Death Valley and the New Year

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"This year's Death Vally trip is being lead by Digne, who has plenty of knowledge, and is an excellent photographer as well! Katie and I, unfortunately, won't be able to make it this year. " - Lee

Death Valley is one of the prime geology, hiking, photography… locations in California. I've been on Lee's meetup there 3 times and I'm hooked on it. The first time was cold and windy but the others were fine. If you haven't been there before it's a challenge but the landscape is unforgettable. If we can get more than 8 RSVPs and the weather forecast is favorable, we can make this a meetup but we need to get organized quickly.

Drive from Bay Area to Death Valley, Furnace Creek, Texas Spring Campground, est. 8-9 hrs.; park fee $20/car/7-days; camp fee $14/person; bring your tent, 3-season sleeping bag and camp chair; fire pit requires wood; and dress in layers. Days will likely be low 70's and nights will certainly be cold. Texas Springs has running water and flush toilets. Showers and heated pool available at the resort for $5. General store, 2 restaurants and bar also at the resort.

Breakfast and lunch on your own; 2 dinners around the campfire. New Year's eve dinner at the resort restaurant. Motels are not an option this year. Ride-sharing encouraged. I can rent a 4x4 to drive members to the rugged hike/shoot locations if we share the expense.

Recommended route: I-580 east, I-5 south, hwy. 58 east thru Bakersfield, hwy. 14 north thru Red Rock Canyon State Park, hwy. 178 east thru Ridgecrest/Trona, and hwy. 190 east to Furnace Creek, Death Valley Nat'l. Park.

Tentative schedule:

Dec. 29- Day #1 - Travel Day
Driving out of Bay Area to Death Valley (D.V.) - leave by 8a to get to D.V. before nightfall; Drive through Ridgecrest (take-out dinner); Car camp in Furnace Creek at Texas Spring Campground for 3 nights.

Dec. 30- Day #2 - Hike/Shoot Day - northern D.V.
Mesquite Sand Dunes for early morning; Abandoned miner's house, car, and storage tanks; Rhyolite Ghost Town; Chocolate Hills for sunset;

• Furnace Creek evening pool & showers;

Note: Ubehebe Crater and Racetrack Playa (traveling rocks) are a whole day excursion with high clearance vehicles. Not scheduled unless the whole group wants it.

Dec. 31- Day #3 - Hike/Shoot Day - southern D.V.
Zabriskie Pt. or Badwater early morning; Devil's Golf Course; Artist's Drive; sunset hike/shoot TBD;

• Furnace Creek evening pool & showers;
• Furnace Creek Restaurant, group New Years Eve dinner

Jan. 1- Day #4 - Travel Day
Driving out of Death Valley to Bay Area- leave early morning with opt. brunch in Ridgecrest.

If you're interested in going please RSVP with a clear photo of yourself and answer the questions. If you have questions ask here or on my private Profile.

http://www.nps.gov/deva/index.htm
http://www.phototripusa.com/e_gallery_0899.html
http://www.panamintcity.com/

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Spreadsheet link to contact info:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VE-Q5lRazsrOsY1JvTdkiH7PTcFWZtrEzuJJo-UucJY/edit?usp=sharing