Death Valley camping: tips/advice?

Headed up to Death Valley to pitch a tent, do some hiking, and enjoy the incredible views of the Milky Way. It will be my first time camping at or near DV. I'm looking to stay at mohagany flats(8200').if not there, Wildrose is my next option.

Anyone familiar with the area? Are the roads accessible with a 2wd half-ton pickup? Any gear, hike, or sight-seeing recommendations?

I plan on checking out the charcoal kilns, and hiking up to telescope peak. Might make the trip to 'The Racetrack' but all reviews say the road in is a terrible washboard.

All input and stories welcome. :D

I camped in DV before but in Saline Valley. Have you checked weather reports? At 8200 and at this time of the year I would expect it to dip down quite a bit at night. Make sure you have proper gear for night time.

what? no fishing planned?

May as well do Joshua Tree...desert but with amenities.

I've been planning a December trip to Death Valley myself.

You can do a lot in DV with a 2wd. The key is to air down your tires to about 17-20 psi. Of course you need an air compressor to air back up but you can pick one up at Costco for under $100 if you don't already have one. Another plus from airing down is it absorbs some of the washboard roads. Make sure you have a spare or tire plugs.

I'm looking at doing SteelPass trail in the Northern part of the park down to Warm Springs and make camp there. WS is an old hippie commune that is clothing optional! should be fun!

Bring a jacket.

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Originally Posted by UnholyGoalie

I camped in DV before but in Saline Valley. Have you checked weather reports? At 8200 and at this time of the year I would expect it to dip down quite a bit at night. Make sure you have proper gear for night time.

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High of 44, low of 25 for telescope peak. Def. bringing the 0 degree bag, plenty of firewood, and something raised so I can sleep off the ground.

My suggestion for camping in Death Valley is not to. Why do you think they call it Death Valley? People friggin' die there.

No thanks!

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Originally Posted by Fropitar

Headed up to Death Valley to pitch a tent, :D

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The thought of adgy-san helps me pitch a tent.

Ended up being a good trip. A bit cold with a high of 28 and an overnight low of 15 but fun, none the less.

Here is how it went down, Pardon my poor writing skills:

15N to 395, and West on 190 is where the adventure began. As we pass south of a frozen Owens lake, I take a glimpse up at my trucks compass. Cold.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...gp/Compass.jpg

After crossing a long cold and flat Owens Valley, only stopping long enough to glance behind us at the Serria's, with Mt. Whitney protruding above her sisters, we cross into Death Valley National Park. Our first vista is Crowley's Point. A Great view of the Panamint Valley, with the Panamint mountain range in the background and Death Valley just beyond.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...51c33a2d89.jpg
Father Crowley's Point, Hwy 190 weaving down into Panamint Valley

We jump back into the trucks and start our descent down a winding Hwy190. A gorgeous drive, dropping us down into Panamint Springs. Eager to arrive and to start setting up camp, we cross the Panamint Valley in haste. We arrive at the bottom of the Panamint mountain range and adventure into our first canyon via Trona/Wildrose road. The canyon was really something to see. Abandoned mines, fresh water turned ice running across the road, beautiful rock formations, and fall colors. I recommend taking Trona rd back to Hwy 190, instead of using 190 directly.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...124de82abe.jpg
Trona/Wildrose road
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...fda5f6764f.jpg
Abandoned mine on Trona road

After Trona rd merges with Emigrant Canyon rd, approach Wildrose campground swing in to take a peek. Running water? Pfft, too many amenities! :) Back on the road, and further up Wildrose Canyon we go. A nicely paved Emigrant road soon turns into a dirt. Now we're getting somewhere. 5 miles into our dirt trail we come across the Wildrose Charcoal Kilns. Built in 1877 and still enduring.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...3720647e7a.jpg
Wildrose Charcoal Kilns

After a glimpse inside the Kilns, it was time to kick the tires on the truck and head further up the Canyon and to our final destination, 8100' atop the Panamint Mountains, at Mohogany Flats. From here on out the Roads were steep, loose, and water washed heavily. Crawling our way up we only managed to get stuck once before arriving at our campsite. Mohogany Flats.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...p/Mohogany.jpg

A 6 hour drive had left me cramped and ready to explore, but first we had to set up camp. Especially due to the fact that clouds looked as though they were rolling in, and it was already 26 degrees F at 2 in the afternoon. Luckily, the clouds swirling at Wildrose Peak were feigning rain, and cleared out before sundown.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...e78e84e138.jpg
camp finally setup, a mid-day fire, and a sweet Kings decal!

A few hours later after a short hike, and some great views of Badwater Basin (-272' below sea level) it was time for dinner and to call it a night. The low for the night was 15 Degrees, and my drool froze to my sleeping bag but hey, we made it. Thanks to all of you for your input. Even you Mitchy. I'll leave you guys with a few pictures of Death Valley/Badwater Basin, and a gorgeous shot of the sunset, and Jupiter on the horizon.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...40093febf2.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...c191bcf889.jpg
Death Valley/Badwater

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...c9bc295c8d.jpg
Sunset

Plenty more pics I've yet to upload if anyone is interested.