Dante’s View
DEATH VALLEY
During my time in Death Valley, originally Dantes View wasn’t that high on my list of priorities. Known to be crowded pretty much anytime of the day, my biggest fear was wasting the time it takes to drive up the mountain just to get all the way there and contend with 100 other assholes for a small spot in the viewing area; however, since the entrance to the trail happened to be the first turn on my way into the park, I decided to give it a try first thing in the morning before all the other assholes woke up. To my great surprise, this ended up being my absolute favorite stop in the whole park. The end result was this beauty, made even more spectacular from the slowly dissolving remnants of Lake Manly.
Before You Go
This should be the header for every single hike in the whole fucking world - bring water and snacks!! More than you think you’ll need. Just ask those two girls that went hiking in the Valley of Fire and died a few hundred feet from the car. It’s not hard to throw a box of Clif bars and a jug of water in the back seat. And while you’re packing your wholesome, well rounded lunch, also pack legitimate hiking boots, socks, and a jacket. It probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to bring a knit cap and gloves too, because while Death Valley is screamingly hot almost all year, Dante’s View is surprisingly chilly, especially if you’re hiking a ridgeline. At over 5500 feet, expect a temperature drop of at least 15°.
Pro-tip: I would’ve slapped someone for a pair of binoculars. If you have them, bring them!!!
Getting There
The loop is just under 24 miles roundtrip and should take you around two hours to get up there, explore a little, and come back down. The turn off for this bad boy is a ways from Furnace Creek just inside the park from the east entrance. If you’re staying that way (Amargosa, concrete flats, or Pahrump) and driving into Death Valley, I suggest doing this first. While I’m sure sunsets are awesome, I’m sure they’re also fucking packed and now knowing how small the parking lot is (still bigger than Zabriskie though), I’d say go up there, check it out, and see what’s up. There’s nothing wrong with seeing a location and going back for those famed Insta shots.
Once you turn onto Dante’s View Rd (don’t you just love how easy the parks department made navigation in this place!), you’ll first see a still working mining operation off to the left. After a little ways, you’ll see the Greenwater Rd turn on the left (access for Shoshone tribe) and a trailer parking lot to the right. While there are some pull throughs at the top for campervans and buses, the end of the road curling up the peak is not suitable for vehicles over 25 ft. And even navigating with lots of other cars around in my one ton truck gave me the oh-fucks.
The Trails
Once you’re at the top and safely put your vehicle in park (or you’re gonna be sooooo fucked), you’ll see a general overlook with informational placards. If you’re looking out over the basin, the trail to the right is an eight mile hike to Mt Perry while the trail to the left is the actual Dante’s View Trail and follows the ridgeline for a mile out and back. It’s a moderate trail, more difficult coming back up toward the parking lot. Pay attention to the sides and be cognizant of rocks underfoot, and you should be fine.
I feel like I shouldn’t have to say this, but don’t be a dipshit and walk the trail with caution. It’s very steep and a straight drop to the bottom. The only helicopters they’re sending out are gonna be for the removal of remains, not search and rescue so if you see a big pointy rock on the very steep cliffside, don’t hike down to it for some stupid fucking picture, like this dumbass.
xoxo, The Bitter Bitch
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