Expert: CmdrMark - 6/12/2005

Question
Hi,
Sorry, but I never received the questions.  So let me try to answer them now.
I will be traveling with my husband and a 17 year old in a regular
(that is NOT 4 wheel drive) automobile.  I don't think we're up to rigorous all-day tests but more likely short sorties.  Are the longer hikes even possible during August?
Also, semi-expensive would be more in our price range, if nothing exists
in an even lower level.
Thanks again for your help.
SE


-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
I will be going through Death valley ntl park this Aug on my way from Las Vegas to Los Angeles.  Could you tell me how best to go about seeing and appreciating Death Valley in a short period of time (that would be about 2 days).  Like where to stay and what t not to miss, how to drive there for the most picturesque etc.
Thanks for your help
SE
Answer -
>>I will be going through Death valley ntl park...

>Are you planning on hiking? Short little strolls or all day endurance tests? What is your budget like? (Places to stay in DV range from the semi-expensive to the very expensive!)

As you didn't reply, I'll give you my "canned" info on Death Valley.

Entrance to DV from route 395. Spectacular.
http://cmdrmark.com/200210.html

Death Valley
http://cmdrmark.com/200211.html

Seldom visited "Sliding Stones of Race Track Playa"
CAUTION: ROUGH ROAD
http://cmdrmark.com/d56797.html

If you're not prepared, Stay on the PAVED Roads
http://cmdrmark.com/dv94.html

Safety Speech: You're in the desert. Bring a cooler with ice and beverages (non-alcoholic!) as well as some snack food. Toss a couple of gallons of water in the trunk of the car in case you have radiator problems (or come across another motorist having them!).


Regards,
CmdrMark - http://www.cmdrmark.com  

Answer
>Sorry, but I never received the questions.

No problem! They're floating out there somewhere!

>I will be traveling with my husband and a 17 year old in a regular
(that is NOT 4 wheel drive) automobile. I don't think we're up to rigorous all-day tests but more likely short sorties.

Gotcha! I had a great time hiking in the sand dunes. There were a number of animal tracks in the sand to try to identify. Also, a hike to the lowest point in the US is a couple of miles from Badwater. In the temps out there, I'm happy to drive to an attraction and do some light hiking.

>Are the longer hikes even possible during August?

For some folks I've met out there, but certainly not for me!
(As the joke goes, it's a dry heat! {but once the temp hits triple digits, lack of humidity means NOTHING to me! It's just darn hot!})

>Also, semi-expensive would be more in our price range, if nothing exists
in an even lower level.

Being a thrifty scoundrel, I hear ya! Cheapest in-park accomodations are at Stovepipe Wells. When I stayed there, it was clean but spartan...Which is fine because I don't go somewhere just to stay in the hotel room!

At the western edge of the Park on Hwy 190 is Panamint Springs. http://www.deathvalley.com/reserve/reserve.shtml#
Didn't stay in the motel (had an RV for that trip so stayed at the RV park across the street), but from what I saw, it seemed fine!

On the eastern entrance is the town of Beatty, Nevada. Can't recoomend any lodging there but there were a couple of motels when I last passed through.

Sites not to miss (IMHO):
1st stop - The Visitors Center! "pay your $10 admission fee and pick up a map. To the right of the cash registers is a large white three-ring binder which contains in depth reports on the many sites within the park. Reports are available from the rangers and will enhance your enjoyment of the park by explaining features in greater depth than is usually found in guide books"

Dante's View (if open. was closed due to flood damage)
Badwater
Stovepipe Wells Sand Dunes
Artists Palette
Borax Works

Nearby is Scotty's Castle. Folks I know have raved about this attraction but I simply never had the occasion to visit. I plan on doing so eventually!

Let me know if there's anything else which interests you that I might have skipped.

Regards,
CmdrMark - http://www.cmdrmark.com