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?
When I was 16 I thought my father the stupidest man in the world; when I reached 21, I was astounded by how much he had learned in just 5 years!
-appropriated from Mark Twain
If you sleep in a Jeep, probably all of the above.
Get a tent.
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.
Michael E. Gordon
http://www.michael-gordon.com
Actually, we're pretty sure it's people from Canada that move those rocks around every which way.
Even if it's the actress who plays Robin in "How I met your mother"?Originally Posted by Jim Galli
Actually, we're pretty sure it's people from Canada that move those rocks around every which way.
Lachlan.
You miss 100% of the shots you never take. -- Wayne Gretzky
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...Actually, we're pretty sure it's people from Canada that move those rocks around every which way.
When I was 16 I thought my father the stupidest man in the world; when I reached 21, I was astounded by how much he had learned in just 5 years!
-appropriated from Mark Twain
Actually, we're pretty sure it's people from Canada that move those rocks around every which way.
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?
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...
When I was 16 I thought my father the stupidest man in the world; when I reached 21, I was astounded by how much he had learned in just 5 years!
-appropriated from Mark Twain
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
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.
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