{"id":2876,"date":"2021-06-30T16:39:44","date_gmt":"2021-06-30T23:39:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/?p=2876"},"modified":"2021-12-23T10:48:30","modified_gmt":"2021-12-23T18:48:30","slug":"death-valley-geology-hiking-camping-trip-dec-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/2021\/06\/death-valley-geology-hiking-camping-trip-dec-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"Death Valley geology hiking\/camping trip Dec 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>My 2021 Meetup trip to Death Valley will take place December 28<sup>th<\/sup> &#8211; January 1<sup>st<\/sup>.  We spend two days driving, and three days hiking and exploring the valley. Most days have two shorter hikes, and folks are welcome to pick one or both, depending on their interest and energy levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color has-background\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lee.trampleasure.net\/events\/20211228\/\"><strong>Reservations are now open via my website here<\/strong><\/a> (the Meetup website does not provide enough flexibility in RSVP options, so official RSVPs will be on this site).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We created a new set of <a href=\"https:\/\/lee.trampleasure.net\/geology-trips-in-the-western-usa\/hiking-camping-trip-faqs\/\">general FAQs for all our geology hiking\/camping trips that you can visit here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter\" data-autoplay=\"true\" data-delay=\"3\" data-effect=\"fade\"><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container\"><ul class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper\"><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-2879 lazyload\" data-id=\"2879\" data-src=\"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171229_155753-1024x576.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171229_155753-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171229_155753-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171229_155753-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171229_155753-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171229_155753-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171229_155753-scaled.jpg 2000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/576;\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-2880 lazyload\" data-id=\"2880\" data-src=\"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171230_152005-1024x576.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171230_152005-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171230_152005-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171230_152005-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171230_152005-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171230_152005-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171230_152005-scaled.jpg 2000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/576;\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-2881 lazyload\" data-id=\"2881\" data-src=\"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171231_111405-1024x576.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171231_111405-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171231_111405-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171231_111405-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171231_111405-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171231_111405-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171231_111405-scaled.jpg 2000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/576;\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-2882 lazyload\" data-id=\"2882\" data-src=\"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171231_115121-1024x576.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171231_115121-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171231_115121-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171231_115121-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171231_115121-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171231_115121-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171231_115121-scaled.jpg 2000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/576;\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-2883 lazyload\" data-id=\"2883\" data-src=\"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/20171231_144406-1024x576.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/20171231_144406-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/20171231_144406-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/20171231_144406-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/20171231_144406-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/20171231_144406-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/20171231_144406-scaled.jpg 2000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/576;\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-2884 lazyload\" data-id=\"2884\" data-src=\"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/20171231_143928-1024x576.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/20171231_143928-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/20171231_143928-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/20171231_143928-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/20171231_143928-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/20171231_143928-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/20171231_143928-scaled.jpg 2000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/576;\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-2885 lazyload\" data-id=\"2885\" data-src=\"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171231_134106-1024x576.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171231_134106-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171231_134106-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171231_134106-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171231_134106-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171231_134106-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171231_134106-scaled.jpg 2000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/576;\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-2886 lazyload\" data-id=\"2886\" data-src=\"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171231_191201-1024x576.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171231_191201-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171231_191201-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171231_191201-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171231_191201-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171231_191201-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171231_191201-scaled.jpg 2000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/576;\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-2887 lazyload\" data-id=\"2887\" data-src=\"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171231_220117-1024x576.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171231_220117-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171231_220117-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171231_220117-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171231_220117-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171231_220117-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171231_220117-scaled.jpg 2000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/576;\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-2888 lazyload\" data-id=\"2888\" data-src=\"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/20171231_154822-1024x576.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/20171231_154822-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/20171231_154822-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/20171231_154822-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/20171231_154822-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/20171231_154822-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/20171231_154822-scaled.jpg 2000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/576;\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a aria-label=\"Pause Slideshow\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause\" role=\"button\"><\/a><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color has-background wp-block-heading\" id=\"map\">Map<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I have a <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/edit?mid=1OTFcF06tFP5vJQLuExEMZGqQB88&amp;usp=sharing\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/edit?mid=1OTFcF06tFP5vJQLuExEMZGqQB88&amp;usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\">general map here showing locations of interest<\/a>. The map changes each year, and we won&#8217;t likely get to all destinations, but it gives you a good overview of the park and our potential travels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color has-background wp-block-heading\" id=\"covid-19\">COVID-19<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a science education group, and as such Katie and I are firm believers in the COVID-19 vaccines, as well as masks and distancing. Our guidelines start with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/coronavirus\/2019-ncov\/communication\/guidance.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CDC guidelines<\/a>, and are somewhat more strict than that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color has-background\">If you are not vaccinated, you must be willing to wear a mask at all times we are gathered as a group. If you are not willing to comply with our regulations, please don&#8217;t RSVP. In the RSVP form, you will be asked to commit to these regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color has-background wp-block-heading\" id=\"preliminary-schedule\">Preliminary schedule<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/atphoto_gallery_map_332_84_15147615043596144656154328291626-scaled.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/atphoto_gallery_map_332_84_15147615043596144656154328291626-169x300.jpg\" alt=\"photo of waterfall in Willow Canyon\" class=\"wp-image-2889 lazyload\" width=\"190\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/atphoto_gallery_map_332_84_15147615043596144656154328291626-169x300.jpg 169w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/atphoto_gallery_map_332_84_15147615043596144656154328291626-576x1024.jpg 576w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/atphoto_gallery_map_332_84_15147615043596144656154328291626-768x1365.jpg 768w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/atphoto_gallery_map_332_84_15147615043596144656154328291626-864x1536.jpg 864w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/atphoto_gallery_map_332_84_15147615043596144656154328291626-1152x2048.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/atphoto_gallery_map_332_84_15147615043596144656154328291626-scaled.jpg 675w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 169px) 100vw, 169px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 169px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 169\/300;\" \/><\/a><figcaption><em>Willow Canyon waterfall<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Mon, Dec 27: <em><strong>Optional <\/strong>early arrival<\/em><ul><li>In some years, a smaller group spends the night of the 27<sup>th<\/sup> at a nearby <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/zHctMHueeAwdUfEP8\" target=\"_blank\">Red Rock Canyon State Recreation Area<\/a>, which cuts the driving on the 28th down to about three hours.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>Tues, Dec 28: <strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Travel day<\/mark><\/strong><ul><li>Drive, carpool, fly, etc, but get to the Furnace Creek area.<\/li><li>Our gathering point will be in the Texas Spring Campgrounds, but there are hotel options as well (see below).<\/li><li><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#b93407\" class=\"has-inline-color\"><strong>Sunset is about 4:40 PM<\/strong><\/mark>, so getting there before that really helps with settling in.<\/li><li><strong>7:00: Brief check-in <\/strong>and background information presentation on the big picture of Death Valley geology. We&#8217;ll meet at the campground, and folks staying at the hotel are encouraged to drive up (about 1 mile) and join us.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>Wed, Dec 29: <strong>Exploring central Death Valley<\/strong>.<ul><li>Carpooling and caravans are suggested to get to daily hikes.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>After the long travel day, we&#8217;ll take a couple hikes that don&#8217;t require as much driving.<\/li><li><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#b93407\" class=\"has-inline-color\"><strong>Sunrise is around 7:00<\/strong> am<\/mark>, so we&#8217;ll try to start each day by 8:30 (we only have about 9.5 hours of daylight, and most days require at least an hour of driving).<\/li><li>Sunrise at <strong>Zabriskie Point <\/strong>for those who are interested.<\/li><li>Quick stop at Historic Lake Manly beach shoreline.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li><strong>Mosiac Canyon<\/strong>. A short hike up an amazing canyon.<\/li><li><strong>Lunch <\/strong>near Stovepipe Wells (bring lunch or buy there)<\/li><li><strong>Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes<\/strong>. Amazing dunes that seem to go on forever. We&#8217;ll talk a bit about the dunes, then folks are free to explore them in groups or on their own.<\/li><li>Short hike up the <strong>Salt Creek Interpretive Trail <\/strong>to see (possibly) the Death Valley pupfish. We might do this Thursday morning instead.<\/li><li>Sunset at <strong>Zabriskie Point <\/strong>for those who are interested (and make it back in time).<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>Thurs, Dec 30: <strong>Exploring the north end<\/strong><ul><li>A lot of driving today, so we&#8217;ll want to get out by 8:00; Ubehebe Crate is over an hour&#8217;s drive away!<\/li><li><strong>Ubehebe Crater <\/strong>for sure!<\/li><li>Other stops will be decided before October 1<ul><li>Other possibilities include <strong>Scottie&#8217;s Castle Tour<\/strong>, drive down a long a washboard road to <strong>Racetrack Playa<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>Fri, Dec 31: <strong>South-central Death Valley<\/strong><ul><li>Sunrise at <strong>Zabriskie Point <\/strong>for those who are interested.<\/li><li><strong>Ventifact Ridge<\/strong>: right off the road we can see rocks that show sanding features due to continual natural &#8216;sandblasting.&#8217;<\/li><li><strong>Badwater Basin<\/strong>. A short stroll around the lowest point in the USA.<\/li><li><strong>Willow Canyon <\/strong>waterfall hike. <\/li><li>On the drive back, those who are interested can drive through <strong>Artists Drive<\/strong>.<\/li><li><strong>New Year&#8217;s Eve celebration dinner <\/strong>at the restaurant at the Ranch at Death Valley (the complex where those opting for a local hotel will likely stay).<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>Sat, Jan 1: <strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Travel day<\/mark><\/strong>.<ul><li>Head out on your own pace and time.<\/li><li>Optional stop to see tufa towers at the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/KiYJxzb4VC2d64K39\" target=\"_blank\">Trona Pinnacles<\/a>, about 2 hours outside the park on the drive home (about six miles down a fairly smooth dirt road that just about any car can handle).<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color has-background wp-block-heading\" id=\"expenses-logistics\">Expenses &amp; logistics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The $75 is per person fee is to help Katie and I keep leading these trips &#x1f609; and covers camping fees. Children and low\/limited income registration is $32. Other expenses include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Mosaic-canyon-layered-rocks.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Mosaic-canyon-layered-rocks.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2891 lazyload\" width=\"190\" height=\"285\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Mosaic-canyon-layered-rocks.jpg 500w, https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Mosaic-canyon-layered-rocks-199x300.jpg 199w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 190px) 100vw, 190px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 190px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 190\/285;\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Mosaic canyon<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Park entrance fee ($30 per car, good for one week, discounts and passes  available).<\/li><li>Lodging:<ul><li>Campers: Camping fees is covered by your donation. <\/li><li>Hotels: Your on your own, but may also want to find someone on the trip to share a room with. The Ranch at Death Valley is right near us, but there are other, lower-priced, hotels that folks have used in Beatty, Nevada (about an hours drive away).<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><strong>Food<\/strong>: Everyone is responsible for their own food. Katie and I will have a couple of two-burner stoves, and folks who don&#8217;t have their own camp-stove are welcome to use ours.<\/li><li><strong>Equipment<\/strong>: If you need to rent tents, sleeping bags and pads, etc, I recommend <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/rentals\/pricing\" target=\"_blank\">REI as they have a complete list<\/a> of almost anything you&#8217;ll need. We once flew to Las Vegas, rented a car, then rented equipment at REI, then drove to the park. Flights to Vegas can be pretty cheap, and the driving time to Texas Spring is only about two hours!<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-background wp-block-heading\" id=\"rsvp-and-attendance-limits\">RSVP and attendance limits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>RSVPs will open on October 1st here on this website.<\/li><li>Attendance limit is set at 40, however we usually get around 10-20 people.<\/li><li>RSVPs is with a donation of $75 per person that is not refundable. Children are $32, as well as limited\/low income. If there is a waitlist there are usually people on it who can &#8216;buy your space.&#8217; My goal is that you don&#8217;t RSVP until you are sure you can come.<ul><li>In the event that the event is cancelled due to &#8220;acts of nature&#8221; or other requirements, all donations will be refunded.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-background wp-block-heading\" id=\"camping\">Camping<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We&#8217;ll stay at Texas Spring Campground. There are no reservations here, but we can usually fit two carloads of people in each camping space. There is no group site here, but we can usually find a few campsites next to each other so we can feel like a group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are coming in a full-size RV and want hookups, you can make a reservation at <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/deva\/planyourvisit\/furnace-creek-campground.htm\" target=\"_blank\">Furnace Creek Campground<\/a>, which includes camping sites with hookups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-background wp-block-heading\" id=\"hotel-options\">Hotel options<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Hotels in the park in December are quite expensive (much less in the 110+ summer!). Most folks who have stayed in the hotel in the past have (1) stayed with a friend\/partner, (2) shared the room with another member of the group, or (3) stayed in Beatty, NV. Below are a few options, with approximate pricing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.oasisatdeathvalley.com\/lodging\/the-ranch-at-death-valley\/\" target=\"_blank\">Ranch at Death Valley<\/a>. Most affordable option next to the campground&#8211;$279 when I checked.<\/li><li>The <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.oasisatdeathvalley.com\/lodging\/the-inn-at-death-valley\/\" target=\"_blank\">Inn at Death Valley<\/a>. More of a resort-type hotel, but also right nearby&#8211;$507\/night when I checked.<\/li><li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/deathvalleyhotels.com\/our-hotel\/rooms-and-rates\/\" target=\"_blank\">Stovepipe Wells hotel<\/a>. I&#8217;m not sure how the price here compares to the Ranch, and it&#8217;s about 30 minutes from Texas Spring. Prices may be $144-226\/night.<\/li><li>Hotels\/motels in Beatty, NV (about an hour away). <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yelp.com\/search?find_desc=hotels&amp;find_loc=Beatty%2C+NV&amp;ns=1\" target=\"_blank\">Here&#8217;s a Yelp search for hotels in Beatty<\/a>. A quick check of one hotel in Beatty shows a rate $69-76\/night.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-background wp-block-heading\" id=\"food\">Food<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color\"><em>Everyone is responsible for their own food.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Breakfasts should be something you can prepare quickly, and lunches something you can bring in the car. Snacks to eat during hikes are recommended, as well as water\/liquid to drink. Dinner will be at the campground, or you can eat in the restaurant near the hotel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is plenty of tap water available at the campground, as well as restrooms with running water (no showers).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Katie and I will bring two two-burner stoves, so we&#8217;ll have four burners available for those who don&#8217;t have their own stove.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-background wp-block-heading\" id=\"weather\">Weather<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Death Valley in December can be cold, so be ready to bundle up. The average high for December is only <strong>65\u00b0F<\/strong> and the average low is <strong>38\u00b0F<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sunrise is around 7:00 AM, and sunset is around 4:40 PM. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Mosaic-canyon-conglomerate.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Mosaic-canyon-conglomerate.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2890 lazyload\" width=\"190\" height=\"328\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 190px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 190\/328;\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-background wp-block-heading\" id=\"other-questions\">Other questions?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Please use the comment section below to ask questions. I&#8217;ll answer them, and likely incorporate the answers into the description above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Explore Death Valley with a group of hikers interested in examining the geology of the park. The trip is December 28, 2021 through January 1, 2022.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2887,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[87,96],"tags":[197,196,192,191],"class_list":["post-2876","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-geologyearthquakes","category-hiking","tag-camping","tag-death-valley","tag-earth-science","tag-geology"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_20171231_220117-scaled.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2876","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2876"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2876\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2981,"href":"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2876\/revisions\/2981"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2887"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2876"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2876"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trampleasure.net\/lee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2876"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}