Death Valley N-S Crossing (CA)

California, US

Distance

160 mi

Vertical Gain

1,600 ft

This route takes you from the northern most point of Death Valley National Park to its southern most point. No trails, no roads. It is about 160miles long and run the length of the Death Valley. The route proposed here is the one Roland Banas followed, but you are encouraged to make your own. Only the start and the end points matter. This route was first done solo, unsupported and unassisted by Louis-Philippe Loncke in 2015 in just under 8 days and done again by Roland Banas in 2018 in just under 7 days. The crossing can be done all on trails, but for an unsupported summer trip using a cart for water, that wouldn't be possible.

The route starts on Willow Creek Rd, about a 1.5 miles NE from Last Chance Canyon. Lat: 37.349741 Lon: -117.683353
The route ends at the Harry Wade Monument at the intersection of Death Valley Road (127) and Saratoga Springs Rd. Lat: 35.632850 Lon: -116.290683

A detailed trip report is on Explorer Web: https://explorersweb.com/2019/01/07/solo-dv-crossing-report/

Louis-Philippe Loncke described the strict unsupported ethic he followed:

To qualify for an FKT unsupported and unassisted, the hiker must carry all his/her food and water supplies from the start and will leave "no trace" (carry out all the trash as well until the end). It is not allowed to receive support from anyone else (navigation, weather, carrying equipment, filming or photography, etc.). The hiker has to feel/act as he/she is the only one on the planet. No pre-placed food or water caches allowed.

All rules of the DV NP must be followed. Please ask for the latest rules. It is not allowed to camp on the Badwater Salt Flat area. It is not allowed to haul a desert cart as it would damage the fragile ecosystem.

It is fair game to use natural elements found in the park (as long as authorized in the park): resupply of water in a remaining water pool, for instance. The use of a satellite phone, distress beacon or GPS does not constitute support.

Any time of the year is allowed. The hardest would be in the full heat (mid-July) of summer. This would be the last remain challenge of DV. The first traverse in mid-summer unsupported, unassisted and off track or called cross country.

GPS Track

DV2018_RO_Clean.gpx59.71 KB

FKTs

Male

Unsupported
Cameron Hummels	3d 23h 54m 0s	2022-02-18
Roland Banas	6d 23h 55m 0s	2019-01-03
Louis-Philippe Loncke	7d 23h 40m 0s	2015-11-07

Male

Supported
Ray Zahab, Will Laughlin			4d 15h 0m 0s	2011-08-30

Unsupported
Roland Banas			5d 6h 52m 0s	2020-08-08

Comments

Just a reminder to always do your homework. Don't follow the original route. The southern boundary of Death Valley NP is different now.

I'm not sure what you mean. If you look at the DVNP website, it does not indicate a new southern boundary to the park, and I am not aware of any changes in the park footprint. As far as I can tell, the Harry Wade Monument is still the SE border. I doubt anything will change down there in the short term, as the park is bordered by the Fort Irwin Army Base to the south.

After the historic precipitation from the last few years, I think the terrain will have changed to some degree, but not the official border. But maybe you know something that I do not?

Hello fellow trekkers:

I recently competed the North to South Death Valley National Park Crossing, unsupported, and using the West Side (grave) road, 175 miles in total. I have published my report. Individuals who wish to know more about how I did this can contact me at coldandwet@myyahoo.com.

Happy Trails.

Clark

Route: Death Valley N-S Crossing (CA)

FKTs

Comments