Extreme heat danger
Walking after 10.00 AM not recommended
Summer temperatures in Death Valley can reach as high as 47 Celsius / 116 Fahrenheit. Even in mid-October, when we visited, daytime highs were in the mid 30s Celsius / 90s Fahrenheit. Signs in various places warn against walking in these conditions. Nevertheless visitors want to see as much of this amazing landscape as they can, even if that involves taking some risks. We saw quite a few people venturing much further into the desert areas than we felt comfortable doing.
Of course we too wanted to see as much as possible, but I struggle in very hot weather. The solution? Choose walks that offer some shade, in a couple of the canyons that are to be found among the desert mountains here. Or get higher, where temperatures are naturally more moderate. So here is a selection of shorter walks that worked for us, for this week’s Monday Walks post.
Mosaic Canyon
The unpaved Mosaic Canyon Road (passable in a regular car) led us from the flat land around Stovepipe Wells Village towards a more mountainous area. From the parking area we followed a gravel path between rock walls that gradually closed in on us. Some of the rock was smooth as marble, in other places it lived up to the name of mosaic.
Walking into the canyon
We didn’t walk the full length of the canyon, which is about two miles long (so a four mile walk in and out again). When we reached a point where the path became more challenging, with slick rock to scramble over, we decided enough was enough given the heat in particular, so retraced our steps to the car.
Looking out of the canyon, and some of the formations that give it its name
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
The sign in my header photo is at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. Despite its warning, we noticed several people walking well out into the dunes. We contented ourselves with a very short walk from the car, to get a few photos of another distinctive Death Valley landscape.
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
Artist’s Palette and Golden Canyon
After exploring Badwater Basin early the following morning (see my previous post), we took the one-way loop known as Artist’s Drive. This leads through some of the more colourful hills, reflecting the different minerals in the rocks, which give the drive its name. By now it was again very hot. We stopped for photos at the Artist’s Palette viewpoint but didn’t venture too far along the very exposed track.
Artist’s Palette (spot the people to get a sense of the scale here)
The path at Golden Canyon offered more shade. As with Mosaic Canyon we didn’t walk the full two miles but we did go far enough to capture some of the rather different rock formations here.
Golden Canyon
Dante’s View
The best advice if you want to dodge the heat in Death Valley is to get higher. To do just that we drove out to Dante’s View, about an hour from Furnace Creek. The road wound upwards and as we climbed we noticed the temperature gauge in the car dropping – from 86F at the bottom of the road to 75F at the top.
The road to Dante’s View and visitors at the viewpoint
When we got out of the car we loved this more moderate temperature and the pleasant breeze, so we decided to walk out along the point of land leading from the parking area. The views across the valley were stunning and I took far too many photos!
At Dante’s View
We were surprised to see dragonflies up here, miles from any water! I later read that some animal and insect species are relics of when this valley did contain water and have adapted to live in its now much harsher environment.
Dragonflies at Dante’s View
Of course there was much in the park that we didn’t see. Some areas are best reached in a 4×4, which we didn’t have. Some were too remote to include in our short two day stay. And some were closed due to road conditions. Nevertheless we felt we got a reasonable picture of this iconic national park that had long been on my wish-list.
I visited Death Valley in October 2024
28 Comments
Sue
W hat an absolutely remarkable place to experience, Sarah. Considering that you couldn’t spend too much time there, I think you got a flavour of the diverse landscape. Well done, I really enjoyed seeing this place through your eyes!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Sue 🙂 I think the couple of days we had here was enough, given the heat, although if we’d wanted to do more serious hiking we’d have needed longer!
margaret21
Oh, you’ve seen some fabulous rock formations and views, without being daft and taking risks. I wonder if those ill-advised walkers really enjoyed what they saw?
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Margaret 😊 While some of those walkers were definitely ill-advised, others seemed to be better prepared and maybe more comfortable in heat than I am!
the eternal traveller
Knowing your limits is so important but some people do seem to take surprising risks. We often see people setting off on lengthy walks with no water and inappropriate footwear. This scenery is incredible and I’m glad you were able to see plenty and share it with us.
Sarah Wilkie
You’re right about the footwear – I’ve seen people walking in flipflops in the oddest places, when you’d think trainers at least would be required! Glad you enjoyed the scenery here 🙂
Monkey's Tale
Death Valley has never really appealed ro me, but I do like the views from Dante’s View. The one with the tree is my favourite. Good suggestions to keep cool. Maggie
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Maggie, glad you liked those views 🙂
Sylvia
Great post, Sarah! Another place you’ve visited in The States that I have not seen in person, although I’ve experienced similar temperatures in Arizona — 114F!!
You really captured some marvelous landscape photos on your walks!! Great post and photos!!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Sylvia 🙂 I’m pleased you liked the photos (and were able to comment!)
The only other place we’ve been this hot in the US was Joshua Tree NP back in 1991. When we went to Arizona we avoided the southern part of the state where it was hottest!
Anne Sandler
I’m glad you got to experience Death Valley. The last time we were there, it rained. You didn’t mention seeing Scotty’s Castle.
Sarah Wilkie
Wow, rain – that would be something to see! No, we couldn’t visit the Scotty’s Castle area as it’s still closed following major flooding in 2015 (https://www.nps.gov/deva/learn/nature/flood-2015.htm)
EgÃdio
Fantastic post, Sarah!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Egidio 😊
bushboy
A wonderful place Sarah. Great photos to convey the bleak wonder
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Brian 😊
Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter
I love that sort of landscape, but like you struggle in the heat.
Sarah Wilkie
That’s the beauty of an air-conditioned car – whenever you get too hot you can get back in to cool off! Thank you Anabel 🙂
kzmcb
Beautiful shots of the varied landscape, Sarah. Some of those views! I’m glad you got a taster of a few areas.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you – yes, we got a good taster and loved those views!
Steven and Annie Berger
We love Death Valley. I think it’s the most underrated national park we’ve ever been to. People have no idea how diverse and beautiful it is. Thanks for your wonderful posts on the park.
Steve
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Steve 🙂 It’s interesting you say it’s underrated because here in the UK I reckon it’s one of the best known / most talked about parks after the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Yosemite. But I agree, people don’t realise how diverse it is. I’d read a fair bit about it but was still surprised by the views and climate around Dante’s View!
Rebecca
Despite being from California, I’ve actually never been to Death Valley. Truly looks like something out of a different planet! The heat sounds tough, but shade and some more-manageable walks are worth a gander while in the area. Hope to make it over there some day. Thanks for sharing, Sarah!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Rebecca 🙂 Being relatively ‘local’ you could plan to visit when temperatures are more manageable I’m sure!
restlessjo
It’s not an area that I’ve ever felt a great need to see, Sarah, but the views are remarkable and it’s great to get to less frequented places. Funnily enough, I’m no great fan of real heat. I like to be active and heat precludes that, if you’re sensible. Mosaic and Golden Canyons provided great photos. Many thanks for taking me along with you xx
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Jo 🙂 Unlike you, this is somewhere I’ve wanted to see for a long time, ever since we had to (reluctantly) leave it out of itinerary back in 1991! Glad you liked the photos anyway 😉
restlessjo
Sorry, Sarah. I put that very badly. I should have said that I wasn’t aware of the area, which is a very different thing. I’ve done very little travelling in the States and can’t begin to compare my knowledge with yours. Didn’t mean to give offence xx
Sarah Wilkie
Gosh, you didn’t give any offence Jo! I just assumed that it held less appeal for you than other places might. We don’t all like the same things, thankfully, and I’d certainly never be offended if a friend made different choices to mine 😘