A great book is "Geology Underfoot in Death Valley and Owens Valley" by Robert Sharp and Allen Glazner. You can find many used copies here: http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?sts=t&t... I'll bring my copy to our Sibley hike for people to look at.

Average temperatures (hi/lo) for Death Valley last week of December is 55/29, so plan on it being COLD at night. Average rainfall is none, but record is 0.5-1.2 inches, so it is possible (though not likely) we will get rain.

Any suggestions for overnight places to stay? Indoor or Outdoors?

I am open to carpool if somebody is coming back on Dec31st and share a room

I missed the boat for getting a room at Furnace Creek Ranch (motel) so I made reservations for 4 nights at Amargosa Opera House and Hotel (760) 852-4441, in Death Valley Junction, outside the park. I will share a 2 bed room at the FCR if someone already has a reservation. Alternatively, if you are still looking for a place to stay, I think the Amargosa is the only place relatively nearby; if there are a few of us staying there, we could drive into/out of the park each day to meet the others.

As the case was with Janet, I am looking at places that are 50 miles away at the moment as even Amargosa hotel has filled up. If somebody can share a room, please let me know.

Just got a room at Phoenix Inn(45 miles drive).
http://www.atomic-inn.com
775-553-2250

Can we expect the tabulation results from the questionnaire sometime this week?

Working on a table with everyone's details. Will have it posted later this evening.

I live in Sacramento, so unless someone's taking the scenic route through Sacramento, I'll stay in San Francisco the night of the 27th. Could I share someone's ride down there and back? And I prefer staying in a motel; could I share a room with someone? I'll chip in for gas expense, wear and tear on the car and the room.

Also--I have one copy each of Death Valley Region Field Guide and Geologic Guide to the Death Valley Area, California.

One more thing--I'd like to return the night of the 31st, so if someone is leaving that night I would like to share the ride if possible.

Someone who booked a Furnace Creek Ranch room, but recently changed their RSVP to "No", has told me they will wait until tomorrow to cancel it. The room is $215/night, so I'd need some people to share with me. Any takers? Regarding transportation, my truck has off-road clearance, so if we need it to get to Racetrack Playa, I could drive it down. If I'm sharing a ride, perhaps it would be best to meet at an Amtrak station? The first train arrives in Emeryville at 8am.

Thanks to all who came. I had a great time. Everyone was flexible about pace and destinations, and I think everyone went home happy. Dean and I are talking about a repeat next year :-)

Janet, Harry and I stopped (quickly) at Red Rock Canyon State Park (on Highway 14, just north of California City). Amazing rocks (I'll post photos soon)! It's about 3-4 hours outside of DV, and we thought maybe next year have a first night here, to cut the drive from the SF Bay Area into two more reasonable drives. Planning already :-)

Nice thought about Red Rock Canyon. I too stopped there on my way back for a short RR break but did not look around. Note that a lot of 4-wheel day trippers use that park. Probably wont conflict with night camping unless they're a rowdy bunch even then.

I posted most of my photos here: http://trampleasure.net/lee/gallery/main.php/v/album_007/... I haven't added many descriptions, but they are sorted into galleries based on the hikes/areas we went to.