Wed 10 Aug 2011
While in Las Vegas last week, I had the opportunity to go for a (quick) road trip to Death Valley, California. If you like heat, this is the place for you. Think “opening the oven to look at your pizza” type heat! Its extremely intense. However, its an easy and very enjoyable drive. The roads are in great condition and the views are spectacular.
On the road there ; some great mountain views
This is the spot. It is the lowest place in North America ; 282ft below sea level. There is a rectangular sign about 1/2 way up that mountain (difficult to see on the picture) where shows the sea level. Its a looooong way up!
Out for a walk on the salt flats. The temperature was a crazy 117f (+-47c) when we did this walk. I have to admit that walk was not one of my brightest ideas. When we left the car, we had cold drinks in our hands. I kid you not ; when we walked back about 15 minutes later, they were piss warm, yuk! Only good thing is that the humidity is so low that you don’t get all sweaty like in Cayman.
My high school friend Mathieu joined me on this road trip. He is getting married in a few weeks and thought it would be great so spend some time with him so he flew down to join me! Very wise of her, Julie did not come to Las Vegas with me. There was not a day below 105 while I was there, so staying inside in the A/C was the way to go. Note, we are not holding hands in this picture! 🙂
The temperature gauge in the rental car!
On the way back, we saw this fellow on the road. He seemed lost. We tried to give him some water but that was a failure. Anyway, coyotes have survived in the desert for thousands of years, so I assume s/he will be OK.
The trip! We started out in Las Vegas, then took the northern route (top) and then after Death Valley, went south (down) and back to Las Vegas to complete the loop. +-330miles/550km from Las Vegas, to Death Valley and back in one afternoon! If you plan on doing this trip on your next trek to Las Vegas, get a comfortable rental car, bring lots of drinks and a GPS is quite useful.
Hello Micho,
Love your posts.. always interesting and informative.. thanks for sharing.
I love Death Valley! Beautiful, mysterious and wild.
A couple comments. Go in the spring, say March or so. Temperatures will be mild and you can actually enjoy the scenery then.
Bring a paper map, pay attention to the warnings about the what roads need high clearance vehicles and anything that the rangers say. This harsh country can kill.
Take plenty of water, then go get some more.
Enjoy the park.