Death Valley and the New Year

Hi everyone: Katie and I aren't available this year, and Digne is organizing this year's New Year's trip to Death Valley. Please read the description carefully; Digne's trip style is a bit different than ours--but he's a great hiker with plenty of knowledge a keen eye for photography. - Lee & Katie.

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Changing the itinerary on Day 3 to keep us in one camp site by replacing Eureka Dunes with Panamint Dunes. The long drive to Eureka Dunes, re-camping was too much trouble and the drive back takes time away from the Day 4. Also, we're being joined with a few people from a photography meetup group to get more drivers and ensure we have enough people to make a full group.

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 6 RSVPs and the weather forecast is favorable, we can make this a meetup but we need to get organized quickly. Adults only, no kids this time.

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 pad, camp stove and camp chair; fire pit requires wood; and dress in layers. Days will likely be low 70's and nights will certainly be cold. Motels are not an option but we're tough people. Texas Springs has running water and flush toilets. Showers and semi-heated pool available at the resort for $5. General store, 2 restaurants and bar also at the resort.

Quick breakfast in camp, pack lunch for the road, and 3 dinners around the campfire. New Year's eve dinner at the resort restaurant. There are grocery stores in D.V. for snacks and beverages.

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. 28- Day #1 - Travel Day
Driving out of Bay Area to Death Valley (D.V.) - leave by 8am to get to D.V. before nightfall 5p; Drive through Ridgecrest (take-out dinner); Car camp in Furnace Creek at Texas Spring Campground for 4 nights.

Dec. 29- Day #2 - Hike/Shoot Day - southern D.V.
In no particular order, Gower Gulch, Badwater, Devil's Golf Course, and Artists Drive for sunset. Lunch on the road.

Dec. 30-Day #3 - Hike/Shoot Day - central D.V.
New locations for Geology group: Panamint Dunes (gets fewer visitors than Mesquite Dunes), Darwin Falls (year round waterfall), tbd abandoned miner's residence, tbd Chocolate Hills.

Dec. 31- Day #4 - Hike/Shoot Day - north central D.V.
Titus Canyon (spectacular slot canyon) and Leadfield (faint ghost town) requires 4-wheel drive or high clearance, and Park Headquarters for exhibits.

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

Jan. 1- Day #5 - Travel Day
Driving out of Death Valley to Bay Area- leave early morning with opt. quick stop at Trona Pinnacles and brunch in Ridgecrest.

If you're interested in going please RSVP with a clear photo to get on the Waitlist. Fill-out the contact form - see Google link below. Once you fill-out the contact form I'll move you to the RSVP list. The group size is small but can get larger if we get more drivers.

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

Please fill-out the contact form to confirm your interest and to help us get organized. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VE-Q5lRazsrOsY1JvTdkiH7PTcFWZtrEzuJJo-UucJY/edit?usp=sharing

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