Concerns Re Overnighting at Racetrack in Death Valley

[Richard K.]

If I rent a Jeep and sleep in it overnight at the Racetrack Playa in Death Valley to catch the morning light, will I:

get fined for improper camping (?!?!)?

get mugged?

develop bed sores?

have cell phone reception?

need an auxilliary heater (early February)?

have a senior moment and panic because I can't find the remote?

have an epiphany and run naked in the playa?

:rolleyes: :) :D :eek:

[Gem Singer]

If you sleep in a Jeep, probably all of the above.

Get a tent.

[Michael Gordon]

About one mile south of the Playa you will find a few completely unimproved sites and one very unmaintained porta-potty. THIS is where you camp, not at the playa parking areas, as others are beginning to do.

No muggings, no cell reception, no Wal-Mart's, and only the occasional idiot (usually a photographer). If low's in the 20's and 30's is difficult for you, you may want to bring a propane space heater and good single malt.

[Jim Galli]

Actually, we're pretty sure it's people from Canada that move those rocks around every which way. :D Whether they do it naked is a picture I just really don't need to envision.

[Lachlan 717]

Actually, we're pretty sure it's people from Canada that move those rocks around every which way. :D Whether they do it naked is a picture I just really don't need to envision.

Even if it's the actress who plays Robin in "How I met your mother"?

[Kevin Crisp]

I don't think falling asleep in a vehicle qualifies as camping. I personally always prefer a small tent to sleeping in a car seat. Call the NPS and ask, tell them you want to set up a tent in preparation for a pre-dawn rise for photography and they'll tell you where to do it. You can camp most places in DV if you are a certain distance off a road and are not in a restricted area.

Mugged? Out there? You're kidding, right?

I seriously doubt there is any cell coverage.

I personally wouldn't use a propane heater inside a vehicle even with the windows open some. The CO risk and the fire risk aren't worth it. In February you can anticipate some nights where it might be 20F or so. That's what it got down to the time I set up a tent next to the Eureka Dunes in January. No problem with a decent sleeping bag.

[Richard K.]

.... and good single malt.

Just added that to my list! How could I have forgotten!!?!! I have an unopened bottle of Glen Morangie 25-year-old. Is that apropos?

Seriously, thanks to all who have helped me with the planning. It's obvious that I will maximize my enjoyment of this amazing area if I DO rent a Jeep and thow in a mattress and perhaps a heater of some sort (any ideas there?) and stay to catch both the evening and the next morning's light. Wow! I am excited! I hope the road is open!!
And I am serious about the Glen Morangie...:D Thanks all!

[Kevin Crisp]

I think this states the general rule:

Backcountry Camping

More than 3 million acres of wilderness and over 350 miles of backcountry dirt roads are open to camping under the following rules:

Free voluntary permits for backcountry camping may be obtained at the visitor center or any ranger station. Solo hikers can fill out a Backcountry Hiking Form to provide detailed information in case a search is requested by a family member or friend.

Backcountry camping is allowed two miles BEYOND any developed area, paved road, or "day use only" area. Use pre-existing campsites and park your vehicle close to the roadway to minimize impact.

Due to our rough dirt roads, backcountry roadside camping is generally only accessible to visitors with high clearance or 4-wheel drive vehicles.

Backcountry camping is not allowed on the valley floor from Ashford Mill in the south two miles north of Stovepipe Wells.

Overnight group size is limited to no more than six vehicles and 15 people. Larger groups should contact the Chief Ranger for a Special Use Permit.

Backcountry campsites must be more than 200 yards from any water source to protect these fragile areas for wildlife.

Campfires are prohibited, except in fire pits in developed campgrounds. Gathering wood is unlawful and burning of wood is not allowed in the backcountry. Use of a low impact backpacking stove is encouraged.

Since many springs may be dry or contaminated, plan to carry your own water or stash it ahead of time. During hot spring, summer and fall months, one gallon of water or more per person per day is needed. Heat and very low humidity create extreme dehydration potential during summer. We do not suggest low elevation hiking in Death Valley National Park between May and October.



I think if you check with the NPS you will find out there is some restriction on camping right on the racetrack road. You're supposed to take one of the spurs out away from the road a bit. But I think they will also tell you sleeping in your car on the road is OK.

[Richard K.]

I don't think falling asleep in a vehicle qualifies as camping.

I don't either but I am travelling via rental car and then renting a Jeep for a couple of days and I don't know if I can rent sleeping bags, tents etc. for just one night


Mugged? Out there? You're kidding, right?

Yes...at least I hope so!


I personally wouldn't use a propane heater inside a vehicle ....

Me neither but I've heard of plug in electric (I think?!?) that at least give a bit of relief and no CO...

Thanks!

[Richard K.]

Actually, we're pretty sure it's people from Canada that move those rocks around every which way. :D

I can't believe that it's taken my fine American friends this long to solve the mystery!! It's a simple application of principles learned in Curling but the specific technique is a centurys' long secret! Hint: We drink a lot of Tim Hortons coffee and wear hockey skates to do this; nudity is involved before and after, not (due to danger to exposed parts) during! Um, good luck in the hockey game tonight BTW. Please don't embarrass us...:)

[patrickjames]

Dude, just bring shorts. You are from Canada, so why would you need a sleeping bag? Compared to Canada, Death Valley in February is downright balmy!

[Eric Woodbury]

The way the rains are going, it may still be wet on the playa and your trip could be for not. I'm just saying you should have a backup plan so as not to be disappointed.

[Mark Barendt]

If I rent a Jeep and sleep in it overnight at the Racetrack Playa in Death Valley to catch the morning light, will I:

get fined for improper camping (?!?!)? See map http://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/upload/Backcountry%20Roads-2.pdf


get mugged?

Probably not


develop bed sores?

Probably not


have cell phone reception?

Why would you want it?


need an auxilliary heater (early February)?

Probably not


have a senior moment and panic because I can't find the remote?

:p


have an epiphany and run naked in the playa?

Sounds fun.

[John Kasaian]

For no CO heat put a couple of smooth flat rocks on the engine manifold and heat them up (we used to do this in campfires but since campfires aren't allowed...) Find a way to pick 'em up and toss them in your sleeping bag to warm the bag up(of course you don't want a bag made from nylon or other highly flammable or meltable stuff) If you've got a stove, filling a hot water bottle works too (as long as it dosen't spring a leak!)

[Steve Hamley]

For no CO heat, try the Coleman Black Cat heater:

http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-PerfecTemp-Catalytic-InstaStart-Technology/dp/B0009PUQW8

It's a catalytic heater, and although Coleman (lawyers) no longer recommend use in vehicles, the previous version with the same heater element recommended cracking one vehicle window 1". It does use oxygen which was the concern, not CO. And it is a tent heater.

I use one all the time at higher elevations and in cool/cold weather.

Cheers, Steve

[Scott Knowles]

First, the racetrack playa is part of Death Valley National Park (http://www.nps.gov/deva/index.htm), which has strict rules on access, permits, camping, etc. And it's a good bet you'll be visited and questioned by a NPS ranger should you be obvious violating the rules. And as with almost all the NP's, sleeping in cars is not permitted, whether in the parking lot or anywhere outside established campgrounds. Get a reservation for a campsite and sleep in the Jeep all you want.

Above all don't make them say, "Oh, just another dumb professional photographer." We're already dumb enough without being obvious about it.

[Richard K.]

Get a reservation for a campsite and sleep in the Jeep all you want.

Excellent, thank you.

[Mark Barendt]

http://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/backcamp.htm

[Richard K.]

Thank you Mark et al...:)

[Richard K.]

Dude, just bring shorts. You are from Canada, so why would you need a sleeping bag? Compared to Canada, Death Valley in February is downright balmy!

Right now it's colder in DV than Toronto :eek: ; a couple of days ago it was 52 °F here. ...

[falth j]

Actually, we're pretty sure it's people from Canada that move those rocks around every which way. :D Whether they do it naked is a picture I just really don't need to envision.


Darn...

Just when mr. Galli gets an idea to nab those rock pushers, he has the cheekiness to 'nix' the idea....


Can't you just see it now in Galli Style, those Canadiens out pushing all the rocks before dawn in the soft-light, exposed with a soft-focus lens?

[Michael Gordon]

Richard: You'd do best heeding my advice. You can clearly and legally camp about one mile south of the playa, as I mentioned previously, regardless of what others here are saying. Sleep in a jeep or sleep in the dirt; you can do both legally at the Racetrack.

[Richard K.]

Richard: You'd do best heeding my advice. You can clearly and legally camp about one mile south of the playa, as I mentioned previously, regardless of what others here are saying. Sleep in a jeep or sleep in the dirt; you can do both legally at the Racetrack.

That's what I'm aiming to do...:)

[Frank Petronio]

Forget about heating rocks Richard!

http://www.lasvegasescorts.com/

[Richard K.]

Forget about heating rocks Richard!

http://www.lasvegasescorts.com/

What the....what are those?!?!? We don't have them in Canada...Are they the ones that secretly get the playa rocks moving?

[Photomagica]

This is good advice about camping at Racetrack Playa. I've spent quite a few nights at the campsite a mile or so south. Watch out for nails - the campsite is in part built on an old mine site and nails from demolished buildings abound on the roads connecting the camping places.

The best rocks are at the south end of the Racetrack so the campsite is handy. And you don't need to be at the Racetrack super early. It takes the sun a little while to rise above the mountains to the east and illuminate the Racetrack floor. The quality of the dawn light is quite interesting.

From the parking area at the North end of the Playa, you can hike up the side of mountains to the west and see and impressive overall view of the Racetrack.

Jets from NAS China Lake use the Racetrack for practice. I've often heard sonic booms there and had one jet buzz right over me flying "on the deck".

It is a good idea to check in with the rangers first to get a bead on road and camping conditions. Unless you are there at peak holiday times i.e. Easter Break there is usually nobody or just one or two people at the campsite.

I've experienced extreme weather at the Racetrack with freezing temperatures, snow, sleet and extreme winds during the winter. This isn't usual - but it does happen with some regularity. Us Canadians blame the moving rocks on these conditions. I always carry a shovel, tire repair kit, tire chains and lots of extra food and water when I'm on the back country roads.

Make sure you are prepared for the costs if you need to get a vehicle towed out of the back country.

If you are really a skilled back country driver you can turn east at Teakettle junction and exit south out through Saline Valley. I did this drive some years ago, camping along the way. Challenging and spectacular in places.

Cheers,
Bill - one of those Canadians