daf40 Loc: Mesa, AZ

If you're not physically fit, don't hike to the bottom of Ubehebe Crater. Wherever you go, take lots of water (even in November). Suggest that you start well before sunrise. Death Valley is a huge park and it's a long drive between destinations. Mid-day might be a good time to take a nap so you can do more shooting around sunrise and sunset.

Arca

So far no one has mentioned Darwin Falls. It is the only waterfall that I have been to in DVNP. It is about one mile in each direction and this is not a strenuous hike except for a couple of stream crossings, depending on the height of the water at the time. It is virtually always in shade. Do not forget the kilns at about 9,000 feet. These are driven to as well. But you do have to watch the altitude as air is quite thin. You will need a flash if you plan on taking any pictures inside the kilns, (there are several as I recall) and they are blackened on the inside from the materials that were burned inside them. These are on the Panamint Mountainside. The road to them is very nice and I recall there being a gas station along the way.

The park is huge, the largest in the country, in terms of geographic distances (outside of Denali NP.) So you will be using plenty of gas getting from one location to another. Gasoline in the park is very expensive, you pay for the convenience of having it in the park, instead of driving 75 miles or more r/t to get some outside of the park.

The road to racetrack used to be horrible, about ten years ago, but about five years ago, it had been vastly improved. It is comprised of limestone stones as we used to put in our driveway in Illinois, the size that kids throw, not tiny 1/4 minus gravel.

Campgrounds at 'Furnace Creek' are wonderful with great facilities. There are a couple of nice restaurants in the park in the vicinity.

Enjoy.

Arcz

Hornet Driver Loc: So. California

We generally devote a complete day or more to each end of the Valley. Titus Canyon is an easy and interesting drive - check with the Ranger for conditions. Be prepared for wind. Been there many times and always had one day of strong wind.

gsmith051 Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN

Lance that thought crossed my mine. I'm going with John Batdorff workshop out of Chicago and they already "suggested" I not take the steep climb at night into the dunes; instead stay on the small dunes to the East. That works for me! Appreciate your humor. Thanks George

gsmith051 Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN

Thanks for looking in Robert. The schedule indicates we will be shooting each day at sunrise and sunset to get the best light. I personally like to shoot at that time of day although on some trips I've had to shoot with the sun straight up. Thanks for your help....George

gsmith051 Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN

Thanks Bob. That's good information. Do you remember how far it is in to the smaller dunes? As a kid I climbed dunes and know it can be hard going. It is my understanding we will be going in to catch the sunset. Should be fun! Unfortunately, we won't be given much time to nap. Thanks for your help....George

gsmith051 Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN

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![/quote]the

Thanks you JaneA for the Golden Canyon suggestion. Hope we have time! Also, the road into Artist's Palette will hopefully be opened by November. I read on Google that the road into Scotty's Castle was closed several years ago. Don't know if that is true! Appreciate your comment very much....George

gsmith051 Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN

Thank you for your comment Teton Viewer. You are very fortunate to visit the park every year. What a treat! I'm looking forward to the visit next November for the first time. Maybe the last time at my age.

gsmith051 Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN

Appeciate the help. We have a dedicated driver and it is my understanding very good at changing tires. Thanks.....George

gsmith051 Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN

Wow I would like to leave right now. Thanks shutterbob for the excellent info. Had not heard about the ravens at Scotty's Castle. The tour I'm with visit the park every year and go to Racetrack. Sounds tough on the kidneys'! Thanks for your help...George

CMH

Its been years since I was in the valley but the most recent National Geographic photography course DVD's indicate that it has not changed much. You might want to look up their "Guide to Landscape and Wildlife Photography" DVD set which has a segment specifically speaking to the valley. I used to know Zabriskie well and would suggest that you try to get there on or around full moon which is on the 10th in November. Moonset is 6:24 and sunrise is 6:40 which should work out very well. As I recall, the parking lot just off Rt 190 is an easy spot and as good a place to shoot from as anywhere in the Zabriskie area.

gsmith051 Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN

Thank you CMH for the DVD suggestion. I will look it up, also we will be in the valley from Nov 8 - 12, which will catch the full moon. Appreciate your help. George

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

It is still a bit early for wildflowers. Some are just starting to bloom, but nothing big yet. DesertUSA has it at only a 1 on a 10 point scale. Reports are that they are not expecting another "super bloom" this year, but still should get some nice shows. It rained just recently, so if temperatures warm up over the next month there should be some good flowers mid to late March. For those interested, here is a link to wildflower updates for DV and other southwestern locations.

http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/ca_dv.html

gsmith051 Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN

The group is with johnbatdorff photography out of Chicago so we won't have to worry about running out of gas. That's their responsibility which makes it nice. They also change tires which is even better. Thanks for your post....George

gsmith051 Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN

Thanks Hornet Driver. Will use a light weight tripod which may be a problem in strong wind. However, I can hand hold if necessary with my Can 6D, which works well in low light conditions. Appreciate your help......George