Death Valley National Park

[Kurn]

DVNP is a fantastic place in the Spring.
Are there guys (especially, Nevadans, Arizonans and Californians)
who might be interested in a camping meet-up?

[Chino05]

i think death valley would be great i've always wanted to check it out. you setting it up kurn? let me know. by the way did you get my message. i have friends in bakersfield so you never know when i might be up there ;-)

[Nonimus]

And bring a candle with you - apparently they melt in 8.5 seconds

[shucklemoon]

I love to camp in DV. I'll go (coming from Sacramento).

[dmb7603]

is the weather really that hot in death valley. do like camping and would be interested

[Kurn]

In winter it can be quite cold. So Spring or mid-Autumn is best.
Europeans like to go there in the Summer. A sauna you don't have to turn on.
And yes, it is REALLY hotter than blue blazes in the Summer.
A notch hotter than Needles or Blythe.

[shucklemoon]

:::bump:::

[topinboots]

Looks like there is a camping group in Las Vegas that goes to Death Valley:
nevadaoutdoors.org

[Kurn]

I'm kinda doubtful if I have the $$$ for it. But I set up a Yahoo group to get it organized--- anyone can do that standing on their head.
If someone doesn't have a better idea I'll just post the Yahoo Group I started and ya'll can discuss. [Need to get reservin'!]

Recommend trying for Furnace Creek campground; especially if there are newbie campers.

Better ideas welcome!!
DVNP is a beautiful place, especially in early spring.

Try to car-pool to minimize noise.
Hope I can make it.

[Kurn]

Here're the details on jubbercamp:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jubbercamp
Well, not really any details yet. But as soon as a few brothers put in...
So far, this is mainly aimed towards California, Nevada and Arizona Jubbers.
Although anyone is welcome to join us on our first expedition to Death Valley National Park.
And anyone is welcome to branch out with their own ideas.
Spring is great for desert camping.

Group email address: [email protected]

[Kurn]

I have never actually gone there which is part of the reason i'm interested. One place I've never set foot. But I do have some camping experience.
I've been reading the relevant web-sites. One concern of mine is the desert wind in Furnace Creek or Stovepipe Wells. That might spoil a first-time camping experience for some people. If this doesn't get of the ground until later [and hotter] we can always spend the night at Mesquite Springs and venture down into the Valley.
So if anyone is still thinking about this, here's a bump.

Comments by people with DV experience welcome!!

[LarryBiSubBot]

I've been there in the early spring and it was 90 degrees. I've also been there in the early summer and it was of course over 100.

I'm planning on going there February 12 for a camping trip by myself. Wouldn't mind having company!

[Kurn]

How do you plan for camping there?
Is it windy?

[LarsVenice]

The best time for DV is the full moon in February or March. December and January can be a bit cool, but I've been in January and it was nice. It's plenty warm in February, and March has warm evenings. The following campgrounds will take reservations, Furnace Creek and Texas Spring takes group reservations. For reservations at these campgrounds, call 1-800-365-2267. Reservations are recommended in Jan-Feb, as it is fairly popular, especially at the full moon. It's important to be able to have moonlight because you can hike at night without flashlights, and it's like being on another planet.

There is a motel at Stovepipe Wells that has a swimming pool, and you can pay for the pool only if you want to visit while camping. It's a great place to swim at night - the water is always warm.

The next full moon is April 2, and it is best to go on a waxing rather than waning moon, and so the week-end of March 31 to April 1 would be the best time, although that is a bit late in the year, and it will already be too hot for me. I think I'll have to wait until next year.