Intro

I am a huge fan of Death Valley! I have been when it is hitting the infamous 120+ degrees and been caught in an unanticipated snowstorm. This is one of the most diverse places I have been, and I feel like it flies under the radar – assuming because it’s not close to anything.

Most of my exploring was done by 4x4 driving; There’s still plenty to do and see without, but you do miss out on a bit of the magic.

Methodology

I have done Death Valley a few ways but have mostly enjoyed trying to make a giant counterclockwise loop from the Southwest corner wrapping around to Eureka Dunes.

I am highlighting points I have hit along the way in the order you would see them in an attempt of a ‘do everything’ route (which I haven’t yet attempted).

If you’re looking to visit, check out the tools I use to help predict distance, timing, distance, gas etc. It is important to make sure you understand the surrounding areas, contingencies, and your plan.

Note & Disclaimers:

If you’ve stumbled upon my outdoor diary, please be respectful & responsible with the content and more importantly with the area! They only exist if we take care of them; respecting others and caretakers, respecting the natural state (cough speakers), nature and inhabitants, minimizing impact (avoiding crowding and large groups), and exercising Leave No Trace principles – hopefully leaving it a bit better with less trash (old rusted cans etc. can be considered ‘antiques’ and are not to be removed in many cases like National parks).

Plan your trip. This is not meant to tell you how to do this trip. Conditions, transportation, people etc. vary. Make sure you understand what you’re getting into and that it fits you and your vehicles capabilities. Be prepared for the worst.

I ain’t sponsored (any takers), I am not an expert and I make mistake. This is written for me.

Routes In/Out

There’s not a an incredibly convenient way into the park via LA. People often drive North, up the 14 and cut east mid-park or go East into Nevada, cutting back to enter from the Southeast.

This cuts through Panamint Springs and Stovepipe Wells towards Furnace Creek. It is great to do this if you’re bee-lining to Saline Valine Road, The Racetrack (via south), Clay Mountain and Furnace Creek.

Via 4x4, I like to enter from Southwest, up XYZ canyon. It cuts through Barker Ranch, where Manson resided and was found and exists and I have gone without seeing my fair share of burrows. You exit with a choice of doing XYZ road, west of Badwater Basin, or on to the main road, XYZ. Note, this road has traditionally been very variable after rain but the only super technical section could be XYZ pass. Would recommend seeing if there’s a recent YouTube video to see if you’re comfortable.

There’s not a bypass, so it will be a big turnaround to not complete this section. This route also passes some unique stops, including old cabins you can camp at, Striped Butte, roaming burrows, some mines and an old XYZ that has a (warm) surface spring cutting through and an empty swimming pool.

Entering, or exiting the Southeast leads you through desert and old abandoned buildings of various histories (abundant throughout the park and SoCal). I’ve taken dirt roads to exit here that included a water crossing in the middle of nowhere and was supposed to exit on some dunes. These seemed to have been closed to access via vehicle for rehabilitation, but you can still hike to it last I checked (was too far for us and our plans).

From the Northwest, I have only exited by Big Pine when accessing Eureka Dunes (super cool). We have. Done a few Death Valley trips exiting here on the way to Mammoth. Eureka dunes are super cool, but a bit out there with plenty of washboard roads in-between.

I think there’s a route close to Eureka dunes that connects or is the Saline Valley Road. (Possibly could drive up Death Valley Road, and loop back this route and see the hot springs – still on my to-do list.

Places/Things

XYZ Canyon

Dirt Road: A cool, narrow-ish canyon that enters the park from the Southwest. I have often seen water running down the canyon as a small stream. Plenty of borrows about! This route isn’t super technical, but it does have some occasional sharp rock (reco: offroad tires). With erosion, you also never know!

There’s a small hut/pantry like thing that’s off the main route we were going to camp. However, it freaked someone out so we found somewhere further up the road.

Burrows

These roam free and are abundant in the area from XYZ Canyon all the way to XYZ camp.

History?

Barker Ranch

This was a ranch where Charles Manson took refuge, late in his free-life (not his active hide-out closer to LA). It is also where they found and booked him. This is slightly off the main route into the park, but only slightly. It also was easy to find one time, and difficult the next (I am not sure if we were dumb that day, or if erosion made the road in difficult to see).

The actual ranch was burnt down relatively recently by some angry person. There is still, however, the foundations and some buildings still exist.  Cool place where many people

Menghal? Pass

Trickiest spot of the Southwest-entry route. There is a rocky, steeper downhill section. I have always had someone spot me just in case, but my 4runner has not had any issues to date. Just a bit of dangling from my seatbelt.

It might be possible in a CUV, but there might rock clearance issues

Cabin

Stripped Butte

Westside Road

Waterfall Hike

Slot Canyon Hike

Badwater Basin

Natural Bridge

Devil’s Golf Course

Artist Palette

Gold Canyon

Red Cathedral

Manly Point?

Zambreski Point

Echo Canyon

Furnace Creek

Titus Canyon

Ubehebi Crater

XYZ Road

Tea Kettle Junction

Racetrack

Hardroad

XYZ Road

Clay Mountain

Joshua Trees

Saline Valley Road

Panamint Springs

Father Crowley Overlook/Rainbow Canyon

Stovepipe Wells

Mesquite Dunes

Oasis Hike

Death Valley Road

Eureka Dunes

XYZ Dirt Road/River Crossing

XZY Dunes

My Routes/Itineraries

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