Down-size my Death Valley Trip?

[Richard K.]

I was planning on being in Death Valley 5 full days, Feb. 7 - Feb. 11 (leaving Feb. 12). After reading about possible (likely?) road restrictions, I'm wondering if I shouldn't cut back to just 3 days in DV and maybe go to Souther climes (Anza Borrego?) instead for a couple of days and return in the summer to do the Racetrack, Point Aguerreberry, Saline Valley, etc.?

Thanks for your thoughts on this!!

What would the Lone Pine (Alabama Hills) area be like in Feb.?

[Sirius Glass]

You cannot predict the road and weather conditions in Death Valley or even the Mojave this far in advance. They can be anywhere from bone dry to a qagmire or anything in between.

[Kevin Crisp]

It could very well be bone dry and cold in February, both in DVNP and in the Alabama Hills. But then again the flooded out trip I mentioned was in February....

[Drew Wiley]

DV or Saline Valley in the summer???? That's a cruel way to die. Anza-Borrego is a
LONG drive from Death Valley and subject to the same weather variables. DV is so
large that there will always be plenty to do. Just hike around a bit. With luck, these
current rains will green up the Valley - something I have only seen twice in my own
lifetime, along with a 30-mile long lake at the bottom. The Lone Pine area isn't too
far away and has a great deal in it too, but will probably be cooler. Sometimes I just
wish folks would throw away their "must see" or "must photograph" lists and just nose around. The whole country around there is remarkable, especially on foot.

[Kevin Crisp]

The weather predictors are saying that despite the recent many, many inches of rain (28" and counting at Lake Arrowhead, for example, just in December) they still think this will be a relatively dry winter. Several have pointed out that a rip roaring wet start and then nothing for follow up is typical of a La Nina condition.

Typically our Decembers are fairly dry, with standing water peaking in April.

[Ed Kelsey]

Amusing that you would take anything the Weather Service says with a grain of salt especially after the recent rains in So Cal.

[Kevin Crisp]

I think every weather prediction should be taken with a grain of salt. Especially so anything out more than 7 days or so. The last series of storms seem to have been very accurately predicted within the 10 to 14 day time frame by the National Weather Service.

In general the El Nino effect hasn't seemed to mean much in my observation. Besides, I blame the parents.

[generubin]

I've been traveling DV for 50 years. No way Anza Borrego even compares closely to DV for scenery and grandeur. As fast as DV gets flooded, it also dries out.

Alabama Hills is beautiful year round for photos. I have found the most rain and snow around DV area is in February. The wildest weather makes for the best memories.

Any desert can storm in the winter and require tire chains, 4wd or not, I always carry them.

[D. Bryant]

I was planning on being in Death Valley 5 full days, Feb. 7 - Feb. 11 (leaving Feb. 12). After reading about possible (likely?) road restrictions, I'm wondering if I shouldn't cut back to just 3 days in DV and maybe go to Souther climes (Anza Borrego?) instead for a couple of days and return in the summer to do the Racetrack, Point Aguerreberry, Saline Valley, etc.?

Thanks for your thoughts on this!!

What would the Lone Pine (Alabama Hills) area be like in Feb.?

There is so much to see and photograph in DV if you haven't been there before I can't imagine why you would want to travel to Anza Borrego. If the weather allows just slow down so to speak and explore DV. Time permitting do go to Lone Pine and the Alabama Hills and over towards Mt Whitney.

Be prepared for an inspiring trip. I think you will be pleased with what you find but don't try to see to much, if you do you will waste a lot of time driving.

Don Bryant

[Mark Barendt]

I have a buddy who spends a month or two each year in DV and finds plenty to shoot.

Having been there a fair number of times myself I can't imagine not being able to fill 5 days.

Also summer is hellish.