February 1, 7am  – Discovery Hills to Double Peak, San Marcos (10 miles) Training #2 for the PCT hike

Easy, moderate and strenuous hikes are available-from 3/4 mile to 10 miles (approx. 4 hours). FLYER

This is a good practice/training hike for our April 4th 20-mile Pacific Crest Trail hike and other backpacking/hiking trips this summer. You will be challenged and learn essential hiking skills. We will hike around the lake and creek and gain elevation going to Double Peak. We will continue down the back of the ridge through San Elijo Hills and then back by the repeater tower and across the top of the ridge and back to Discovery Lake. The trail around the lake offers views of the area from the mountains to the south and the Discovery Hills development to the north.  Many water birds and wildlife reside here. From the top on a clear day you can enjoy a view of the coast and ocean.

From Carlsbad Take Palomar Airport Road/San Marcos Blvd. east toward Hwy 78. Two blocks before you would reach Hwy 78 turn RIGHT on Bent Ave.  Pass Discovery St. and turn RIGHT on Foxhall Dr. Take Foxhall 3 short blocks to the park entrance. Foxhall bends sharply to the left and runs right into the parking lot.

From Hwy 78, exit Twin Oaks Valley Road and turn south. Go to Craven Road and turn right (west).  Go to Foxhall and turn left.  Foxhall runs right into the parking lot.

Important: Prior to the hike download the ADULT and/or the MINOR release form at the bottom of the page, fill it out and sign and bring with you to the hike, or pick one up at the OA Table after services. (This will save time the morning of the hike.)

Rain: We will hike rain or shine. If raining, dress accordingly (rain gear, sturdy shoes with good tread)

Restrooms: Near parking lot only.

Children & Strollers: at your discretion – only for the short hike.

Wheelchairs: Some trails are accessible – only for the short hike.

Bring: Plenty of water, snacks, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, & sturdy shoes. If you are training for backpacking or a big hike later this summer, you can bring a filled pack & gear, hiking poles, (see backpacking checklist/ten essentials in the resource section of our webpage).

Orville Stanton, Hike Leader,  orville@northcoastcalvary.org

“Death Valley is one of the lowest areas of land on Earth; Furnace Creek is at an elevation of 196 ft. below sea level. The region is generally sunny, dry and clear throughout the year. Winter is the park’s peak season; temperatures are mild with occasional winter storms, and visitors should bring warm clothing and light or medium jackets. Sun-protective clothing and a broad brimmed hat are recommended. Rainfall averages less than two inches per year.

Natural Features:

Death Valley has sunk below sea level through geologic processes over time. It lies within the Mojave Desert and is the hottest, driest and lowest location in North America. Yet despite its extreme conditions, the park boasts a diversity of ecosystems, including colorful badlands, snow-covered peaks, desolate sand dunes, rugged canyons and flat, dry basins called playas.

Furnace Creek is on the edge of a playa at the bottom of the valley floor. It is fairly open with sparse vegetation, though some sites do have trees that provide shade. The facility offers a wide view of the mountains to the east and west, which glow with hues of orange, red and yellow during sunrise and sunset.

Recreation:

Explorers of all ages can enjoy educational programs and exhibits at the visitor center adjacent to the campground. Birders may have luck spotting local and migratory birds around the campground and along Airport Road, especially in the cooler months. Visitors can access a paved bike path within the facility. Trails to a natural bridge, the Golden Canyon badlands and the salt flats of Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America, are a short drive away. Some of these attractions are reachable via a dirt road.”

Trip Schedule

Friday: 

Set up camp at Group Site 1 (check in starts at 1pm)

Campground Orientation, meet Camp Leaders & Helpers

6:30 p Campfire and fellowship – discuss Saturday activity ideas

Saturday:

Breakfast on your own

9:00  Morning Devotions

Adventure time!

5:30 pm Potluck Dinner (each person bring a dish for 4 people and your own drinks, plates, and utensils.)

Worship  & Communion Service, group campfire, fellowship & music.

Sunday:

Breakfast on your own

9:00 Morning Devotions

Adventure time!

6:30 PM – Campfire and fellowship, worship service, share experiences

Monday:

Breakfast on your own

Break camp – check out by NOON

Entrance Fee $20/vehicle: Covers entrance and standard amenity fees for a driver & all passengers in a personal vehicle at per vehicle fee areas (or up to 4 adults at sites that charge per person). Kids 15 & under are free.

Or buy the America the Beautiful Annual Pass for the National Parks for $80/year.  The annual pass can have two “owners” and it is one year from date of purchase (not calendar year). Free Military pass f at recreation.gov

Things to Do

There is so much to see and do; it all depends on your personal interests. Everyone can travel and enjoy the trip at their own pace.

Dante’s View (bring a jacket and lunch), 20 Mule Team Canyon & Zabriskie Pt , Check out Museum and Visitor Center at campground

Titus Canyon is a 26 mile one way dirt road. The road travels up and over a mountain pass and goes down into a narrow wash. At the end the road is quite narrow and the shear rock walls rise hundreds of feet above you. The road is well graded and easily passable by most SUV’s and trucks.

Keane Wonder Mine, Rhyolite Ghost town, Travel thru Titus Canyon, Lunch at Leadfield Mine, Ubehebe Crater, Sand Dunes

Charcoal Kilns (bring a jacket and lunch, there will probably be snow), Salt Creek and see the Pup Fish, Aguereberry Point

Lunch at the Charcoal Kilns, Mosaic Canyon short hike, Artists Palette, Devil’s Golf Course, Badwater

Website to Plan Ahead

www.nps.gov/deva

Cell Phones

Cell phone may not work in some areas.  We have two-way radios tuned to channel 17-1 that you can take with you when going on adventures.

Getting There

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):

36.46306, -116.86778

36°27’47″N, 116°52’4″W

Death Valley is in eastern California on the Nevada border, 130 miles WNW of Las Vegas, NV and 106 miles east of Lone Pine, CA. Furnace Creek Campground is a half-mile north of Furnace Creek Visitor Center on State Hwy 190. (From Carlsbad it’s about 340 miles) (760)786-2441

Directions:

From NCCC take I-5 North to Hwy 78 East to I-15 North. Continue north on I-15 (Do not take I-215) go thru Barstow and on to Baker. (212 miles on the I-15) In Baker take Hwy 127 toward Shoshone / Death Valley Junction. Continue thru Shoshone toward Death Valley Junction.

Take Hwy 190 from Death Valley Junction to Furnace Creek Campground, 328 Greenland Blvd, Death Valley, CA. Campground entrance is on the left about a half mile past the gas station. Stop at the ranger kiosk at the entrance for directions to  group site 1

The drive should take approximately 5 hrs.

Camping:

$40 per adult  $15 per child age 3 and up (nonrefundable)

Death Valley Register HERE

Essentials 1-5:  Protection from the sun, Illumination, Navigation, Hydration and Nutrition

Essential 6:  Insulation

Essential 7- 10:  Medication (first aid supplies), Incineration (Fire – Waterproof matches), Fabrication (Repair kit and tools), Protection (Emergency shelter).

Clothing layers with boots and socks

Other important things beyond the ten essentials to consider: hiking poles, supplies for Bio brakes (trowel, toilet paper, wipes and bags to carry off used paper), and a bandanna.

Backpack with all the gear plus 2 liters of water. It weighs out at 15 lbs. I used my regular backpacking pack as my daypack, gained a few lbs, because I don’t have a 30 liter pack anymore only the 54 liter one.

Gear and Essentials Info from REI
Day Packs
Hiking Boots
Trekking Poles
Headlamps
The 10 Essentials