Death Valley National Park Winter/Spring 2018

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Visitor Guide Death Valley National Park Winter/Spring 2018

Twenty Mule Team Canyon with hiker (Weston Kessler) Welcome to Your Death Valley Adventure

Death Valley National Park is the largest national park outside of Alaska. Endless What’s Inside? exploration and a diversity of experiences await you. Hiking, exploring historic sites, traveling backcountry roads, viewing the night sky—these are only a few of the Support Your Park ...... 2 opportunities available. With over 3 million acres of federally designated Wilderness, Safety...... 3 walk along majestic sand dunes, navigate twisted slot canyons, climb rocky peaks, stroll along salt flats; a variety of terrains offer everything from easy to very challenging Sightseeing...... 4 adventures. Inside this visitor guide you will find information on suggested hikes, Hiking...... 5 wilderness use, how to visit safely, leave no trace ethics, and more. We encourage you to get out and hike Death Valley, and then share your experience! Find us on social media, Map...... 6 & 7 send us a message or an email, or stop by the visitor center. Preserve the Past...... 8 Find us on Preserve the Resource...... 9 We want to hear from you! Programs & Events...... 10 How did you explore Death Valley? Nightlife...... 11 @DeathValleyNPS Visitor Services...... 12 Hike Death Valley Earn the Decal! Share the Experience! Take the #HikeDeathValley challenge! Explore two of the areas listed below and stop by the visitor center to snag your limited edition decal! Share your experience and be sure to use #HikeDeathValley on social media. Visitor experiences will be featured throughout the year, so take a look to see how other visitors have explored Death Valley. For info about some of these hikes check out page 5; for a complete description, ask at the visitor center. Easy Hikes Moderate Hikes Difficult Hikes ADA Friendly

yy Harmony Borax Works: 0.4 mi y Ubehebe Crater Rim: 1.5 mi yy Wildrose Peak: 8.4 mi See a park ranger about ADA accessible locations and to see if yy Salt Creek Interpretive Trail: 0.5 mi yy Darwin Falls: 2 mi* yy Telescope Peak: 14 mi* you are eligible for a free pass to all national parks. yy Badwater Salt Flat: 1 mi yy Badlands Loop: 4.3 mi Looking for something more challenging? Ask a ranger for a yy Natural Bridge: 1 mi yy Fall Canyon: 6 mi free trail map: HIKE DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK yy Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes: 2 mi yy Sidewinder Canyon: 5 mi yy Jubilee Peak: 2.2 mi

(*) High clearance/4x4 vehicle yy Dante’s Ridge: 8 mi yy Corkscrew Peak: 8 mi recommended yy Cottonwood/Marble Loop: 26 mi* 2 20180 1 8

Decal: Tom M. Nguyen

Desert mountain sunset (NPS- Emily Hoerner)

www.nps.gov/deva 1 Support Your Park Safety In Case of Emergency Dial 911: Cell Prepare for Breakdowns: In case of vehicle Obey the speed limits and other rules of the road. Do Pets are permitted on roads and developed areas, but phones will not work in most parts of the trouble, stay with your vehicle. You’ll have not stop in traffic lanes—pull over and park safely prohibited in wilderness, on trails, and in buildings. park, so don’t depend upon them. shade and be easier to find. If you’re headed off of the road. Keep your car on established roads. Hundreds of miles of dirt roads are great places for onto dirt roads, plan on changing a flat Unsightly tire tracks scar the fragile desert landscape walking pets. Keep pets on a leash no longer than 6 Plan Ahead: Know road and weather tire at least once. Beware that most rental for decades. feet in length. Owners are responsible for cleanup. conditions. Take a good map everywhere agreements do not cover unpaved roads, you go. When traveling off paved roads resulting in hefty towing fees. Rental cars Camp only in established campgrounds or in a It is illegal to discharge a firearm anywhere in Death or into the backcountry, call someone at often lack the proper tire changing tools, so it’s permitted backcountry area. Check at a ranger station Valley or to bring one into a federal building. Hunting home and tell them specifically where worth checking before venturing into remote or visitor center for backcountry camping information. is illegal within the park. you are going. Have them call dispatch at areas. 1-888-233-6518 if you do not return when expected. Free backcountry permits are Flash Floods: Rain is scarce here, but when available, but not required, at the visitor it comes, it often leads to dangerous flash Feeding animals is illegal and dangerous. Coyotes will Campfires are allowed in established firepits only. center. We can find you faster if we know floods. During rain, avoid hiking in canyons Gathering firewood is prohibited—wood is scarce. be encouraged to hang out near the roads once fed by where to look and what we’re looking for. and be prepared to move to higher ground. people, which endangers the animals and visitors. While driving, be alert for water running Evaluate Your Gear: Do you have the across roadways. Stop and look before appropriate vehicle, tires, tools, maps, and attempting to cross. Flood waters damage Put garbage where it belongs. Litter in the desert Rocks, plants, animals, and historic objects in Death skills for your route? Bring food, water the roadway and carry rocks and debris just spoils the landscape for each person that follows Valley are protected just like in a museum. Vandalism behind you. and other essentials for several days, even if below the clouded surface. Flash floods and theft are prohibited. you’re planning a much shorter visit. Carry generally subside in a few hours. When in at least one gallon (4 liters) of water per doubt, wait it out! person per day, and carry extra water in Please recycle in the provided receptacles. Propane your car. Your vehicle or fellow travelers Heat & Dehydration: If you feel dizzy, cylinder recycle bins are located in most campgrounds The use of drones is prohibited. might need it even if you don’t. nauseous, or get a headache, get out of the where you can leave both empty and full canisters. sun and to a cool place immediately. Drink Rangers rescue off trail hiker near Golden Canyon (NPS - Dan Kish) Technology: Smartphones and GPS plenty of water and dampen clothing to devices are great tools to have, but they can lower your body temperature. Average Temps Maximum Minimum Stay out of closed areas. Mines, service roads, and Despite being legalized by the State of California, be deadly to rely upon. Vehicle GPS devices January 67° F (19° C) 40° F (4° C) other areas are closed for your safety or the protection possession or use of marijuana is not legal on federal frequently tell visitors to turn off well- Wildlife: Many visitors might be worried of features therein. lands, including Death Valley National Park. February 73° F (23° C) 46° F (8° C) traveled roads, and take “shortcuts” onto about large animals such as mountain lions, March 82° F (27° C) 55° F (13° C) unmaintained or even closed roads. Hiking but they avoid humans and are rarely seen. A Racetrack Playa (Bob Greenburg) April 90° F (32° C) 62° F (17° C) apps for tablets and smartphones might more realistic danger is placing your hands or work fairly well, but the battery life might feet where you can’t see. Snakes, scorpions, 100° F (38° C) 73° F (23° C) Entrance Fees Stay on Established Roads May be drained quickly even in airplane mode. spiders, or other wildlife might be sheltered June 110° F (43° C) 81° F (27° C) Please support your park by paying the park entrance fee at a park visitor Use maps, a compass, and common sense as there. Some species might be venomous, but center or at one of the automated fee machines placed throughout the July 116° F (47° C) 88° F (31° C) your primary navigational tools, and use the the relatively safe tarantula gets a bad rap, and park. Already have one of the passes listed below? Enjoy your park! August 115° F (46° C) 86° F (30° C) technology as a backup. is actually a delight to see. September 106° F (41° C) 76° F (24° C) 7-day Passes Annual Passes Mine Hazards: Do not enter mine tunnels Vehicle and passengers...... $25 Death Valley Annual Pass...... $50 October 93° F (34° C) 61° F (16° C) or shafts. They might be unstable, have Motorcycles...... $20 Interagency Annual Pass...... $80 November 77° F (25° C) 48° F (9° C) hidden shafts, pockets of poisonous gases, Tarantula Individual entering on Interagency Senior Pass...... $20 December 65° F (18° C) 38° F (3° C) or be home to wildlife. Stay Out—Stay (Bob Grate) bicycle or foot...... $12 (for U.S. citizens 62+) Alive! Lifetime Passes Interagency Military Pass...... free (for active duty and dependents) The Wildest—Wilderness in Death Valley Interagency Senior Pass...... $80 Visit Death Valley in the winter months and have one of the best wilderness experiences available in the United States. At over 3.2 milion acres of (for U.S. citizens 62+) Other passes honored Wilderness, Death Valley contains the largest federally designated Wilderness outside of Alaska, which is 91% of the entire park. Interagency Access Pass...... free 4th Grade (Every Kid in a Park), (for U.S. citizens with disability) Volunteer, Golden Age, and The Wilderness begins 50 feet from most of Death Valley’s roads, so go for a drive, park safely, and take a short walk into the Wilderness! Looking for Golden Access Passes. a longer experience? Death Valley is open to cross-country hiking, which means you can walk into the Wilderness in most places in the park. Van stuck on the The fees you pay when visiting Death Valley National Park make a salt flat after illegally What can you do in Wilderness? difference! Under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, driving off designated roadways (NPS) Wilderness provides excellent opportunities for solitude. Whether you like to hike, climb, backpack, horseback ride, camp, enjoy the view, photograph, view the Death Valley National Park uses fee money to fund critical projects that night sky, hear absolutely nothing, be alone, or simply know it exists, wilderness is the place to do it. improve visitor services and protect natural and cultural resources in Why can’t you drive off established roads? the park such as: yy It’s illegal. Penalties can include fines and jail time. What can’t you do in Wilderness? How to Visit The Wilderness Act of 1964 created a way for Americans to designate areas as Wilderness, the highest level of conservation Death Valley’s yy Repairing Scotty’s Castle and restoring visitor access after a yy It destroys Death Valley’s scenic vistas. Death Valley attracts protection afforded to public lands. With the goal of leaving some places natural and undeveloped, the Wilderness Act devastating flood. photographers and other visitors from around the world to see this prohibits the use of mechanical devices, including bicycles, in areas designated by Congress as Wilderness. It also does Wilderness: unique environment. Tire tracks mar the landscape and some take not allow commercial enterprises, roads (many of Death Valley’s roads are surrounded by wilderness as specified by the •Backpackers (overnight users) are yy Providing education programs that reach thousands of students. decades to heal, even if they are raked out. California Desert Protection Act), structures, and installations from being established within Wilderness boundaries. asked to obtain a free backcountry permit at either the Furnace Creek y y Improving accessibility for visitors with disabilities at Dante’s View yy Towing is expensive. If a vehicle gets stuck off the road in Death What is a Wilderness Ethic? Visitor Center or the Stovepipe through a partnership with the Fund for People in Parks and the Death Valley, towing costs an average of $2,000. Wells Ranger Station. Valley Natural History Association. It’s a way of doing things in the Death Valley requires that you bring and vegetation. Pick a campsite on a •Overnight group size is limited yy It wastes government funds. Rangers regularly organize volunteer Wilderness that help retain what we all of your needed water, as well as durable surface that is at least 200 feet yy Maintaining and repairing campgrounds and park structures. love the most about it: the natural protection from the sun and winds of away from desert springs. to 12 people and no more than 4 brigades to repair damage from off-road driving. Organizing, housing, vehicles. Larger groups will need beauty of the landscape, the important the desert. •Trash your trash—whatever you and supervising these groups costs money! Damage done in a few to split up and camp at least 1 mile yy Providing Emergency Medical Services. ecological habitat it preserves and the •Be careful with fire—campfires are bring into the wilderness—pack it minutes takes days to rehabilitate. apart. experience of primitive recreation and not allowed in the backcountry in out. That includes toilet paper, and solitude. When visiting the wilderness, yy Death Valley’s community of visitors is upset by off-road Death Valley; use a camp stove—it “biodegradable items,” like pistachio •Pets are not allowed on trails or in No Rock Stacking you should leave no trace. driving. After a recent incident, over 300 people posted comments minimizes your impact and reduces nut shells, apple cores, and orange the Wilderness. the risk of wildfire. peels. These things will take many Hiker taking in Ephemeral Vandalism condemning the actions of the thoughtless driver. Leave No Trace: the view •Leave it as you find it—take only years to break down in the desert! (NPS- Aly Heare) Cairns are stacks of rocks often used to mark hiking routes •Keep wildlife wild—properly store memories and leave only footprints. Carry a garden trowel so you can bury in the desert, but in the narrows of Golden Canyon, cairns your food at night. Do not feed, Inspect and clean equipment between human waste, or better yet, pack it out. are not necessary to find your way. These approach or follow animals—observe different trips to minimize the spread •Share our public land—people visitor-built cairns were assembled one from a distance. of invasive species. Clean up your travel to the wilderness to experience at a time over a single week, •Plan ahead and prepare—learn about campsite to minimize your lasting wilderness qualities—help retain them by dozens of visitors. Most the area you plan to go BEFORE impact. by keeping noise levels down, passing likely they were built as you go—are there special rules or •Stick to the trails—Death Valley with consideration on the trail and monuments to their visit. considerations? What do you need has mostly cross-country hiking and picking an appropriate campsite away Please take only memories to bring with you to be safe and limited designated trails, so avoid from other visitors. and don’t leave cairns. tread lightly? Wilderness travel in hiking and camping on fragile soil Damage from a vehicle driving off the roadway (NPS) Manly Beacon from Zabriske Point (NPS) Rock cairns in Golden Canyon (NPS) www.nps.gov/deva 2 www.nps.gov/deva 3 Sightseeing Hiking Looking for a hiking trail? Check out the options below and the map on page 6 for general location information for these popular hikes. yyBefore starting a hike ask about current road and yyConstructed trails are rare in this park. Trails are weather conditions. provided in places that are heavily used and sensitive to damage. If a trail is there, please use it. Most hiking routes yyAlways carry water. Two liters per person for a short in the park are cross-country, up canyons, or along ridges. winter day hike, and four liters or more in the summer and Footing can be rough and rocky. for longer hikes. yyHiking in low elevations can be dangerous when it is yyDogs and bicycles are not allowed on trails or off roads, hot. The high peaks can be covered with snow in winter but hundreds of miles of dirt roads offer unforgettable and spring. A good time to hike in the park would be adventures. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes (Adriann Van’t Riet) between October and April.

Few Hours / Half Day Full Day Easy Hikes Round Trip Elevation Gain Description ADA accessible loop around historic mining site where the famous 20-Mule Must see places for first time visitors. Add these to the list and make it an all day adventure! 0.4 mi 50 ft Harmony Borax Works Team wagons began their grueling 165 mile journey south to the Mojave yy Furnace Creek: Stop by the yy Zabriskie Point: Golden yy Twenty Mule Team Canyon: yy Father Crowley Vista: A (0.6 km) (15 m) 1 Railroad Depot. visitor center to learn about the colored badlands famously cradle Winding through otherworldly landscape of dark lava flows 0.5 mi ADA accessible loop. Wooden boardwalk through salt marsh and rare pupfish park. See the 20 minute long film both the late afternoon and early badlands, this 2.7 mi (4.3 km), and volcanic cinders abruptly Salt Creek Interpretive Trail flat (8:30 am - 4:00 pm daily), explore morning rays of sunshine making one-way loop drive is unpaved, gives way to the gash of Rainbow 2 (0.8 km) habitat. Great for birding. Gravel road is typically passable in a sedan. the museum exhibits, and ask this the top sunset and sunrise but accessible to vehicles other Canyon below this viewpoint. 1 mi ADA Accessible out and back. Scenic walk out to edge of salt flat and the about seasonal ranger programs. destination in Death Valley. than buses, RV’s, and trailers. Walk the dirt track east of the Badwater Salt Flat flat parking lot for a grand overlook 3 (1.6 km) lowest point in North America. yy Devil’s Golf Course: An yy Dante’s View: The most yy Salt Creek: This stream of of the northern Panamint Valley. immense area of rock salt eroded breathtaking viewpoint in the salty water is the only home to a ADA accessible. Natural Bridge 1 mi 180 ft Out and back hike up dramatic canyon to natural bridge formation. Gravel by wind and rain into jagged park, this mountain-top overlook rare pupfish, Cyprinodon salinus 4 (1.6 km) (26 m) access road is typically passable in a sedan. spires. So incredibly serrated that is more than 5000 ft (1,500 m) salinus. Spawning season, during yy Wildrose Charcoal Kilns: Hike through the largest dune field in the park to summit the high dune in the 2 mi 185 ft “only the devil could play golf above the floor of Death Valley. the spring, is the best time for These ten beehive-shaped Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes distance. Go during sunrise, sunset, or full moon lighting for unforgettable (3.2 km) (56 m) on such rough links.” The short, The paved access road is open to viewing pupfish. The boardwalk structures are among the best 5 experiences. unpaved road is accessible to most all vehicles less than 25 ft (7.6 m) loops 1/2-mi (0.8 km) through preserved in the west. Built in vehicles. in total length. stands of pickleweed and past 1876 to provide fuel to process Moderate Hikes pools reflecting badland hills. silver/lead ore, they still smell of yy Badwater Basin: The lowest yy Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes: 1.5 mi 500 ft Loop hike around the rim of a 600 ft (183 m) deep maar volcano. Head ADA accessible. Please stay on smoke today. The final 2 mi Ubehebe Crater Rim point in North America, Badwater Tawny dunes smoothly rise nearly the boardwalk. (3.2 km) of gravel road to the 6 (2.4 km) (152 m) around the loop counterclockwise to see Little Ubehebe Crater too. Basin is a surreal landscape of vast 100 ft (30 m) from Mesquite Flat. kilns is passable to most vehicles. salt flats. A temporary lake might Late afternoon light accentuates yy Ubehebe Crater: Hundreds Out and back canyon hike to desert waterfall. Minor rock scrambling form here after heavy rainstorms. the ripples and patterns, while of years ago, a massive volcanic Charcoal Kilns 2 mi 450 ft required. This is a source of drinking water—no swimming. Unmarked (Weston Kessler) Darwin Falls* Do not walk on the salt flats in hot morning is a good time to view explosion caused by magma 7 (3.2 km) (137 m) gravel access road just west of Panamint Springs may require a high clearance vehicle. weather. ADA accessible. tracks of nocturnal wildlife. mixing with an underground Moonlight walks can be magical. spring shattered the silence of 2.7 mi 535 ft y Trailheads at Golden Canyon and Zabriskie Point provide access to colorful y Artist’s Drive: Scenic loop northern Death Valley. When the Badlands Loop/Golden Canyon/ (4.3 km) to (163 m) to canyons carved through golden badlands. Rangers recommend starting at drive through multi-hued volcanic yy Harmony Borax Works: cinders and dust settled, 8 Gower Gulch Loop 4.3 mi 850 ft Golden Canyon and walking the loop back through Gower Gulch. and sedimentary hills. The nine Follow an easy 1/4-mi (0.4 km) this 600 ft (183 m) (6.9 km) (259 m) mile (14.5 km) paved road is one- walking trail to learn about this deep crater Out and back hike through canyon narrows made of colorful badlands way and is open to all vehicles less important site in Death Valley’s remained. 3.6 mi 600 ft formations similar to those found at Artist’s Palette. Some rock scrambling Desolation Canyon than 25 ft (7.6m) in total length. history. 9 (5.8 km) (183 m) required. No signs, follow the canyon. The unsigned gravel access road is typically passable in a sedan. Out and back hike within polished marble narrows filled with unique color 4 mi 1,200 ft Mosaic Canyon patterns. Use caution on the slick rock surfaces. The gravel road is typically Remote Backcountry Drives 10 (6.4 km) (366 m) passable in a sedan. Not suitable for a normal car, 4x4 and high clearance may be required. Ask rangers about road conditions and safety precautions. Out and back into dark slot canyons hidden within a labyrinth of drainages. y y Scrambling up and down dryfalls required. No signs, some navigation y Eureka Dunes: At nearly y Aguereberry Point: This 5 mi 1,580 ft 11 Sidewinder Canyon required. Free hiking map available at the visitor center should be used 700 ft (213 m), these are the highest spectacular viewpoint gives a (8.4 km) (482 m) dunes in California. Isolated perspective over Death Valley for this hike. The short, but unmarked gravel access road is typically passable from other dunes, they are an from the west from 6433 ft (1961 in a sedan. evolutionary island home to rare m) above sea level. Along the Out and back. This deep canyon with towering walls is a great place to look for bighorn sheep. From the exit of Titus Canyon, hike north on the informal and endangered species. The gravel road are the remains of 6 mi 2,460 ft Fall Canyon trail near restroom for 1 mile (1.6 km) before dropping into the wash at the dunes are off limits to vehicles, Pete Aguereberry’s camp and his 12 (9.6 km) (752 m) canyon mouth. The gravel access road (Titus Canyon two-way section) is sandboarding, and horseback Eureka Mine. The last climb to typically passable in a sedan. riding. The rough drive requires a the point requires a high-clearance This out and back informal path from Dante’s View heads north along the high clearance vehicle and will take vehicle. From pavement to view 8 mi 1,200 ft Dante’s Ridge ridge toward Mt. Perry. Unobstructed views begin immediately and only get 2.5 hours from pavement off of point the 6 mi (10 km) drive is 30 13 (13km) (366 m) Ubehebe Road. minutes each way. better. No signs. Out and back crosscountry hike north up Panamint Valley from Lake Hill 7 mi 1,028 ft Road. The pristine dunes are visible in the distance from the bend in the Panamint Dunes* 14 (11.3 km) (313 m) road, but there is no signage. The gravel road is not marked and requires a high clearance vehicle. Racetrack Playa (Jeffrey Aiello) Difficult Hikes yy The Racetrack: Rocks y Titus Canyon: One of the mysteriously slide across the dry largest and most diverse canyons in Out and back trail through pinyon-juniper woodlands to 9,064 ft (2,763 m) 8.4 mi 2,200 ft Wildrose Peak peak. The final two miles of access road is gravel, but typically passable in a lakebed of the Racetrack, leaving the park. Within its towering walls, 15 (13.5 km) (671 m) behind long tracks for visitors to visitors can find volcanic deposits, sedan. ponder. A high-clearance vehicle a ghost town, petroglyphs, bighorn Out and back hike to 11,049 ft (3,368 m) - the highest peak in Death Valley. with heavy-duty tires is needed to sheep, and deep, winding narrows. 14 mi 3,000 ft The trail starts in the pinyon and juniper woodlands at Mahogany Flat 16 Telescope Peak* traverse the 27 mi (43 km)of rough Titus Canyon is accessible to high- (22.5 km) (914 m) Campground. The final 5 miles (8 km) of the access road is gravel and may dirt road; ask a ranger for current clearance vehicles via a 26 mi require high clearance. road conditions. Once you leave (42 km), one-way dirt road pavement at Ubehebe Crater the beginning outside the park. The Interested in other challenging hikes or backpacking trips? There are endless opportunities! drive takes 2-1/2 hours each way. trip takes 3 hours from pavement Stop by the visitor center and ask a ranger for more information. to pavement. Titus Canyon (NPS) (*) High clearance/4x4 vehicle recommended Badwater Basin in January (NPS) www.nps.gov/deva 4 www.nps.gov/deva 5 To

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0 0 Lifetime Pass Interagency Senior Pass ...... $80 (for U.S. citizens 62+) Interagency Access Pass ...... $free (for U.S. citizens with disability) Other Passes honored 4th Grade (Every Kid in a Park), Golden Age, and Volunteer, Access. Groups Tour Commercial Fee determined by permitting ofﬁce M S R G

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374 S 8 I r 9 L F SEE DETAIL MAP ABOVE t Vehicle & passengers...... $25Vehicle Motorcycle...... $20 Individual on bicycle / foot ...... $12 Annual Pass Annual PassDeath Valley ...... $50 Interagency Annual Pass...... $80 Interagency Senior Pass...... $20 Interagency Military Pass...... $free (for active duty military & dependents)

Single Visit Pass s 11mi 17km

Stovepipe Wells Pay the park entrance fee at Furnace Creek Visitor Center, Ranger Station, or at one of the fee machines placed throughout park. We

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A Aguereberry Point Day use only 6433ft 1961m

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www.nps.gov/deva 6 www.nps.gov/deva 7 Preserve the Past Preserve the Resource Scotty’s Castle Repairs Ongoing After Massive Flash Flood A Crossroads for Bighorn Sheep: An interview with Lou Rogers is literally uncovering employed dozens of craftsman, deposited on the site and on the office building—have been stripped Josh Hoines, Chief of Resources at Death Valley new information about Scotty’s along with a crew of Timbisha roads. of damaged furnishings, equipment Castle utilities every day. He points Shoshone, in constructing Scotty’s and exhibits. Drywall and damaged National Park to an exposed section of water pipe Castle in Grapevine Canyon at the Shortly after the initial cleanup utilities have been removed and Where are the best places California Department of Fish Is there was completed, the National Park that he dug up recently after it blew north end of Death Valley. The planning is underway for new to observe bighorn sheep at and Wildlife we hope to capture anything else Service hired Civil Engineer Lou out in a major leak. “This steel Johnsons began offering house exhibits and offices. Death Valley? Most people are and collar about 10 animals. that you hope pipe illustrates just how corrosive tours during the Great Depression, Rogers to manage the monumental Tracking these animals will help us task of rebuilding the utilities, Initial flood cleanup was funded surprised to learn that bighorn to learn from our soils are,” said Rogers. “The and the tradition continued after can be found throughout the park. to develop population estimates, this project? leak probably started out as a small the National Park Service acquired repairing the buildings, and through National Park Service lamb-ewe ratios (the percentage They generally like high slopes Globally, two strains Desert Bighorn manufacturing flaw, such as a the property in 1970. reopening Scotty’s Castle. Each emergency accounts, and the of ewes that are pregnant), and where they can scan the landscape of pneumonia are Sheep hairline crack. Chlorides in the soil building and utility has been Federal Highway Administration survival rates of lambs. (NPS - Stacy Holt) for predators like mountain lions. decimating bighorn. We dissolved in the trickle of water, Everything changed on October carefully inspected to ensure that will fund the reconstruction of hope that if we can find out more creating a corrosive mix that ate 18, 2015, when a flash flood ripped all damage to infrastructure is Bonnie Claire Road through How do you capture them Why is Death Valley about these animals than maybe we away at the pipe over decades. It’s through Grapevine Canyon, tearing found and repaired. The corroded Grapevine Canyon. Park entrance important to bighorn sheep and why? An animal capture out the road, powerline, water, and water pipe that broke open is one fees will cover most of the work of can better address this disease. amazing how corroded the pipe populations? Death Valley expert drops a net over a sheep sewer systems. Two buildings were of the many challenges that park rebuilding utilities and repairing was, yet it still held water…until serves as a major wilderness from a helicopter, then “muggers” What are the most serious What can people do to help flooded with water up to three managers are encountering in buildings. Smaller restoration move in and blindfold the sheep last week.” corridor for bighorn that are threats to bighorn sheep? protect bighorn sheep? feet deep and a thick layer of mud repairing the ninety-year-old utility projects, such as the conservation which helps to calm them. Sheep coming from areas north and Pneumonia is the most serious Scotty’s Castle was built as the was left behind when the water systems and structures without of the elaborate pipe organ, are are transported to a data collecting yy Do not abandon domestic south, and east and west. At over threat to bighorn and is often vacation home of a wealthy receded. The road, buildings, changing its historic ambiance. being funded by Death Valley area where they are weighed and sheep on public lands 91% designated Wilderness, the introduced by domestic sheep. insurance magnate, Albert Johnson. grounds, and utilities sustained Natural History Association, the collared. GPS and VHF collars will Planning and design is underway park has over 3 million acres of When bighorn come in contact yy Do not harass wildlife; keep Befriended by the colorful con man over $48 million in damages. After park’s non-profit partner that allow us to track their movements, to replace water, sewer, and protected land for bighorn to roam with domestic sheep, they can a respectful distance and never known as Death Valley Scotty, the a road was graded into the site, operates park bookstores. Park habitat use, and survival. This electric distribution lines, install unimpeded. contract this disease and spread feed them two men along with Johnson’s wife, national parks from around the managers are planning to complete data will help answer larger new heating and air conditioning it to others. Bighorn also face Bessie, were at the center of the country sent work crews to shovel the work and reopen Scotty’s questions about the herd’s viability, systems and repair leaks. The two Tell me about the bighorn competition from burros for sparse yy Help educate others about development of this Spanish revival up and haul out the 500,000 tons of Castle in 2020. health, distribution, and resource buildings that were flooded—the sheep project planned for vegetation and water sources. what you learn style mansion complex. Johnson mud, rocks, and debris that were utilization. visitor center and Hacienda ranger Scotty’s Castle- (NPS- Kurt Moses) Fall 2017. Working with the Keane Wonder Mine Reopening Pets in the Park Step back in time and experience one of the most unique historical Reasons for the Closure mining sites in Death Valley! In November 2017, the Keane Are you a pet owner who enjoys hiking and bringing your animal outdoors? Folks are often surprised to learn that Wonder Mine will be reopening after its closure in 2008. pets are typically not allowed on trails in national parks, including Death Valley. But if you want to walk with Fido, Prior to the closure, Keane Wonder Mine had been the most popular and there are other options! Follow these guidelines to enjoy time outside with your pet and to protect wildlife, other Operating in the early 1900s, the Keane Wonder most heavily visited mine site in the park. It was closed in 2008 due to: visitors, and your animals. Mine was one of the most successful gold mines yy unsafe mine openings along popular trails in Death Valley. It now remains as one of the Why can’t I take my pet with me? How can I visit Death Valley with my pet? best examples of a historical gold mining yy concerns about the stability of the tramway due to tension from the operation in the national park. What is truly cables Pets can have a negative impact Likewise, the desert can be You can stay overnight in the Pet walking opportunities are unique about this site is the well-preserved on the park. Dogs, in particular, a dangerous place for pets. park with a pet at all park great in Death Valley. Almost aerial tramway that still has the cables yy concern about the contents of the mill tailings might scare or chase wildlife, Coyotes have been known to campgrounds. Pets must be all national parks prohibit pets attached. pollute springs and streams, lure unsuspecting pets away. restrained at all times and no more on trails and in the wilderness, Restoration for Re-opening and can become defensive and Rattlesnakes might alert humans than 4 pets per campsite area are but pets are allowed on roads. Traveling one thousand feet down in dangerous in strange surroundings. to keep a safe distance, but most allowed. Pet owners should be Walking with your pet on a leash one mile, the tramway cars began Open Mines Domestic animals can spread pets are unaware of the danger. good neighbors by keeping their along one of Death Valley's many carrying the valuable gold-containing diseases to wildlife, and vice versa, Spiny plants and hot, rough pets quiet, cleaning up feces, scenic backcountry roads can be ore from the mine to the mill in 1907. By 1912, the Aerial tramway towers Over 50 mine openings have even when pet waste is picked- ground surfaces can be painful or and never leaving their pets a rewarding alternative to trails. mine was mostly tapped out and major operations with stabilization work been covered. If you happen up (which is the responsibility of damaging to your pet's bare foot unattended. Food and water must Many of the minor dirt roads (NPS- Jeremy Stoltzfus) ended. In that time, almost one upon an open mine, stay out pet owners when visiting Death pads. Desert heat and aridity can not be left outside. receive light traffic, are surrounded million dollars in gold was for safety reasons. Valley). take a toll on pets and humans. by wilderness and seem like two hauled down those cables. Visit the site today Remember to always provide Pet-friendly lodging is available parallel footpaths. Remember to and take a look at how this engineering feat Netting a mine shaft NEVER leave your pet alone drinking water and be mindful of at Stovepipe Wells Village and take your pet safely to the roadside (NPS-Jeremy Stoltzfus) was able to move over 70 tons of ore per in a vehicle, which can quickly your pet’s body temperature. Panamint Springs Resort, for an when a vehicle approaches. day down the steep Funeral Mountains. become deadly hot. extra fee. Only service animals are Soil & Tailings allowed at the Oasis Ranch and Inn at Death Valley. Multiple rounds of soil sampling were done over a two year period to determine the contents of the tailings and the extent of the tailings spread.

Unstable Structures Pets can go (on a leash no Aerial tramway Stabilization work was done on several aerial tramway terminal (NPS) towers, and the upper and lower tram terminals. longer than 6 feet): This work included replacing key Visting Today yy along roads structural The Keane Wonder Mill and Tramway Area: pieces that yy to campgrounds Located near the parking area, this site is very accessible. Take a stroll were rotting, yy to picnic areas through the area where the mine camp and the mill were located. A short cracked, or otherwise failing, walk up the trail at the end of the road will give you views of the lower yy to other developed areas tram terminal and the first few tram towers. while preserving the integrity of the original Other than service The Mining Road and Aerial Tramway: designs as much as possible. When you animals, pets can NOT go: Walk along the mining road for views of the aerial tramway. The steep trail visit, please do not will take you up 1,500 feet in 1.4 miles to the upper tramway terminal and climb on the buildings, y on trails just beyond it, the Keane Wonder Mine. equipment, or tramway. yy into the wilderness How to get there: Though stabilized, they are not safe to climb on. yy inside most buildings Drive the Beatty Cutoff 5.7 miles north from Highway 190 to the marked road for Keane Wonder Mine. Drive 2.8 miles to the parking area. yy out of developed areas. Helicopter assisting with stabilization work (NPS-Jeremy Stoltzfus) Hiking with a dog in Twenty Mule Team Canyon (NPS- Emily Hoerner) www.nps.gov/deva 8 www.nps.gov/deva 9 Programs & Events Nightlife

Explore with a Park Ranger Wildlife Sightings

Around the world, visitors to remote locations are providing important data to researchers by reporting their observations. Your personal observations of wildlife can be very valuable. Death Valley National Park is compiling a database to allow us to develop distribution maps of wildlife throughout the park. Desert Tortoise (NPS) Two species of special interest are Nelson’s bighorn sheep and desert tortoise, but other wildlife species observations are also welcome. Please fill out a wildlife sighting form available at the visitor center or report directly on: Death Valley Night Sky (J Scott Crist) One of the Largest Dark Sky Parks https://www.inaturalist.org/ Night Sky Almanac Hummingbird projects/death-valley-wildlife As you explore Death Valley National Park, you might think chick in the nest OCTOBER 2017 JANUARY 2018 (NPS) – “What could be more amazing than the diversity, colors, extremes, and geology of this place?” If you go out at night, Planets Visible Planets Visible A variety of ranger-led programs are offered ËË Mars: Low in east before dawn ËËMars: SE before dawn throughout the winter months (Mid-November you will be amazed by the numerous stars in the sky, the ËË Venus: Low in east before dawn ËËJupiter: SE before dawn bright planets Jupiter and Venus, and the Andromeda Galaxy ËË Saturn: SW after sunset ËËSaturn: Low in SE before dawn through April) For a complete list of programs, refer Bighorn Sheep ËËMercury: Jan 1-16, very low in SE before (NPS- Hilary Clark) (2.5 million light years away)—which you can see with the The Moon ËË Full Moon: Oct 5, New Moon: Oct 19 dawn to the weekly Ranger Program Schedule available naked eye! If there is a full moon, seeing the stars can be more Draconids Meteor Shower The Moon at visitor centers, online at www.nps.gov/deva, and Ë challenging, but you can still get an other-worldly experience ËË Early evening Oct 7 ËFull Moon: Jan 1, supermoon, New (Bright moon will make viewing difficult) Moon: Jan 16, Full Moon: Jan 31 posted throughout the park. Most programs are from a moonlight hike at the Mesquite Sand Dunes or at ËËLunar Eclipse: Jan 31, 4:35 am free, unless indicated, and some require advance Badwater Basin. Orionids Meteor Shower ËË Midnight to dawn morn of Oct 22 Quadrantids Meteor Shower (New moon will make viewing excellent) ËËMidnight to dawn Jan 4 registration. Death Valley’s dark sky has been enhanced in recent years— (Bright moon makes viewing difficult) both the National Park Service and the Oasis at Death Valley NOVEMBER 2017 reduced unnecessary lighting, changed out light fixtures to FEBRUARY 2018 Planets Visible Ranger Brandi leads a hike at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes (NPS - Kurt Moses) point needed lighting down, and installed yellow lights in ËËMars: Low in SE before dawn Planets Visible place of bright white lights. In February 2013, Death Valley’s ËËVenus: Very low in east before dawn ËËMars: South before dawn Junior Ranger ËËJupiter: Very low in east before dawn ËËJupiter: South before dawn night sky was formally designated as the third and largest ËËSaturn: Low in west after sunset ËËSaturn: SE before dawn International Dark Sky Park. The Moon The Moon Anyone can become ËËFull Moon: None, New Moon: Feb 15 Explore, Learn, While the modern world is losing darkness, Death Valley still ËËFull Moon: Nov 3, New Moon: Nov 18 an official Death Valley Taurids Meteor Shower offers amazing night sky views. Ask a ranger at the Furnace Junior Ranger ËËMidnight to dawn morn of Nov 5 MARCH 2018 Protect! Creek Visitor Center for more information on ranger-led (Bright moon will make viewing difficult) Planets Visible Night Sky Programs and Star Party telescope viewings. Leonids Meteor Shower ËËMars: SE before dawn Ë y Pick up a free Junior Ranger booklet at the visitor center. ËMidnight to dawn morn of Nov 18 ËËVenus: Very low in west after sunset (New moon will make viewing excellent) ËËJupiter: South before dawn yy Explore Death Valley by completing fun activities based on your age. Creatures of the Night ËËSaturn: SE before dawn DECEMBER 2017 ËËMercury: Low in west (early- mid March) yy Share your adventures by showing your book to a park ranger. Death Valley is home to 51 Planets Visible The Moon species of native mammals, ËËMars: SE before dawn ËËFull Moon: Mar 1, New Moon: Mar 17, Full Moon: Mar 31 yy Take the pledge to receive your badge and certificate. Special patches are 307 species of birds, 36 species ËËJupiter: SE before dawn ËËSaturn & Mercury: Dec 1-3, very low in of reptiles, three species of Spring Equinox available for sale at the visitor center bookstore. SW after sunset ËËMarch 20 amphibians, and six species Junior Rangers (NPS - Kurt Moses) The Moon of fish. With so much wildlife, ËËFull Moon: Dec 3, Supermoon, New APRIL 2018 you might expect sightings to be Moon: Dec 17 Planets Visible Every Kid in a Park: 4th Grade Pass an everyday occurrence. Outside Winter Solstice ËËMars: South before dawn of the usual coyotes, roadrunners, ËËDecember 21 ËËVenus: Low in west after sunset Calling All 4th Graders and lizards, much of Death Valley’s Geminid Meteor Shower ËËJupiter: SW before dawn, late Apr: low wildlife appear to be hidden because ËËMidnight to dawn morn of Dec 14 in SE after 9 pm You and your family get free access to they primarily come out at night. (Small moon will make viewing excellent) ËËSaturn: South before dawn ËËMercury: Early Apr, low in west hundreds of parks, lands, and waters for Ursids Meteor Shower Wildlife most active at night are categorized ËËMidnight to dawn morn of Dec 22 The Moon an entire year. Speak to a ranger or visit as nocturnal. They have developed special (New moon will make viewing excellent) ËËFull Moon: Apr 15, New Moon: Apr 29 everykidinapark.gov for program details. adaptations to help them survive, some of which Lyrids Meteor Shower are comparable to real life “superpowers” such as Kit Fox ËËMidnight to dawn Apr 23 keen eyesight and hearing. Some adaptations are (Chet Steele) (New moon means excellent viewing) Become a Death Valley Junior Ranger behavioral. The kangaroo rat and the elusive desert banded gecko come out at night to avoid predation, while others such as owls and MAY 2018 bobcats emerge to hunt. Planets Visible Take the # Hike Death Valley challenge ËËMars: South before dawn Although seeing wildlife at night is difficult, finding signs of their ËËJupiter: SE after sunset, low in SW travel can be easy and fun in places like the Mesquite Flat Sand before dawn Explore Biodiversity Dunes. Look for tracks of kangaroo rats, desert sidewinders, and ËËVenus: West after sunset kit foxes just to name a few. As you venture out into the dark desert ËËSaturn: South before dawn Marvel at the night sky night, your eyes will slowly adjust to reveal the depth of the star-filled The Moon sky. Keep your ears open as the creatures of the night slowly awaken ËËFull Moon: May 29, New Moon: May 15 to fill the desert with new sounds, sights, and mystery. Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower Ask a ranger about 4 for 4th to learn more Scorpion (NPS) ËËMidnight to dawn May 7 4th Graders with their free passes (NPS - Kurt Moses) (Bright moon will make viewing difficult) www.nps.gov/deva 10 www.nps.gov/deva 11 Visitor Services Furnace Creek Timbisha Shoshone Village Panamint Springs Panamint Springs Resort National Park Service- Indian Tacos & Shaved Ice: Lodging & Camping: Furnace Creek Visitor Center: Get 760-258-7858 775-482-7680 - panamintsprings.com information and maps, purchase entrance passes, Often open Tuesday - Saturday 10am-6pm explore exhibits, watch the park film, speak with General Store: 7am-9pm daily park rangers. ATM, snacks, ice, firewood, camping supplies, Stovepipe Wells Village and gifts Packaged sandwiches and snacks are available at Shower Passes: Available at general store the DVNHA bookstore in the visitor center. National Park Service- Ranger Station: Get information, maps, and Gas Station: 7am-9:30pm 8 am-5pm daily purchase entrance passes. 87, 89, & 91 octane gasoline 760-786-3200 - nps.gov/deva Open hours determined by available staffing. Restaurant and Bar: 7am-9pm daily Post Office: Death Valley Lodging Company Mail letters and postcards- Lobby open 24 hours Lodging & Camping: Local Communities Purchase postage- Monday - Friday 8am-4pm 760-786-2387 - deathvalleyhotels.com Closed for lunch from 1pm-1:30pm Beatty, Nevada: Lodging, restaurants, ATM, Shower & Pool Passes: camping, gas, general store Per person passes available until midnight The Oasis at Death Valley Pahrump, Nevada: Lodging, restaurants, Internet: Hourly and daily rates Lodging & Camping: grocery stores, hospital, auto service, gas, ATM, 760-786-2345 - oasisatdeathvalley.com General Store: 7am-10pm daily veterinarians, camping ATM, groceries, ice, camping supplies, gifts, Restaurants and General Store: and firewood Amargosa Valley, Nevada: Lodging, gas, The Oasis at Death Valley is undergoing extensive restaurants remodeling. For up to date information on lodging, Nugget Gift Shop: 7am-9pm daily restaurants and shopping, call 760-786-2345 or visit Gas Station: Open 24 hours pay at the pump Death Valley Junction, California: oasisatdeathvalley.com (major credit/debit cards) Unleaded fuel only Lodging, restaurant, RV camping Shower & Pool Passes: Restaurants: Per person passes available until 11pm Shoshone, California: Lodging, restaurants, Toll Road: general store, gas, campground Laundry: Coin operated machines Breakfast: 7am-10am Borax Museum: 10am-6pm daily (free/outdoors) Dinner: 5:30pm-9pm Tecopa, California: Lodging, restaurants, camping Gas Station: 24 hours pay at the pump (major Badwater Saloon: 11:30am-10pm credit/debit cards) unleaded, diesel, propane, and Lunch: 11:30am-5pm limited mechanic services Trona, California: Lodging, restaurants, camping, gas, ATM Farabees Jeep Rentals and Tours: 4x4 Jeep Scotty’s Castle (CLOSED) rentals and tours. Located between the gas station Ridgecrest, California: Lodging, and NPS Furnace Creek Visitor Center. Scotty’s Castle and the Bonnie Claire Road to restaurants, grocery stores, hospital, auto 760-786-9872 - deathvalleyjeeprentals.com NV 267 are closed due to flash flood damage service, gas, ATM, veterinarians, camping Furnace Creek Stables: Horseback trips, sunset until 2020. The roads from Highway 190 to and moonlight rides (seasonal) Ubehebe Crater, Racetrack, and Mesquite Lone Pine, California: Lodging, restaurants, 760-614-1018 - furnacecreekstables.net Spring Campground are open. camping, gas, ATM, groceries, health clinic Sunset (Scott Stolberg)

Lifetime Dump NPS Campgrounds Season/Reservations Elevation Fee Pass Rate Sites Water Firepits Tables Toilets Station

open all year mid-Apr to mid-Oct: first come, first served -196 ft $22 standard $11 standard 136 mid-Oct to mid-Apr: yes yes yes flush yes Furnace Creek (-60 m) reservations strongly recommended $36 hookups $25 hookups 18 must be made at least 4 days to 6 months in advance on recreation.gov or 877-444-6777

open mid-Oct to mid-Apr - back into all sites -196 ft group $14 $7 270 yes no flush yes Sunset first come, first served (-60 m) only

open mid-Oct to mid-May - no generators sea level $16 $8 92 yes yes yes flush yes Texas Springs first come, first served

open mid-Sept to mid-May sea level $14 $7 190 yes some some flush yes Stovepipe Wells first come, first served

open all year 1,800 ft $14 $7 40 yes yes yes flush yes Mesquite Spring first come, first served (549 m)

open all year - tent only 2,100 ft free 10 yes no no flush no Emigrant first come, first served (640 m)

open all year - 25 ft length limit 4,100 ft free 23 yes yes yes vault no Wildrose first come, first served (1,250 m)

open Mar-Nov - 25 ft length limit 7,400 ft free 6 no yes yes vault no Thorndike first come, first served (2,256 m)

open Mar-Nov - 25 ft length limit 8,200 ft free 10 no yes yes vault no Mahogany Flat first come, first served (2,499 m)

*The National Park Service may reserve sites for management needs with or without notice at any time in any NPS campground. Generator hours are 7:00 am - 7:00 pm unless posted otherwise.

Dump Private Season Elevation Fee Sites Water Firepits Tables Toilets Station

open all year -218 ft group group $18 35 yes flush no Fiddler’s Camp 760-786-2345 - oasisatdeathvalley.com (-66 m) only only

open all year sea level $34 hookups 14 yes no no flush yes Stovepipe Wells RV Park 760-786-2387 - deathvalleyhotels.com

$35 hookups open all year 2,000 ft $20 non-hookup Panamint Springs 76 yes some yes flush no 775-482-7680 - panamintsprings.com (610 m) $10 tents $50 - $65 tent cabins