Death Valley Photo Op: Opportunity for photo op next November to Death Valley and wondering how physically demanding it is to reach shooting sites in the park. Our group of seven will...

gsmith051 Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN

Opportunity for photo op next November to Death Valley and wondering how physically demanding it is to reach shooting sites in the park. Our group of seven will be going to Zabriskie Point, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Racetrack Playa, Ubehebe Crater to mention a few. It is a four day stay, shooting from sun up to sun set which is not a problem. The difficult part is walking up a steep climb with tripod and camera equipment. I'm over 70 and recognize my limitations. Would appreciate any feed back from anyone who has been there. It would be very much appreciated. George

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

gsmith051 wrote:

Opportunity for photo op next November to Death Va... (show quote)

Scotty's Castle is easy walking. Too bad you are waiting till Nov. If the CA rains are making it there in a month or so it will be covered with flowers that are seldom seen. People will be boating in the normally dry lake. I found that there are many great locations you can drive to or through in Death Valley for excellent photos. Never really paid attention to the names just went as desired and wandered to locations that interested me.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

Most of the places you mention are fairly accessible without much strenuous walking, the major exception would be hiking into the sand dunes. There it can be two steps forward with one step back. You don't mention the Badwater salt flat, but if you are with a group i doubt you would be passing it by; easy walk out onto the playa. The racetrack is no problem as far as walking, but you will need a vehicle suitable for negotiating the very rough road out to it. Overall, you should be fine.

gsmith051 Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN

Architect1776 wrote:

Scotty's Castle is easy walking. Too bad you are waiting till Nov. If the CA rains are making it there in a month or so it will be covered with flowers that are seldom seen. People will be boating in the normally dry lake. I found that there are many great locations you can drive to or through in Death Valley for excellent photos. Never really paid attention to the names just went as desired and wandered to locations that interested me.

Thank you Architect1776 for your help. We will be going to Scotty's Castle and driving to many other sites. Unfortunately, November is when the group is scheduled to go. Thanks

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

gsmith051 wrote:

Thank you Architect1776 for your help. We will be going to Scotty's Castle and driving to many other sites. Unfortunately, November is when the group is scheduled to go. Thanks

Have fun. It will look like Death Valley that time of year.

gsmith051 Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN

Photographer Jim wrote:

Most of the places you mention are fairly accessible without much strenuous walking, the major exception would be hiking into the sand dunes. There it can be two steps forward with one step back. You don't mention the Badwater salt flat, but if you are with a group i doubt you would be passing it by; easy walk out onto the playa. The racetrack is no problem as far as walking, but you will need a vehicle suitable for negotiating the very rough road out to it. Overall, you should be fine.

Thank you Jim for the information. That is very helpful. We are going to the salt flats and I'm glad to know it is an easy walk in. Sounds like the dunes is the only site which will give me trouble. Your help is very much appreciated.
George

Lance Pearson Loc: Viriginia

at 70 from a fellow septogenarian, try not to let the place live up to its name, emerge four days later vertical and remembering your name! LOL. Sounds fantastic. I'm jealous but the flowers on the desert when it rains is an amazing thing if you could go earlier.

Robert Bailey Loc: Canada

When I was there, I found the best shooting was when the sun was low in the sky- early morning, or late afternoon.
Around noon, when the sun was high, and shadows were small, I didn't shoot much.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

gsmith051 wrote:

Opportunity for photo op next November to Death Va... (show quote)

The places you have listed will offer no barrier to access for an average 70 year old. It may take a little longer to get from point A to point B, but that's okay.

IMHO the Mesquite Dunes are better if you walk straight east from the parking lot into the smaller dunes. You'll still get a workout but there are innumerable opportunities.

Also best extend you time. You need to be in the dunes well before sunrise to find a good spot and get set for that magic moment. Likewise you can stay in until after sunset, just have a compass in case there is no moon to give you directional clues.

I always spend mid day cooling my heels, downloading, and napping.

jack30000

Zabriskie is easy and don't miss Dantes View. You can see mesquite dunes from the road - just a question of how close you get. Haven't been to Racetrack but it's a long trip to get there. Not sure if an ordinary rental car will suffice

Jrhoffman75 Loc: Conway, New Hampshire

Agree with the above that all of the spots can be reached by car and readily walked to for photo ops. The road to Racetrack is covered with sharp stones, however, and a flat tire is a possibility. Expensive event in a rental vehicle.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

Jrhoffman75 wrote:

Agree with the above that all of the spots can be reached by car and readily walked to for photo ops. The road to Racetrack is covered with sharp stones, however, and a flat tire is a possibility. Expensive event in a rental vehicle.

Oh yes, also the Racetrack road is 20 or so miles of washboard when it is in peak condition. A Ranger once told me they grade the road once a year. That smooths it for a while, but the Ranger said (with a sly grin) that the only real effect was that it turns all the stones pointy side up.

shutterbob Loc: Tucson

Comfortable time of year in the park. All the points you mentioned are relatively easy to access. Racetrack is a bit of a tough drive. Word of warning....the ravens will destroy almost anything you leave unattended at Scotty's Castle, including ice chests, soft convertable car tops, jackets, camera cases, etc. They are intelligent and inquisitive. Also fun to watch and photograph. Zabriskie Point needs to be done at sunrise as colors are best at that time. Don't miss Dante's View, also to be done at either end of the day. Enjoy. It is a strikingly stark and beautiful place to photograph.

JaneA Loc: New York

I just returned from Death Valley! It is an absolutely amazing place. To your list of places I would suggest Golden Canyon, it is about a 4 mile trail with magnificent rock formations and shadows. There is quite
a bit driving from one place to another, and the hiking can be challenging because of rocks. It was everything I imagined it would be, otherworldly. You will love the Mesquite Dunes and Zabriskie Point. Artist's Palette
was closed because the road had washed out. What I saw from the highway was pretty amazing though, gorgeous colors. Have a wonderful trip!

Wanderer2 Loc: Colorado Rocky Mountains

JaneA wrote:

I just returned from Death Valley! It is an absol... (show quote)

How are the wildflowers this year? I've heard they're great again, as last year. I don't believe there have been "superblooms," as they're called, in two consecutive years within anyone's memory. I've been to DV every spring for about 35 years and am on my way now.

The road to Scotty's is also currently closed (washouts), as are many of the jeep roads into the back country. I would think it would be open by November but it's always good to check road conditions before setting out to a specific location. To the OP, have a great trip. This is a very special place - one of the highpoints of my year is the annual trip there.