From the lowest, and hottest, place in the lower 48…
…to the highest peak in the lower 48, for the 2nd time, this time up the Mountaineers Route.
DAY 1 – Drive to Vegas
This adventure started for me last Tuesday after lunch, as I jumped in my car and drove off to Vegas. The plan was to take my afternoon calls from the car so I could arrive in time for dinner on the Strip — and a lobster tail from Carlo’s Bakery in the Venetian.
DAY 2 – Morning Meetings, Badwater Basin, Lone Pine
I wrapped up the work week with a few morning meetings from the hotel and then continued across the desert to Death Valley National Park. My route took me around Mt. Charleston to Pahrump, where I had lunch at Johnny’s. Then further westward, I stopped for a short hike up to Zabriskie Point.
Peering down into the valley below, sweat dripped like I’d just stepped into a sauna. It was so hot!
I hurried back into my air-conditioned car and kept following the Death Valley Scenic Byway (CA-190) deeper into the park. Near the Inn at Death Valley, I headed south onto Badwater Road.
Devil’s Golf Course was on the list of things to see, but I was in a sporty car and had no interest in taking it off-road. Sticking to the pavement through the basin would have to be good enough this time.
Badwater Basin isn’t just the lowest point in the lower 48 — it’s the lowest point in all of North America.
And while temperatures weren’t breaking any official records, this was still the hottest natural heat I’ve ever experienced.
Speaking of sporty cars, if you happen to be driving one through this area, be sure to check out Artists Drive. It’s a one-way, one-lane road running south to north, with tight turns and dramatic dips that make it a lot of fun!
Check out this short YouTube video by Scenic Drives of America.
TBA
