enjoy the playfulness the engineers offer us all along this road.

From Artist Drive, it takes about 20 minutes to drive to Badwater Basin. Again, upon arrival, I was the only person there. It was seven in the morning and 90 degrees outside. There are parking spaces provided, wheelchair access, and a bathroom.

Badwater Basin is named after a pioneer who tried to get his mule to drink the water. The intelligent mule knew better. There are many fascinating aspects of Badwater Basin first, it's 282 feet below sea level, making it the lowest point in North America! When standing down at the basin across is a mountain where a sign marks sea level. This is a pretty spectacular feeling to gain, looking up at sea level (and of course a great picture to take).

The next incredible find at Badwater Basin is the amount of life below sea level. Pickleweed, aquatic insects, larvae, and snails all live in the saltwater formed from limestone bedrock.

Salt crystals form as well as calcite, gypsum, and borax. The rain, salt, and crystals form patterns that are visible as visitors walk Badwater Basin. The man-made wooden walkway stops at a sign warning visitors that after 10a.m. due to extreme heat to not walk further. I was visiting at 7a.m. and was able to take a walk onto the salt bed. It felt like a strong rubber but still had give as my feet stepped forward.

After leaving Badwater Basin I drove several more hours to the Mojave Desert and then crossed California for five hours reaching Santa Barbara. You can read that article by clicking here. I hope this article has inspired you to visit Death Valley no matter the time of year.

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