Death Valley Day.....

[Hutch]

Is Monday after TAM. We'll be leaving early (0700) and spending the day at Death Valley taking in the sites and drinking about 2 gallons of water each (it's hot around there, I hear tell). Won't be back until late, so unless you're flying on Tuesday, don't plan on joining us.

Right now my minivan has four fantastic fulsome foreigners in it, but I figure we can handle 1-2 more people of whatever nationality.

I have never been to Death Valley, but am looking forward to it.

Let me know if you want to fill a seat or not.

And Scrut--sorry, but we won't have time to visit any of the legal bordellos on the way (even if it you would only take you 5 minutes...:p:p:D )

[El_Spectre]

I might be interested (either before or after TAM, I need to take a photo-excursion to Bryce), and can provide my own transport.

[hcmom]

I'm probably good for a Death Valley trip. There'll be two of me, and while I COULD provide my own car, I'd rather go along for the ride...

Will there be any pretty flowers to photograph, do you suppose?

[Hokulele]

I'm probably good for a Death Valley trip. There'll be two of me, and while I COULD provide my own car, I'd rather go along for the ride...

Will there be any pretty flowers to photograph, do you suppose?



I have no idea about June, but my brother took this one in January '07 during TAM 5 when I took my family on a Death Valley day. Judging by your avatar, you may find it pretty. :)

http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting/thum_1508347e4b09c83d71.jpg (http://forums.randi.org/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=11370)

[hcmom]

I have no idea about June, but my brother took this one in January '07 during TAM 5 when I took my family on a Death Valley day. Judging by your avatar, you may find it pretty. :)

http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting/thum_1508347e4b09c83d71.jpg

Judging by that picture, it's a good thing I like taking pictures of rocks, too...

[tim]

Judging by that picture, it's a good thing I like taking pictures of rocks, too...


And sand, how do you feel about sand?

http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting/thum_88247e63c458987a.jpg (http://forums.randi.org/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=11404)

[hcmom]

And sand, how do you feel about sand?

http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting/thum_88247e63c458987a.jpg

As long as it smiles.

[Skeptic Ginger]

If you have the time and a good vehicle for going 25 miles down a dirt road, you might want to check out the infamous mysterious moving stones at Death Valley.

The Mystery of the Rocks on the Racetrack at Death Valley (http://sophia.smith.edu/~lfletche/deathvalley.html)Actively studied for 50 years, the rocks that mysteriously move around the dried lake bed playa in Death Valley, called the Racetrack, are yet to have an unquestionable explanation for their movement.

In 1955 George M. Stanley first proposed the theory that the rocks move with the assistance of ice sheets forming after the playa surface is flooded.

There have been times when the playa is flooded with standing water up to 7 cm deep and temperatures commonly drop below freezing at the Racetrack (elevation is 3,708 feet so it has cooler temperatures than the valley floor which has the lowest elevation and the highest recorded temperature in the western hemisphere) in the winter and early spring.

In 1976 Robert Sharp and Dwight Carey diputed the ice-sheet theory. They analyzed the tracks and concluded becasuse of track characteristics and the geometries of the tracks relative to each other that ice sheets could not have been involved in forming the tracks and moving the rocks.


I read about these as a kid in the book, "This Baffling World" so when I was in Death Valley with my son we went to see them. Well worth it if the mystery intrigues you. Not as impressive if you don't care about the paranormal aspect since it is a long drive down a dirt road to see some rocks on a dry lake bed.

[Horatius]

I'm looking into day trips before and after TAM, and it looks like I'll have my own vehicle. Do you have a map of the planned outing, or some suggestions of what to look for on google maps for this outing?

I'm also looking at a Grand Canyon excursion, and am wondering how this compares time/distance wise.

Because so far, a Grand Canyon trip looks like a very full day. Might even be two!

[Hutch]

Bump to see if any others are interested. Right now we have:

Hutch (Mini Van)
Tim
Lynn
Brodski
Dr. Adequate
hcmom + 1
Horatius (SUV)
HamRadioGuy

Possible:

ElSpectre (Car)

We'll shoot to be back in Vegas by 9:00pm (HamRadioGuy has a plane to catch), so 14 hours, 500 miles, and 100F heat--what's not to love?:boggled::cool:

[Hutch]

I'm looking into day trips before and after TAM, and it looks like I'll have my own vehicle. Do you have a map of the planned outing, or some suggestions of what to look for on google maps for this outing?

There are some good maps at the National Park Site, along with information.

Here is the map for the park (with distances): http://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/upload/DEVAmap1.pdf (you may want to enlarge it to 150%/200& to get the details)

Here are possible ways to get from Vegas to there and back (there's an even more northern entrance, but we'll see): http://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/upload/Routes%20from%20Las%20Vegas.pdf


I'm also looking at a Grand Canyon excursion, and am wondering how this compares time/distance wise.

Because so far, a Grand Canyon trip looks like a very full day. Might even be two!

If you are going to the South Rim of the Canyon (the main tourist site) then plan on two days, unless you want to get back about 2 am--Good trip is leave early day 1, get to Canyon about noon, see canyon, bed down in Flagstaff, next day go to Meteor Crater (about 100 miles R/T from Flagstaff IIRC, then head back, visit Hoover Dam on the way to Vegas, and get back on day 2 in time for Dinner.

The West Rim can be done in a day, either by driving/bus/or airplane (ask tim who he booked with last year), but is not as deep or spectacular as the Soth Rim (still pretty damn neat, however).

[El_Spectre]

Bump to see if any others are interested. Right now we have:

[snip]
Possible:

ElSpectre (Car)



Go ahead and count me as a "yes". I'm in a truck that can only hold 1 passenger. If there's room in another vehicle, I'd happily chip in for gas for a ride. If I do end up driving, I can throw an icechest in the truck for our dining pleasure.

[Fitter]

Go ahead and count me as a "yes". I'm in a truck that can only hold 1 passenger.
That's because you're 14 feet tall.:duck:

[El_Spectre]

That's because you're 14 feet tall.:duck:

I'd smack you, but I can't reach down that far :)

Oh, and to clarify, 1 passenger in addition to myself.

[TobiasTheViking]

I can't possibly express how much i loathe, hate and despise heat....

TAM 6 is gonna be hell for me heat wise....

TAM 5 was bad enough..

[KarlG]

I can't possibly express how much i loathe, hate and despise heat....

TAM 6 is gonna be hell for me heat wise....

I know how you feel, im from the North of England where we think it's sweltering if it gets above 20 degrees C. I really dont know how im gonna cope ... ice cold beer in the pool maybe? (Drinking it, not swimming in it i mean) :)

[Horatius]

If you are going to the South Rim of the Canyon (the main tourist site) then plan on two days, unless you want to get back about 2 am--Good trip is leave early day 1, get to Canyon about noon, see canyon, bed down in Flagstaff, next day go to Meteor Crater (about 100 miles R/T from Flagstaff IIRC, then head back, visit Hoover Dam on the way to Vegas, and get back on day 2 in time for Dinner.




Thanks for the details. The above 2 day trip was one plan I was considering, but it tuns out, getting a rental vehicle for 1week+1day is a lot more expensive than just the 1 week. So it looks like I'll only have 1 day (Monday) for this trip. Hmmm...Note to self: adjust schedules for TAM7.

From my research, the trip to the South Rim area would be about 4 hours. Does that sound right? In the above, how long did you allow for looking around at the South Rim area? I mostly just want to see some of it, I'm not one to insist on doing absolutely everything. I was thinking, 4 hour drive, maybe 4 hours looking around, and then another 4 hour drive, maybe with a few pit stops here and there.

Is that at all reasonable, or am I completely off here?

[Zytheran]

I'll be around for about 3+ weeks after TAM with the initial plan being south rim Grand Canyon, Meteor Crater, Hoover (as per Hutch plan) Then over to hike Mt Whitney on either Thursday or Friday after going through Death Valley. Will have car (compact) and spare seat(s). So count me in as a tag along taking 2 days.( Slight chance I might do some hiking in Canyon for a day or so).