High Sierra Topix

I am going to meet a friend in Death Valley next weekend and want to know what to expect, what not to miss, what not to bother with etc. Neither of us have been there. How cold will it get? Where is the best place to camp? We will probably be there 3 nights. Any suggestions would be most appreciated!!

Which part of DV? Its a big area. North? South? Tent camping? Sleeping in vehicle? I think higher elevation still has snow. Evenings probably cold. I would take layers and be prepared for all weather. What are you driving? Hiking or sightseeing?

We will be meeting in Las Vegas and when we leave we will head north about 3 days later. I think we will be in a Honda Civic so no major off-roading. In between we want to hike and car camp. Day hikes of 5-10 miles, beautiful vistas, cool sunrises and sunsets, that kind of thing.
I know it is a big place which is why I want those more familiar with the area to help refine the plan.
Thanks, Ann

Death Valley Park Service puts out this "Daily Report" ,um, daily!

http://www.dvnha.org/morning_report/Morning.pdf

For today:

Temperatures Last 24 Hours
Furnace Creek..........High: 73°F............................Low: 51°F ............................Precip: 0.00
Scotty’s Castle..........High: 62°F............................Low: 35°F ...........................Precip: 0.00
Wildrose....................High: 53°F............................Low: 29°F ...........................Precip: 0.00

Furnace Creek Campground is pretty near full up for next weekend, but there are the non-fee sites like Texas Springs, which is right up the hill from Furnace Creek. As long as it's not wet! Worth checking out.

thanks for the link.
It looks like I will be getting to LV early on Saturday, we will pedal-to-the-metal to DV then figure out where to stay. We don't need much. Someone strongly suggested the racetrack so on Sunday we will probably circle north then back, then on Monday work or way to the West and stay around there and then head home on Tuesday.
Can't wait!

The road to the Racetrack is a long washboard road. I've only driven it with high clearance, so not sure how it would be in a Honda Civic. Probably slow driving. Ubehebe peak is right there by the Racetrack. There's primitive camping at the south end of the RT. Have fun!

If you don't feel like (or can't) drive the RT road, and stay at a campground, consider just day hiking a few of the easy to access canyons--Mosaic, Fall, Golden Canyon/Gower Gulch, Little Bridge, etc, maybe even driving the Titus Canyon Road down from Beatty, since you are coming from Vegas. Spectacular hiking--you'll see other people at the beginning of these hikes, but if you explore a bit, you'll find solitude and amazing scenery. I'd stop in at the park visitors center and get a copy of "Hiking Death Valley."

One don't-miss site (assuming the road is open--there are sometimes short closures in winter) is Dante's View, more than a vertical mile above Badwater, with a spectacular view encompassing the whole Valley, the Panamint Range, and bits of the Sierra. Lots of tourists there, but there's a trail north along the ridge (more views!) on which you should be able to lose most of the crowds.

Thanks for all the suggestions - a guy who comes in my office brought in a map for me today and suggested Dante's View, Tom. We will try to go there on the way in. And thanks for the book suggestion, matilda. I am somewhat addicted to trail guides (I suspect I am in good company).
CAN'T WAIT!!

Some trips in DV: http://snownymph.smugmug.com/Desert%20Peaks
I use Zdon's "Desert Summits" and DiGonnet's "Driving Death Valley"

Dante's Peak and Mt Perry: http://snownymph.smugmug.com/Desert%20Peaks

this might be along your way: http://snownymph.smugmug.com/gallery/37 ... 5969_wQmRN