Day Hike - Death Valley National Park

4 Days of Desert Magic & Potential Super Bloom!

The Mission: This is my first time visiting the National Park, and I want to see & hike as much as possible—from the salt flats to the 10,000 ft. summits. My goal is to assemble a small, engaged crew of hikers who want to make the most of their time there. We’ll collaborate to visit multiple iconic locations each day, chase sunrises, and dive deep into the diversity of this wild landscape. I worked with a local Ranger to create this itinerary – and as always, TBD based on weather conditions and recent events.

Super Bloom Ranger video

Tuesday, March 3^rd

Slot Canyons & Sand Dunes

Mosaic Canyon, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, and Titus Canyon Narrows

Offers a comprehensive showcase of Death Valley’s diverse geology, from polished marble narrows to towering sand peaks and secluded narrow canyons.

 Wednesday, March 4th

The Badlands Grand Loop

We’ll begin the day with a figure-eight loop through the park's most famous “other worldly” erosional & colorful landscape. Includes Golden Canyon, Red Cathedral, Zabriskie Point, and Badlands Loop trails. Then travel north to explore the Ubehebe & Little Hebe Crater loop.

Thursday, March 5^th

High Peaks & Ridges

Wildrose Peak Trail, vistas & short walks in the Panamint Springs area

Starting from the historic Charcoal Kilns, this trail offers sweeping views of the Panamint Range and the valley floor. To hit your 10-mile target, explore the scenic ridgelines near the summit before descending. Snow & ice are likely on the trail;  microspikes & poles required. The trailhead is ~7,000 ft. the summit is 9,064 ft.

Friday, March 6^th

Badwater Basin & Salt Flats Explorations

Badwater Basin & Salt Flats, Sidewinder Canyon, Natural Bridge Canyon, Desolation Canyon, and viewpoints.

A full day of exploring the geological diversity of Death Valley National Park.  Includes colorful canyons, a massive natural arch, a volcanic crater, and the lowest point in the United States.

The Vibe:

• High Energy: We’ll move around to explore the area and see the highlights.
• Collaborative: Think of this as a team effort to discuss & decide upon the best options and check out the areas you wish to explore.
• Rugged: The trails can be rocky and require route-finding through washouts, and probably even a little snow/ice at elevation. Hiking distances will be 10+ miles per day and up to 2,500 ft. elevation gain. Will likely ‘feel’ more challenging than similar distances and elevation trails in WA.

The Reality Check (The "Spicy" Stuff): Death Valley doesn't play! We’ll be dealing with big temperature swings, dry conditions, slot canyons, and limited cell service. If you’re comfortable with rocks & loose gravel, a few early alarms, shifting weather conditions, and the occasional "where exactly is the trail?" moment, this may be a great fit for you.

Who’s in?  If you're up for a challenging but rewarding 4-day trip in a beautiful environment, let's connect.  It will be a demanding trip with some long hours, but the location is incredible. My schedule has been a bit hectic lately, so I’m really looking forward to getting out there and making the most of this time in such an iconic location.

Let’s go find some flowers (and some peaks)!

Travel arrangements are on your own. I’m flying into Las Vegas, renting an SUV (high clearance needed in some areas), and staying in an Airbnb near Beatty, NV. There are camping options – inside and outside the park, lodging options around Furnace Creek (limited & pricey), rentals & inns in Pahrump and Beatty. Stay as many or as few days as your schedule allows.

Once we have a cohort, we can coordinate sharing if desired.

Leader permission is requested to keep numbers & logistics manageable. Apologies for the extra step on this. Here is the request form link.  

The trip is full - but if you wish to get on the waitlist, please submit the form via the link AND send me an email ktrilevsky@gmail.com letting me know you did that - I don't always get notifications of a new response.

TBD