Irvine Troop 622 - Death Valley

Death Valley is located in Mojave deserts, part of Great Basin. It is the lowest, hottest and driest area in North America. Badwater Basin in Death Valley is the lowest point in North America, with an elevation of 282 ft. below sea level. Furnace Creek of Death Valley reached the highest air temperature 134 °F on July 10, 1913. Death Valley got its name in the 1849 California Gold Rush, where the 49ers called it the Death Valley when they crossed the valley on the way to the gold fields, even though only one death in the area was recorded during the period.

The Timbisha Native Americans inhabit the Death Valley for more than 1000 years. Some Timbisha families still live at Furnace Creek today.

There were gold, silver, and borax mines in the valley. The famous twenty mule team wagons of the Harmony Borax Works were used to transport the borax in 1880s. However, limited by inefficient technology, water, fuel, and transportation, mining in Death Valley became uneconomic. After the bust of the mining in Death Valley for over 100 years, the Death Valley National Park was established in 1994.

Time

November

Activities

Cooking, Camping, Camp Fire, Food, Knots, First Aid, Tool related requirements. Scouts work on Advancements, Board of Review, Scout Master conference, Compass course. Map reading. [Camping Merit Badge] [Star Nights]

We will hike up the Mesquite Flat sand dunes near Stovepipe Wells and hike to Darwin waterfall.

Location

Furnace Creek Campground, group camp site H1

Maps

Reference

Furnace Creek, CA, Reservation.Gov

Food

Troop will supply food but Scouts may need money for Friday dinner on the road and Sunday snacks.
Campout Food Buying Guide

Equipment

- Individual

Sleeping bag.
10 essentials
- Pocket knife
- First aid kit
- Extra clothing
- Rain gear
- Water bottle
- Flashlight or headlamp
- Trail food
- Matches or fire starter
- Sun protection
- Map and compass
- CUP is required
- Toilet kit
- BSA Handbook.
- Sleeping pads and chairs may be desirable.
- Clothing recommended is shorts and T-shirt for day (Troop shirt) with sweat suit for evening.

- Troop

Troop trailer

Gallery