How long does it take to drive to the racetrack valley?

[niubi]

I'm planning a trip to the Death Valley NP. I'd like to visit the

racetrack valley during the trip. I'm wondering, in general, how long

it would take to drive to racetrack from Stovepipe. I know the

distance is over 60 miles. I just want to get some ideas on how fast

one can drive on the last 27 miles of unpaved road.

 

thank you for any information you can provide.

[david_s5]

<p>

I can't say for sure how long it will take to get there as I managed to get quite lost along the way. There are no signposts at the intersections along dirt roads in that area. I suggest that you allow 90 minutes from the edge of the asphalt, and bring a 4wd vehicle, detailed maps, water, and plenty of gas.</p>

<p>

Don't expect to see anybody or have cell phone service on your way — you're on your own if anything goes wrong.

</p>

[michael gordon httpwww]

You don't need a 4WD to get there. It may be washboard, but the road is passable even by old Ford Pinto's.

[qtluong]

In general, I drive 20/30 mph on the road from Uhubue crater to

the <a href ="http://www.terragalleria.com/parks/np.death-valley.2.html">Racetrack

Valley</a>, using AWD station wagons.

[fourfa]

when I was there in december, it was dry and passable by my 2WD van and would have been no problem in an ordinary sedan. if it's wet, who knows. 26 miles from scotty's castle; I was limited to about 10-15 mph.

[brad_hiltbrand]

I did it in early January in well under two hours from SP Wells to

the Grandstand. The unpaved part can be done in an hour or a

little more. Allow at least two hours depending on your vehicle

and motivation. More time to drive to the south end of the playa

and walk out to find some interesting rocks.

 

I drive an old Ford Explorer 4-wheel drive that I don't mind

pushing hard on the washboards, so 25-35 miles an hour works

well most of the time. Slower speeds are terribly uncomfortable. I

will note that the washboard situation on the racetrack approach

road was very bad just after New Year. I would not have wanted

to drive it in a small sedan, but there was nothing about the road

itself that required a high clearence 4WD.

 

Current conditions: I just returned from DV last night after

camping for several wonderful days at the Eureka Dunes. It has

been raining quite a bit at the higher elevations. I would expect

the racetrack playa to be very wet right now.

 

To everyone: Please don't walk on the wet playa. Your footprints

will last for years just like the "Fuck Mondale" graffiti left long ago

by some inconsiderate sob.

 

Almost all unpaved access roads to classic scenic sites are

currently CLOSED (2.26.04) due to ice and snow (hence my

return home). If your are going in the next few days, expect

closures of Dantes, Aguerrberry Pt, Artists pallete, West side

road and associated canyons, Titus canyon, Charcoal kilns,

Skiddo, North and South Saline valley roads, etc. There has

been a large amount of rain and snow at higher elevations and

there are large washouts that road crews are cleaning up on

route 190 on the descent to StovePipe Wells. The park service is

very conservative about road closures. Expect a lot of them in the

next couple of weeks.

[steve_pearce]

We did it in June in an AWD Buick Rendezvous - so no high clearance.

We could not go above about 15 mph and it took three hours from Ubehebe. Start very early so you catch the sun reasonably low in the sky - if you get there later, you won't be able see the rock tracks in the surface at all on film as there will be no shadows.

It sounds a long way, but I can tell you it's well worth the effort - standing in the middle of the dry lake bed and looking around you is an amazing experience. We saw no-one else the whole day!

Take plenty of water and don't forget that if you get a flat tyre, turn back!

Have fun!!

[john_wade7]

It takes about one hour from the crater (Uhebehebe).

Best if your driving a rental car/truck - I just returned and it was beautiful!