Itinerary

Saturday: Out trip starts today in Las Vegas.  Arrive anytime before 5 pm. Catch the convenient shuttle to our hotel, where we will meet at 5:30 pm. We'll start getting to know each other and review our plans for the trip, before sharing our first dinner. The evening is free for you to get to bed early or wander the strip. (D)

Sunday: Today we will make our way to Death Valley National Park, a drive that takes about 2.5 hours. After an orientation to the geology of the Park and a picnic lunch at the Visitor's Center, we'll start our exploration with the Mosiac Canyon Hike, a delightful hike and a perfect introduction to the geology of the area. We’ll hike 1 to 2 miles into Mosaic Canyon, so named because of the small rocks cemented into rock beds. We'll then go to our lodging, Furnace Creek Ranch, where we'll spend the next three nights. Overnight Furnace Creek Ranch. (B, L, D).

Monday: This morning we hike the Golden Canyon-Gower Gulch Loop. This 4.5 mile loop trail first takes us through colorful Golden Canyon with its interpretative trail. Leaving the canyon we hike up and over a ridge, passing beneath Manley Beacon and stopping to gaze at the valley floor spreading out for miles in the distance. The trail then drops into Gower Gulch, another canyon but with a completely different feel and footing than Golden Canyon. The loop ends with a traverse along the base of the cliffs that rise abruptly from the flatter plain below.

If you want some time on your own during this trip, the rest of the afternoon is free for you to do as you choose. For example you might want to fit in lounging by the outdoor swimming pool that is naturally heated by warm springs that keep the pools' temperature at a comfortable 82 degrees. You might also choose to visit the Borax Museum, which is focused on the history of Death Valley. The guides will have other suggestions, so the choice is yours whether to pack in as much as possible or take some down time. Dinner is on your own tonight. Overnight Furnace Creek Ranch (B, L).

Tuesday: Death Valley is a huge park, a fact we'll appreciate more fully with today's visit to the northern part of the Park. We'll start with a tour of Scotty's Castle, a Spanish-style mansion with an absolutely fascinating history,  built in the 1920s and  completely out of place in this environment. From there we drive to the 600-foot deep Ubehebe Crater, the remnants of a massive hydrovolcanic explosion 300 years ago. We'll hike along the west rim of the Crater to Little Hebe and several other craters, before continuing around the rim for a total of 1.5 miles. If we have time on the way back, we'll also stop at the Salt Creek Interpretative Trail. An easy boardwalk takes us to the Creek, a stream of salty water that is the only habitat of the endangered pupfish. We'll finish the day with a drive to Zabriskie Point to watch the sunset before returning to the ranch and our final farewell dinner. Overnight Furnace Creek Ranch  (B, L, D)

Wednesday: Want to pack in as much as possible? Then join your guides for a drive to Zabriskie Point to watch sunrise. Need more rest? Then sleep in and join us for breakfast. Whichever you choose, we'll pack up after breakfast and then visit Badwater Salt Flat. We'll walk at least a half mile to the edge, and perhaps further if we're so inclined. We'll also walk on the Natural Bridge Canyon Trail, an easy walk through a narrow canyon to a natural bridge. After a final picnic lunch we'll return to Las Vegas. We'll have you back by 3:00 and you can either plan to fly out after 5:00 or stick around and try your luck. (B, L)

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